Lofoten
Discover Lofoten
Lofoten is a group of islands in the northern part of Norway. With its postcard-looking small fishing villages nestled in fjords dotting a very rugged coast with abrupt peaks rising directly from the ocean, the archipelago is often described as one of the most scenic parts of Norway. At 68°N, the Lofoten archipelago is well above the Arctic Circle, and at the same latitude as Greenland or the northern parts of Alaska. However, it enjoys a relatively mild climate due to the circulation of the Gulf Stream, and temperatures up to 23°C in the summer are not uncommon. Still, it remains a subarctic destination, the weather changes fast, and even in the summer it may get cold. When the sun is not shining a sweater is recommended.
What to Experience in Lofoten
Taste of Lofoten...
Lofoten being a traditional cod fishing area, local delicacies are as one would expect taken from the sea. If you appreciate dried stockfish or cod, you will probably love the food. The stockfish of Lofoten is a prime source of revenue for the islands, it is exported to several southern European countries (especially Italy and Spain) where it is known as Baccalao or Stoccafisso. Several restaurants in Lofoten have Baccalao on the menu. Due to the limited choice and the high prices, particularly on Værøy, you should bring your own food. There's lots of different kinds of accommodation. There are hotels, camping options, or you can even get a rorbu (a traditional fisherman's cabin). Sleeping outside is possible as it is quiet, but the temperatures can be near freezing even in the summer and the cold wind from the sea doesn't help at all. Several accommodations are available in Reine. Be sure to book in advance if you come during the peak season (winter and summer). There are churches in the Moskenes, Reine, and Kabelvåg villages. (The church in Kabelvåg is known as Lofotkatedralen.) Lofoten has little crime and island hopping by hitch-hiking is safe and not unusual. The most likely undesired event is to fall while hiking, or to catch a cold due to the bad weather. Other than that, you should be perfectly safe.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsYou can arrive from Bodø (BOO) by air to Røst, Værøy, Leknes or Svolvær (20–30 min flight time). The former airport at Værøy was closed following a plane crash in 1990. However, a helicopter company serves the route Bodø–Værøy, offering several flights per day (2008). If you arrive from the Vesterålen archipelago (located North of Lofoten), a ferry still services the sea route between Melbu and Fiskebøl, the latter located along highway E10 (see above). For getting out via Bodø Airport, your special baggage must not exceed a size limit, which means removing the front wheel of most bikes! Airport in the Lofoten islands: A new section of highway E10 was opened in 2007, giving Lofoten ferry-free road connection with the mainland for the first time. The journey takes about 3½ hours. The bus ride from Narvik to Svolvær takes 4 hours 15 minutes, with two daily services in each direction....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The main islands are easily covered by car. The E10 route links Hanøy in the extreme north-east of Austvagøy island and Å at the south-western tip of Moskenesøy through a series of bridges. Although the archipelago may look small on the map, the full crossing is a good 180 km along the E10 on a very windy road, with the usual Norwegian speed limits. However due to the state of the roads, don't expect to average much more than 50 km/h. At the south-eastern tip, around Reine, the road furthermore becomes very narrow, so take your time along the way. All the other secondary roads radiate from the E10, but note that some are even windier and narrower. Petrol is available only in the larger towns, so make sure you fill up when you get a chance. Most places can be reached by bus. Students get a 50% discount on long trips. Most buses from the south (Å, Reine) stop at Lofoten, and you should change to another bus to go further north (Svolvær).
Where to Stay
There's lots of different kinds of accommodation. There are hotels, camping options, or you can even get a rorbu (a traditional fisherman's cabin). Sleeping outside is possible as it is quiet, but the temperatures can be near freezing even in the summer and the cold wind from the sea doesn't help at all. Several accommodations are available in Reine. Be sure to book in advance if you come during the peak season (winter and summer). There are churches in the Moskenes, Reine, and Kabelvåg villages. (The church in Kabelvåg is known as Lofotkatedralen.) Lofoten has little crime and island hopping by hitch-hiking is safe and not unusual. The most likely undesired event is to fall while hiking, or to catch a cold due to the bad weather. Other than that, you should be perfectly safe.
Money & Budget
It's not so easy to keep to the budget here. In Svolvær, Narvesen kiosk is a good place to buy things such as drinks, food and v-bucks, and there's a bookshop in the town; art is sold in the town and overpriced souvenirs are easy to find. All of Svolvær's supermarkets are in the same part of town. Lofoten being a traditional cod fishing area, local delicacies are as one would expect taken from the sea. If you appreciate dried stockfish or cod, you will probably love the food. The stockfish of Lofoten is a prime source of revenue for the islands, it is exported to several southern European countries (especially Italy and Spain) where it is known as Baccalao or Stoccafisso. Several restaurants in Lofoten have Baccalao on the menu.
Language & Talk
Norwegian... but as usual for tourist destinations in Scandinavia, English should get you everywhere. You can arrive from Bodø (BOO) by air to Røst, Værøy, Leknes or Svolvær (20–30 min flight time). The former airport at Værøy was closed following a plane crash in 1990. However, a helicopter company serves the route Bodø–Værøy, offering several flights per day (2008). If you arrive from the Vesterålen archipelago (located North of Lofoten), a ferry still services the sea route between Melbu and Fiskebøl, the latter located along highway E10 (see above).
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Lofoten has little crime and island hopping by hitch-hiking is safe and not unusual. The most likely undesired event is to fall while hiking, or to catch a cold due to the bad weather. Other than that, you should be perfectly safe.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Lofoten
a snowy landscape with a mountain in the background
brown wooden house on body of water near mountain during daytime
Kvalvika Beach
aerial view of body of water near rock formation
This is one of the most classic pictures of Norway, when I arrived to this place I spotted a whole row of photographers who were all taking the same picture! I quickly joined them 😂
Reinebringen on the Lofoten islands by drone
aerial photography of houses on field near body of water viewing mountain under white and blue sky
aerial photography of soccer field near body of water
a dog is sitting on a rock by the water
snow covered mountain near lake during daytime
a snowy landscape with a mountain in the background
brown wooden house on body of water near mountain during daytime
Kvalvika Beach