Harstad

Travel 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 P4,409 per night from Jun 30 to Jul 1
P4,409
P4,938 total
Jun 30 - Jul 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Harstad. Enjoy free WiFi and housekeeping. Popular attractions Grottebadet Waterpark and Trondenes Historical Centre are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (858 reviews)
"Convenient. Simple"

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2026

F2 Hotel Harstad
Quality Hotel Harstad

Quality Hotel Harstad

3 out of 5
ANNA ELISABETHS GATE 8 Harstad
The price is P8,624 per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
P8,624
P9,659 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Harstad. Enjoy a 24-hour fitness center, a 24-hour front desk, and 10 meeting rooms. Popular attractions Grottebadet ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (352 reviews)
"Modern property near the sea . Room with great views. Friendly staff. Breakfast was adequate"

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2026

Quality Hotel Harstad
Thon Hotel Harstad

Thon Hotel Harstad

3.5 out of 5
Sjogata 11 Harstad
The price is P9,987 per night from Jul 4 to Jul 5
P9,987
P11,185 total
Jul 4 - Jul 5
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Harstad. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Popular attractions Grottebadet Waterpark and Trondenes ...
9/10 Wonderful! (764 reviews)
"Excellent hotel in a good location, use of electric car charging not available as was told you have to book them in advance"

Reviewed on Jun 18, 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.
Harstad Apartments

Harstad Apartments

3.5 out of 5
Marcus Pedersens vei 9 Harstad Troms
Stay at this apartment in Harstad. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Grottebadet Waterpark and Trondenes Historical ...
Harstad Apartments
Holiday Home in Bjarkøy

Holiday Home in Bjarkøy

2.5 out of 5
Harstad Troms og Finnmark
Stay at this vacation home in Harstad. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and boat tours on site.
Holiday Home in Bjarkøy
Basecamp Narvik

Basecamp Narvik

4 out of 5
2 Nordlyssvingan Narvik Nordland
Book a stay at this ski aparthotel in Narvik. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Water Spout and Narvikfjellet ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (113 reviews)
"Beautiful summer view over the fjord, although be warned without cloud cover the midnight sun will be streaming into your windows. Great room with all kitchen amenities needed. This maybe more of a Norwegian issue but no USB sockets anywhere!??? But other than that a great room, recommended"

Reviewed on Jun 25, 2026

Basecamp Narvik
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

Things to do