The remote Norwegian town of Sandnessjøen stands on the island of Alsta off the eastern coast about halfway up. The island is connected to the mainland by Rv17, via a long causeway and the spectacular Helgeland suspension bridge.
Explore the full extent of this island and hire a car in Sandnessjøen. Visit the eastern half of Alsta, a genuine wilderness area dominated by the Seven Sisters mountains that reach over 3,5ft. At the southern tip of the island you'll find the pretty old village of Tjøtta on its own tiny island that has prehistoric mounds, stones and cairns.
It's a small and remote community so visitor attractions are humble. The modern shopping centre is useful and there are places here for visitors to eat and stay. The Hurtigruten cruise ferry visits twice a day on its regular coastal routine.
If you hire a car in Sandnessjøen you'll be able to find the 19th-century church, fishing harbour and the nearby village of Alstahaug. This has a much older church, dating to the 12th century, as well as a quirky little museum commemorating a parson poet who lived there. The nature reserve on Alsta, is popular with bird watchers.
