Marmelkroken on Andøya: Spending the Night at the End of the World

There are places you go to with a plan, and places that change your plans. Marmelkroken is the latter. Located along the Norwegian Scenic Route on the west coast of Andøya—the northernmost island of Vesteralen —this is a place of wild biodiversity, endless views, and a tranquility you can only truly feel once you’re there.

Since 2011, owner Lisbeth has built this place with a focus on sustainability: respecting the landscape, the animals, and the guests. Architectural birdhouses hang in the garden. By the water, there’s a beautiful shelter for birdwatchers. The large tree with its round bench is the first place you visit in the morning, coffee in hand, with the sea on the horizon. It also serves as the logo: the circle of life.

Accommodations and Rooms

The property offers 7 double rooms (breakfast included), 2 cabins, an apartment, and a studio (breakfast upon request). All feature views of the sea, meadows, or mountains. All accommodations feature a private bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette, a flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi. The color scheme in the cabins is subtle and complements the view from the window and the surrounding nature.

• Double rooms with ocean views, private bathrooms, and kitchenettes
• Apartment: more spacious, with a bedroom and a fully equipped kitchen
• Cabin (the nest): a detached cottage with a private terrace, a sleeping loft, and a view of the sea

Breakfast is included with the double rooms and can be added upon request for the apartment and the cabin. Breakfast consists of local products and regional cheeses.

Restaurant and Food

The restaurant serves local dishes on a covered terrace with a view of the Anda Lighthouse. Lisbeth has a fantastic chef, and guests are unanimous in their praise of the quality of the dinner. The kitchen uses ingredients sourced from the immediate vicinity: fish, game, vegetables, and herbs from the island.

Activities and Nature

This place is your ideal base camp for Andøya. From here, you can:

• A hike to the enchanted forest of Marmelkroken and a visit to the Treehouse
• Cycling along the Norwegian Scenic Route on Andøya: 58 km along the west coast, relatively flat
• Birdwatching: bald eagles, cormorants, curlews, and other waterbirds
• Spotting puffins near Bleiksøya (Bleik): late April through July, by boat
• Whale watching from Andenes: available year-round
• Visiting Andøya Space: Norway’s only permanent rocket launch site
• Atelier Nøss: Art by Siri and Espen Tollefsen, near Marmelkroken
• Cooking workshop featuring local ingredients (available upon request)

Sustainability and HANEN

At Marmelkroken, sustainability isn’t just an added bonus—it’s the foundation. The land has been carefully managed for generations, with each generation striving to leave it in better condition than they found it. You can see this in the biodiversity, the use of locally sourced products, and the way Lisbeth interacts with guests and nature.

Marmelkroken is a member of Hanen, the Norwegian quality network for rural tourism and local products (approximately 620 members). Hanen stands for culture, sustainability, hospitality, and authentic experiences.

Why Marmelkroken Is a Good Fit for Nature Travel Lab

Nature Travel Lab selects small, independent accommodations that you book direct with the owner. This location embodies that concept in its purest form: Lisbeth is the accommodation. Her knowledge, her cooking, and her care for the landscape are the reasons to be here. Read about how Marmelkroken fits into our spring itinerary in Vesterålen.

Practical Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Marmelkroken

What makes Marmelkroken special?

Marmelkroken is located along the Norwegian Scenic Route on the west coast of Andøya, overlooking the Norwegian Sea and the mountains. It is a small-scale lodging that has been sustainably managed for generations, resulting in rich biodiversity. Owner Lisbeth has been the heart of the place since 2011. Her cooking, her knowledge, and her hospitality are the reasons guests keep coming back.

Can I see whales from Marmelkroken?

Not directly from Marmelkroken, but Andenes (about 50 km away) is one of the most reliable places in Europe for whale watching, all year round. In 2027, The Whale—an architecturally designed experience center dedicated to the biology and culture of whales—will open there.

Is there a chance of seeing the Northern Lights at Marmelkroken?

Yes. Marmelkroken is so dark that there’s even a chance of seeing the northern lights in April. The best months are September through early April.

How do I book Marmelkroken?

Directly through marmelkroken.no, from Lisbeth herself. No OTA, no middleman. That’s exactly how it should be.

When can you see puffins?

At the end of April, thousands of puffins arrive on the rocky island of Bleiksøya near Bleik (about 30 km from Marmelkroken). You can see them up close by boat. The best time to visit is from late April through July.

Check out our complete spring tour of the Lofoten and Vesterålen islands.