Along the beautiful Helgeland coast lies Sandnessjøen. This beautiful Norwegian treasure invites you to fantastic nature, great food and a lot of history.
Untouched nature
It is easy to be captivated by the nature surrounding Sandnessjøen. Just outside town awaits the «skjærgård» – the skerries – specked with both small and big islands, white beaches and crystal clear waters. Not only can you rent a kayak and enjoy the calm of the skerries, you can also bring your friends and family with you for an adrenalin filled trip with a RIB.
Whilst visiting Sandnessjøen, we can assure you will be blown away by the Seven Sisters. The seven peaks tower 1000 meters above you, and offer spectacular hikes and fantastic views. The routes are marked to each peak, and the tourist office gladly share maps of the different trails.
Norwegian island hopping
Sandnessjøen is called «the Gate to Helgeland», and is a hub for the communication along the Helgeland coast. Hurtigruten, Norway’s world famous coastal cruise, stops here twice a day. If you prefer a shorter trip, ferry and boat transportation brings you to surrounding islands. The tourist office sells tickets to island hopping, and from the pier you can travel to Lovund, Dønna and Træna, just to mention a few.
Petter Dass quiz
On Sandnessjøen’s market square you are greeted by a statue of Petter Dass. The legendary priest that is said to be directly connected to both good and evil powers, overlooks the sea.
To learn more about Petter Dass and his adventurous life, we recommend the trip to the Petter Dass Museum at Alstahaug. Here you will also find the Alstahaug Church where he spent his working days. In the summer there are daily guided tours in the church that dates back to the 1200’s. In the museum you can learn about the life on the Helgeland coast in the 1600’s and even challenge your friends and family to a Petter Dass quiz.
Great culinary experiences
To top it all off, Sandnessjøen offers several tasty culinary experiences. Every Friday the shrimp boat comes in, tempting everyone with fresh «sjømat». Book a table at Scandinavie Mat og Vinhus – a popular dinner spot where everything is beautifully facilitated for a pleasant evening. And one last tip: the fish cakes at Sandnessjøen Fiskeforretning are delicious!
