FOGG’s Guide to Gildeskål

Discover timeless architecture, wild nature, and design-forward hideaways in Northern Norway.

This is where it all began. Gildeskål is the birthplace of FOGG – and the home of the sisters behind the brand. Growing up between sea, mountains and centuries-old stone churches has shaped how we see the world – and how we design.

Tucked between fjords and the open sea, Gildeskål is a place where time slows down. Here, cultural history and raw landscapes meet quiet, modern aesthetics. Whether you arrive for the light, the silence, or the architecture – this is our slow guide to the place that made us.

 

Eat & Drink

From seafood piers to poetic farm cafés, Gildeskål offers a quiet but distinct food scene rooted in northern flavors and hospitality.

Heimsjyen

A cozy, contemporary eatery serving up seasonal flavors from the north – a favorite among locals and travelers alike. Think arctic ingredients with a modern twist.

🔗 Heimsjyen – Contemporary Nordic eatery

Blix-tunet

Dine in the historic home of poet Elias Blix, where tradition meets taste in a timeless rural setting. A cultural and culinary experience in one.

🔗 Blix-tunet – Historic dining in Elias Blix’s home

Arnøy Brygge

Seafood with a view – enjoy fresh-from-the-fjord cuisine on a quiet pier surrounded by water and wide northern skies.

🔗 Arnøy Brygge – Seafood with a fjord view

Café at Gildeskål Church Site

Have a coffee and a homemade treat in an idyllic setting where medieval stone meets soft light and sea air. Perfect after exploring the church grounds.

🔗 Café at Gildeskål Church Site – Coffee by medieval stone


Photo: Marthe Mølstre

Where to Stay

Stay close to the sea, under the northern sky or in a minimalist hideaway. These are our favorite places to slow down in style.

The Arctic Hideaway (Fleinvær)

An award-winning eco-retreat on a remote island – for slow living, deep rest and design lovers. No roads. No cars. Just sea, sky, silence.

🔗 The Arctic Hideaway – Remote island eco-retreat

Photo: Julie Luneborg

Gammelskola Airbnb

A charming, minimalistic stay in a converted old schoolhouse – rustic on the outside, Nordic calm on the inside.

🔗 Gammelskola Airbnb – Minimalist schoolhouse stay

Støtt Brygge

Sleep at the edge of the sea in this boutique harbour hotel that blends coastal heritage with modern comfort. Arrive by boat, stay for the atmosphere.

🔗 Støtt Brygge – Boutique hotel by the sea

Følvika Retreat

Wake up with the mountains in your window and the beach at your door. These secluded transparent domes and cabins are a dream for nature-connected luxury.

🔗 Følvika Retreat – Domes and cabins by the beach

Photo: Reid Per Fiskerstrand

 

Culture & Architecture

Gildeskål’s cultural landscape is shaped by its medieval past, arctic light and bold artistic interventions – all set against striking natural backdrops.

Gildeskål Medieval Church Site

Step into the 12th century at one of Northern Norway’s best-preserved medieval churches. Take a guided tour through history, then browse the small shop and café surrounded by timeless beauty.

🔗 Gildeskål Church Site – Medieval history & café

Photo: Marthe Mølstre

Den Glömda Staden

Part of the public art project Skulpturlandskap Nordland, this mysterious, half-buried sculpture by Swedish artist Jan Håfström evokes memory, mythology and ruins – quietly embedded in the coastal landscape.

🔗 Den Glömda Staden – Sculptural coastal ruin

Thaihuset

Just a short walk from Den Glömda Staden, this serene Thai-inspired pavilion rests by a still lake. Built as part of the art initiative The Nord Land, it’s a peaceful space for reflection – open for incense, meditation or even overnight stays. A traditional Sámi turf hut nearby highlights the universality of nature across cultures.

🔗 Thaihuset – Pavilion for rest and reflection

Photo: Frida Bringslimark

Ureddplassen

A striking blend of design, memory and landscape. This sculptural rest stop, part of Norway’s National Scenic Routes, features sweeping views, a minimalist concrete pavilion – and what has been called “the world’s most beautiful toilet.” Built as a World War II memorial, it's also one of the best places to experience the midnight sun or northern lights.

🔗 Ureddplassen – Scenic rest stop & WWII memorial

Photo: Reid Per Fiskerstrand

Nature & Outdoors

Whether you’re hiking, swimming, or simply breathing it in – Gildeskål’s nature is both gentle and grand.

Storvikstranda

A wide, white-sand beach tucked between green hills and crystal-clear sea – ideal for long walks, picnics and midnight sun moments.

🔗 Storvikstranda – White-sand beach walk

Langstranda, Sandhornøya

Endless skies and soft sand dunes – this quiet stretch of coast is where the rhythm of the sea meets the soul of the island.

🔗 Langstranda – Coastal calm on Sandhornøya

Photo: FOGG Gildeskål

Finnesjuran

Hike to this dramatic rock formation shaped by wind and waves – a raw, ancient landscape perfect for quiet awe and reflection.

🔗 Finnesjuran – Wind-sculpted rock formations

Láhko National Park

Explore rare karst landscapes, alpine flora and wild terrain in one of Norway’s most geologically unique national parks. Untouched and unforgettable.

🔗 Láhko National Park – Rare karst landscape

Photo: Silje Nordgård

 

Shop Local

Bring a taste of Gildeskål home – from smoked fish to design rooted in the local landscape.

Salmon Center

More than a visitor center – here you can learn about modern aquaculture, meet local producers and shop salmon-based delicacies to take home. You’ll also find a curated selection of FOGG pieces inspired by the place itself.

🔗 Salmon Center – Aquaculture & local goods

Storvik Gård

A local farm shop offering handcrafted products, smoked fish and seasonal treats. A delicious stop for foodies and the curious.

🔗 Storvik Gård – Farm shop with handmade food

Prestegårdsbutikken (summer only)

This charming seasonal shop is located near the historic church site and filled with locally made goods, crafts and flavors. Look for a small but special selection of FOGG garments available exclusively here during summer.

🔗 Prestegårdsbutikken – Summer shop with local crafts

Photo: Frida Bringslimark

 

Plan Your Trip

For us, Gildeskål is not just a destination – it’s home. The light, the silence, the landscapes, and the history here have shaped everything we do at FOGG – from the fabrics we choose to the way we think about time, place and presence.

Whether you come for the nature, the architecture, or simply to slow down – we hope this guide helps you experience Gildeskål the way we know it: quietly powerful, and full of meaning.

Please note that opening hours, seasonal availability and services may vary. We recommend checking directly with each provider before visiting. FOGG is not responsible for any changes to access, operations or offerings described in this guide.

👉 Also see FOGG’s guide to Bodø & Salten – from wild peaks to modern culture in the Arctic north.