Lista Lighthouse & Little USA

OVERVIEW

Explore a granite lighthouse built nearly two centuries ago and a town so influenced by American retro culture that it is nicknamed Little USA. While browsing the Lista Lighthouse visitor center, you will learn about the beacon’s history dating back to 1834, when it was built on one of Norway’s most feared coastal stretches. The views from the lighthouse are spectacular, especially if you climb to the top of the tower. The wetlands that surround Lista attract hundreds of species of birds, most of which stop to rest while migrating. You will also visit nearby Vanse, a town somewhat obsessed with mid-century American culture as many of its residents emigrated to the United States. Highlights include Brooklyn Square – the first street in Norway with an American name – and Trunken, a store that carries merchandise imported from America. Its name is a tribute to the Norwegians who returned with trunks full of American goods.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drop by a 19th-century lighthouse and discover its fascinating history in the visitor center.
• Walk around the nearby wetlands, which attract hundreds of species of migrating birds.
• Visit Vanse, a city so strongly connected to America that it is known as Little USA.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.