Things to do in Harstad, Northern Norway: The Best Museums

Meløyvær fortress is a coastal fortress in Norway on Krøttøya in Troms. The construction was of strategic importance to NATO and northern Norway's role during the Cold War. Meløyvær fortress was the last of the fortresses with the 120 mm Bofors guns to be built in Norway. It is a complete construction, authentic and in good condition. Transportation: Speedboat Harstad - Krøttøy or Skrolsvik (Senja) - Krøttøy, 2xdaily, travel time 1h Nearest Airport - Evenes (Harstad/Narvik)

Listed building from 1770 with a richly decorated interior comprising over 3000 registered artifacts. Barn with traditional agricultural tools and machinery. Boats, fishing eqipment and nets, as well as a fishing hut.

The Centre is located alongside Trondenes church on the Trondenes peninsula, a cultural heritage landscape marked by the Viking era, Middle Ages and Word War II. The exhibitiion provides an exiting insight into the history of Harstad from Stone Age to the 1950s. The story is told through a unique multimedia show, featuring vision, music, light and smells. In addition to the pernanent historical exhibitions you are invited to visit Trondenes Medieval Farm. The farm shows the daily life of the farmers during the early 1200s.

Time «clocked out» at this unique facility in 1928, after only six short years of operation. In 1922 Skjærstad Herring Oil Factory was small, but quite modern in terms of equipment and technology. The entire production process was driven by a single 17 hp steam engine. Agnar Kaarbø, an engineer, designed the factory and constructed a remarkable system that powered the vat as well as the dryer and press. The steam engine is reputed to be the only one of its kind, and today Skjærstad is Norway's only completely intact factory for extracting herring oil. Skjærstad Herring Oil Factory has national status as a Technical and Industrial Heritage Site. Open by appointment.

Ole Ottesastua is a restored 19th century crofter`s cottage in historical surroundings. A visit at the cottage should be combined with the heritage trail on the saga-island, the home of the viking chieftain Tore Hund. Open: all year by appointment. Contact for further information or booking.

With its seven buildings, Sandtorg Country Museum lies outside the swift currents of modern life, just a stone's throw away from the main road in Sørvik. Over the years the museum has amassed a large collection of artifacts. In the "Ursinstua", built in 1789, the artifacts provide matchless insights into the fiserman/farmer's way of life.

At Krambuvika all the buildings have names. The pier is known as Sverrebrygga. Here you can enjoy a delightful cafe and an old store, the workshop of a shoemaker and many other fascinating objects from days past. Close by is Arthurbrygga, filled with fishing tools. There are also several other buildings to explore. The perfect place to spend an enchanting afternoon!