Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Norway's Whale-Shaped Arctic Attraction Set to Open in 2027
Norway is building a very special building shaped like a whale.
It is called The Whale and it sits right next to the Arctic Ocean.
The building is being built in a town called Andenes, which is famous for seeing real whales.
People can go inside to learn about how whales live, talk, and travel.
There will be fun exhibits, art, sounds, and even whale songs to listen to.
The building is designed by an architect named Dorte Mandrup and looks like it rises from the land.
It will open in June 2027, after more than ten years of planning.
Visitors can learn about whales inside and then go out on the water to see real whales.
The centre will be open all year and will host concerts, events, and exhibitions.
It is a place where travellers and local people can come together to enjoy the ocean and its amazing animals.
The Whale, a new experience centre inspired by the shape of a whale, is being built on the shoreline in Andenes, Northern Norway.
The centre is designed by Copenhagen-based architect Dorte Mandrup and is scheduled to open in June 2027.
It will feature interactive installations, art, sound, and storytelling covering whale evolution, behaviour, communication, and ocean health.
Andenes is considered one of the world's top year-round whale-watching spots, with whale watching in Andoya beginning in the late 1980s.
The project began in 2019 when Dorte Mandrup won the architectural competition, with final public financing secured in 2024.
- Who
- Copenhagen-based architect Dorte Mandrup designed The Whale experience centre.
- What
- The Whale, a whale-shaped experience centre combining whales, ocean, science, art, sound, and storytelling, is being built.
- When
- The centre is scheduled to open in June 2027.
- Where
- Andenes, on the island of Andoya in the Vesteralen region of Northern Norway, on the edge of the Arctic Ocean.
- Why
- To bring visitors into the world of whales and the ocean, and to complement one of the world's best year-round whale-watching locations.
- Name
- The Whale
- Location
- Andenes, Andoya, Vesteralen, Northern Norway
- Architect
- Dorte Mandrup (Copenhagen-based)
- Opening Date
- June 2027
- Design Inspiration
- Shape and movement of a whale
- Project Start
- Idea began in 2014; competition won in 2019
- Financing
- Final public financing secured in 2024
- Nearby Feature
- Bleiksdjupet, a deep underwater canyon about 10 km from the coast