The Lofoten Islands of Northern Norway are known for their mountainous scenery.
Norway is known for its outstanding natural beauty, but the Lofoten Islands in the country’s extreme northwest take things to a whole new level. The archipelago is packed with spiky peaks, picturesque fishing villages, stunning beaches and rich cultural heritage.
The famous mountains known as the ‘Lofoten wall’ provide an imposing welcome to visitors by boat and a stunning backdrop for hiking and rock climbing activities. But although Lofoten is best known as an outdoors destination, there is a surprising amount of other things to do for all the family.
Lofoten by car
While it’s possible and in some cases preferable to get around by public transit in many parts of Norway, Lofoten is one area that’s really best explored by car. Buses are infrequent and there are so many spots you will want to stop along the way.
A road trip in Lofoten isn’t about getting from A to B; it’s about all the fantastic places you’ll discover along the way. Here are some of the highlights of a Lofoten road trip, traveling west from Svolvær.
1. Visit the ‘Lofoten cathedral’: Located just outside Kabelvåg, the striking wooden Vågan church dates back to 1898. Its nickname ‘Lofoten cathedral’ comes from the church’s surprising size considering the relatively small population of the surrounding area.
2. Visit the galleries of Henningsvær: Lofoten is well known in the art world for inspiring many painters, artists and writers. There are small art galleries dotted across the islands but many of the best are clustered together in Henningsvær.
This scenic island village is well worth a visit for the spectacular approach by road and the many waterfront walks, but the numerous art galleries are the icing on the cake.
3. Visit Nusfjord: This secluded coastal spot offers everything you could want from an authentic Lofoten fishing village. Break up your journey by staying overnight in one of the 20 high-end cabins of the Nusfjord Arctic Resort. Join in with traditional activities such as fishing and hiking or simply relax in the open-air sauna.
4. Visit Reine: Lofoten is not short of photogenic destinations but Reine sits toward the top of that list. The approach to Reine is one of the most impressive drives in the entire country and allowing extra time for the inevitable photo stops is a wise idea. Highlights in the village itself include the art gallery at Reine Culture Center, a couple of charming cafes and of course, the views of the towering peaks that surround the village.
Hikes and beaches in Lofoten
Hiking trails for all abilities criss-cross the Lofoten Islands. The imposing mountains of the west provide the most challenging trails but the biggest rewards.
Kvalvika is the most popular beach hike on Norway’s Lofoten Ilsands. It takes about one hour from ... [+]
Here you can fully appreciate the dramatic nature of the mountains and look down on secluded golden beaches.
5. Kvalvika: Of all the Lofoten beach hikes, Kvalvika is the one to tackle for beginners. Unfortunately its popularity has led to overcrowding in the parking area, so you’ll need to start early to begin the one-hour walk in relative peace. Your reward? “Turquoise waves crash on golden sands and vertical cliffs rise into the clouds in a display of Lofoten at its best,” according to local photographer Cody Duncan.
6. Ryten: For a completely different perspective on Kvalvika beach, the Ryten hike gives you the stunning sight of the beach in context with the jagged peaks surrounding it. Several different hiking routes are available, with the most common taking most people about 2.5 hours to ascend the 1,780 feet.
The view of Kvalvika beach in context with the Lofoten mountains from the Ryten hike.
7. Reinebringen: Perhaps the best-known trail in all Lofoten, Reinebringen finally got a much-needed upgrade in 2021. Sherpa-built stone steps now make the trek to the 1,469-foot summit much safer. While far from the highest peak in Lofoten, the spectacular view of the islands and village below makes this a must-do hike.
8. Horseid Beach: This wonderful destination requires a ferry trip followed by a two-hour hike, which while challenging for those on tight itineraries does cut down on visitor numbers.
9. Bunes Beach: This beautiful white beach also requires a ferry from Reine but the hiking trail is shorter and more family-friendly than Horseid.
10. Tjeldbergtinden: Those on the eastern side of Lofoten needn’t miss out on great hikes. Between Svolvær and Kabelvåg, this easy family-friendly trail leads you up to the 1,200-foot summit for a spectacular view over Svolvær city in context with the mountains and ocean.
Boat trips in Lofoten
While a road trip and a hike will help you reach some of Lofoten’s more secluded spots, nothing beats a boat trip for exploring the true majesty of these islands.
11. Arrive on the coastal cruise: There are multiple options to travel to Lofoten from the mainland, but the Havila or Hurtigruten coastal cruise ferries offer the best combination of comfort, price and scenery. The sailing from Bodø to Stamsund builds anticipation, while the next leg from Stamsund to Svolvær serves as a free sightseeing tour along the Lofoten wall.
12. Visit Skrova: The ferry from Svolvær to Skrova provides wonderful scenery throughout the 30-minute journey. Despite the island’s small size, Skrova has plenty to see beyond the stunning scenery. Much of that is down to the work of a local group formed to create outdoor photography exhibits across the island. The pick of the bunch is the 100 photos depicting Norwegian life through the ages that line the walls of a short road tunnel.
13. Visit Røst: You’ll feel remote enough on Lofoten but Røst is on a whole other level. This tiny and mostly flat archipelago is more than six miles southwest of the other Lofoten islands and more than 60 miles from mainland Norway. Although the population of less than 500 continues to fall, Røst has a thriving fishing industry and interest from tourists especially in the vast numbers of seabirds helps to sustain the island community.
14. Trollfjord: Norway’s most famous fjord that’s not located in the ‘fjord region’ much farther south, the Trollfjord is a narrow fjord lined by steep-sided mountains.
A late winter cruise to the Trollfjord in Northern Norway.
It’s so narrow that not many cruise ships can fit into the fjord because of the need to turn around. Hurtigruten and Havila ships often call at the fjord but for those not traveling by the coastal ferry, regular boat trips run from Svolvær.
15. Sea eagle safari: Trips to the Trollfjord often double as sea eagle safaris, but keen birdwatchers should take a dedicated trip in an inflatable RIB boat. Trips are offered from many parts of the islands including Svolvær, Henningsvær and Stamsund. Local guides know the very best places to see these magnificent birds. If you’re lucky, you may see an eagle swooping down to the sea to catch its lunch.
Things to do in Svolvær
On any trip to Lofoten it’s worth spending at least one night in Svolvær, the biggest town on the islands. I’ve already covered hikes and boat trips in the de facto Lofoten capital, but there’s plenty of other things to do too. As in Henningsvær there are several small galleries and a handful of waterfront restaurants that specialize in local seafood.
16. Visit the ice bar: Something of a tourist trap, Magic Ice is nevertheless a fun experience. Full of incredible ice sculptures, your entrance fee includes a drink in an ice glass and the loan of the much-needed warm cape. For the most relaxed experience, it’s best to visit when a cruise ship or coastal ferry is not in port.
17. Learn about Lofoten in wartime: The chaotic collection of Second World War uniforms and other memorabilia needs a much bigger venue to do it justice, but the Lofoten war memorial museum is still well worth a visit for history buffs. Description is detailed but if you have any questions, the knowledgable owner will fill any gaps.
18. Climb the Svolvær goat: An icon of the town, the Svolvær goat (Svolværgeita) is the nickname of the twin-peaked rock formation that resembles two goat horns.
The iconic Svolværgeita (Svolvaer Goat) rock formation towers above downtown Svolvær in Northern ... [+]
Towering over the town, the goat is a destination for experienced climbers only. Even so, guiding and safety equipment is mandatory.
Museums in Lofoten
In addition to the war memorial museum in downtown Svolvær, Lofoten is home to several other niche museums that each give a layer of new insight into life in this remarkable place.
19. Fishing village museum at Å: The literal end of the road at the western end of the archipelago, the fishing village Å has been converted into a living museum. Explore the old boathouse, post office, cod liver oil factory and manor house before grabbing a bite to eat from the traditional bakery. Accommodation in traditional albeit upgraded rorbuer (fishing cabins) is available for those who want to truly soak up the atmosphere and live the Lofoten lifestyle.
20. Lofoten museum: A former manor house and its idyllic waterside surroundings in Kabelvåg has been preserved as the Lofoten museum. Here you’ll learn more about Lofoten traditions including fishing, boat making and trading, and discover the difference between life in the manor house and life in the fishing cabins.
21. Lofotr Viking museum: In the 1980s, excavations revealed the largest ever Viking Age building to be discovered anywhere in Scandinavia, proof that Lofoten was a key center of power for the Norse people.
A reconstructed longhouse is now the centerpiece of a Viking museum, a highlight of any Lofoten road trip for anyone with an interest in the era. On selected evenings, an actor playing the role of the Viking Chieftain welcomes visitors to the longhouse for a feast full of storytelling and song.
