The Lofoten archipelago is a group of five islands in the Arctic Circle, including Vaeroy and Rost. The most impressive thing about them is their wild nature and the rugged terrain that rises above the sea and from where the views are breathtaking. Get your blog notes ready and we’ll tell you everything you need to know for your trip to the Lofoten Islands.
What are the must-sees on the Lofoten Islands?
All the islands that make up the archipelago can be visited and each has its own attractions and points of interest as we’ll tell you below. One thing you should know is that the landscape changes quite a lot from summer to winter, so you need to consider the season in which you travel depending on what you want to see.
1. The best beaches on the Lofoten Islands
There are several beaches on the Lofoten Islands that are worth visiting for their incredible rock formations that end in the sea and the blanket of snow that covers everything. The beaches are also a strategic spot to see the northern lights during the winter.
Kvalvika Beach is one of the most famous for the promenade up Ryten Hill, from where the views of the coastline are breathtaking. Uttakleiv Beach is another great spot for aurora sightings and probably the most photographed because of the large boulders jutting out of the water.
2. Svolvaer
Svolvaer is the largest city and most urbane area of the islands. It’s where you’ll find the main museums, restaurants and shops. But don’t be fooled by appearances, because the city is still a small, charming place surrounded by forests and mountains. Next door is Mount Svolvaergeita, ideal for climbing.
3. Flakstad and its church
Flakstad is another of the islands’ most photographed beaches, where you can also go surfing. However, the most characteristic feature is its church, whose construction began in the 15th century and was not completed until the 18th. What is most striking at first glance is the red colour of its façade, as well as the fact that it is built of wood.
4. Reinebringen, the must-do excursion in the Lofoten Islands
The hike up Mount Reinebrigen is one of the most scenic hikes on the islands. The summit is 500m above sea level, from where you can see several islands. At sunset the colours are beautiful, bluish and reddish with the reflection of the sea. The hike can be a little tough, though, as the climb is quite steep and during the winter there’s ice and snow.
5. Hamnøy and Reine, the most famous fishing villages
Hamnøy and Reine are the two most famous fishing villages on the Lofoten Islands and where the main services are located. The main attraction of the villages is the red wooden cottages, which contrast with the white of the snow-capped mountains and where you can stay. In fact, it’s a very common place to set up as a base of operations when travelling to the islands. Get your camera ready because you won’t be able to avoid snapping a thousand photos of the fjords and rugged hills.
6. Troll Fjord
The Troll Fjord flows through steep, narrow cliffs that make it difficult for boats to get through. It’s only 2 km long and worth a hike around to enjoy the views. The fjord is a little remote from the main sights of the islands, almost 2 hours away by car, so it’s best to take a detour if you’re on your way to Tromso. A curious fact is the controversy over the ownership of the fjord, which, although it is in Lofoten territory, belongs to the Vesterålen region.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Activities to do around the Lofoten Islands
In the Lofoten Islands, apart from visiting the main attractions such as the beaches or the fjords, you can do various activities such as kayaking or whale watching. What’s clear is that you won’t be able to escape from so much nature.
1. Kayaking
Another fun activity to do in the Lofoten Islands is to kayak along the coastline and enjoy the views from the water’s edge. Clearly this is a summer activity you’re sure to enjoy, and you’ll be doing something different besides hiking, but it can also be done in winter, amid the snow-capped mountains. The microclimate that surrounds the islands means that the temperatures are not so cold, but bear in mind that the water doesn’t get above 2ºC and the wind makes the wind chill even colder.
2. Whale watching
The people of northern Norway have always been known to be whale hunters, and indeed there are many museums in the country that refer to their history and tell us about the techniques that were traditionally used. Today whaling is less common, but whales can still be sighted along the coast. During the spring and summer you can book boat trips to see whales and other marine animals such as killer whales and birds.
Visit the Lofoten Islands in 4 days
When planning a trip to the Lofoten Islands there are several things to consider when deciding how many days to spend there. One of them is the weather, and that during the winter the conditions are quite adverse, it is cold, there is snow and the winds are very strong. In addition, there are barely four hours of daylight a day. However, it’s also the best time to see the northern lights, and the more days you spend there, the more likely you are to see them.
It generally takes four to five days to see the islands as a whole if you have a car and the weather is good. You can also plan your trip for the summer and spend more days leisurely visiting the fjords.
How to get to Lofoten Islands
From the mainland there are no direct flights to the Lofoten Islands, so the best option is to fly to Oslo and from there take a flight to Bodø and from there hire a car and take the ferry to the islands. Another option is to fly to one of the airports on the islands, either from Oslo or Bodo. These airports are: Leknes, Solvær, Stokmarknes and Narvik. The first two have the most flights.
Once you’re on the islands, the best way to get around is by car and by taking the ferries between them. Public transport is available, but it’s infrequent and depends on weather conditions. If you’re travelling in winter, make sure your car has snow tyres.
Best Restaurants on the Lofoten Islands
Despite the adverse conditions on the islands, the local cuisine is quite impressive for the few ingredients available in the area. The most famous ingredients are cod and salmon, which feature in many stews and soups, as well as lamb, the most abundant meat. Here are some of the best places to eat in the Lofoten Islands.
- Reine Rorbuer: this is a beautiful traditional restaurant with a wooden finish. They serve freshly caught fish dishes, with lamb and reindeer. The price is around €50 per person.
- Fiskekrogen: This is another traditional restaurant adapted to new trends in cuisine. They serve traditional dishes such as baked reindeer leg or fish soup.
- Børsen Spiseri: This restaurant is a little more sophisticated than the previous ones, and it shows in the price, which doesn’t go below €70 per person. The interior is curious as it’s decorated like an old farmhouse.
- Henningsvær Lysstøperi & Cafe: This cosy café is one of the best places to try the famous cinnamon rolls with a coffee. Perfect for breakfast or to warm up during the winter.
Where to sleep in Lofoten Islands
To get around the islands you’ll need a car, so the location of your accommodation is somewhat irrelevant, especially if you’re looking to be surrounded by nature. However, if you prefer to stay in town, here are some places to stay on the main islands.
- Anker Brygge: is a 4-person apartment complex built on the water. The cabins are typical of the area and the views are unbeatable. The price per night is 270€.
- Villa Ballstad: is a guesthouse located on the beachfront with shared areas, such as the bathroom, kitchen and living room. It is located on the island of Ballstad and costs 120€ per night.
- Scandic Leknes Lofoten: this is a modern, well-equipped hotel in Lillevollveien. They have their own restaurant and offer a buffet breakfast every morning. The price per night starts at 150€.
- Lofoten Å HI hostel: this is one of the cheapest options. It is located in Åveien and costs 90€ per night.
Travel Tips to Lofoten Islands
- The best time to go to the Lofoten Islands is July and August, as temperatures are warmer. January and February are the coldest months and March to May are the rainiest months.
- Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country.
- Alcohol can only be bought in specialised “Vinmonopolet” shops with very limited opening hours.
- If you’re travelling by private car, be aware that there are many toll roads. Be sure to check before you set off on your journey.
- The official currency of Norway is the Norwegian krone.
- We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as it will be cheaper.
- As European citizens, we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just an ID card or passport is enough.
- Winter tyres are mandatory in the car at this time of year.
- Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured
Plan your trip to Lofoten Islands
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all the possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Lofoten Islands.
If you have any doubts about how to do this, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions when travelling to Lofoten Islands
It all depends on whether you want to see snowy landscapes or go hiking. If you are looking for snow and northern lights, the best time is from October to March. If you prefer milder temperatures, the summer months are perfect and not particularly hot.
To see all the islands you will need between 4 and 5 days. However, you have to take into account the weather conditions, which can sometimes be unpredictable and can affect your trip. Also keep in mind that the longer you spend, the more likely you are to see the Northern Lights.
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