Autumn in Harstad

If you ask people in Harstad about their favourite season, chances are they will say autumn is the best. And if you have seen an autumn day with the forest ablaze in colours, the sun blinking in the fjord and the distant mountains on Senja and Andørja islands beckoning, you will agree. Autumn is perfect for seeing Harstad’s historic sights, for easy and more demanding mountain hikes, for tasting the produce from the surprisingly rich Arctic agriculture and for peoplewatching in Harstad’s compact, friendly city centre. Every night is a little longer than yesterday, and gives the Northern Lights more time to dance.

Go sightseeing in autumn colours in Harstad

Dedicate a day to Harstad’s historic heritage on the Trondenes peninsula. The world’s northernmost medieval church of Trondenes, with its valuable Gothic art, reflects in the fjord. The Trondenes historic centre showcases the entire history of the area, and on the adjacent hillside, the 12th century comes to life at the Trondenes medieval farm. A striking contrast is the story of the Soviet POW who died at Trondenes in 1943. With proper planning, you can also visit the Adolf Gun, one of the largest guns ever made. Inside a military fort, there are some restrictions. It takes a 5-minute taxi ride from town to Trondenes, but it's much more enjoyable to stroll along the picturesque "Stien langs sjøen" (Path along the sea) or even rent e-bikes for the entire day. Enjoy lunch in the museum canteen.

Savour the Harstad autumn

What can grow 300 km inside the Arctic Circle? You'll be surprised. Autumn is the best time to eat fresh vegetables from green fields. Lamb born in spring has feasted on fresh mountain herbs, and seafood gets firmer and tastier as the water gets colder. Umami is an award-winning set-menu restaurant run by young chefs. Bark is a friendly bistro with local food. The 250-year-old Røkenes farm is found a fun bike ride out of town. Visit the delicatessen in downtown Harstad, and tour the small farm shops out of town for edible souvenirs and delectable tidbits.

Autumn mountains surround Harstad 

Hiking in the Harstad area comes with a sea view guarantee. Some of the trails take you to wonderful vistas with hardly any effort at all, but you can also spend a day on a hillside and be rewarded with endless panoramas encompassing large parts of Northern Norway. Keipen is an easy walk just outside of town with views of the entire fjord system north of Harstad. The Folkeparken is a forested area accessible from the city centre. For a more challenging and therefore even more rewarding hike, "Elgen" offers wide sea views.

Enjoy fun autumn activities on fjord and land in Harstad 

No trip is complete without a trip onto the fjord. Choose between a fast and furious trip by RiB boat or a leisurely paddle among the skerries north of Harstad. You can also go fishing and even cook your own dinner. On land, you can speed on the world’s northernmost pump track, experiencing the fastest cycling you've ever tried. The Grottebadet ("Cave bath") is Harstad's spectacular underground swimming pool, a perfect way to conclude a busy day.  

Autumn is a good time to see the Northern Lights in Harstad 

Are the Northern Lights best in winter? Not necessarily. The first Northern Lights can be observed in mid-August, and each night the Aurora window opens a little more as the nights lengthen. By mid-September, the best evening hours are dark, providing excellent chances of spotting the Northern Lights. Moreover, there is increased solar activity around the autumn equinox. Therefore, there is no need to endure freezing temperatures in the heart of winter when you can witness the lights on a mild autumn night in Harstad. Enjoy a leisurely night walk or join a guided tour. 

Discover Historic Bjarkøy on an autumn day trip 

A thousand years ago, the island of Bjarkøy was at the heart of the drama between the old gods and the new Christian religion, as well as the conflict between local chieftains and a centralised kingdom. Today, the island is peaceful and easily walkable. We recommend a trip to explore tracks from the Viking Age in the stunning nature, and you can even stay overnight. The boat ride to the island takes you through islands and small coastal communities.