Norwegian maritime history leaves its mark, or rather its wake. “Hurtigruta” is a northern Norwegian institution. It has bound south and north together. Friendship, alliances, love and childbirth. Wartime and peacetime. City and country, hand in hand. The optimism and development of Norway are inextricably bound together by the hurtigruta coastal route.
Now the M/S Finnmarken – one of the old hurtigruta ships – is preserved “in glass and frame” on land where its history began – in founder Rickard With’s hometown of Stokmarknes in Vesterålen. Here you can learn about ship design, and get a quick introduction to how it has changed over time. Ship design in particular has provided inspiration for the protected building.
A sailing art gallery
M/S Finnmarken has a lot of original art on board, similar to the many coastal express ships that have sailed back and forth between Bergen and Kirkenes throughout history. Here you not only get to feel the atmosphere on board, you can also immerse yourself in a number of works of art.
The “Hurtigruta” Museum
The 1956 M/S Finnmarken stands as a monument to Norway’s coastal history in the heart of hurtigruta’s birthplace, Stokmarknes. The ship has been given a magnificent iconic building, and you are welcome to a rich journey through hurtigruta’s history. Powerful encounters with sailors, entrepreneurs and passengers. Hurtigruta’s importance to the Norwegian coast is highlighted through modern exhibitions, participation and a knowledgeable host.
In the lounges you will feel the atmosphere from different eras. Visit the bridge, galley, engine room, old cabins and more. Take a trip out onto the deck where a 1971 Ford 17M is on the move. Enjoy food and drinks in the 1956 dining room while the kids play in the neighboring lounge with toys from different decades. Hurtigrutemuseet offers memorable experiences for both adults and children, and for those with and without prior knowledge of hurtigruta.
When history brings people together
The museum has in a short time become an important meeting place on Stokmarknes, for the local population. The museum is located right next to the new hotel. The concept on board the M/S Finnmarken is that food and drink are also served in the same style as when it sailed along the coast in its time. An incredible number of annual passes are sold to the locals, and they are good at supporting the museum. It has become a meeting place they are proud of and enjoy being in. We think you as a guest will experience that too!
“As you sail, so you lie”
The hurtigruta business was established in 1893 by Richard With, and has since been operated by a number of shipping companies, including the original shipping companies such as Det Bergenske Dampskibsselskab (DB), Nordenfjeldske Dampskibsselskab (NFDS), Ofoten og Vesterålens Dampskipsselskab (OVDS) and Finnmark Fylkesrederi og Ruteselskab (FFR). Today’s shipping companies such as Hurtigruten AS operate the traditional coastal route with Havila Kystruten AS as a competitor.
“The coastal route is the northern life”
Even though the concept has changed somewhat, it is still a part of the lifeblood of the north, and “all” tourists dream of a trip with the hurtigruta once in their lives. NRK’s major initiative “Hurtigruten minute by minute” was also a huge success with viewers. That says everything about how important this coastal route is for us Norwegians as an identity creator and symbol.
Honored with international award
The museum building received the prestigious international award “European Steel Design Awards“. The project won both the national (Norwegian) award and the most prestigious European award for its technological innovation in glass and steel construction. The steel and glass protective building that encloses the Hurtigruten ship MS Finnmarken is described as a striking centerpiece of the new Hurtigruten Museum. There is fantastic craftsmanship and innovative methods for advanced design behind this innovation in steel and glass construction, the review says.
The museum it self has been nominated for three prestigious awards in 2025: The European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA), the Norwegian Public Development NPU Award, and was also nominated for “Museum of the Year” in 2024, which is a precursor to the EMYA nomination in 2025. The nominations are a recognition of the museum’s work in communicating the history and cultural heritage of the coast, and its importance for the region and for Norway in general.
Ready to board?
Read more about the history of hurtigruta in our article:
Everything you can experience and need to know about The Hurtigruten Museum can be found at Museum Nord. Vesterålen offers fantastic experiences with beautiful nature, majestic mountains and fjords, white beaches, delicious cuisine and a friendly host. This is also the kingdom of whales, moose and sea eagles, as well as a hiker’s paradise! Read more about what you can do, where you can stay and eat at Visit Vesterålen.