Towns
[edit]- 1 Andenes
– regional centre of Andøya. - 2 Dverberg (Myre) – small village of 250.
- 3 Risøyhamn – the entry point for most travellers.
Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]
By car
[edit]The 750-metre-long Andøy Bridge (Fv82) is the only direct road connection between Andøya and the rest of the Nordland road network, including all of Vesterålen's four other main islands. The bridge is roughly an 80-kilometre, 70-minute detour (one way) from E10 in Stormyra.
By ferry
[edit]There is a car ferry service from Gryllefjord in Troms, where Fv82 terminates, to Andenes. Visit torghatten-nord.no or call ☏ +47 90 62 07 00 for bookings and queries.
By plane
[edit]- 1 Andøya Airport (ANX IATA). A small domestic airport next to Andenes. Widerøe provides year-round flights from Bodø, Harstad/Narvik, Stokmarknes and Tromsø. During high season, Norwegian Air Shuttle may also operate flights from Oslo Airport, Gardermoen..
Get around
[edit]
Map of Andøya
See and do
[edit]Lookouts
[edit]Lookouts are listed from north-south.
- 1 Kleivodden, Bleiksveien (Fv796). Few lookouts provide a serene picture-perfect view like this, yet simply be a roadside lookout. The northerly lookout provides views of the vast unspoiled Arctic Ocean with Bleik to your left and the cliffs on Bleiksøya.
- 2 Bukkekjerka, Nordmelaveien (Fv974). A roadside lookout with very lush greenery with a promontory nearby. The rock formation, Bukkekjerka, is an important traditional Sami sacrificial site.
- 3 Sandvika Viewpoint, Nordmelaveien (Fv974). Another roadside lookout just south of Bukkekjerka where an impressive array of mountains are in the backdrop of a beach view. Parking is available on the other side of the road; the trail to get to the beach is closer to the north end of the car park (you will need to keep your eyes peeled).
- 4 Sør-Stia Viewpoint, Nordmelaveien (Fv974). Close to Sandvika, where backdrop mountains meet lush green cliffs.
- 5 Gårdsfjellet Cliff Viewpoint, Nordmelaveien (Fv974). It's all in the name – cliffs + mountains.
Birdwatching
[edit]- 1 Marmelkroken, Bøveien 268 (Fv974) (next to Intercity bus route 930), ☏ +47 94 13 66 33. Andøya is an important birding area with plenty of rare birdlife. The Bird Walk contains 20 birdboxes and takes about 90–120 minutes for 80 kr. Also provides accommodation with 11 units and a local kitchen.
Other
[edit]- 6 Andøymuseet and Andenes Fyrtårn (Andøy Museum and Lighthouse), Richard Withs gt. 9, ☏ +47 900 76 332, +47 76 15 40 00, [email protected]. Daily 12:00–16:00. A museum and lighthouse, which are side-by-side. The museum highlights the region's rich and extensive history of fishing. You can also climb to the top of the lighthouse, which happens to be Norway's fourth tallest. Unsurprisingly, the lighthouse does not operate during the summer due to the area's high latitude. 100 krpp (lighthouse), 75 kr (museum).
- 7 Andøya Space (Andøya Space Centre), Bleiksveien 46, ☏ +47 76 14 46 50, [email protected]. M–F 11:00–15:30. Norway's only operational space centre with several VR games on-site. Due to its northerly location, this space centre's primary specialty is studying the Northern Lights, including Earth–Sun interactions. 95 kr.
- The Northern Lights is visible from most of the island. If you don't want to leave Andenes during the night, it can be viewed from 8 Viewpoint Andenes Fyr.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Andenes Pizza, Sjøgata 19, ☏ +47 76 14 15 00, [email protected]. Daily 13:00–22:00. Budget pizza place.
- 2 Lysverket Kafé, Kong Hans Gate 1b, ☏ +47 468 91 300, [email protected]. Mid-range cafe with an amazing range of desserts.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Mea Pub, Sjøgata 20, ☏ +47 47 32 53 92, +47 980 57 830. Not wheelchair-accessible.
Sleep
[edit]Lodging
[edit]- 1 Andenes Suite Hotel, Roald Amundsensgate 17, ☏ +47 41 41 55 50. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00.
- 2 Hotell Marena, Storgata 15, ☏ +47 90 08 46 00, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Mid-range hotel with modern-looking rooms. Breakfast and coffee available.
- 3 Kristina Apartment, Sjøgata 38A, ☏ +47 97 76 00 20. Low-end apartments, which tends to be one of the more affordable ones in this area. Coffee and tea available.
- 4 Risøyhamn Sjøhus AS, Withs vei 69, ☏ +47 980 70 777, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00. Idyllic waterfront sea houses with plenty of modern facilities. Apartments minimum 1950 kr.