Making the most of Harstad
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The main cruise quay is 215 m long with a 7,8 m draught, positioned in the city centre within easy walking distance of local facilities. Cruise quay no. 2 lies 400 m south of it, measuring 270 m long with a 7,5 m draught. A further cruise quay, 120 m long and suitable for a 250 m ship length, has an 11 m draught and is 5 km south of the centre, or 6 minutes by shuttle bus.
Carry a map with you.
Harstad, North Norway’s culture capital, has a population of 23,000 and sits on Hinnøya, Norway’s largest island, amid a striking coastal setting of islands and skerries. Commercial and shipping activity matter to the economy, and the borough also supports the north’s oil industry.
Harstad is a communications hub in a well-populated area, with Lofoten to the west, Narvik eastward, Tromsø to the North and Bodø to the south. Under midsummer-night sunshine, the town remains brightly alive, and its quayside fills with people in summer. Around midsummer eve, the Festival of Northern Norway brings music to streets, the square, pubs, the concert hall and churches.
There are many different leisure pursuits, with boating a favourite. The new marina accommodates 25-30 boats, and centrally located by the harbour is one of the country’s largest, most modern concert halls, seating up to 1000.
Getting around
Built by German military forces during WW II, the batteries at Trondenes date from 1943 and include the world’s largest land-based gun. The Adolf Gun is now the world’s only fully restored fortification, giving it considerable historic value. Its bunkers are arranged for a historical tour with exhibitions on the gun’s history and planned use. As it stands on military property, the Adolf Gun may only be visited with an authorised guide.
Money
The Norwegian crown (norske krone), shortened to kr., is the country’s currency. Each krone has 1/100th called an øre. 1.00 EUR = about 8 NOK.
In Norway, cash machines are called Minibank.
Major cards, such as Mastercard and Visa, are accepted by nearly every store. Take your passport/driver’s license because credit-card payments require identification.
Staying connected
Norway’s official language is Norwegian. It closely resembles and is mutually intelligible with the two other Scandinavian languages, and English is widely spoken.
With most Norwegian households connected to the internet, often via broadband, the relatively small market means Cybercafés are scarce beyond major cities. Public libraries generally offer free internet access, and WiFi is widespread but not free.
Harstad Turistkontor has an Internet café, open daily from 16. june– 15. august between kl 10.00 – 18.00.
Opening Hours and
Store hours in Norway are more generous than before, although smaller shops commonly close early on Saturdays, typically at 1 PM or 3 PM, and almost all businesses shut on Sunday. A door notice reading “9-21 (9-18)” means 9 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturday.