Harstad, Norway

This is a sizable town, and I had a full day exploring it!

My first mission was to find a bus to Trondenes Church (Trondenes Kirke), the northernmost medieval stone church in the world and one of Norway’s most historically significant churches.

As soon as I stepped out of the port terminal and onto the street, I asked a local young man about the bus. He recommended using the "Troms Billett" app for tickets. After downloading it, he mentioned that if I walked along the waterfront, I could see the church along the way. That convinced me to skip the bus and walk instead—one of the best decisions I made!

The walk was absolutely beautiful. I passed by the harbor (small harbor), lovely gardens along the boardwalk, charming sculptures, and both modern office buildings and residential apartments. Following the coastline, I admired picturesque apartment buildings, rustic boats, and countless wildflowers along the way.  Past the residential area, I entered a scenic coastal trail lined with lush green bushes and wildflowers. It was breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful—a quiet path where the coastline, ocean, and charming houses all came together like a postcard scene.  The coastal views were stunning, leading me right to Trondenes Church.

I’ve noticed that in European countries, people often have wildflowers growing naturally in their backyards. In the U.S., if your backyard was filled with wildflowers, the homeowner’s association would likely give you a two-week notice demanding you clean it up!

After visiting Trondenes Church, I explored the nearby Trondenes Middelaldergård, a small "farm museum" located behind the visitor center.

At the Harbor

Boardwalk

On the costal line trail to Trondenes Church

I stood in front of  Trondenes Church 

Inside Trondenes Church

Outside of Trondenes Church

Visitoer's center

Trondenes Middelaldergard (farm museum)

On the trail going back to town

Back on the boardwalk

Alta, Norway

Of all the places we have visited so far, I found Alta to be the least appealing town. There wasn’t much to see or do, aside from visiting the Cathedral of the Northern Lights, which was the one truly interesting attraction. Its architecture is unique—unlike any other cathedral I’ve ever seen.

The cathedral’s spiraling shape, covered in titanium panels, is designed to mimic the movement of the Northern Lights. Its reflective surface interacts with natural light, creating a dynamic visual experience.

True to its name, the cathedral houses a museum beneath it, dedicated to the Northern Lights. The exhibition provides fascinating insights into the science and history of the aurora, and there is a video presentation showcasing the spectacular Northern Lights—a real treat! I’ve enclosed a couple of minutes of the footage here for you to enjoy.  It was July 23rd, and the sun never set, so during my visit, I didn’t get the chance to see the real Northern Lights. However, the video presentation at the cathedral’s museum was a treat, offering a stunning visual experience of the aurora.

This city is known as the "City of the Northern Lights" and is considered one of the best places in the world to witness this natural phenomenon. However, to truly experience the Northern Lights, you need to visit during the winter months, when the skies are dark enough for the aurora to appear.

Video presentations of Northern Lights