Andenes is a village in the Vesteralen district of the Nordland County in Norway, based on the northern tip of Andoya island which is separate from the mainland. Once an important fishing village, Andenes is now best known for its whale watching safaris and is also a great place for gull-watching. Hiring a car in Andenes lets you travel to the sea where, during late winter, the vast Arctic cod population migrates to the south, attracting millions of sea birds and creating a great opportunity to indulge in some bird watching as they set to work procuring their sea-based feasts.
Rent a car in Andenes and visit the Andoy Museum, also known as the Polar Museum. It displays an exhibition which educates visitors on the Polar Regions and focuses on the life of famous resident, trapper and rescue worker Hilmar Nois. While you are at the museum you can also take a tour of the lighthouse that is right next door. At 40 metres it is one of Norway's tallest lighthouses. Guided tours consist of a climb up the 148 steps to the top of the lighthouse, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Norwegian Sea in this serene and picturesque setting.
