Visit Norway

Vega

Vega - 6,500 beautiful islands.

Vega is the main island in a sea of about 6,500 islands in the Vega Archipelago. It was the first Norwegian island to be put on UNESCO's World Heritage List - as a representative of "the way generations of fishermen/farmers have, over the past 1,500 years, maintained a sustainable living in an inhospitable seascape near the Arctic Circle, based on the now unique practice of eider down harvesting."

At Nes The World Heritage Exhibition and The Lånan Exhibition give an insight into the UNESCO status and the unique industry with eggs and eider down production, in a true fisherman’s environment. Other attractions include Vega Church in Gladstad, a wooden church dating from 1864, and the war memorial at Ylvingen, where you can explore remains of bunkers and tunnels from World War II.

It is also an important region for Arctic bird life and for wildflowers. There are 10 different species of Orchids growing in Vega.

The Vega Islands have also received the certification a certified Sustainable Destination, a seal of approval given to destinations that work systematically to reduce the negative impact of tourism.

Many locals would claim that spending time in Vega means to “live your life slowly”. This is the place to relax in beautiful surroundings. It doesn’t mean that nothing happens, but you control your own pace. There are lovely fisherman villages to visit and stay on the islands of the Vega Archipelago.