Drive it Yourself: Stokmarknes to Andenes on the Fv82
Travel through the Vesterålen region on this scenic highway!
North European travel guide
Sortland is one of the main hubs of the Vesterålen traditional region and is therefore a convenient central location for exploring the region. Additionally, the town is known around Norway for being pained blue!
Latitude: 68.4 degrees north
Population: 10,400
Sami name: Suortá
Hottest month: July
Coldest month: February
Wettest month: October
Windiest month: June
Annual precipitation: 1303mm
Sortland Municipality
Here are some things that you must do and try in Sortland
Around 20 buildings in Sortland are painted blue. In 1999 the artist Bjorn Elvenes launched an idea to paint the buildings in Sortland blue to bring in tourists.
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Sortland
Sortland Museum is about the history and development of the town.
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are my recommendations!
Sortland has a real fish farm where you can get a unique insight into the production of salmon. At the fish facility, you get to go out on a boat to visit a real fish farm. There are movies, an underwater camera and a 12 metre long map in glass showing aquaculture expansion in Northern Norway.
The Inga Sami Siida is a small Sami family business located in Sortland. They tell stories about Sami culture, myths and magic, herding reindeer, and daily life of the arctic reindeer. You experience the joik while seated around a fireplace.
It’s worth taking a detour to Nyksund. This once thriving fishing village for hundreds of cod fishermen was abandoned in the 1970s due to the advances of fishing technology. After decades of decar, the village was bought and has been restored.
Follow my road-trip guides for scenic trips around Sortland
The traditional region of Vesterålen is not as world-famous as Lofoten, but there’s no denying that Vesterålen is equally as beautiful. On this off-the-beaten path drive, you’ll pass through charming fishing villages and important settlements for North of Norway. This drive connects well with the Lofoten Tourist Road and the Andøya Tourist Road, making it perfect for any Norwegian road-trip!
No self-guided walks are currently available for Sortland.
Watch my YouTube videos featuring Sortland
Sortland is a relatively new town; it received town status in 1997. However, the area around Sortland is mentioned in the Viking Sagas. Archaeological excavations indicate the area may have been inhabited as long as 5,000 years ago, at as may as eight different settlements.
The church in Sortland is first mentioned in written sources in 1370. Merchants began to settle in the 17th century. By 1869, there were over 1,000 people living here. They lived on farms on both sides of the sound and around 10% of the population was Sami.
For many years, especially at the end of the 19th century, there were large herring catches in the water around Sortland. However, although the fishing grounds were nearby, the population made a living from both fishing and agriculture. The first cannery was built in 1912 and employed around 120 people.
At the start of the 20th century, Sortland was the busiest trading post in Vesterålen. Hurtigruten started calling in 1922 and a car ferry was established in 1948. The bridge was completed in 1975.
The current church is likely the fifth or sixth church on the site. The spire from the old church is preserved and stands at the entrance to Minnelunden on the old church site in Sortland.
Today Sortland is the largest town and commercial centre in Vesterålen. Sortland is also regarded as one of the best music communities in Norway, and the local band Madrugada is one of the best in the country. The Sortland Jazz Festival takes place here every year.
The most important industries are trade, agriculture, fishing and aquaculture.
Sortland is the only municipality in Vesterålen that has had a stable increase in population over the past 25 years.
Fly: No airport
Drive: The Rv85 runs from the E10 all the way to Sortland. Close by is the Fv82 – a scenic road through Vesterålen.
Train: No train access.
Ferry: Sortland is a port of call on the coastal ferry. The northbound stops in the middle of the night, while the southbound stops in the middle of the day.
You’ll need a car to get around to all the major sites.
Cafes & Bakeries
Quick Bites
Expedisjonen is a causal dining restaurant.
Reasonable Restaurants
Sortland Mat & Vinhus is a bistro with a good selection of beer and wine.
High End & Unique Eats
All my hotel recommendations are based on research and experience. I don’t recommend somewhere unless I think it is wonderful! The Hidden North focuses on accommodation that provides good quality for price or offer local or unique experiences.
Camping
Sortland Camping & Motel: Click here to view rates & book
Cabins & B&Bs
Chains & Mid-Range
Thon Hotel Sortland: Click here to view rates & book
Scandic Sortland: Click here to view rates & book
High End & Unique Properties
Sunrise: 10:53am
Sunset: 1:22pm
Average Temperature: -0.8C (30.6F)
Sunrise: 8:22am
Sunset: 4:03pm
Average Temperature: -1.3C (29.7F)
Sunrise: 6:21am
Sunset: 5:55pm
Average Temperature: -0.3C (31.5F)
Sunrise: 5:04am
Sunset: 8:54pm
Average Temperature: 2.3C (36.1F)
Sunrise: 2:31am
Sunset: 11:24pm
Average Temperature: 6.4C (43.5F)
Midnight sun
Average Temperature: 10C (50F)
Midnight sun until 21 July
Average Temperature: 13.1C (55.6F)
Sunrise: 4:09am
Sunset: 9:53pm
Average Temperature: 12.4C (54.3F)
Sunrise: 6:12am
Sunset: 7:32pm
Average Temperature: 9.1C (48.4F)
Sunrise: 8:03am
Sunset: 5:23pm
Average Temperature: 4.6C (40.3F)
Sunrise: 9:20am
Sunset: 2:04pm
Average Temperature: 1.9C (35.4F)
Polar night
Average Temperature: 0.1C (32.2F)
Travel through the Vesterålen region on this scenic highway!
Read our road-trip guide to Harstad and Svolvaer.
The Andøya Tourist Road is easily one of Norway’s most underrated roads!