Drive it Yourself: The Senja Tourist Road
A practical guide to driving on one of Norway’s most beautiful roads, the Senja Tourist Road!
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 2,400 / 69.1 degrees north
Andenes, Norway
Located on the northernmost tip of the island Andøya, Andenes is a charming village that goes under the radar far too often when people road-trip in Northern Norway. It’s highly recommended to come here for the excellent hiking opportunities, but also the whale safari and puffin safari are a must.
Fun Facts About Andenes
Latitude: 62.3 degrees north
Population: 2,400
Sami name: Ánddanjárga
Hottest Month: July
Coldest Month: February
Wettest Month: October
Windiest Month: February
Annual Precipitation: 735.9mm
In this Travel Guide...
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Andenes and the island of Andøya.
Andenes church
Andenes Church was built in 1876 and seats about 400 people. The first church on the site was mentioned in historical records as far back as 1589, although the church was not new when it was mentioned. Some of the church inventory dates back to the late 1400s. A replacement church was built in 1607, but it was replaced again in 1734. That church was replaced with the current church.
Andenes Lighthouse
Andenes Lighthouse was built in 1859 to improve the safety of the ships at sea. The lighthouse was automated and depopulated in 1978. It is possible to take a guided tour up to the lighthouse organised by the Andøy Museum but note that it involves 148 steps.
Andøy Museum
The museum has exhibitions on the polar regions, with emphasis on the life of trapper Hilmar Nøis. There is also an exhibition about the unique geology of Andøya.
Andenes Guides
Find guides to Andenes on our online store.
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
Road-Trips
Follow our road-trip guides for scenic trips around Andenes.
Andøya Tourist Road
One of Norway’s 18 national tourist roads, Andøya is certainly unique. I love this road – it is a must-see if you are in the area.
Self-Guided Walks
We currently do not have any self-guided walks available in Andenes.
Andenes on YouTube
Watch our YouTube videos featuring Åndalsnes.
Andøya Tourist Road
Join us on the Andøya Tourist Road. We did it as part of our drive between Harstad and Andenes.
Uniquely Andenes
Here are some things that you must experience in Andenes.
Whale watching
Most whale watching tours add a visit to the Whale Museum, which includes a guided tour with a marine biologist through the museum, who explains the different whales as well as ocean conditions around Andenes.
Sperm whales can be seen in summer and humpback whales can be seen in winter.
Puffin Safari
In Bleik, just outside of Andenes, is the wonderful puffin safari. Highly recommended if you want to see the puffins, but the safari is only in the summer months.
Andøya Space Centre
The Andøya High School has a special course in space technology, the only of its kind in Norway. There are 3 classes of 12 students every year. A rocket range at Oksebåsen sends up rockets as part of a space research program but also for commercial purposes. The Andøya Space Centre presents the science behind rockets and the northern lights in an exhibition suitable for all ages. There’s also a great movie about the northern lights worth seeing.
History of Andenes
Andenes was an important fishing village during the Iron Age. In the Middle Ages, Germans and the Dutch regularly came to Andenes to buy dried fish. The fishermen here also came into contact with the Hansa. By the late 19th century, Andenes had significantly greater exports of fish than any other region in Vesterålen. The stretch between Andenes and Senja is one of the most fish-rich stretches of sea in Europe.
By the early 1900s, it had become one of the largest fishing ports in Norway. The Andøya Air Station was built here in the 1950s and was largely funded by NATO. At its peak, in the 1980s, Andenes was the largest village in the traditional region of Vesterålen. However, when the Andøya Air Station shut down the population dropped significantly.
Andenes Today
Today tourism is an important source of income for Andenes. Andenes has become a major centre of whale watching.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: There is an airport at Andenes with flights to Tromsø, Harstad, and Bodø.
Drive: Andenes is located at the end of the Fv82 and is about a three-hour drive from Harstad.
Train: No train connection.
Ferry: The coastal ferry calls at Risøyhamn, which is on the other end of the island.
Getting Around
Andenes is very walkable, but you will need a car if you want to make the most of the various hikes in the area.
Shops
Places to Eat
Andenes is an excellent place to try fresh seafood.
Cafes & Bakeries
Quick Bites
Reasonable Restaurants
High End & Unique Eats
Places to Stay
All our hotel recommendations are based on research and experience. We don’t recommend somewhere unless we think it is wonderful! The Hidden North focuses on accommodation that provides good quality for price or offer local or unique experiences.
Camping
Midnattsol Camping Bleik is located right by the beach and is perfect for swimming, camping, or observing the midnight sun. All rooms have shared bathrooms, kitchen and lounge facilities.
Hostels
Chains & Mid-Range
Thon Partner Hotel Andrikken is a reasonably priced hotel in the centre of town.
High End & Unique Properties
Hotel Marena is a three star hotel with parking, breakfast and is located in the downtown area. It is one of the top-rated hotels in the area.
Click here to view rates & book
Looking to stay in a lighthouse? It’s possible to stay in the old lighthouse masters residence just next door to Andenes lighthouse.
Sunrise/Sunset & Weather Averages
January
Sunrise: 11:16am
Sunset: 12:55pm
Average Temperature: -0.9C (30F)
February
Sunrise: 8:25am
Sunset: 5:56pm
Average Temperature: -1.4C (29.5F)
March
Sunrise: 6:19am
Sunset: 5:52pm
Average Temperature: -0.6C (30.9F)
April
Sunrise: 4:58am
Sunset: 8:56pm
Average Temperature: 2C (36F)
May
Sunrise: 2:12am
Sunset: 11:40pm
Average Temperature: 5.9C (42.6)
June
Midnight sun
Average Temperature: 8.9C (48F)
July
Midnight sun until 24 July
Average Temperature: 11.6C (52.9F)
August
Sunrise: 4am
Sunset: 9:57pm
Average Temperature: 11.6C (52.9F)
September
Sunrise: 6:08am
Sunset: 7:31pm
Average Temperature: 8.8C (47.8F)
October
Sunrise: 8:04am
Sunset: 5:18pm
Average Temperature: 4.7C (40.5F)
November
Sunrise: 9:28am
Sunset: 1:51pm
Average Temperature: 1.7C (35.1F)
December
Polar night all December
Average Temperature: 0.2C (32.4F)
All Posts About Andenes
Drive it Yourself: Harstad to Andenes on the Andøya Tourist Road
The Andøya Tourist Road is easily one of Norway’s most underrated roads!