lofoten islands travel

Visit Lofoten

– the world’s most beautiful islands

Welcome to our home

Lofoten is a place of contrasts. It’s a natural wonder with thriving local communities. It’s where mountains meet the sea, and where local businesses meet recreation. Lofoten’s distinctive magic lies in its ability to bring together everyday local life with a global interest in its natural beauty.

Lofoten’s untamed beauty

Leave only footprints

Where is lofoten, and how to travel here.

Lofoten Islands, in Northern Norway, have been voted by National Geographic as one of the most appealing destinations in the world. Located just above the Arctic Circle, at the 68th northern parallel, Lofoten basks in the ethereal Midnight Sun during summer and witnesses the magical Northern Lights from September to April.

Ferries and boats to Lofoten

Fly to Lofoten

Bus Connections in Lofoten

Drive to Lofoten with rental car or your own car

Things to see and do in Lofoten

Lofoten Northern Lights – Your guide to the Aurora Borealis

Ski touring in Lofoten

Fishing in Lofoten

Guides for planning various trips in Lofoten

When – Where – How To See The Northern Lights

Sauna in Lofoten? Here are some of Norway’s hottest saunas

Lofoten’s restaurants

The Legendary Lofoten Fishery

Rorbu in Lofoten – the perfect holiday

Tips for families

Lofoten with kids

The best family holiday in Norway

Family-friendly stays in Lofoten

Book Your Activities In Lofoten Here

Activities and experiences in Lofoten

Accommodation in Lofoten

The northern lights season is here.

Mountain safety

Lofoten is known for its majestic nature. And with it comes great responsibility. Learn more about safety in our mountains.

As a haven for epic summit adventures, we’re well-versed in traversing Lofoten’s majestic terrain on foot or skis. Sometimes, the allure of a mountain peak is almost irresistible. We understand the pull! But remember, it’s never too late to turn back. Safety should always come first in the pursuit of these tempting peaks.

Unique food experiences in Lofoten

Food experiences in Lofoten

Farm visits

Art & culture in lofoten.

Art and culture

Galleries in Lofoten

LOFOTEN ART GALLERIES

Dive into the past.

The fascinating museums of Lofoten

The History of Lofoten

Food Culture in Lofoten

Good to know.

Drone guide

Essential travel tips to Lofoten

How to be a “responsible guest” in Lofoten

Tourist Information in Lofoten

Norways Best Travel Destination

Lofoten’s four seasons.

Winter in Lofoten

Spring in Lofoten

Summer in Lofoten

Autumn in Lofoten

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11 Things You Should Know Before Visiting The Lofoten Islands

May 20, 2023 by Silvia 62 Comments

Updated May 2023

If you want to see some of Norway’s most beautiful landscape, you couldn’t go wrong with a trip to the Lofoten Islands. 

Actually, maybe you could. Here are a few things you should know about the Lofoten Islands when planning a trip there. After living in northern Norway for four years I’ve visited Lofoten at least a dozen times and am always discovering new things about these gorgeous islands. 

Quick Lofoten Travel Guide

Lofoten Accommodation: Svinøya Rorbuer  or Anker Brygge for unique Svolvær accommodation, Nusfjord Arctic Resort for luxury accommodation in Nusfjord, Elisassen Rorbuer or Rostad Retro Rorbuer for accommodation near Reine, and Lofoten Links Lodge for best Northern Lights accommodation. I don’t recommend booking an Airbnb in Lofoten as Airbnb has recently had lots of problems in Norway and now bookings often fall through. Airbnb is destroying the local economy and rental market in Lofoten, so locals are pushing hard to get it fully banned (you can read about it here ). 

Top Lofoten Activities: 

• Northern Lights tour from Svolvær
• Lofoten summer photography tour
• Kayaking in Lofoten
• Sailing to Trollfjord
• Guided Lofoten photography tour

Lofoten car rental:  check rental rates and availability from Bodø and Svolvær (Lofoten) here

Packing for Lofoten:  You can find my  winter packing guide for Norway here  and my summer packing guide for Norway here .

If you want more in depth Norway advice, I’ve also gathered all my best tips for planning an incredible trip through both Southern and Northern Norway in two 95-page ebooks that cover everything you’ll need to know to plan a Norway trip that you will love. You can purchase my Norway travel guides here .  

The weather is going to be crazy

The good news is, if the weather looks bad you can probably just wait 10 minutes and it will change.

And so the bad news is, that lovely sunny weather you’re enjoying probably won’t last long. Then again, Lofoten’s weather is notoriously unpredictable, so maybe it will surprise you with some consistent sunshine!

So regardless of what the weather forecast is saying, bring some rain gear  and warm layers that you can remove if the sun comes out. And if you’re planning on doing lots of walking or hiking, definitely bring some really good waterproof pants with you. 

You can also find my full guide for what to pack for Norway in the winter here and what to pack for summer in Norway here .

Tourism has just recently exploded on the Lofoten Islands

While just a few years ago most of the people I would tell about Lofoten had never heard of the islands, now – largely thanks to Instagram! – they’re very much on people’s radar. But Lofoten’s big reputation doesn’t mean that it’s set up as a big tourist destination (at least not yet).

That means that you’ll need to book your accommodation well in advance, especially if you’re visiting in the summer, as it’s not uncommon for all the islands to be booked solid. Read here for more information on what time of year to visit Lofoten.

For accommodation, the three best places I’ve stayed on Lofoten are Svinøya Rorbuer (my top choice, plus their restaurant Børsen is amazing!), Eliassen Rorbuer in Reine (probably the most famous place in Lofoten), and Lofoten Links Lodges (off the beaten path and the BEST for seeing the Northern Lights!). I also am dreaming about staying at Nusfjord Arctic Resort , which is a splurge but looks incredible.

The huge influx of tourists has also been a bit of a surprise to the locals, who might not have signed up to live on the set of a photo shoot. It’s something to keep in mind when looking for a place to set up your tripod, pitch your tent, or park your car.

Speaking of tents, Lofoten really isn’t the ideal place to camp. Yes, you can wild camp for free in Norway, but this is best in remote areas of nature, not on small islands with a lot of tourists. The islands can’t handle lots of campers, so it’s much better to stay at accommodation, or at least pitch your tent at a campground here instead of wild camping.

What I’m really trying to say is, show a little consideration, you know? Because according to a lot of people I spoke with, many tourists don’t.

And if you prefer to get off the beaten path, I’d recommend skipping Lofoten and heading either north to Vesterålen, or south to the Helgeland coast. I’ve written more about visiting Vesterålen here and you can find my Helgeland travel guides here .

Personally I love the Helgeland coast and the islands here are a lot like what Lofoten used to be. You’ll find the same picturesque fisherman cabins and dramatic mountain peaks rising out of the ocean, with far fewer tourists. The people on the Helgeland coast are also incredibly friendly, and luckily not annoyed by visitors as many Lofoten locals are. And you can definitely camp here – I had the best time camping on Træna , and I was the only tent in sight!

You could also consider visiting Senja , which has beautiful hikes and dramatic landscape, but it’s quickly becoming very touristy as well. Or for a quieter escape, Dyrøy is a lovely island near Senja which still feels like a quiet escape.

It will be a lot easier to explore Lofoten if you have a car

That’s right, road trip! If you’re wondering where to look for rental cars in Norway, I always find the best prices at AutoEurope.

You can read my complete guide for planning a Lofoten road trip, including renting a car and arranging accommodation here .

Public transport on Lofoten is very limited, with some buses only running a couple of times a day. In fact I’ve picked up a few hitchhikers on Lofoten who said they had planned to use public transport but found themselves stuck in small villages for hours so instead had to try to hitch rides.

If you do want to hitchhike here, just be aware that there are a lot of hitchhikers here, especially in the summer, so you might have a lot of competition for rides.

Lofoten is perfect for outdoor adventures

I can’t tell you how many people have asked me if Norway is just a destination for old retired people to take fjord cruises.

Um, not Lofoten.

While yes, some of the big cruises do pass through Lofoten, it’s mostly young adventurers heading there.

Lofoten is a mecca for hiking , climbing , fishing, kayaking , skiing, Arctic surfing (in the summer AND winter), and cycling. The tourism scene there has a very young vibe, with lots of budget accommodation, and even the luxury accommodation markets itself towards adventure seekers.

And while yes, Lofoten is getting more touristy, that’s actually a good thing when it comes to activities, as it’s one of the areas of Norway where you’ll find the most options for outdoor tours and activities. A lot of accommodations help organize tours, or you can check out some Lofoten tours and activities here and there are also some Lofoten adventure tours offered here .

Again, I can’t stress this enough: Lofoten is the  perfect place to do lots of fun activities and tours and I highly recommend taking advantage of this while you’re here!

Probably my favorite activity I’ve done on Lofoten is a sea eagle RIB safari to Trollfjorden. The views are amazing and I saw SO MANY eagles. You can read more about my experience on the safari here .

Oh and you can also go horseback riding under the northern lights in Lofoten! Or the midnight sun, if you’re visiting in the summer. I went horseback riding at Hov, which also happens to be considered the best place in Lofoten to see the Northern Lights (yes, I saw them!). You can read more about my time horseback riding in Lofoten here .

Hiking in Lofoten in the winter can be dangerous

Okay yes, I did just say that Lofoten is great for adventurers but also try not to be  too adventurous. While you can totally do some hikes in the winter with snowshoes, skis, or even normal hiking boots, you’ll need to be extra mindful of the weather.

Talk to locals about the best places in Lofoten for winter hikes, as there are some routes that are safer than others if a sudden snowstorm sets in.

There are a lot of tourists who find some famous Lofoten hikes on Instagram and arrive determined to do them. Please, do not be one of these people. You should never plan out your hiking routes from photos you’ve found online. First of all, these famous hikes are usually really crowded and not actually that great. But more importantly, you should always, always choose your hikes based on the weather. And to do so you need to ask locals what is safe for the current conditions.

Yes, the famous Reinebringen hike is incredible, but it’s also very steep and I would not feel safe doing it in windy or rainy weather. 

If your main aim in Lofoten is to go hiking, try to visit in the summer (June onwards). And if you’re a beginner, I highly recommend going with a guide for your safety – plus that way you’ll get to learn more about the local culture here as well!

Lofoten is a photographer’s dream

If it feels like lately your Instagram feed has been full of photos of Lofoten, it’s because it has. And if it feels like all the photographers are there right now, it’s because they are. It was kind of crazy how many people I follow on Instagram were there at the same time I was.

And you know what that means: if you’re into photography, get yourself to Lofoten! You can even book a photography tour here if you’re not sure where to go or how.

Your chances of seeing the northern lights in Lofoten aren’t great

Lofoten lies beneath the Auroral Oval , so theoretically your chances of seeing the northern lights here should be really high. That along with Lofoten’s warm weather thanks to the Gulf Stream should make Lofoten an ideal place to see the Northern Lights.

The only problem is the weather. Since it’s on the coast, Lofoten gets a lot of rainfall, which means your chances for clear night skies in Lofoten aren’t high. Of course when you do have clear skies the lights dancing over Lofoten will be amazing, but if your heart is set on seeing the aurora, consider heading somewhere with clearer skies, like Abisko in Sweden .

Personally, I’ve visited Lofoten four times in the winter and only saw the northern lights once. But it was amazing when I did!

So while yes, it’s definitely possible to see amazing aurora on Lofoten, just be aware that the weather makes it more tricky here, so try not to have your heart set on seeing the aurora while here. Plus then when you do see the northern lights it will be an exciting bonus to your trip!

Northern Lights Guide!

I’ve also written an in depth ebook covering all aspects of planning your Northern Lights trip, including the best places in the Nordics to see the Northern Lights, the best time to see the Northern Lights, my top accommodation choices, tour options, how to chase the Northern Lights, how to photograph and film the Northern Lights, what to pack for your trip, and other exciting Arctic activities to try on your trip up North.

If you want to ensure you have the best Northern Lights trip possible, you can purchase the ebook here .   

The ferry from Bodø to Lofoten can be rough

The ferry takes about four hours and while my return journey was smooth, the journey there was less so. Though apparently, it wasn’t even that bad by Lofoten standards. Just something to be aware of if you’re wondering if you should pack those seasickness tablets – or my personal favorite – Sea Bands .  They truly do work. 

You can also fly or drive to Lofoten

Don’t worry, you don’t  have to take the ferry. There are actually a bunch of daily flights into Svolvær in Lofoten, or Evenes at the north of Lofoten – you can check the current prices and flight schedules here .

Or you can actually just drive to Lofoten! The islands connect to the mainland in the north, so you don’t even need to take a ferry. You can read about driving from Narvik to Lofoten here .

You’re going to smell a lot of fish

I pretty much spent my entire stay on Lofoten hungry, thanks to the lovely smell of fresh fish in the air. Of course, it might have the opposite effect on some people.

You’re never going to want to leave

And I don’t just mean that you’ll be dreading the ferry crossing back to the mainland.

Lofoten is one of those places that is so beautiful it almost doesn’t seem fair. Like, people actually get to  live there? Could I??

If you’ve traveled to Lofoten and have anything to add, please share your tips in the comments!

Want to see more of my travel photos? Follow me on Instagram here ♥

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Renates Reiser says

April 7, 2017 at 3:15 pm

Well, I almost live there 😉 that is, I live in the town where you take the ferry from. But except in my childhood years, I haven’t really been there more than a couple of times… Crazy, right? It’s mostly because I know how unreliable the weather can be, hehe. But this year I’m definitely gonna change that. I absolutely love your photos!!!

Silvia says

April 9, 2017 at 7:25 am

Yeah if I lived in Bodø I’d want to visit alll the time! Though the area around Bodø itself looks really beautiful too – I need to explore it someday!

April 7, 2017 at 4:33 pm

That combination of white snow and sky and turquoise sea is just insanely amazing. Wow.

A colleague of mine wnet to Lofoten in October and did manage to see the northern lights a couple of nights, in between bad weather! So it can be done – but no guarantees, of course.

As for tourists behaving badly: I’ve read stories about tourists pitching their tents in the churchyard – i.e., on hallowed ground, near graves! Not cool.

April 9, 2017 at 7:24 am

People were camping in the graveyard when we were there too! I talked to a local guy who was really upset about it – it must be a recommended spot or something. So upsetting.

April 8, 2017 at 11:30 am

How did you get the interactive map section on you homepage? I really like it and am wanting something similar-ish for my own blog.

It’s a plugin by Code Canyon called “Interactive World Maps.”

April 10, 2017 at 8:06 pm

Thanks so much for replying, i appreciate it I love your blog and the map is super cool

Ioanna says

April 8, 2017 at 6:11 pm

I agree – Lofoten are the photographer dream location! Your photos are just mind-blowing beautiful! I was to Norway only once, and much farther to the south. I hope I can come one day to do some hiking around Lofoten or other parts of Norway, it is such a stunning land 🙂

Thank you for this post and feeding my eyes with so much beauty! 🙂 Ioanna (A Woman Afoot)

April 9, 2017 at 7:21 am

It really is sooo worth the trip

Jeff Eastmead says

February 18, 2018 at 11:58 pm

Your Video of Lofoten is beautiful. I have been there in the summer many years ago and will like to go back to see it in the snow. I agree it is one of prettiest places on the planet. I went to Reine and just loved it. I took the ferry from Bodo and it was a little rough and a lot rain. Suddenly the sun came the next day in Reine and I could not believe how beautiful it is – left me speechless. It is difficult to see without a car but perfect for cycling. I liked booking a kayak trip with the local guide. I did not get a chance to hike up the Mountain above Reine – maybe this year.

May 12, 2017 at 11:02 pm

THESE PICTURES ARE AMAZING!! Wow. I really need to get out here soon! I’m just so scared of Norway because it’s so expensive, lol.

May 30, 2017 at 5:02 pm

Norway doesn’t have to be very expensive! I have lots of posts on visiting on a budget that you can check out.

Burcu Basar says

August 16, 2017 at 11:47 am

Great post and beautiful photos. I had a chance to visit Lofoten three times since 2009, twice at the end of the summer and once in the winter. While in 2009 I felt like the only tourist on the islands, the experience was different during my latest trip in 2016. It is still not at the discouraging levels but the interest in the islands has definitely increased. I still find Lofoten to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

September 28, 2017 at 3:39 am

Visited this June as part of our (me and my wife) Norway trip. Visited Oslo, the fjords, Bergen and so forth, but Lofoten was by far the most memorable and bueatiful part of it. While traveling the south, we rented a car for that part of the trip, returned it in Oslo and flown to Tromso, this leg of the trip was to be traveled by public transportation. That means taking a high speed ferry to Harstad in Lofotens, than a couple legs of bus ride and whatever else be neede to make to our hotel at the very end of the archipelago in the town of A (A spelled with a little circle on top). Pretty ambitious journey for one day in best of circumstances, let me just say that we misread the ferry schedule and that put 5 hrs delay into the trip, than we missed the bus in Svolvaer, ended up renting a rental car for a day there. It was expensive, cost us $350, but it was the best money we ever spent, ended up driving all night around the island of Moskensoya, it was so pretty we could not just go to bed. 24 hrs of sunshine help a lot. Once you see this area, you cant miss it for anything else in the future, very unique. We slept it off on the plain back to US, hehe. Just my 2 cents…let me just say the Norvegians are pretty cool and even temper, pretty laid back too.

September 29, 2017 at 11:27 pm

Oh wow, I’m happy to hear that the misfortune turned into a good thing in the end! I would have driven all night as well.

jorge ramirez says

November 1, 2017 at 9:36 am

Wowwwww. after looked at your pics, I wanted to book a trip to Lofoten right away (But then I read your post, that November is not the great month to visit) but I will take the luck with me and I’ll go anyway (live in CPH) together with my friend and enjoy the loneliness of that place )). I’m not the person who takes a lot of pics but for Norway’s landscapes is a must to take a camera.

Thanks for posting !!!

ps (I found your blog because I was looking for information about Baikal lake in winter, one of my dream spots ) but Norway is turning my eyes to the fjords

December 3, 2017 at 3:44 pm

Hi, the video & comment looks great! i plan to visit this place if possible! i’m visiting Copenhagen late Jan 2018. can i know how do i travel to Lofoten from there? Do i have enough daylight & is it safe to rent a car there as it is the easiest way to visit? you mentioned it’s not too expensive to visit lofoten? are there any winter activities during that time of year? cant wait to visit there soon!

December 6, 2017 at 4:45 pm

I would probably fly from Copenhagen to either Bodø or Lofoten, and then rent a car in either place. If you go from Bodø you can take your car on the ferry to Lofoten. You’ll have to check with a tour operator about winter activities, but I imagine there are many!

Mohit J says

January 23, 2018 at 5:19 pm

Enjoyed your amazing photographs and lovely blog. I am planning a trip to Lofoten in the end of March 2018 with my wife and also 7 yrs daughter but I am worried that she will get really bored while my & my wife would enjoy the views. I am not sure if March end is a good time to visit as well. What you suggest?

January 28, 2018 at 7:03 am

Hi. Good Day. I plan to visit Lofoten this December. Could you suggest how many days is enough? 7 days?

Bill Kerwin says

February 2, 2018 at 3:53 pm

Beautiful Pictures looks like a great place to visit seeing I am from Rhode Island smallest state in the Union. Bill Kerwin Smithfield R.I.

Whitney Terry says

March 3, 2018 at 2:28 pm

How long do you recommend staying on Lofoten islands for? How many hours does it take to drive from the southernmost island to the north? Pictures are beautiful! Thank you!

March 4, 2018 at 8:35 am

Silvia, it’s looking unlikely my group will be able to make the trek that far north (darn US vacation time limits)! Lofoten looks so charming and has been the top of my list to visit. I would still love to visit a small fishing town / island / community or at least get a similar feel to Lofoten farther south. We’re planning to roadtrip from Stavanger, to Bergen, to Alesund. Any ideas that may be somewhat close-ish?

July 10, 2018 at 4:39 am

do you have any suggestions/advice for an American interested in moving to Norway (no right to work there at the moment) , would need to find a job. don’t speak norwegian. = (

July 11, 2018 at 8:09 pm

Hm, learn Norwegian would be my best advice! It’s not a hard language and knowing at least a bit will make it so much easier. Or you could enroll in a university course and go that route.

Bruce Wynn says

August 10, 2018 at 1:05 am

Silvia, So happy I found your blog. We are renting a car in two weeks and driving to many of your recommendations. I have a question about traveling from Bodo to Bergen. Is it possible to jump on a car ferry heading south from Bodo or is it just available to people paying for the whole route? Or would you recommend to drive back to Bergen? It would be fun to see some of the fjords from the water though.

Michael says

August 20, 2018 at 7:59 pm

Hey! Quick question for you (great blog by the way).

I’m travelling to Tromso on the 4th Septeber (landing early afternoon) and will leave on the 10th (again early afternoon) to fly from Tromso to Oslo. In my head I wanted to rent a car and cover both Tromso and Lofoten, driving down to Lofoten and then obviously driving all the way back up to drop the car in Tromso again and fly onwards (I really should have given myself longer than 5 days)!

I’ve not been to Norway before and want to make the most of my time in the far north before I have to leave, any recommendations for a potential itinerary I could look at for my 5 days there? If I have to sacrifice time in Tromso to make visiting Lofoten worthwhile then I’m ok with that, looking for a bit of a guide on what would be best to cover in my short time there? I noticed one of your other blogs about Senja as well, that’s considerably closer to Tromso than the far south of Lofoten. Any recommendations on the best route for me to cover etc would be appreciated 🙂

August 30, 2018 at 10:51 am

I have a similar question but will be traveling just before Christmas and will have 7-8 days; thinking to split between Tromso and Lofoten. I don’t mind flying between the two places. Would be great to hear your recommendations! Thanks!

November 11, 2018 at 5:14 am

I love your photos!. What time of the year would you recomend for visiting Lofoten Isl? In terms of weather, Aurora sighting, price..? Thanks a lot

January 24, 2019 at 10:56 am

Hi Silvia, your blog is lovely and this information on Lofoten islands is wonderful. But may I kindly ask for more information on visiting in Summer. I am also very much interested in Whale watching, Orcas in particular. I read that in Summer they move to this part of Norway. Whats your opinion on this? How long do you suggest on should stay on these islands? Thank you very much. Regards,

January 24, 2019 at 11:54 am

There are fewer whales in the summer, but you should still be able to see orcas in Lofoten! I would stay for at least three days to a week if you have time, there’s so much to see there.

Elisabetta says

February 2, 2019 at 2:44 pm

Silvia I am a food writer and would like to write an article or a story about the stockfish and of course interview a few people who deal with this I was told that Bergen has a storage facility where they sell this fish……..and there fore would like to spend 10 days between Bergen and Lofoten whic historically is the place where it all began for Italian stoccafisso imports……. June or July would be my planned months can you advise where to stay? i figured flying from Muenich to ………….? and move on either by boat or car? I too have two blogs – The Northern Italian Weekender nd From USA with Love at http://www.culinaryroots.com ,

February 2, 2019 at 3:17 pm

I would come in June if you can, as July is the busiest month of the year. If you only have 10 days I would fly into Bergen and then fly to Svolvær in Lofoten and rent a car from there. Have fun!

M Black says

March 17, 2019 at 11:20 pm

Your blog is so helpful! Thank you for writing it. I’ve checked out your posts re: Norway in a nutshell and this one. If we were to recreate NIN ourselves as you suggest and want to visit lofoten, how many days minimum do we need? Would you take lofoten over a visit to Copenhagen and Stockholm?

April 18, 2019 at 2:46 pm

Kind regards from Svovaer Lofoten

Marjorie says

June 14, 2019 at 11:38 pm

Hi Silvia, my dream is to visit Norway and see the Northen Lights. After doing a very long research about it I came across your website and I have to say it’s the best I’ve read so far. I’m so glad I found your tips. I really want to go to Lofoten, but my only available date this year is on the third week of October. I’ve heard that this is not a good time for the Northen lights or Norway itself. I wanted to hear your thoughts about it, should I dare come in October? Is it really so bad?

July 25, 2019 at 12:17 am

I live at roughly the same latitude as lofoten and can tell you that the area in late fall can be very beautiful but that kind of weather becomes rarer and rarer the later in the year it gets. Late october is a big gamble. If your mind is set on lofoten id go for summer or early/mid fall. You wont see the auroras then but theres plenty of beauty anyway.

If you have to see the northern lights late august to mid october or january to march is a good bet. Avoid november and december, the weather is just to dark and rainy or otherwise inconsistent.

Weston Black says

September 1, 2019 at 5:03 am

Hello Silvia! I was Wondering what’s the name of the beautiful village in your 9th photo of this article? The photo with the fishing village/bay and fjords in background (clear skies). I’ve been searching for that spot, and I’d like to travel there and stay for a week or two, if possible. Many thanks for all your wonderful trip advice!!

September 2, 2019 at 3:53 pm

The photo is of Reine!

Landscape Photographer says

November 19, 2019 at 5:21 pm

Great article, Lofoten is indeed an amazing place! 🙂

I do however disagree about your comments on the Northern Lights. I’ve been to Lofoten 2 years in a row now both in January and using localised weather apps and a little driving in the right direction have been able to find clear skies with some amazing aurora shows on multiple nights of both trips.

I’m heading back again this coming January and will be visiting Senja for the first time. I can’t wait 🙂

amanda says

December 7, 2019 at 3:41 pm

Silvia- we are visiting in April– would this be an okay time to go to the Lofoten Islands? We are flying into Oslo but are hearing so many great things…would the best route be to fly there? thank you!

Stellar says

December 29, 2019 at 8:09 pm

Hi! I’m trying to plan a trip after looking at your beautiful photos! How did you get to Lofoten? I’m travelling from Alesund so its a big jump but it seems like I have to take a bus to Andalsnes, then trains to Bodo and then a ferry to Moskenes and then a bus from there.. is that normal you think?

December 29, 2019 at 10:54 pm

Sounds right! Of course you can also fly if you don’t have time to do that all overland.

January 18, 2020 at 7:02 pm

Hi there! If you had two weeks in northern Norway in late Feb/early March with the goal of snow shoeing a lot/winter hiking (we are outdoor guides so have some experience), seeing the northern lights, and being in towns or cities with young people–where would you go? How would you spend it? I’d be ever grateful.

Jay.Ritch says

January 31, 2020 at 2:31 pm

I’m currently visiting Lofoten at the moment. These tips have been helpful.

March 1, 2020 at 4:40 pm

What a beautiful place! Thanks for the local tips. Yet another place to add to the growing bucket list! x

طراحی ویلا مدرن says

March 9, 2020 at 1:55 pm

really impressive landscape, beautiful horses, I love it, I wish to visit this place soon as possible.

Mary Nichole says

May 7, 2020 at 2:46 pm

We are planning on a trip to Lofoten. The pictures you have captured are amazing and can give a thought for everyone mostly to visit this place. Thanks for sharing these tips!!

I am sure that your blog will be very helpful for our visit to Lofoten.

Postcard Stories says

September 11, 2020 at 3:59 pm

Lofoten Islands are paradise to me 🙂 I visited them during Covid lochdown, when only the Norwegians were travelling through the country. And my experience was priceless. Although I lived in Airbnb, but I definitely encourage everyone to try out a wild camping. Which is also for free. Norway is really not so expensive, if you are camping, fishing (and having the same fish for supper), enjoying the free activities as hiking, climbing to mountains and just enjoying magnificent scenery. I would love to go back there from time to time.

sujith nair says

March 10, 2021 at 8:21 am

We are planning our maiden trip to Lofoten in august this year. We have booked our tickets but still struggling with place to stay. I am confused on if i should just book one place for the entire trip of 10 days or if i should split it up in between different places (from west to east). Can you give us your suggestions based on your experience please?

March 14, 2021 at 11:10 am

Lofoten is quite large so I would book two or three places – maybe near Reine and Svolvær, and you could add a couple of nights in Nusfjord or a different village. You can find all of my Lofoten recommendations here: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/lofoten-road-trip/

Andrea Oliveira says

February 8, 2022 at 1:01 pm

Hello Silvia, thanks for the words and wonderful pictures, Lofoten looks amazing. I´d like to know if you could explain why Airbnb is not a good option in Norway recently. We are planning to visit Norway this year and were considering where to stay.

Airbnb maybe says

May 18, 2022 at 3:55 pm

Another post of yours recommends Airbnb. Not sure which is the more recent. Could you update us 😀

May 22, 2022 at 2:19 pm

Ah sorry, I haven’t managed to update everything yet, but I’d try to avoid Airbnb if you can!

alka nand says

August 2, 2022 at 10:44 pm

Silva, We live in Dallas Tx, and I followed your posts for our recent trip to Norway and Lofoten Islands, They were very useful. I also bought both the pack of North and South guides. But I found your posts much more useful! Thank you so much! We are mountain lovers like you and we followed your recommendations of scenic routes to take. In particular – Gamle Strynefjellsvegen Road trip – https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/gamle-strynefjellsvegen-road-trip/ was really beautiful! Also followed your suggestions for places to visit in Lofoten and stayed in Eliassen Rorbuaer . It was Beautiful!! Norway is a gorgeous country – its like one big National Park!! The only disappointing part was the weather. We lost a lot of time to bad rainy, foggy weather 🙁 Trollstigen drive and Andalsnes were literally a wash 🙁 And that is when we came in July! Just one suggestion – It woud be great if you had a compilation of links to all your pages for a particular country.

Again Thank you so much for your very informative posts with pictures! alka

Ksenija Olmer says

September 10, 2022 at 11:42 am

Just returned from a Norway trip with a week spent in Lofoten. Photographer’s paradise even with your little phone. We had a great experience booking a special one week offer hotel in August just at the end of the season. We needed a week because of the crazy weather, cold and rain the whole summer in Norway bee had only three sunny days on Lofoten but they were fantastic and worth the wait. The crowds down in Å were still shocking, the eagle safari was still sold out but the rest of the island wasn’t too crowded. The long ferry from Bodo to Rost was actually free this summer in a government scheme to get more visitors to less popular places. Fantastic on a sunny day, must be very rough otherwise. As you recommend Senja was a good alternative or addition and much less people end of August than Lofoten. Andoya totally empty. Agree with you car is a must, camping is difficult because of rain and even more so strong winds. We did it and it was really bad! Camper van would be ideal for Norway as the free infrastructure for that is much better. Lots of free rest areas for camper vans and even big camper trailers forbid pitching a tent. Hope this helps anyone planing a trip. Happy trails from two old farts @crazyparentstravel

January 24, 2023 at 11:38 pm

Hi Silvia, I saw that you do not recommend AirBnB but you are suggesting to use Booking.com through the links that you provide. Can you explain what is wrong with AirBnB in Norway and how Booking.com is better? Thank you.

January 28, 2023 at 11:53 am

Airbnbs are registered differently in Norway, and there’s a limit on the number of days in a year someone can rent out their place on Airbnb (this is to protect rental prices for locals). A lot of Airbnb owners keep all the dates available and then cancel last minute based on when they can make the most money.

Heather says

February 2, 2023 at 8:11 pm

Hello Silvia! I am currently trying to plan our October honeymoon (mid Oct-end Oct) 2 week itinerary. My fiance’s family hails from Arandal, so that is a must. Probably need to fly into Oslo & do day trip to Arandal. My dream would be to see the Lofoten Islands, some of the sites around Bergen perhaps (since NiN is year round) and also a quick trip to Iceland. We know this probably sounds too ambitious, or crazy even? With our timeframe, what are your thoughts? It’s a struggle to know how best to plan. Any guidance is much appreciated! <:-}

February 5, 2023 at 10:00 am

I guess see if you can fly Icelandair to Oslo with a stopover in Iceland. Then take a couple of nights in Arendal, and then fly to Bergen. Spend about three nights in Bergen with a day trip to the fjords, or rent a car and overnight in the fjords (I recommend this! https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/aurlandsfjellet-sognefjellet-bergen-road-trip/ ) and then fly up to Lofoten and spend the rest of your time there, again renting a car.

Lillevik Lofoten says

October 22, 2023 at 4:09 pm

Great overview of Lofoten and super tips!

Just one comment: The NRK story about the hotel owner wanting to make AirBnb illegal is quite biased, and not everyone agrees as the story also says.

Lofoten simply doesn’t have the capacity to house all tourists, and without private homeowners renting out on AirBnb, Booking.com and other platforms, there would simply not be enough places to stay during high season.

Hotels and other businesses with seasonal workers and temporary employees do of course need housing at the same time that tourists need places to stay. Many seasonal workers rent apartments and houses short-term, on the same platforms as tourists.

It’s common for house owners to rent out long-term for 10 months, and then ask/force the tenants to move out for two months in summer so they can rent out short-term to tourists to a much higher price.

On the plus side: When people rent out their homes and holiday homes, the income helps them keep the houses in order, do maintenance, and renovate them. This is also important for local businesses, of course. Without the income from renting out, there would be no money for fixing the houses.

A bit anecdotal, but still: The house we rent out at Gimsøy (near the Lofoten Links lodges you mention) had been empty for 10 years before we bought it and completely renovated it. The renovation took two years and cost almost 2 million NOK (180,000 USD). During the two years we used only local carpenter, electrician, plumber, etc – and we only bought building materials and equipment (all appliances, furniture, etc) locally. We now rent it out with around 40 % of a normal year occupied – hoping for more. We think it’s far better than when the house was basically waiting to fall apart.

One thing to be aware of is all the new cabins, or “hytter”. In many areas of Norway the untouched nature is bulldozed away for cabins. There is a growing concern about the loss of nature, and in some areas the natural landscape is completely gone – it’s just cabins everywhere. There are now over 80 counties that want to stop all new cabins. NRK has a story on that too: https://www.nrk.no/vestland/val-2023_-80-kommunar-vil-stanse-alt-naturtap-1.16542929

fotografwdrodze.pl says

January 21, 2024 at 9:12 pm

In recent years, the Lofoten Islands have become increasingly commercialized. There are more and more buildings that devastate the amazing views.

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You'll never forget your first approach to the Lofoten Islands. The islands' tall, craggy profiles stand against the sky like some spiky sea dragon. The beauty of this place is simply staggering.

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Lofotr Viking Museum

In 1981 at Borg, in the heart of Vestvågøy, a farmer's plough hit the ruins of the 83m-long dwelling of a powerful Viking chieftain, the largest building…

A 4km side trip signposted from the E10 at Vareid, north of Flakstad, brings you to Vikten and the showpiece gallery of the glass-blowing Tangrand family…

Foto Galleri

Stunning photos of the Lofoten Islands in all their brooding glory, most of them for sale, are the work of photographer Anders Finsland. It's worth…

Norsk Fiskeværsmuseum

This museum takes in 14 of Å's 19th-century boathouses, storehouses, fishing cottages, farmhouses and commercial buildings. Highlights (pick up a pamphlet…

Housed appropriately in what was once a fish-freezing plant, this is the ultimate place to chill out (perhaps with something to warm the spirit). The 500…

Lofoten Glass

Given the view, it's little wonder owner Cathinka Mæhlum was inspired to set up a workshop and gallery beside Kabelvåg's pretty harbour. Drop in to admire…

Engelskmannsbrygga

Here at 'Englishman's Wharf' is the open studio and gallery of three talented local artists: potter Cecilie Haaland, wildlife photographer and guide John…

Kaviar Factory

This fabulous art gallery inhabits an arresting, restored 1950s factory with a changing cast of cutting-edge temporary art exhibitions. The design shop at…

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23 Lofoten Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the Lofoten Islands, Norway

Visiting the Lofoten Islands with its craggy mountainous landscape is something you’ll never forget. To help you prepare, from the do’s and don’ts, here’s everything you should know before visiting the world’s most beautiful archipelago.

For years, I’ve dreamed about visiting the Lofoten Islands. Whilst researching I found very little information on the practicalities on getting to Lofoten, how to prepare, and what to expect so I decided to create this in-depth guide full of useful Lofoten travel tips so you don’t have to wing it or get caught out. Here are my 23 top tips for visiting the Lofoten Islands in Norway .

1. Dress warm and carry a spare pair of socks

During Winter and even into Spring, there is still plenty of snow on the ground. If you don’t have the proper footwear such as these Sorel boots for men and women’s , your feet will get wet from sweating or from snow entering your shoes so it’s a good idea to carry a spare pair of thermal socks. For more details on what to wear, check out my full winter clothing packing list guide.

Wearing gaiters and is also highly recommended, especially if you go hiking in winter.

2. Beware of Avalanches

As an Australia, worrying about avalanches is not something I would instinctively consider whilst visiting any cold climate region, which is why I feel it’s important to mention here, just in case you’re like me.

Learning about avalanche safety is something Norwegian’s learn at school and is ingrained in them. Sadly though, 168 people were in one way or another involved in avalanches in Norway last winter and an average of 5 people are killed on Norwegian mountains each year with foreign visitors making up the majority.

Your safest bet is to always go on an organised hike or ski trip with an experienced local guide. They will be well-versed on local conditions and will know when conditions are safe.

If you do decide to go it alone, please ask some locals before setting out. Plan your trip using the avalanche forecast varsom.no .

You can also download the REGOBS-app from App store or Android store . With REGOBS, you can share and access information about local conditions with other people, as well as download an offline inclination map. Typically, any terrain that is steeper than 30 degrees has the potential for avalanches to occur.

In addition, you should keep an eye on the weather conditions in your area using yr.no and senorge.no . Finally, always bring an avalanche transmitter and transceiver , a probe and a shovel when you are in avalanche terrain.

3. Shops are closed on Sundays

Back home you might save your weekly shop for Sunday, but in the rural Lofoten islands (and in Norway in general), the supermarkets are closed. Only service stations and convenience stores are open.

Only in larger towns (of which there are very few) will you find grocery stores that are open on Sundays. Shops are open every other day from 10:00 to 17:00 (Thursday until 18:00) and shopping centres have extended opening hours. This is a good one keep this in mind as you plan your meals.

4. Buy your alcohol from a Vinmonopolet

If during your trip you fancy drinking a bottle of wine or a spirit and mixer, then you’ll need to find a Vinmonopolet (English: The Wine Monopoly). Vinmonopolet is a government-owned alcoholic beverage retailer and the only company allowed to sell beverages containing an alcohol content higher than 4.75% in Norway.

To help you find your nearest Vinmonopolet outlet, you can use this app . It’s worth noting that  Vinmonopolet typically close earlier than other shops, on weekdays they close at 6 pm and Saturdays at 3 pm.

5. Best way to get to Lofoten islands

The Lofoten Islands has two main airports, Svolvær and Leknes, which service domestic destinations only. Svolvaer connects Bodø, Oslo, Røst, Stokmarknes and Leknes connects Bodø, Oslo, Tromsø. The closest international airport you can access by road (and has more flight times) is Harstad/Narvik Airport located in Evenes.

The E10 will be your best friend during your trip as it connects the many of the islands in the Lofoten archipelago via a two-way road. Starting in Luleå in Sweden, the E10 passes through Leknes, Svolvær, Gullesfjordbotn, Evenes, and ends in Å in the Lofoten islands. Å, incidentally, is the last letter of the Norwegian alphabet and the last town you can arrive to by car in Lofoten. Compare prices and hire your car here.

The more traditional approach to reach Lofoten from the mainland is by car ferry by Bødo.

For more details on how to get to Lofoten, check out my in-depth guide.

6. Best way to get around Lofoten is to hire a car

Car rental is available at Svolvaer, Leknes and Evenes airports . Since I was travelling internationally, I flew from London-Gatwick with a connection in Oslo then to Evenes which I picked up a SUV from here then jumped on the E10.

Hiring a car in Lofoten is a very popular choice and cars book up quickly. Book here at least 1-2 months in advance to avoid disappointment.

Here are some more common Norwegian motoring terms which are handy to be aware of:

• Utgiftsvei – toll-road
• Bensinstasjon – petrolstation
• Bilutleie firma – car rental agency
• Blyfri bensin – unleaded petrol
• Bomstasjon – toll
• Innkjørsel – entrance
• Motorolje – motor oil
• Motorvei – highway
• Omkjøring – detour
• Parkering – parking
• Politi – police
• Politistasjon – police station
• Sykehus – hospital
• Utkjørsel – exit

For more details on how to get around Lofoten, check out my in-depth guide here.

7.  Get off the E10 and explore the side roads

8. Make sure your car is safe and winter proof

Whenever you hire a car in Norway, it will automatically come equipped with winter tyres with spikes and an ice scraper (look out for a ‘winter charge’ on your invoice) but it’s worth checking everything has been safely installed.

During my stay at Hattvika Lodge , our host Kristian explained to us how he helped a guest with their rental car when he discovered that their tyres were different sizes, making it potentially very dangerous to drive. When you pick up your car, double check that everything looks ok just to be sure. Also, check your tyre tread isn’t worn down as this will cause accidents in any conditions.

9.  Keep an eye out for black ice

Again, as an Aussie, the concept of black ice is not something you hear about until you visit a country like Norway. Since you’ll be driving in Lofoten (or anywhere cold and snowy), then you need to know what black ice is and how to spot it.

Black ice is a thin coating of ice that forms on roads in environments below 0 °C (32 °F). The ice itself isn’t black, but transparent so that you can see the road beneath it. Black ice is difficult to spot compared with snow, frozen slush, or thicker ice layers which makes driving, cycling or walking very dangerous.

Black ice usually forms at night or in the early morning when the temperatures are at their lowest Black ice will also form due to the heat of tyres on the road together with the freezing temperature.

How to spot black ice:

• If a car ahead of your suddenly swerve for no apparent reason, black ice is a likely cause
• In the right lighting conditions, black ice can be seen, look out for very smooth glossy sheets.

What do to if you encounter black ice:

• Lift your feet off the accelerator completely, this will give you more control
• DON’T hit the brakes, they will cause skidding or losing control
• Let the care pass over the ice and try keeping the steering wheel straight
• If you feel the back end of your car sliding left or right, make a very gentle turn of the steering wheel in the same direction. If you steer in the opposite direction, you risk skidding or losing control.

10. Wear reflective bands

No matter how dark, cold, or how much it’s snowing you will always find Norwegians out and about walking their dogs, going for a walk, or running. Polar Night is no excuse for a Norwegian to stay inside. To ensure they stay safe when near a road, Norwegians will wear these reflective bands on their arms so they are highly visible to drivers. Again, this is something most visitor don’t know about, let allow implement, so here we are.

When you walk alongside a trafficked road, you should walk on the left side so you can see the cars coming towards you. In which case, if you only have one, it makes sense to put the reflective band on the right arm.

11. Wear sunglasses

I travelled to Lofoten in March, shortly after the end of Polar Night, so the sunny days mixed with snowy landscapes exposed me to another very Norwegian problem, snow blindness. *Sigh* I’m really starting to show my ignorance but hey ho, you live and learn.

While sunny skies over a white Lofoten landscape is magical, it can also be very painful and cause temporary loss of vision due to overexposure to the sun’s UV rays. Make sure you wear your sunglasses folks, I learned this one the hard way while I was filming my 6 month Norwegian language class video.

12. Best time to see the Northern Lights in Lofoten is between November-March

Thanks to its location over the Arctic Circle, Lofoten is situated in an ideal spot to see nature’s spectacular light show. While the lights are active all year around, the best period to see them is during Polar Night, a period of the year known where the sun never rises above the horizon. Polar night starts December 9th and lasts until January 4th.

Having said that, when I visited in March, I saw the Northern Lights and a friend who visited early-April also saw them. If the sky is dark and clear, then your chances are great. Anytime after late April your chances are slim as the season of the midnight sun ramps up.

Going to Lofoten? Don’t miss 28 Unique Things to Do in Lofoten Before You Die [A Comprehensive Guide]

13. Best time to see the midnight sun in Lofoten is between late May and mid July

Another arctic phenomena is the midnight sun which is the polar opposite (pun intended) of polar night, where the sun never dips below the horizon, even at midnight. If you’re right on the Arctic Circle itself, this only happens once a year on the summer solstice, but since Lofoten is located higher up you’ll have a larger window of time to experience it. The midnight sun in Lofoten typically starts May 26th and lasts until July 17th. In Tromsø , the best time starts late May to late July.

14. Learn some Norwegian

While you don’t need to be fluent in Norwegian, knowing a few choice words and phrases can go a long way. Generally, Norwegians are excellent English speakers, but it’s polite and kind to meet them halfway. If you only remember ‘hei’ (hello), ‘takk’ (thank you), and ‘ha det bra’ (goodbye) I’ll be happy.

Get my free Norwegian travel phrase guide with pronunciation to get started.

15. Best time to visit the Lofoten Islands depends on what you want to do

Best time for photography

For photographers seeking the soft arctic light and a pretty snow-covered landscape then between January and March is perfect.

Best time for hiking

If you want to go hiking, then you’ll need to wait at least until late May. For many inland hikes, there is still be a lot of snow on the ground which makes the hike significantly more difficult so you’ll need to play each hike by ear and check local conditions. I hiked Trolltunga at the end of May which made an already tough hike even more challenging.

For hikes with less snow on the ground, stick to coastal areas. According to Cody at 68North , spring is also a period of rockfall and avalanches, so ensure you triple check conditions before heading out.

Best time for the Northern Lights and hiking

If you want the best of both worlds ie. see the Northern Lights AND go hiking, then September provides the best conditions.

Best time for whale watching

The best time for whale watching is, anytime! Andenes, located on the northern side of Lofoten, offers some of the best whale watching in the world all year round thanks to its close proximity to a deep underwater canyon at the edge of a continental shelf where the nutrient-rich ocean is a primary feeding ground. It’s in areas like this that Sperm whales often are found.

During summer, Sperm whales are regularly spotted outside Andenes along with the occasional sightings of Orcas and Pilot Whales. Winter sees the return of Humpback whales in great numbers, along with Fin whales, Orcas, and Sperm whales. Book your whale watching tour here with Whale Safari for a 100% whale guarantee.

16. What is the Lofoten weather like

Having said that, the weather can change quickly throughout the day. Its notoriously unpredictable, but the upside is that bad weather  usually passes as quickly as it came. Ensure you dress warm and in layers so you can easier find some relief when the sun shines. For ideas on what what to wear and pack, check out my packing Norway guide here.

17. Be extra cautious when driving in winter

Brøytestikker aka plow sticks, line the roads in winter

If you’ve never driven in the snow before then this one is for you. I’d never driven in snow either before until this trip and I learned a couple of really important things that I didn’t find anywhere else.

Firstly, coastal roads in Norway aren’t as wide as what you may be used to back home. I saw at least 4 cars and a truck that drove too close to the edge and ended up stuck in a ditch on the side of the road. When the snow plows come through and push the snow to the side you can get a false sense of where the road edge is. If you’re unsure, driver a little slower, but be mindful of other drivers behind you and let them pass on designated meeting points, marked with an ‘M’ or at exits to let them pass.

Secondly, look out for brøytestikker (plow sticks), these are bright orange reflective sticks that are placed in snow along all roads. These are your best friend. Look out for them and always drive to the left of them.

If you do get stuck call the recovery service emergency number. Call the NAF (Norges Automobil Forbund), on 08505 from with Norway or 0047 92608505 from abroad.

Don’t drive close to the edge or this will happen

18. Use Google Maps. In-car GPS can be unreliable

Whilst all places are easy to find using Google Maps, when driving you’re more likely to use the GPS in your car. The only caveat is that it’s harder to find specific points of interest locations unless you have an address.

I recommend keeping your phone handy to check Google Maps or enter in the lat/long coordinates. As a side note, if you don’t have data, you can still access Google Maps without internet access, just turn your location on so if can track you. You can also download maps to access offline which makes it easier to see where you are.

19. How long should you stay in Lofoten

20. Learn how to recycle, Norwegian style

Ok, so this is more of a general Norway tip. If you’re not a master at recycling, then you better learn quick because the Norwegians are world-class recyclers and they expect you to be too!

Even in our small cabin at Eliassen Rorbuer they manage to squeeze in three separate bins underneath the sink for recycling.

Again, this was another learning curve for me. Coming from London where you only have one bag for all recyclable items then another for general waste, the Norwegian’s separate everything!

Here’s how it works. You have to maintain separate bins for different kinds of waste, each with its own specific bag so it’s easier for the waste to be sorted afterwards.

The food and organic leftovers go in a green bag. All plastics must be rinsed thoroughly and go in a blue bag. Paper should be collected in a paper bag and finally, general waste goes in any kind of bag.

But wait, there’s more. Introducing the pant system. The pant system is where you can take all your plastic drink bottles and cans to a pant machine located at any supermarket and claim back ‘pant’. This is the added cost (1-2.5 NOK) that’s applied upon purchase that you can get back. After inserting all your bottles and cans , the machine will issue you with a receipt that you can use to spend in the supermarket or donate to charity via the machine.

21. Locate the nearest petrol station

Lofoten might be a popular destination, but it’s important to remember that it’s still quite rural so petrol stations are only available in the larger towns. Always know where your nearest petrol station is, and fill up when you get the chance and before a long journey.

22. Don’t park on the road

I can’t count the amount of times I saw a spot and wanted to stop immediately and get out. Whether you see the perfect reflection in the calm water or the sun is shining through the clouds just right, it’s in those moments you just want to slam the brakes. But, be careful.

The roads in Lofoten can be narrow with two lanes or single lanes. The coastal roads usually hug a mountain and will have a steep drop on the other side. So, finding a safe spot to stop can be difficult and if no cars are around you’ll be tempted to stop on the road itself and jump out. Please don’t do this.

Be mindful about stopping on corners, blind spots, on single lane roads with a wide pocket to allow for oncoming cars to pass or others to overtake you. Always check there is no one behind you before stopping. If you do stop, pull over to the side of the road and check both directions before crossing the road.

The wide pockets are marked by a blue sign with an M ( see page 8 ) and these are designated Møteplass (Meeting points) not to be confused with meeting points for people, but rather meeting cars that need to pass each other. These Møteplass are found all over Lofoten.

Here is a list of all useful traffic road signs in Norway to get familiar with.

23. Where to stay in Lofoten

Inside my cabin at Hattvika Lodge

When visiting Lofoten, you have to stay in a rorbuer (fisherman’s cabin) or sjøhus (seahous). All over Lofoten you’ll find vibrant red and yellow rorbuer and sjøhus, as they’re called in Norwegian. Originally, built to house fishermen who would come from all over Norway for the Lofoten fishing season, today these historic buildings have been converted into cosy accommodation for visitors to enjoy and authentic Lofoten experience.

I stayed at the beautiful and family run Hattvika Lodge in Ballstad for 4 nights before continuing further south to stay at the iconic Eliassen Rorbuer for 3 nights and where I ended my trip. Just 30 minutes drive apart, both accommodations are ideally located to use as a base as you travel around the islands.

For more details about my stay, read my review of Hattvika Lodge here and Eliassen Rorbuer .

That’s it! I hope you found this Lofoten travel tips guide useful. If you have any questions, please ask in the comment section below and I’ll get back to you.

Recommended tours and experiences

• Discover the beautiful fjords and islands of Lofoten with this kayak adventure in Eggum
• Explore Trollfjord on-board a comfortable sailing catamaran
• Enjoy the pure Arctic on this Sailing, Hiking and Fishing Tour in Lofoten
• Experience Lofoten’s majestic Trollfjord and its white-tailed eagles in complete silence on a hybrid-electric ship
• Henningsvaer Cultural Dinner Cruise Starting from Lofoten

Visiting Norway? Check out my other Norway posts

• 28 Unique Things to Do in Lofoten Before You Die [A Comprehensive Guide]
• Hattvika Lodge Review: Cosy Cabins in the Heart of Lofoten You’ll Never Want to Leave
• Staying at Eliassen Rorbuer: The Most Picturesque Fishing Village in Lofoten, Norway
• How to get to Lofoten: 6 Easy Ways to Get to the Lofoten Islands, Norway
• 49 Underrated Things to Do in Oslo, Norway That Are Totally Worth Doing
• 22 Absolutely Free things to do in Oslo You Shouldn’t Miss
• Emanuel Vigeland Museum: Oslo’s Best-Kept Secret
• How to Hike Trolltunga like a Pro: The Ultimate Guide
• 11 Awesome Things to do in Stavanger you won’t forget
• The Ultimate Sámi Culture Experience in Tromsø
• 7 Reasons Why You Should Take an Arctic Fjords Road Trip in Tromsø
• The Best Place to See the Northern Lights You Probably Haven’t Heard of
• How to Choose the Best Whale Watching Tour in Norway and Iceland

Watch my vlog on the best things to do in Lofoten

Like it? Pin it for later!

Sources /  The Rough Guide to Norway

Over to you!

Do you have a question about visiting the Lofoten islands? Ask me below! Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

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Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. What separates her from other instructors is her ability to explain complex grammar in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner using her unique 80/20 method. Get her free guide 9 reasons you’re not fluent…YET & how to fix it! Planning a trip? Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today!

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I’ll be in Lofoten solo from Dec. 30th 2019 – Jan. 5th 2020 and your tips are the best I’ve read so far. Thank you so much! The driving tips are absolutely invaluable for me because I have not much snow driving experience.

That’s so wonderful to hear. Thank you, Stephanie, for your kind words. Have a wonderful trip! 🙂

Thank you, Stephanie! I’m so glad you found this helpful 🙂 Wishing you an amazing time. Let me know how it goes 🙂

LOVE all your tips, Michele! All so true, and we learned first-hand! I still can’t believe how many cars we saw on the side of the road (usually in a ditch). Road safety really is important, ESPECIALLY when travelling in the winter! 🙂

Thank you so much, Lisa 🙂 Seeing all those stranded cars were definitely unexpected and something we don’t hear enough about for sure.

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