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Lofoten -

Located in the Arctic Circle, Lofoten is an archipelago that is famous for its dramatic scenery, fishing villages, and its numerous mountaineering opportunities. The islands attract more than a million tourists annually, particularly during the summer months when the Arctic experiences 24 hours of daylight.

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Senja -

Also known as Sážžá in the Northern Sami language, Senja is Norway’s second-biggest island and can be found even further north than Lofoten. The island’s rugged coastline, picturesque fjords, and hiking opportunities make it the perfect mountain paradise.

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Hitra -

The island of Hitra is most known for its population of red deer, used as a symbol in the municipality’s coat of arms. Visitors to the island are encouraged to hand-feed deer, which is a major part of the island’s touristic appeal.

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Frøya - Much like other islands listed in this gallery, Frøya is popular for its stunning coastal scenery and fishing opportunities. But above others, the island’s fame comes from Sletringen Lighthouse, which lies at the island’s southwestern tip and rises in picturesque fashion above the sea.

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Magerøya - Magerøya is home to the North Cape, an impressively steep cliff on the island’s coast that is one of the northernmost points in Europe. For archaeological enthusiasts, the island is also famous for its rich history of settlements that date back more than 10,000 years.

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Vega - Not to be confused with the island in Antarctica, Vega can be found along the southwestern coast of Norway. The entire island has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its cultural heritage and eider duck nesting site. Rather aptly, the island can only be accessed by boat.

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Averøy -

The island of Averøy is known mainly for its scenic driving route, the Atlantic Road, which passes over dramatic ocean views and the famous Storseisundet Bridge (pictured).

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Runde - This is an island that is particularly well-known as Norway’s bird island, a place where 500,000 to 700,000 seabirds nest during the summer months. The most prominent species to inhabit the island is the Atlantic puffin, a social bird that can also be found in Iceland.

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Giske -

Giske is renowned for being the birthplace of the famous Viking Rollo, who was an ancestor of the British royal family. The island offers many historical sites, some of which date back to the Bronze Age, and beautiful beaches that overlook the Norwegian Sea.

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Spitsbergen - The Svalbard archipelago is the northernmost addition to this list, located as far north as 81 degrees. More precisely, the island of Spitsbergen is here, which is Norway’s largest island and home to polar bears and reindeer. Interestingly, Svalbard is a visa-free zone (unlike Norway’s mainland), which has allowed many citizens from around the world to live and work there indefinitely.

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Bjørnøya - Also located in Svalbard is Norway’s Bear Island, an uninhabited area that was declared a nature reserve in 2002. But despite its name, polar bears do not actually have permanent residence on the island, and it is instead known for its bird colonies and Arctic foxes.

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Kvaløya - Kvaløya is the fifth-largest island in mainland Norway, and it offers a range of diverse landscapes and fjords that make it an ideal travel destination for hikers and mountaineers alike. Indeed, Kvaløya has at least 10 mountains with an elevation exceeding 2,300 ft (700 m), most of which can be scaled without climbing equipment.

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Tromsøya - If you were to cross over Sandnessund Bridge from Kvaløya, you would find yourself on the impressively tiny island of Tromsøya. Much of the island is occupied by the city of Tromsø, which is known for its cultural activities and Prestvannet lake in its center.

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Sommarøy -

Located near Kvaløya is Sommarøy, a fishing island that is visited often due to its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. The island’s location in the Arctic Circle means that every year from May 18 to July 26 the sun does not set on the island. Conversely, the island also experiences long polar nights that last from November through to January.

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Vesterålen -

Another archipelago that can be found in the north of Norway is Vesterålen, which is famous for its year-round whale-watching opportunities and beautiful beaches located near quaint fishing villages. But aside from nature, the islands also offer museums and a former ghost town that has been converted into a creative retreat!

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Hovedøya - Hovedøya is one of many islands located near Norway’s capital city of Oslo. It is incredibly small, with a total area of no more than 0.15 sq mi (0.4 sq km), and is renowned for the ruins of Hovedøya Abbey, a monastery from the 12th century.

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Hinnøya - Norway’s largest island outside of the Svalbard archipelago, Hinnøya is dissected by several fjords, two of which almost sever the island in half. The land features diverse wildlife and, most significantly, a nature reserve that is home to Norway’s oldest pine trees, which are more than 700 years old.

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Havøysund -

Havøysund is another small island located within the Arctic Circle that is home to a quaint fishing village with charming architecture. For intrepid travelers, Havøysund is an ideal destination thanks to its remote location, picturesque scenery, and history dating back to the Neolithic era.

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Stord - Most of Stord’s inland area is mountainous, which means that many of the island’s inhabitants occupy the coastal areas. The northern part of Stord has a rich cultural heritage that dates back to the Stone Age. More recently, the island was also the site of a British-led raid during World War II.

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Utsira -

If street art is what you like, then Utsira should be on your bucket list of places to visit. The island does not have any village or city, and houses are instead scattered around the area. A lighthouse occupies the land’s highest point and the island’s center, which is a great tourist stop for pictures and scenic views.

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Langøya - Outside of Svalbard, Langøya is the third-largest of Norway’s islands, and is mostly mountainous, in case you’re looking for another place to hike through! There are several lakes scattered around the landscape and an impressive 3,000 hectares of grassland and mudflats that are home to a variety of birds and wildlife.

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Smøla - The island of Smøla is where culture, wind farms, and bird watching come together in Norway’s landscape. Most of Smøla is dedicated to the fishing industry, but many tourists visit the area due to the plethora of coral reefs and islets that make it a paradise for swimmers.

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Jomfruland - Jomfruland is an incredibly narrow island that is home to an impressive national park, pebbled beaches, and diverse flora. The center of the island has two white lighthouses that were built at different points in time, with the newer one being the only lighthouse still in use.

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Rennesøy -

The mild and humid climate associated with Rennesøy means that the island is lush and green for most of the year, and has been the ideal place for inhabitance since prehistoric times. In fact, historical sites, hiking opportunities, and beautiful views of the fjords are some of Rennesøy’s main draws for tourists.

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Svinør -

Svinør is one of the southernmost points of Norway, and is also one of the smallest islands in the country, with a total area spanning no more than (0.3 sq km). If you’re a fan of architecture, Svinør‘s fishing village is populated with picturesque wooden houses that were built as early as the 18th century.

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Tautra -

Much like Hovedøya, the island of Tautra is also predominantly known for the ruins of a medieval monastery that was built in 1207, as well as the rich wildlife protected by a nature reserve. If you intend on visiting the island, you can only access it via a 1.4-mile (2.3-km) long causeway bridge that connects to the mainland.

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Hidra - The island of Hidra is almost entirely made of granite and nearly divided in two halves by a fjord. The village of Rasvåg (pictured) is one of the island’s two main fishing centers, while the rest of the island is perfect for tourists to hike through oak forestry and even encounter ruins from the Second World War.

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Florelandet - Florelandet is most prominently known for Florø, which is Norway’s westernmost town and, by extent, the westernmost town of the entire Scandinavian Peninsula. Florø takes up space on the entire island, and its vibrant culture, scenic beauty, and outdoor activities would certainly entice any traveler.

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Herdla - During World War II, all of Herdla was essentially a military base for a branch of the German government, and so the island is rich in historical value. But if trivia from history doesn’t interest you, then you might find it more interesting to wander by the island’s beautiful bird sanctuary.

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Sandøya -

Accessing the island of Sandøya can only be achieved by boat, since there is no bridge connecting it to the mainland. Due to this, the island doesn’t see many visitors during winter, which makes it the perfect place for a peaceful retreat, but this quickly changes in the summer, when the island is teeming with life.

Sources: (Visit Norway) (National Geographic) (Life in Norway) (Fjord Norway)

See also: Is Norway on your bucket list? Explore a land of enchanting beauty

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