Licensed Guide and Norway Tour Planner
The Lofoten Islands
Lofoten: where jagged peaks meet the sea.
This Norwegian archipelago boasts stunning landscapes and quaint fishing villages. Outdoor adventures and breathtaking views all around.
This guide covers the archipelago of Lofoten, from the village of Reine at the south, and further north towards Austvågøya island with the town of Svolvær. For the Trollfjord check out my Trollfjord Fjord Guide.
When to Visit
The Lofoten Islands offer distinct experiences throughout the year, making the "best" time to visit dependent on your priorities. Here's a seasonal breakdown:
Summer (June-August): This is perhaps the most popular time of year, characterized by mild temperatures and the midnight sun, offering 24-hour daylight. It’s ideal for hiking, kayaking, and exploring the islands' landscapes. You must expect some more people around, and somewhat higher prices. Average temperatures 12 to 18°C (54-64°F), but on a good summer day they can go much higher.
Autumn (September-October): Crowds start to thin out, and the landscape transforms with vibrant fall colors. This is a very good time for hiking, and the increasing darkness offers opportunities to see the Northern Lights. Surfing conditions can also be very good at this time. Average temperatures: 5 to 10°C (41-50°F).
Winter (November-March): This season offers high probability to witness the Northern Lights and experience Lofoten covered in snow. Activities include skiing, snowshoeing, winter fjord cruises and kayaking. Be prepared for short daylight hours and potentially harsh weather. Average temperatures: -5 to 3°C (23-37°F).
Spring (April-May): A cheerful time of year when nature awakens with blossoming flora and returning birdlife. Spring in Lofoten is a transitional season with varying weather, offering a mix of winter and summer activities.
To sum it up, if you prioritize hiking and long days, summer is ideal. For Northern Lights and winter activities, visit in winter. Autumn offers a balance of fewer crowds and Northern Lights viewing as well, and Spring is a great time to see the reawakening of the natural world.
Getting Into
Although Lofoten is on the “outskirts of civilization” it is well connected with roads, ferries and flights.
Train: There is no train going to Lofoten, but you can take the long ride from Trondheim to Bodø with VY, and connect with a ferry (read more below).
Bus: Best Arctic offers a bus route that connects Tromsø with Svolvær. Find more information here.
Flight: Lofoten has two main airports, Helle Airport (SVJ) in Svolvær and Leknes Airport (LKN) in Leknes. In my experience the one in Svolvær is the best connected, and you can find direct flights from Bodø, Oslo and Tromsø.
Another option is to fly to Bodø, and take the ferry across to Moskenes. Search for flights at Kiwi.
Car: Most who experience Lofoten with a car will fly to Svolvær, and rent a car there. But of course, if you are doing a road trip in Norway you can drive to Lofoten from both Tromsø and Bodø.
Places to Stay
Here are some of my favorite places to stay in Lofoten. I’ve categorized them into different towns/villages. Note that the Lofoten Archipelago is a large area, and there are many more villages to choose from. If you need help planning your trip to Lofoten, get in touch here.
Svolvær
Svolvær is a small town, and since there is an airport here it serves as a transportation hub in the region.
Thon Hotel Lofoten and Thon Hotel Svolvær are chain hotels with a nice location and great breakfast table.
Svinøya rorbuer is about 1 km from downtown, and has a mix of cabins, houses and apartments right on the water.
Ballstad
Ballstad is one of the larges fishing villages in Lofoten, and is located on a small island off the southwestern tip of the island of Vestvågøya
At the Hemmingodden Lodge you find the typical Lofoten rorbuer (small fisherman huts down by the water). These are accommodations with a lot of charm and history, and offer the opportunity to live close to nature and everyday life in a vibrant fishing village.
Solsiden Brygge is another great option with a mix of rorbuer and apartments. They also have fishing boats and wood-heated jacuzzi for rent.
Nusfjord
Nusfjord is one of the oldest and best kept fishing villages in Lofoten. If you plan on a stay here I’d recommend the Nusfjord Village & Resort. They offer restored rustique cabins with wooden floors, sofa and refrigerator. Some have a view towards the harbor. For a real treat try out their open air spa.
Reine & Sakrisøy
Sakrisøy Rorbuer is located on Sakrisøy, an island with a small fishing village just in between Reine and Hamnøy. Sakrisoy Rorbuer is family-run by mother and son, Dagmar and Michael Gylseth. The fisherman's cabins have been in the family for 5 generations, and offer a lot of charm and history. They also have houses and apartments for rent.
A nearby option is the Sakrisøy Guest House, also run by the Gylseth family. The guest house is housed in a former manor house dating back to 1880, and they offer a variety of regular rooms and suites.
Reine is a pretty spectacular place, and might be one of the most photographed places in Lofoten. Reine Rorbuer by Classic Hotels offers 39 rorbuer in different sizes and categories. Most have a sea view and are located just a few footsteps away from the sea. They all come with their own private bathroom and a small kitchenette.
May’s apartment / Maybua, has apartments and a cabin for rent. The place is family run and offers plenty of charm with a focus on design and local crafts.
Eliassen Rorbuer is the oldest fisherman's cottage resort in the Lofoten Islands. You find both rorbuer and apartments for rent here, and it also houses the popular Gadus restaurant. Most of the historical rorbuer have been re-decorated to a modern standard, but have still kept much of their original charm.
Henningsvær
This village is located on several small islands, and is one of the most well-known fishing villages in Lofoten. Henningsvær Guest House is a charming place with seven comfortable rooms, all with their own bath.
Trevarefabrikken is located in what used to be an abandoned factory for wood and cod liver oil. Now it serves as a cultural hub, featuring a hotel, bar, restaurant (Hermetikken), and offers a variety of cultural activities, including concerts, art exhibitions, yoga sessions, and a sauna with views of the Vestfjord.
Note that prices for hotels highly fluctuate throughout the year, and if you book early you can sometimes find good deals! The high season in Norway goes from June to August.
Places to Eat
All the places mentioned in this guide are popular places to visit especially in the summer, and you can expect a good selection of restaurants and cafés. Especially abundant is fresh seafood being so close to the sea.
Note that many restaurants close down in the off-season.
- Gadus (Reine) - This restaurant blends traditional Italian cuisine with the fresh, high-quality ingredients of the Lofoten Islands.
- Anita’s Seafood (Reine) - A very popular restaurant for those wanting to experience authentic Lofoten seafood. A very popular item is their fish burgers and fish soup, and they also offer traditional stockfish.
- Bringen café (Reine) - This is a cozy coffee shop situated in a restored fisherman's cottage on the water's edge. Check out their freshly baked cinnamon buns and carrot cake.
- Fangst Restaurant (Ballstad) - Located at the Hattvika Lodge, this restaurant is a fine-dining establishment that focuses on fresh, local seafood.
- Paleo Arctic (Svolvær) - Focuses on Lofoten's food traditions, using natural ingredients inspired by a time when nature was untouched and people lived as hunters and fishermen.
- Børsen Spiseri (Svinøya) - Their dishes showcase Lofoten's fresh, local ingredients, with a special emphasis on stockfish. It is situated in a historic wharf dating back to 1828.
- Karoline Restaurant (Nusfjord) - One of Lofoten's largest and most sought-after restaurants during the summer months. Located in a former stockfish warehouse, they offer a culinary experience rooted in Nordic cooking traditions.
- Oriana Kro (Nusfjord) - Serves delicious Italian Pizza.
- Fiskekrogen (Henningsvær) - The oldest restaurant in Henningsvær. It is currently owned by the founders' two sons. The restaurant focuses on local ingredients, offering fish caught from boats in and around Henningsvær, and meat from farms on Vestvågøy. The menu is season-based, with traditional and modern Norwegian flavors.
- Klatrekafeen (Henningsvær) - Perhaps the most iconic café in Lofoten.It's a unique blend of an English pub, a Nepalese tea house, a sidewalk restaurant in Nice, and a base camp on Everest. The cafe offers live music weekly during the summer and has a varied menu.
Farms with Food/Other
- Livland Gård - This is a farm-to-table venue focused on sustainable, local cuisine. It offers a rustic, communal dining experience, emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients in a rural setting.
- Aalan Gård (café and farm store) - A place where visitors can experience a diverse farm with cheese production, a herb garden, and various animals. The farm's products can be purchased or tasted in the farm shop, which is open daily in the summer. In July, there is also a farm café open for simple meals.
- Keans Beans - A small coffee roastery in Laukvik, Lofoten, that sources coffee beans from small producers, focusing on organic options. They roast to order in small batches to maximize flavor and aroma. They currently offer coffee from Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, India, and El Salvador. The founder, Chris Kean, was inspired to start the roastery after falling in love with Lofoten.
Things to Do
Year-round, Lofoten offers diverse experiences: breathtaking hikes, world-class surfing beaches, captivating fjord cruises, northern lights, and picturesque fishing villages. The natural beauty and quaint towns are attractions in themselves.
Svolvær
Svolvær might not be as charming as the smaller fishing villages, but it has a lot to offer. You can enjoy a nice hike up to Mount Fløya. On a rainy day the Lofoten War Remembrance Museum is well worth a visit.
For water activities join a 2 hour kayak tour, and explore the nearby archipelago, steep mountains, and beautiful beaches. Or join one of many boat tours such as Sea Eagle Safari, Trollfjord Cruise, or a fishing trip.
If you are not renting a car, and want to explore other parts of Lofoten I’d recommend joining a half day, or a full day tour to nearby beaches, viewpoints and villages.
During the Northern Lights season (Sept-March), consider joining this tour.
Ballstad
In Ballstad the Hemmingodden Lodge and Solsiden Brygge can arrange various activities such as kayaking, northern lights watching, Sauna, SUP rental and boat safari.
Reine
My favorite activity to do in Reine is kayaking. From mid-May-July you can join a Midnight Sun Kayak Tour. For a standard, yet spectacular kayaking experience check out this 2 hour kayaking tour. You can also kayak in the winter.
If you enjoy hiking, then a hike up Reinebringen is a must do. Once up on top you’ll get an iconic panoramic view of Reine and the surrounding fjords. (Note: it has been improved with stone steps, but is still a strenuous hike).
If you enjoy photography don’t miss out on this Reine viewpoint, and also at Sakrisøy and in Reine village you can count on getting some postcard-perfect fishing village photos.
Henningsvær
Henningsvær, often called the "Venice of Lofoten”, has become a cultural hub in Lofoten, and you can find several galleries showing local art, but also world-renowned artists such as Ai Wei Wei and Bjarne Melgaard at the Kaviar Factory.
You might have seen the photo of a football field on an island in Lofoten? Well, it’s right here in Henningsvær, and you can find it here.
For water activities join a fishing trip, a SUP Adventure or summer snorkeling with grey seals.
Nusfjord
For skiing, snowshoeing, Northern Lights viewing, boat tours and much more I recommend checking out this Explore Nusfjord website.
Other
Learn about the Vikings at the Lofotr Viking Museum (1h drive from Svolvær). Visit the Haukland beach, which won best beach in Europe 2024 by Lonely Planet. Or head to the Unstad beach, made world-famous for its excellent surfing conditions.
To be honest there are tons of places to explore in Lofoten. I’ve only listed a few highlights in this guide, but if you want to know more contact me through my Tour Planning service.
How to Get Around
Public transportation
If you rely on public transportation you are restricted to a few buses connecting Lofoten from the north to the south. This is a great way to travel between several villages and the larger towns such as Svolvær and Leknes. Use ENTUR to find route schedules.
You can read more about travel within Lofoten with public transportation at the Visit Lofoten website.
Car
If you have the budget for it I would highly recommend renting a car to explore the many small hidden beaches, villages and viewpoints in Lofoten. Look for car rentals at Booking.com, Rent a Car Lofoten and Rent a Car Moskenes.
If renting a car is not within your budget, there’s a few guided tours departing Svolvær which will take you to those lesser visited places.
Travel Connections & Resources
See the “Getting Into” section above.
Travel Insurance? I recommend: Safety Wing
Learn Norwegian? I recommend: Speak Norsk
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