Nyksund - A Wharf Of The Past / A Wharf For The Future

Nyksund, edging against the wild and rich Norwegian Sea, is an old fishing village hosting great scenery and an interesting history to go along with it. On the island of Langøya, situated in the Vesterålen archipelago, this naturally made safe haven for fishing boats of old has gained new dimensions as a must-see destination for tourists visiting Vesterålen. Not only does the location itself provide an ample supply of beautiful scenery to take in - the somewhat gnarly, narrow gravel road taking you to Nyksund is quite the experience in itself. 

Stockfish in the making on route to Nyksund. 

At the beginning of the 1900s, Nyksund was one of the biggest fishing villages in Vesterålen, but as technology improved and the fishing boats got larger, the rather shallow waters in the port of Nyksund made the village obsolete. The village was totally abandoned by 1970, in reality making it a ghost town. The level of decay over the years took its toll, but as Nyksund yet again started to see some activity, as German students in the 80s and 90s gradually started to turn things around, the place has really been reborn. It now has people living there all year around, and it is open for tourists both during winter and summer, offering lodging and fine restaurants serving dishes made out of local commodities.   

Map of Nyksund.

How to get there

In order to get to Nyksund, the easiest way would be to catch a plane to Harstad/Narvik Evenes airport, operated by both major airlines in Norway, Norwegian and SAS. Renting a car or going by buss, it is a 170 km drive to get to Nyksund. Getting a place to stay can be difficult, especially during the summer months, but as long as you plan ahead you should be safe. 


Some sheep relaxing by their own "warning" sign.


Remnants of the old days of Nyksund can still be seen, an old boat and drying flake.