Sortland, Norway

Sortland is a town and municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the Vesterålen traditional region. It is located on Langøya island and is the largest town and commercial centre in Vesterålen. Sortland is located close to the Sortland Bridge, connecting Langøya to Hinnøya by road.

With most houses painted blue, Sortland is often referred to as "the blue town". It is also a handy spot for cod fishermen, who can cast their lines from Norway's 13th-longest bridge. Hikers are invited to walk up the nearby Steiroheia mountain for views of the coastal scenery and the Northern Lights.

Things to See & Do

* Blue houses
* Steiroheia mountain
* Hiking
* Cod fishing
* Arctic & Alpine flora & fauna

General information

Cruise Season - Feb - Dec
Currency - Norwegian krone (NOK)
Language - Norwegian
Land Area - 722.4 km²
Population - 5,000 approx
Electricity - 2 round pins European style
Time - GMT plus one hour
International Country Telephone Code - + 47

Port Location - The port is located in Sortland Harbour.

Transport Links - Stokmarknes airport, the busiest feeder airport in Norway, is only 22 km from Sortland, while Harstad - Narvik airport is 124 km distant.

The Coastal Steamer (Hurtigruten) ties up in Sortland Harbour twice a day.

Good bus services within the region and to Fauske, the terminus of the Nordland Railway. The E 10 highway, King Olav's highway, run through Sortland on its way to Lofoten.