Boasting Northern Norway’s largest concentration of 19th-century wooden buildings, Mosjøen is the oldest town in the Helgeland region. It hugs a sprawling harbour where Vefsnfjorden meets the mouth of the Vefsna River and centres around a picturesque town park that’s considered one of the finest in Norway.

Things to do

Stroll along picturesque Sjøgata, a famous street that is lined with 19th-century storehouses, residences and boathouses. You can delve into the local history at the Vefsn Museum or check out the current exhibitions on display at the Kulturverkstedet before settling in at one of the cosy cafes. For locally-sourced fare, visit Matkollektivet Vikgården, which occupies a general store dating back to the 1880s.

At one end of Sjøgata stands the Fru Haugans Hotel, which was established as a trading post in 1794 and is the oldest hotel in Northern Norway. It’s still owned by the descendants of Ellen Haugan (who acquired the hotel in 1885) and is a great place to sample traditional Norwegian cuisine.

Also not to miss in Mosjøen is the Dolstad Church, a bright red wooden church that was designed in an octagonal style. It’s a short stroll from here to the Town Park, which was established in the early 20th century and centres around a charming pavilion.

Getting around

Mosjøen Airport, Kjærstad is a 10-minute drive from the town centre and has flights to destinations across Norway. Trains travelling between Trofors and Mo i Rana stop at the Mosjøen railway station while buses connect to towns and villages across the region. Mosjøen is compact enough to explore on foot, although having your own car is best for exploring the surrounding region.