Harstad Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A red telephone booth with a sign in a foreign language, a flower bed, a dock, and a body of water.
A red telephone booth with text in a foreign language and a phone number.
A waterfront building with a clock, a dock with a boat, and a clear blue sky.
Hotel Arcticus and Kultu Restaurant buildings with a wooden boardwalk in front.
A harbor with boats, a pier, and buildings in the background.

Harstad is the place for anyone searching for completely unique experiences. The town can offer the northern lights, the midnight sun and fantastic cultural and natural experiences.

Plan this year's holiday to Harstad if you are looking for the type of experience you won't find in many other places. The northern lights dance across the sky in winter, while the midnight sun ensures a special atmosphere in summer. The town can also offer a unique swimming experience, special excursions to the Trondenes peninsula and a beautiful archipelago with great fishing opportunities.

You might just get a glimpse of the northern lights if you visit Harstad in the winter. This is the only season when you can see this spectacular light phenonemon, which brings many travellers from the other side of the world. Get to a place outside town without any light interference, and if you are lucky you will have an unforgettable experience.

If, on the other hand, you are visiting Harstad in the summer, you can experience another exciting phenomenon – the midnight sun. From the middle of May until the middle of June, the sun never goes down, which creates a very special feeling in the town of Harstad. A cold beer on one of the town's outdoor service areas after midnight while the sun is shining is a surreal experience!

And while downtown in Harstad, you have to make sure to visit some of the many restaurants on the pier. You will not find fish fresher than that which is served in Harstad's restaurants! De 4 Roser is a very popular restaurant, considered by many to be Harstad's finest.

If you'd like a bit of a special place to swim, visit the Grottebadet, a swimming area in caves under the town. Or you can head out to the Trondenes peninsula to learn more about the Viking era. On the peninsula you can also see the Adolf Cannon, the world's largest land-based cannon from the Second World War!

A trip to Harstad is just the thing for anyone seeking something a bit different. Harstad is not a big city, but offers completely unique experiences that you can only find in northern Norway. Deep sea fishing, the northern lights, the midnight sun and a fantastic archipelago are just some of what awaits you. Catch your own fish and prepare it for dinner – it doesn't get any fresher!

F2 Hotel Harstad

F2 Hotel Harstad

3 out of 5
Fjordgata 2 Harstad
The price is £59 per night from 13 Nov to 14 Nov
£59
13 Nov - 14 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Harstad. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and housekeeping. Popular attractions Grottebadet Waterpark and Trondenes Historical Centre are located ...
8/10 Very good! (1,001 reviews)
"good location"

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2026

F2 Hotel Harstad
Quality Hotel Harstad

Quality Hotel Harstad

3 out of 5
ANNA ELISABETHS GATE 8 Harstad
The price is £103 per night from 26 Nov to 27 Nov
£103
26 Nov - 27 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Harstad. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Grottebadet ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (402 reviews)
"Very helpful staff. Short stay but enjoyed being able to wander the historic section of Harstad from the hotel. Great room & very quiet. Didn’t like the air blowing down on the bed from ceiling vent - my only complaint. Parking should be free."

Reviewed on 23 Sept 2026

Quality Hotel Harstad
Thon Hotel Harstad

Thon Hotel Harstad

3.5 out of 5
Sjogata 11 Harstad
The price is £116 per night from 27 Nov to 28 Nov
£116
27 Nov - 28 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Harstad. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Popular attractions Grottebadet Waterpark and Trondenes Historical ...
9/10 Wonderful! (806 reviews)
"The bed was comfortable and the breakfast was delicious."

Reviewed on 5 Sept 2026

Thon Hotel Harstad
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Entire vacation home. 4 bedroom, central location.

Entire vacation home. 4 bedroom, central location.

Harstad Troms
Stay at this golf holiday home in Harstad. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Grottebadet Waterpark and Trondenes ...
Entire vacation home. 4 bedroom, central location.
Nice home in Bjarkøy with sauna

Nice home in Bjarkøy with sauna

Bjarkøy
Stay at this holiday home in Harstad. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a sauna and a garden.
Nice home in Bjarkøy with sauna
Harstad Apartments

Harstad Apartments

3.5 out of 5
Marcus Pedersens vei 9 Harstad Troms
Stay at this apartment in Harstad. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Grottebadet Waterpark and Trondenes Historical ...
Harstad Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Harstad attractions

Cities near Harstad