travel to lofoten islands from uk

Service Unavailable

The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to maintenance downtime or capacity problems. Please try again later.

Additionally, a 503 Service Unavailable error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.

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

Kayaking in Lofoten

RIB Safari Lofoten – An Epic Ocean Experience

Diving and Snorkeling in Lofoten

Wildlife in Lofoten

Climbing in Lofoten

Experience Lofoten from a SUP

Beaches in Lofoten

Hiking in Lofoten

Top 10 places to see the midnight sun in Lofoten

Tourist map of Lofoten – overview of where you can set up your tent

The “Right to Roam” — Freedom with responsibility in the great outdoors

Essential travel tips to Lofoten

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

Experience the midnight sun.

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

Lofoten’s restaurants

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

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

Visiting Lofoten Islands (Norway): 16 Travel Tips & Tricks for Your First Trip

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 23, 2024

The Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway are among the most picturesque places on the planet. If stunning landscapes and jaw-dropping images on social media or in the travel brochures have also inspired you to visit Lofoten, you may find yourself overwhelmed trying to plan a trip here.

How to get to Lofoten? When to visit? How long and where to stay? What to see and how to make the most of your trip if the weather doesn’t cooperate?

In this guide, we share some useful tips and information that we wished we had known before visiting Lofoten Islands for the first time. These insights are based on our personal experience and include many details you may not have thought of.

I hope that this guide will give you a better idea of what to expect when visiting Lofoten and will help you plan a truly unforgettable trip. Take a look!

Lofoten travel tips and things to know when planning your first visit:

1. Decide when to visit

One of the first things to decide when planning to visit Lofoten is WHEN to visit. Just like most places in the Nordics, visiting Lofoten Islands in winter or in summer is a completely different experience. Here are some examples and things to consider:

• If you are looking for endless daylight and midnight sun , visit Lofoten in June – July. The sun never sets during this time of the year and you can see and do a lot in a short time. However, this is also the busiest and the most expensive time to travel to Lofoten.
• The best time to visit Lofoten for the Northern Lights is between September and March.
• The best time for hiking in Lofoten is between June and September. The rest of the year, you can expect to find snow on the trails, but – with proper equipment – some hikes are possible in the winter as well. Just be sure to do your research because even in the summer, hiking in Lofoten is often really challenging.
• If you want to see whales (the best place for that is Andenes in the nearby Vesteralen), some of the best months are between November and March. Although certain species are around in the summer as well.

So choose your travel dates depending on what you want to experience, but remember that Lofoten is primarily a nature destination and nothing in nature is guaranteed. Further below, you’ll find some Lofoten travel tips that should help you make the most of your trip no matter the weather. But first, some more practical information.

READ ALSO: Lofoten Islands in Summer (weather, packing, seasonal tips & more)

2. Figure out how to get to Lofoten and how to travel around

One of the most asked questions for people considering a trip to the Lofoten Islands is how to get there. In all honesty, there are countless possibilities, and it’s easier to visit Lofoten than it might look at first sight.

Good to know: Lofoten islands are best visited by car or campervan, but good public transport connections make it possible to travel here without a car as well. See below for more information on getting to Lofoten and traveling around.

Here are the best ways to get to Lofoten:

If you are coming from far, the best way to visit Lofoten is by flying to one of the airports in the area and renting a car (or you can take public buses).

There are two airports on the Lofoten islands themselves : Leknes (LKN) and Svolvær (SVJ). However, these are small airports with very few (and rather local) flights. So getting here from abroad will require quite a few flight changes. Not even to mention that renting a car from these airports will be quite expensive.

The best bigger airports near Lofoten are Harstad/Narvik airport in Evenes (EVE) and Bodø airport (BOO), both with direct flights from Oslo, but – especially in summer – also directly from some other European cities. Evenes airport is about 165 km (102 miles) – 2.5 hours drive from Svolvær, the main town of Lofoten Islands. Whereas the car- and passenger ferry from Bodø to Moskenes (south end of Lofoten) takes about 3.5 hours.

The main advantage of flying into Evenes airport over Bodø is that you don’t need to worry about ferry schedules or rough seas and can just drive to Lofoten. This is the option that we chose. If you want to make a round trip and don’t mind starting and ending at different airports, you could start in Evenes and end in Bodø or vice versa.

It’s also possible to fly to Tromsø (TOS) and make a road trip that includes Lofoten from there. However, Tromsø is much further away from Lofoten and only makes sense if you plan to visit other places in northern Norway as part of the same trip as well.

TIP: For car rental for visiting Lofoten, we highly recommend you check the RentalCars website . We planned and rebooked our Lofoten trip three times and every time, we found the best deals through this website. We rented a car from Evenes airport and returned it there too, but one-way fees were quite reasonable, so it’s easy to plan a self-drive trip that best suits your needs.

By car, motorbike, or camper

If you live in Europe, you may decide to simply drive to Lofoten from your home country. While I don’t recommend this to anyone who is short on time, it can be a fun experience if you are on a longer road trip and want to experience more of Norway.

We saw lots of cars from Sweden and Finland in Lofoten. There were also many campervans with license plates from Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. On a few occasions, we even saw people who drove to Lofoten all the way from Italy or Spain. And we even saw motorbikes from various European countries…

So yes, it’s possible to drive to Lofoten Islands. Just keep in mind that driving on the winding narrow roads through Norway requires a lot of time (it’s rare you can drive faster than 60-70 km/h, often even slower).

If you are driving to Lofoten, one of the easiest ways to get to the islands is by ferry from Bodø . For this ferry and especially if traveling in the high season, it’s best to reserve your tickets well in advance. You check the ferry schedule and book your trip on the official website of Torghatten Nord .

Good to know: A nice way to get to Lofoten with your own vehicle from southern Norway is by taking your car on one of the Hurtigruten coastal ferries from e.g. Bergen to Svolvaer. It’s not cheap, but you get to experience some amazing scenery along the way without having to spend 2 full days in a car. However, this is something you’ll have to plan and book even longer in advance.

Without a car

It’s also possible to visit Lofoten without a car. You can take a boat, travel by bus, by bike, or even get around by hitchhiking.

There are buses from e.g. Evenes airport to Svolvaer or Kabelvag (see the official airport buses website ), and bus connections on the Lofoten islands themselves are also quite good (see this website for more info). You can also take a ferry from Bodo, and you’ll find public buses waiting for passengers once you get to Lofoten.

You can also get to Lofoten by boat . Many cruise companies that visit Norway make a stop in Lofoten for a day, or you can also arrive in Lofoten by the coastal Hurtigruten ferry and stay for a few days before continuing your trip further north or south.

It’s also possible to hitch-hike your way through Lofoten and we saw at least a few hitchhikers every day. It will be easier to do this if you are alone or with just 2 people and don’t have too much luggage.

We also saw many people traveling on the Lofoten islands by bike , often with a tent and all the necessary equipment secured on the bike. It looks like a fun way to visit Lofoten in the summer and when the weather is nice, but it sure didn’t look fun on rainy days… Either way, it’s definitely possible.

3. Stay longer

Lofoten is a nature destination that is best appreciated when the weather is nice and you can actually see the amazing landscapes. If you only have 1-3 days in Lofoten and it’s cloudy and rainy all the time, you won’t be able to enjoy the most beautiful sceneries or see the Midnight Sun or the Northern Lights.

So no matter when you travel to Lofoten, the best way to be sure that you can experience the best that the region has to offer is to stay longer .

Staying longer gives you a bit more flexibility on how to fill your days depending on the weather you get. Of course, you might get very lucky and have the most amazing weather when visiting Lofoten for just 2 days or have really bad luck with rain and clouds for 7 days in a row, but spending more time in the region will always give you more chances to see and do everything that you want to.

Also, if you have more time, you can enjoy a bigger variety of activities and explore Lofoten deeper (e.g. you can go kayaking , take a day trip to Værøy Island, a boat tour to Trollfjord , or a scenic Reinefjorden cruise where you can also visit a remote beach before taking the next boat back).

You’ll also enjoy your trip so much more if you have time for some unplanned stops and unexpected discoveries. It’s nice to take a walk on a beautiful beach or visit a charming fishermen’s village rather than take a picture, tick a box, and say you’ve been there…

Also, while time-wise it can be possible to combine a few popular hikes in a day, most of the best hikes in Lofoten are so steep that you’ll get exhausted if you do several of them without giving yourself enough time to recover in between.

So if you can, try to plan more time in Lofoten – you won’t regret it.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Lofoten

4. Research what to see and do (also in bad weather)

Lofoten Islands cover a rather big area with lots of things to see and do . There are countless amazing hikes, beaches, and viewpoints. In addition, you’ll find quite a few museums and some other indoor activities which are great for when the weather doesn’t cooperate. And there are also various (boat) tours and excursions that can bring you to places you wouldn’t be able to visit otherwise.

So if you want to make the most of your trip to Lofoten, be sure to do some research in advance!

You don’t have to plan an exact itinerary for each day (especially if you have more time in the region and are more flexible), but it sure helps to have a good idea of which places you absolutely want to see.

It’s also useful to have a list of places to visit when it rains or when it’s dark and cold (if traveling in the winter season).

Preparing an approximate plan for each day (and prebooking the things you absolutely want to do) will help you maximize your time and avoid disappointments. However, you always have to stay flexible – see further for more info.

5. Book in advance

Lofoten is one of the most beautiful nature destinations in the world. So it won’t come as a surprise that it’s extremely popular. Furthermore, the majority of visitors travel to Lofoten in the summer months, meaning that everything in the peak season is in high demand .

So if you are traveling to Lofoten in the high season (June – September) and want to keep the costs down and be able to experience the best that this beautiful region has to offer, it’s a good idea to book things in advance .

One of the very first things you should decide on is how you’ll travel around. If you need to rent a car or a motorhome , book it as soon as you can. The availability of rental cars/ campers is limited and the demand is high, so this is one of the very first things to secure when traveling in Lofoten.

TIP: For years already, we use the Rental Cars website for all our car rentals all over the world. We also found the best deals via them for our car hire in Lofoten. Due to the pandemics, we planned and rearranged our trip three times, and on each occasion, they had the very best car rental deals available. And when we had to cancel our trips, we got all the money back without any issues.

Once you have your rental car, you should book your accommodations . The more in advance you book, the more options you have. This usually means better quality accommodation and better prices. We booked all our hotels/ rorbuer cabins via Booking.com – it’s simple to find exactly what you are looking for, compare prices, or cancel if needed.

If you are planning on doing any (boat) tours in Lofoten, it’s also a good idea to prebook them. You don’t absolutely have to do it months in advance – a week or a few days should be sufficient for most tours. However, if your travel dates are fixed and you aren’t really flexible, you can just as well book tours in advance too.

We used the Get Your Guide website for all our tour bookings in Lofoten and prebooked all the excursions we planned to do in advance (we booked this RIB tour to Trollfjord near Svolvaer, this scenic cruise near Reine, and this sightseeing cruise to Vaeroy island ).

Since they offer free cancelation up to 24 hours before the tour, you keep complete flexibility. If you see that the weather isn’t going to be great and want to cancel the tour, you can do that. Or you can try and reschedule your tour to another day if there is availability (this is what we did for one of the tours).

You can also find some tours on Viator . For example, they have more options for kayaking tours in Lofoten .

Also restaurants can get fully booked up in Lofoten in the summer, especially on the weekends. You don’t have to reserve weeks in advance, but it’s always a good idea to reserve a table a day upfront. On quite a few occasions, we saw people being turned away at various restaurants in Lofoten since they were fully booked for the evening.

6. Choose the location of your accommodation wisely

Depending on how much time you have in Lofoten and what you want to see and do, you may want to stay at one central location or stay at 2 or even 3 different places. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages.

Staying in one – central – location makes your trip planning easier. You can just book one accommodation and don’t have to pack and unpack every day. It also gives you the flexibility to decide which parts of Lofoten you visit each day. Depending on the weather, you can then adjust your travel plans. However, this also means that you’ll have to travel further every day. And even if the distances aren’t big, this means that you’ll spend a few extra hours in a car each day.

Good to know: One of the best centrally located areas to stay in Lofoten is Leknes. It’s about halfway between Svolvaer and Reine. The town of Leknes itself isn’t very charming, but there are lots of really nice places to stay nearby. We stayed in Lofoten Basecamp – they have some of the most beautiful rorbuer cabins near Leknes.

If you want to minimize the driving time and maybe even leave your car at your accommodation on a few occasions, you may want to stay in a few different areas in Lofoten . If you just choose two places, make it Svolvaer and Reine areas. If you have more time, opt for three different accommodations – one in the Svolvaer area, one near Leknes, and one near Reine.

Our experience: We had more than a week in Lofoten and stayed in three different areas, always in the traditional-style rorbuer cabins. We stayed in Lofoten Basecamp near Leknes for 3 nights, in Reinefjorden Sjøhus near Reine for 3 nights, and Svinøya Rorbuer in Svolvaer for 2 nights. This allowed us to minimize the driving and spend more time exploring each area deeper. We also took several boat tours and since the harbor was within easy walking distance from our accommodation, we didn’t have to use our car or look for parking on those days.

READ ALSO: Where to Stay in Lofoten

7. Keep your plans flexible

As already mentioned, Lofoten is primarily a nature destination and so much of what you’ll be able to see and do will depend on the weather. So while it’s very useful to have an approximate itinerary, you should also prepare for the fact that mother nature might have different plans than you do.

So keep your plans flexible and adjust them based on the weather forecast.

If the weather is really nice and there are no clouds, don’t just assume that it will stay like that. Take the advantage of the weather and do the hike(s) that you absolutely want to do first!

If heavy rain is in the forecast, don’t go climbing mountains. Not only you won’t see anything, but it’s also dangerous. If you have a boat trip booked and the weather doesn’t look great, see if you can change the dates of the tour. In the meantime, visit a few villages and museums, or take a walk along the coast where the views are usually not obstructed by the clouds.

Our experience: We were constantly changing our travel plans when visiting Lofoten. When the sun came out after a rainy morning, we drove more than an hour extra just to do the hike that was high on our list, even though it was in our plans for a few days later.

When it was cloudy and rainy, we postponed our sightseeing cruise by a day. And when it was pouring the whole day, we visited towns and museums, booked a table at a nice restaurant, and spent the rest of the day reading books… This brings us to yet another tip – see below.

8. Stay in a nice and spacious accommodation

If you can afford it, book some really nice and spacious accommodations in Lofoten . You’ll be glad you did if the weather is bad and you are stuck inside for hours or maybe even days…

I saw a lot of people complain about being stuck in a tiny hotel room in Lofoten in a rain. Many hotel rooms hardly have enough space for a bed. So the only alternative in bad weather is hanging around in the hotel lobby or (expensive) restaurants.

We had to spend quite some time indoors during our visit to Lofoten, and I’ve heard the same story over and over again from many other travelers. Sometimes it rains so hard that all you want to is a cozy place where you can enjoy some quiet downtime. And it’s so much nicer if you actually have space to move around or a small kitchen to make a cup of tea or even dinner.

Ideally, you also book a place with a nice (open) view. In winter, you might be able to see the Northern Lights straight from your room, and in summer – you can enjoy beautiful views from your room at any time of day or night. And even if the weather is great (fingers crossed for you!), your trip experience will be incomparably better anyway.

TIP: For the best and the most authentic experience in Lofoten, stay at rorbuer -style cabins on stilts. However, keep in mind that the traditional fishermen’s cabins are usually quite small and dark. Luckily, there are now many modern versions that have the same charm, but with much more space and bigger windows to enjoy the views.

Our favorite accommodations in Lofoten were Lofoten Basecamp (Leknes area) and Reinefjorden Sjøhus (Reine area). Both had lots of space for our big family, large windows and nice outdoor terraces, and lovely views. Lofoten Basecamp also has a beautiful sauna – perfect for bad-weather days. These accommodations made the rainy days so much more bearable.

READ ALSO: Best Rorbuer in Lofoten

9. You may want to take some cash, but you’ll mostly use cards

Normally, you hardly need any cash when visiting Nordic countries, and it’s also the case in Lofoten. Many places don’t even accept cash, and even in the most remote areas, they take cards or other electronic payments.

We had read that it helps to have some cash when traveling in Lofoten to pay for bathrooms and parking. So we got about 2,000 NOK (+-200 euros) for a 2-week Northern Norway trip .

In those two weeks, there was just one place in Lofoten – bathrooms in Vindstad – where they had an honesty box and asked to pay 20 NOK per person for the use of the facilities. They also accepted Vipps payments, which is Norway’s mobile payment app (like Apple Pay or Google Pay). But unless you live in Norway, you won’t be able to set it up.

So in two weeks, we only used cash once. And only because there was nobody there at that moment – otherwise, it was possible to pay by card as well.

TIP: If you take some cash at an ATM, you’ll usually get rather big notes (we got 200 NOK notes). Ideally, you exchange them for the smaller notes by buying something small at a supermarket and paying in cash. Otherwise, having a big note is pretty much the same as having no cash. If you need cash in Lofoten, it will always be for small amounts.

READ ALSO: How Expensive is Norway

10. Dress for all types of weather

Since you can never predict the weather in Lofoten, be sure that you are prepared for everything. Normally, you won’t need winter coats in the summer, but a waterproof and windproof jacket is essential in any season. Just as sturdy waterproof hiking boots.

Unless you get exceptionally lucky and experience a heat wave during your visit, normal temperatures in Lofoten in summer are around 10-15°C (50-60°F). So be sure to pack a warm sweater, long pants, light gloves, and a buff. If you are camping and planning on spending lots of time outdoors, you may even want to consider a warmer jacket and a warm hat.

But it can happen that it’s really warm in Lofoten in the summer too. And on those occasions, you’ll be just fine in t-shirts and shorts, and may even want to go for a swim in the sea. We found that a sun hat is also a must when it’s sunny.

So if you are visiting Lofoten in the summer months, be sure to prepare for pretty much any weather with temperatures anywhere between 10 and 30 °C (50-86°F). Then adjust as needed (think layers). If you are just going for a few days, check the weather forecast before you leave and pack accordingly. We found that the yr.no website/app was the most accurate for the weather forecast.

If you are visiting Lofoten in winter , you’ll need a really warm winter jacket, wool socks, warm winter pants, and good winter boots.

Our experience: We visited Lofoten in July and we had all kinds of weather during our stay. From miserable rainy days and temperatures of just 9°C (48°F) to blue skies and sun with temperatures over 23°C (74°F) (and it felt really hot on those days, especially when hiking). We packed – and used – gloves, buffs, warm sweaters, but also shorts, t-shirts, and sun hats.

For more information on what to pack for Lofoten, see our detailed packing guides via the links below.

LEARN MORE: What to Pack for Norway in Summer & What to Pack for Norway in Winter

11. Visiting Lofoten in summer? Pack a sleeping mask and earplugs!

If you are visiting Lofoten Islands in the early summer (May – July), you should be prepared for long days and endless daylight .

And while it’s fun to be able to experience the midnight sun or go sightseeing or even hiking in the middle of the night, endless days can confuse your brain and leave you exhausted. So it’s essential to get a good night’s sleep, at least once in a while!

Since most hotels and accommodations in the Nordics aren’t equipped with blackout curtains, the best way to ensure that you get some rest is to use sleeping masks.

Take my word for it – we learned it the hard way when we first visited Iceland in June years ago. Since then, sleeping masks are always in our luggage when traveling to the Nordic countries in the summer and we use them on every trip. Also in Lofoten, we used our sleeping masks almost every single night.

There are lots of good sleep masks available , so choose the ones that suit you best. I recommend choosing sleep masks that are made of soft, breathable, and washable materials.

There is one more thing that I haven’t seen mentioned anywhere about traveling to Lofoten in summer – the noise of the seagulls .

These birds are everywhere in Northern Norway and they are really loud. And since the sun never sets in Lofoten in the summer, they seem to never sleep either…

During the day, it didn’t bother us much, but they are just as loud at night (at least during the midnight sun season when it doesn’t get dark). So if you like to sleep with the windows open, you may want to pack earplugs for sleeping .

12. Traveling to Lofoten in winter? Pack traction cleats or crampons!

Arctic winters can be really cold, and it snows a lot too. And while some main roads are cleared once in a while, most pavements and walkways in towns are usually covered by snow and ice in the winter .

The locals are used to this and simply wear crampons/ traction cleats over their shoes. This is the best way to avoid falling or breaking something during your holiday.

You don’t absolutely need big and heavy crampons for regular activities when visiting Lofoten in winter, but you may want to pack them if you plan on doing some winter hiking.

As a minimum, get some light traction cleats and take them with you everywhere you go. You can easily slip them over your shoes when needed and quickly take them off too. It can be a real life-saver in Northern Norway in the winter.

Needless to say, good winter boots are a must too ! If you wonder what kind of shoes to wear in Lofoten in winter, check out our guide below.

LEARN MORE: Best Winter Boots for Travel

13. Traveling on a budget? Pack a tent and go camping.

Norway is one of the best places to go camping since the rules are very flexible. So if you are visiting Lofoten on a budget , pack a tent and sleeping bags, and take advantage of the most beautiful setting you can imagine.

You’ll find some campgrounds in Lofoten, but if you don’t need access to electricity or water, you can easily set up your tent on a beautiful beach or even in the mountains. Just be sure to always clean up when you leave. The rule is quite simple – don’t take anything you didn’t bring and don’t leave anything behind.

Good to know: You’ll need a good quality waterproof tent for camping in Lofoten and be sure that your sleeping bag is warm enough. Even in the summer, it can get really cold.

TIP: Also with camping in Lofoten, you may want to keep some flexibility and have a backup plan in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. Although not many and not really cheap, there are some budget-friendlier accommodations in Lofoten too, such as Lofoten Å HI hostel or Sandvika Camping .

14. Planning to go hiking? Get in shape before your trip!

Pretty much all the most beautiful hikes in Lofoten involve a lot of uphill climbing . And while 400-600 meters (1,300 – 2,000 ft) elevation might not look much compared to many other hikes you might have done before, hiking in Lofoten is often very steep. Often, the hikes are short in distance, but you are climbing pretty much during an entire hike.

For example, if you want to hike to Reinebrigen, be prepared to do around 1,600 Sherpa stairs non-stop. A popular Ryten hike involves a 2-hour climb, with very few ‘flatter’ sections. Also the famous Djevelporten-Floya hike near Svolvaer is a constant climb with a combination of Sherpa stairs and steep muddy uphill sections where you often need to use your hands too.

So if you are planning on tackling some of the most beautiful hikes in Lofoten, you better start training before your trip. We are avid hikers and have hiked all over the world, but I can’t remember any other place that would even compare to Lofoten in terms of how steep the hikes are.

Good to know: Sturdy waterproof hiking shoes are essential for hiking in Lofoten. We also found the hiking poles indispensable, unless you are young and very fit as our kids (whom we often compare to mountain goats)…

15. Visiting Lofoten by car? Install the EasyPark app!

Many places in Lofoten nowadays have paid car parking areas. Usually, you can pay by credit card, but you have to know in advance how long you’ll be staying (and thus end up paying too much, just to be on the safe side).

The most commonly used app for paying for parking in Lofoten seems to be EasyPark . Install it on your phone before the trip so that you can easily pay for parking everywhere in Lofoten.

TIP: If you are visiting Lofoten by car, always be sure to double-check if your accommodations have (free) parking. It’s not an issue in most areas, but the costs can quickly add up if you stay in towns.

16. Get a bit off the beaten path

Just as everywhere in the world, also in Lofoten all first-time visitors go to the same places. Of course, you’ll want to see the most famous viewpoints and visit the nicest villages – they are popular for a good reason. But the most famous places and hikes can get so busy that it’s sometimes difficult to see the authentic side of Loften islands or even appreciate what you are seeing.

So remember that the Lofoten islands are big and there is so much more to see than Reine, Å, or Nusfjord, and many more amazing hikes to do than Reinebringen or Ryten.

So while you should absolutely see ‘the musts’, try to visit a few lesser-known places too . Take a detour from the main road, visit a small village, go for a walk on a remote beach, or take a less popular hike.

Even if your time is limited, try to get a bit off the main tourist trails – it will make your trip to Lofoten so much more memorable!

So, these are some of our travel tips for your first visit to Lofoten. Research and plan in advance, be flexible, and be sure to take the advantage of the weather whenever you can.

Have a great trip to Lofoten!

More travel inspiration for Norway:

• 2-week Norway Itinerary
• Best Things to Do in Stavanger
• Pulpit Rock Hike
• Best Things to Do in Flam
• Northern Norway Travel Itinerary
• Best Things to Do in Tromsø in Winter
• Tromso Itinerary – 3 Days in Winter
• Northern Lights in Tromsø
• Best Tours in Tromso
• Where to Stay in Tromso
• Svalbard Travel Guide
• Svalbard in Winter
• Dog Sledding in Svalbard & Ice Caves Tour
• What to Wear in Svalbard in Winter
• Where to Stay in Svalbard
• For more destinations , see our Norway travel guide .

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Clare Jones

Sunday 14th of August 2022

Thank you so much. I value all your input. My plan as I call it is to do a Cruise for my 50th Birthday in 2 year’s time. I’m loving the information and it’s helping my plan more wisely. Thank You and sending good wishes to you and your family stay safe and well xx

Monday 15th of August 2022

Glad to hear you found it useful, Clare. Good luck with the planning and hope you have the most amazing trip!

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.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post. Like what you see? Subscribe using the form below to have all of my posts delivered directly to your email.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Get my best language and travel tips FREE by email...

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive detailed travel guides, exclusive travel and language learning tips, priority access to giveaways and more!

I will never give away, trade or sell your email address. You can unsubscribe at any time.

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!

How to Learn Your First Foreign Language in 8 Simple Steps: A Beginner’s Guide

6 easy ways to get to the lofoten islands in norway, you may also like, staying at eliassen rorbuer: the most picturesque fishing..., top 28 things to do in lofoten islands,..., hattvika lodge review: cosy cabins in the heart..., 6 easy ways to get to the lofoten....

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.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

If you don't know where you are , how do you know where you're going?   Find out how well you know Italian grammar today!

How to Get to the Lofoten Islands in Norway

The Lofoten Islands are a dream destination for adventurous travelers. A rugged chain of Arctic Islands with dramatic mountains coming out of the sea, Lofoten leaves every visitor in complete awe.

But while these Norwegian Islands are not too difficult to get to, it does take some effort and it’s not exactly cheap. In this article we will discuss how to get to the Lofoten Islands in Norway.    

Where are the Lofoten Islands?

How to get to the lofoten islands, getting to the lofoten islands by plane, getting to the lofoten islands by car, getting to the lofoten islands by boat, trains and public transportation , what is the best way to get to the lofoten islands.

Note: this article contains affiliate links, which means that should you purchase something or get a quote through them I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps keep the site running with up to date information. I do not represent Booking.com or Rentalcars.com. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy the product mentioned in this article.

The Lofoten Islands are in northern Norway, about one degree north of the Arctic Circle. The islands stick out into the Norwegian Sea, separating them from the mountainous Norwegian mainland.

Lofoten consists of five islands that start in the tiny village of Hanoy and run to the village of A (yeah that’s the name, just the letter A). 

The five islands, listed north to south, are Austvagoy, Gimnoy, Vestvagoya, Flakstadoya, and Moskenes. The island of Moskenes actually continues well past A, but you’ll need to do a pretty epic backcountry, off-trail hike to get there. So chances are you won’t be going past the end of the road in A. 

The islands are connected by tunnels and bridges along the E10 highway, which also connects them to mainland Norway and runs all the way to Lulea, Sweden. 

The connection to the mainland is a rather new phenomenon though. Had you visited in the early 2000s, you would have had to take a ferry. While much of Norway requires taking your car on a ferry, visiting Lofoten requires no ferry crossings! Unless you come from Bodo, that is. More on that later. 

Now let’s go over how to get to the Lofoten Islands in Norway. There are quite a few different ways and we will explain them all here. 

By far the most common way to get to the Lofoten Islands is to fly to one of the airports in the region. For a remote Arctic destination, Lofoten actually has quite a few airports that are convenient to it. 

Once you’ve made it to one of the airports you’ll need to rent a car or a campervan. All the airports have adequate car rentals and campervan rentals are very popular too. 

For booking rental cars we use Rentalcars.com . You can search for a rental car from Harstad/Narvik Airport or one of the other regional airports using the search bar below. 

Harstad/Narvik Airport

One of the most convenient ways to get to the Lofoten Islands is to take the 90-minute flight to the Harstad/Narvik airport (EVE) from Oslo. The airport is actually in the tiny town of Evenes, about halfway between Harstad and Narvik. Harstad and Narvik are two relatively large towns, with populations between 20,000 and 30,000 each. 

The airport is not on the Lofoten Islands, but it’s about a 2 hour drive to the start of Lofoten, depending on how fast you’re going. It’s a very convenient option for a Lofoten Islands road trip. 

It’s a tiny airport, but it has all the big rental car companies and prices are not too bad. You can get a week-long rental for about $50/day USD. 

There are numerous flights daily between Oslo and Harstad/Narvik on SAS and Norwegian, as well as seasonal flights to Bergen and regional flights to other northern Norwegian destinations, like Tromso. Basically, you’ll be flying to EVE from Oslo. With SAS having connections around the world, it’s easy to book a flight to EVE from anywhere you might be coming from. 

Bodo Airport 

The quickest way to get to the most famous part of the Lofoten Islands is to fly to Bodo and take the ferry to Moskenes. If you time the ferry correctly, it will save you a few minutes over driving from Harstad/Narvik. Bodo is home to some 55,000 people and located just north of the Arctic Circle on the Norwegian mainland. 

There are a few more flight options to Bodo compared to Harstad/Narvik. There are, of course, multiple daily flights to Oslo. But Bodo also offers flights to Tromso and Trondheim, and even seasonal flights to Helsinki.  

Ferry from Bodo

From Bodo you have to take a 4-hour ferry to Moskenes at the southern tip of the Lofoten Islands. Well, you don’t have to. But driving around would take ages and completely nullify the advantage of flying to Bodo. The ferry runs eight times daily in summer (June to August) and less frequently in the off-season. 

Pre-booking the ferry is not required, but is suggested if you’re visiting in summer. They hold 60% of the vehicle spaces on board for first come first served and it can get pretty busy in the summer. You might have to wait for the next ferry or two. Outside of summer, it’s only first come first served, but shouldn’t be a problem

The ferry costs about $90 USD per vehicle and doesn’t charge extra per person, though there is a $20 booking fee to reserve ahead of time. Note that the ferry crossing can be quite bumpy in unfavorable weather. 

To book the ferry from Bodo to Moskenes click here . 

If you don’t have a car you can also take the passenger ferry from Bodo to Svolvaer . It takes about 3.5 hours and should be booked in advance. 

Tromso Airport

If you’re up for a scenic drive and have a few extra hours to spare, booking a flight to Tromso might be for you. Tromso is a beautiful and happening city well north of the Lofoten Islands. 

Home to over 70,000 people, it’s the largest city above the Arctic Circle that isn’t a depressing oil town in Russia. It’s a solid 5 hour drive from Tromso to the beginning of the Lofoten Islands, but it’s a stunning one. 

Tromso is better connected to the rest of the world, with daily flights to Frankfurt, Helsinki, Gdańsk, Düsseldorf, and Zurich, among the usual flights to Oslo and other Norwegian destinations. There are also seasonal flights to London, Amsterdam , Paris, Vienna, Berlin and Munich. So depending on where you live or where you’re coming from, it might be quicker just to fly direct to Tromso and avoid the layover in Oslo.  

Svolvaer Airport 

If you don’t want to mess around with long drives or ferries, you always have the option to fly direct to the Lofoten Islands. The largest town on the islands is Svolvaer, home to a whopping 5,000 people, and it has a small regional airport. 

The regional Norwegian airline Widerøe flies daily routes from Oslo to Svolvaer from June to mid-November. It also flies regular routes from Bodo. In fact, Widerøe flies all over Arctic Norway from little airport to little airport. For a country with barely 5 million people, it’s pretty amazing how many airports Norway has!

In order to do this option, however, you’ll have to be in Oslo, or change airlines in Oslo. That will involve getting your bags and checking into a different airline. Flights on Widerøe are also pretty expensive, even twice as much as flying SAS or Norwegian. I only recommend exploring this option if you’ll be in Oslo already.  

Leknes Airport 

Similar to flying to Svolvaer, you can also fly to Leknes, the second biggest town in the Lofoten Islands. It’s the same situation, with flights on Widerøe to Oslo and some other regional airports. 

Kiruna Airport

If you’re already checking out winter in Stockholm , flying into Kiruna, Sweden might be your best bet. It’s about the same distance to Lofoten as Tromso, but better if you’re coming from or transferring through Sweden (especially if you’re planning to visit Sweden as part of your Scandinavian adventure ).

By now you probably realize how far Lofoten is from the rest of civilization. But don’t fret, Scandinavia has an incredible road network. So if flying isn’t your thing, you can always drive to the Lofoten Islands!

If you’re gonna drive, you’ll need to make a serious road trip out of it though. From Oslo it will take you about 20 hours to get to Lofoten with no stops. Yes that’s right: 20 hours! In case you haven’t heard, Norway is huge! 

From Copenhagen, add on another four hours. Helsinki is the quickest at about 17 hours, thanks to faster and flatter roads. Anywhere outside of Scandinavia? I think you get the point. 

But even with the epic drives, many Europeans make the journey to Lofoten every year. And by Europeans I mean Germans. It’s pretty incredible just how many German cars and vans you will see in Lofoten. Germans simply love Arctic Norway. And who can blame them? It’s absolutely beautiful! 

Stops along the way to Lofoten

All of Norway is gorgeous, and stopping anywhere will fill your needs for beautiful views. If you come through Sweden or Finland, however, it’s a bit of a different story. Driving across the Arctic is still beautiful, but away from the Norwegian coast it’s pretty flat and unappealing. 

The most notable stop might be the city of Trondheim, Norway. The third most populated city in Norway, Trondheim deserves a night or two if you’re driving to Lofoten.

Are you a cruise person? And you want to visit the Lofoten Islands? Well you’re in luck because there are cruises that go to the Lofoten Islands! You won’t get to see much of the islands, but if you’re just looking to get a quick fix, a cruise is a viable option for getting to Lofoten. 

Most cruises leave from Oslo or somewhere in England and spend only one day docked in Lofoten, usually in Svolvaer or Reine. It’s not the best way to experience Lofoten, but if you’re looking to see a lot of Arctic Norway at once, or to go reindeer sledding with native Samis, it’s a great option. 

If a cruise is something you want to consider, you have a few options. The most common cruise is the Hurtigruten from Oslo. This is the Norwegian-operated option and takes you all up and down the coast, seeing the best that Norway has to offer. 

If you want to leave from England, checkout this option of Princess Cruises .

While there are no trains directly to the Lofoten Islands, it is possible to take an epic train journey to Narvik from Oslo. It will take about 24 hours but you’ll get there. 

From Narvik there is a bus that runs all along the E10 highway to the end of the Lofoten Islands. It’s quite amazing that there even is a bus up here, but there is. It runs quite often and has stops all along the E10 through Lofoten. 

Public transportation is nice, but we strongly advise you to have your own car when visiting Lofoten. It really will make that much of a difference.

Convinced to visit the Lofoten Islands now? Be sure to check out my top travel tips for visiting the Lofoten Islands . Be sure to also stop at all the most Instagrammable places in the Lofoten Islands for amazing photos!

So with all that info we have just discussed, what is the best way to get to the Lofoten Islands? The best way is by far to fly to Harstad/Narvik or Bodo. Flights are plentiful enough that you won’t have layovers that are too long. 

We had 4 hours in Copenhagen and 4 hours in Oslo on the way to Harstad/Narvik from Washington DC. It was a long journey, but totally worth it for the beauty of the Lofoten Islands. 

Driving the length of Norway can be incredible if you have the luxury of time. If not, take the flight from Oslo. 

Getting to the Lofoten Islands is not as difficult as you’d think for a remote Arctic destination. In this article we have gone over how to get there by plane, car, boat, and public transportation. However you get there you are bound to be amazed by the sheer beauty of Lofoten. It’s truly one of the most magical places on earth!

Chris Heckmann

23 lofoten islands travel tips for an epic adventure, the 19 most instagrammable places in the lofoten islands, you may also like, cycling in the netherlands – everything you need..., the 10 best things to do in alberobello,..., is haarlem worth visiting a day trip to..., the 10 best viewpoints in matera, italy, when is the best time of year to..., an amazing 10 day puglia itinerary – road..., an enjoyable 2 week georgia itinerary (the country), 23 pros and cons of living in groningen..., is groningen worth visiting your questions answered, the 17 most instagrammable places in puglia, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Work With Me
• Netherlands
• Turks and Caicos
• United States
• New Zealand
• Netherlands Travel
• Custom Travel Planning
• Top 10 Lists
• Dutch Culture
• Indian Culture

How to Get to the Lofoten Islands

Lofoten can be accessed by ferry, airplane, or car.

Gregor Klar

Bodø is the main point of departure for the ferry to the Lofoten Islands. Taking the ferry saves significant time compared to driving and the port of arrival at Moskenes is less than 10 kilometers west of Reine.​

Car Ferry:  The car ferry  to Lofoten sails from Bodø to Moskenes. The ferry takes 3-4 hours and costs $25 per passenger plus $92 per car.

Passenger Ferry:  The passenger ferry  sails from Bodø to Svolvær (3.5 hours). Bodø is the northernmost stop on the Norwegian train network, therefore it's possible to take the train from Oslo or Bergen to Bodø and connect by passenger ferry to Lofoten.

Hurtigruten:  The famed  Hurtigruten  has two stops on the Lofoten Islands: Stamsund and Svolvær. The Hurtigruten can be booked on a port-to-port basis (make sure to book as far in advance as possible).   

The Lofoten Islands are serviced by three airports with frequent daily flights to and from Oslo (3 hours; many of the flights layover in Bodø). It’s a good idea to do a quick comparison of the three airports for flights and rental cars before making a decision:

Harstad/Narvik Airport (EVE)  on the mainland is the closest direct flight from Oslo but still 3 hours by car from Svolvær, the gateway to the archipelago. 

Svolvær Airport (SVJ)  on the Lofoten Islands is easily accessible via a layover in Bodø. Driving time from the Svolvær airport is shorter, but total travel time is comparable to Harstad/Narvik and flights and rental cars are generally more expensive. 

Leknes Airport (LKN)  is located in the middle of the Lofoten archipelago but not near anywhere of interest. Flights to Leknes are similar in price to Svolvær and lay over in Bodø.  

The Road E10 connects the Lofoten Islands to mainland Norway with an impressive series of bridges and tunnels (without ferries!). The drive has been made quicker and easier since the opening of Lofast (the Lofoten Mainland Connection) in 2007, a major upgrade to the road system that eliminated multiple ferry crossings.

Learn More About the Lofoten Islands

Lofoten Islands, Norway

Lofoten Islands Hiking

Lofoten Islands Outdoors

Reine, Norway

Henningsvær, Norway

Rorbuer of the Lofoten Islands

Get geared up.

Best Full-Frame Cameras of 2020

Hiking Gear Reviews

Best Mirrorless Cameras of 2020

Camping Gear Reviews

Best Rain Jackets of 2024

Best Down Jackets of 2024

Mobile Menu

Megamenu - desktop hamburger menu.

• Hiking Gear
• Backpacking Gear
• Biking Gear
• Camping Gear
• Footwear Reviews
• Climbing Gear
• Skiing Gear
• Winter Gear Reviews
• In-Depth Gear Reviews
• Hiking Shoes
• Hiking Boots
• Trail Running Shoes
• Mountain Bike Shoes
• Approach Shoes
• Climbing Shoes
• Beginner Climbing Shoes
• Mountaineering Boots
• Winter Boots
• Rain Jackets
• Down Jackets
• Synthetic Jackets
• Fleece Jackets
• Hardshell Jackets
• Softshell Jackets
• Windbreaker Jackets
• Ski Jackets
• Winter Jackets
• Hiking Pants
• Hiking Socks
• Trekking Poles
• Baby Carriers
• Running Vests
• Backpacking Tents
• Backpacking Packs
• Backpacking Sleeping Bags
• Backpacking Sleeping Pads
• Backpacking Stoves
• Backpacking Food
• Water Filters
• Altimeter Watches
• Handheld GPS
• Mountain Bike Helmets
• Mountain Bikes
• Mountain Bikes Under $1,000
• Mountain Bikes Under $2,000
• Gravel Bikes
• Bike Brands
• Kids' Bikes
• Hitch Bike Racks
• Camping Tents
• Rooftop Tents
• Camping Sleeping Bags
• Camping Mattresses
• Camping Chairs
• Camping Stoves
• Duffel Bags
• Rock Climbing Shoes
• Climbing Helmets
• Climbing Harnesses
• Climbing Quickdraws
• Belay Devices
• Climbing Ropes
• Climbing Backpacks
• Winter Gloves
• 4-Season Tents
• Ski Helmets
• Ski Goggles
• Ski Backpacks
• All-Mountain Skis
• Ski Bindings
• Backcountry Skis
• Backcountry Ski Boots
• Skis for Beginners
• Hardpack Skis
• Mirrorless Cameras
• Full-Frame Cameras
• DSLR Cameras
• Point-and-Shoot Cameras
• Travel Cameras
• DSLR Lenses
• Mirrorless Lenses
• Lofoten Islands
• Lofoten Hiking
• Hardangervidda
• Jotunheimen
• 10 Great Norway Hikes
• Public Huts
• Torres del Paine
• Chalten and Glaciares
• Lake District
• Patagonia National Park
• Milford Sound
• Abel Tasman
• Marlborough
• Great Walks
• Adventure Towns

Add adventure to your inbox

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

© 2024 Switchback Travel. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission.

• Chef Interviews
• Restaurants and Dining
• Specialty Food
• The Hamptons
• New England
• Interior Design

Small Towns in The Yucatán Peninsula Worth Visiting

How to ensure your kids have fun on your next trip, traveler’s treasure trove: 6 self-storage tips for jet-setting adventurers, maximizing your culinary adventures: a guide to sustainable eating while traveling, a local food guide to bologna, italy’s food capital, 15 essential north fork restaurants, 11 foods to try in the yucatan | yucatan food guide, the best bakeries in london, a timeless european journey: italy, france, and the uk, top day trip destinations from birmingham by train, planning your entertainment for a uk getaway, pet friendly hotels across the hamptons, restaurants that serve brunch on the south fork year round, 12 essential hamptons restaurants, hamptons passover and easter restaurant dining specials, coffee shops to know across the hamptons, where to stay on shelter island, get to know the beaches on the north fork, the must-try brunch restaurants on the north fork, top 10 family-friendly wineries on long island, the best way to spend 24 hours in bellport, best family friendly summer activities on cape cod (besides the beach), gurumé korean tapas bar launches in manhattan’s theater district, a guide to the gold coast mansions of long island, safety secrets revealed: 6 tips every pool owner must know, tips that will help you to plan your next road trip, why neglecting your shoulder health could lead to bigger problems, planning to launch your own shoe company here’s what you should…, the complete travel guide to the 5 lofoten islands.

The Lofoten Islands in Norway are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on the planet. There is a lot to do and many things to see on the islands, so here we’ve prepared an introductory Lofoten travel guide to the 5 islands that make up the Lofoten Islands. It’s not possible to cover every destination in Lofoten in one article (that would be an epically long post), but here we will give you a brief introduction to the best places, views, hikes, and accommodations on the islands. Dive in and discover Norway’s spectacular Lofoten Islands!

Introduction to the Lofoten Islands

What are the lofoten islands.

The Lofoten Islands are a chain of 5 Islands in Arctic Norway. The islands are the self-proclaimed “the most beautiful islands in the world” and one visit to Lofoten will leave no doubt in your mind that they just might be right.

The islands are not huge, but they are incredibly rugged and connected by only one main road, making travel time a bit slower than driving down a motorway. The five islands are similar, yet different in their own way. When planning a trip to Lofoten you’ll have to decide where you want to stay and what you want to do. That’s where this article comes in.

Where are the Lofoten Islands?

The Lofoten Islands are in Northern Norway on the North Atlantic coast. They start at the village of Hanoy and run south from there to the end of the E10 road at A (that’s the name of the village), covering about 180 km.

The nearest cities of any sort of considerable population are Narvik and Harstad, home to over 20,000 people each. While the nearest notable city is Tromso, about 380 km north of Hanoy.

How to get to the Lofoten Islands

The Lofoten Islands are actually quite easy to get to, thanks to numerous regional airports on and near the islands. Most people fly into one of the regional airports and rent a car. For more information about getting there, check out this detailed guide on how to get to the Lofoten Islands .

Lofoten Islands weather

The weather in the Lofoten Islands is not going to trick you into thinking you’re in the Mediterranean. It’s cold, cloudy, and gloomy most of the time, even in the summer. Rain is common and seemingly falls without end.

The best time of year to visit is June – early September, when summer is in full swing, and you have the best chance for clear skies. There’s also 24 hours of daylight starting in mid-May and lasting till late July.

The islands are unique for having a temperate Arctic climate. The temperature only varies by about 2-3 degrees Celsius each day, no matter what season. It hardly ever gets hot. And it doesn’t actually get too cold, with the average January low being about -1 (30 F).

Transportation

You’ll want to have a rental car or van for your trip to Lofoten. There is a pretty good bus system, but you’ll really want the freedom of your own wheels on this trip.

Now let’s get into the 5 islands of Lofoten. These are ordered from north to south in the following sections.

Austvågøy is the northernmost and largest of the Lofoten Islands. It’s the second most populated island and home to the largest town in the archipelago, Svolvaer.

Main attractions

Although it’s the largest island, visitors to Lofoten usually spend less time on Austvågøy than other islands. That doesn’t mean there aren’t amazing things to do on the island, though.

Henningsvaer

At the far southern tip of Austvågøy you’ll find the beautiful fishing village of Henningsvaer. The town is most notable for having probably the most picturesque soccer field on the planet. You’ve surely seen photos of it taken from drones.

Henningsvaer is more than just a soccer pitch though. The town has colorful wooden buildings and features the towering peak of Festvågtind in the background.

Svolvaer is not the prettiest town in Lofoten by any stretch of the imagination. But it’s the main population center and where you’ll find the most restaurants, stores, and tour operators.

In Svolvaer you’ll also find the Lofoten War Memorial Museum, Magic Ice Lofoten (an ice sculpture museum), and the Lofotpils Brewery, the only craft brewery on the islands. There are large hotels in Svolvaer as well, but do yourself a favor and avoid those.

Instead stay in a rorbu – a traditional Lofoten fisherman’s cabin. They are all over the islands and most feature full kitchens and living rooms.

Djevporten is a funky rock formation of a loose rock basically bridging between two cliffs. It’s the end point of a steep 2-mile round trip hike from the town.

Top things to do

There are a ton of things to do on Austvågøy for the adventurous and the not so adventurous. If you want to do all the activities here, better plan on spending at least 3 days on the island.

Trollfjord cruise

One of the most popular activities in all of Lofoten is taking a fjord cruise. Multiple outfitters based out of Svolvaer offer short cruises down the iconic fjord, which is only reachable by sea. The cruises are either 2 or 3 hours and start at NOK 1190 (about $110 USD).

Fishing charters

Another popular sea-based activity is going out fishing. There are various options for a half-day fishing charter from Svolvaer. All fishing gear will be provided, and you’ll be taught how to catch some cod if you’re a beginner. Tours start at about NOK 1000 ($93 USD) and run year-round, even through the winter.

Like anywhere in Lofoten, hiking is the go-to activity on Austvågøy. With so many rugged peaks, there are endless hiking opportunities on the island. Some of the most popular hikes are:

In Svolvaer you’ll find the Lofoten War Memorial Museum and the Magic Ice Lofoten (an ice sculpture museum). The War Museum is dedicated to the region’s WW2 history, while Magic Ice Lofoten is a collection of fantastic ice sculptures that are visible all year round.

Where to stay

I recommend staying outside of Svolvaer, either in Henningsvaer or Kabelvag, or in between those villages. Some recommendations for specific accommodation can be found below.

Nyvagar Rorbuhotel: A beautiful hotel comprised of dozens of rorbus, complete with a restaurant, bar, and reception area.

Tobiasbrygga: A small hotel with large apartment-style rooms in central Henningsvaer. Lofoten View Kabelvag: A holiday home for rent in Kabelvag that features a balcony with beautiful views.

By far the smallest of the Lofoten Islands, Gimsøya is basically just a couple mountains coming out of the sea. Most people totally skip Gimsøya, but they’re missing out on a few interesting things.

Gimsoy Kirke

Probably the most scenic cathedral in Lofoten, The Gimsoy Kirke is a white church built with traditional Nordic architecture. It’s basically in the middle of nowhere, right on the northern coast of the island. It’s about a 10-minute drive down a tight one lane road to get there and you can’t actually go inside the church, but it’s worth a stop if you have time.

Lofoten Links Golf

If you ever dreamed of teeing off on a round of golf at midnight then Lofoten Links is for you. The hotel has an 18-hole golf course that’s open from early May to mid October. You can book a round of Arctic golf on their website .

As a tiny island, there is not a whole lot to do if you’re not going to play a round of golf. I hope you like hiking.

Hike Hoven Peak

The main hike on the island is the Hoven Peak hike. It’s a seriously steep hike up the island’s second highest mountain. You’ll gain nearly 2000 ft (610m) in just 1.5 miles on the way to the top.

There are very limited lodging options on Gimsøya. The main hotel is Lofoten Links, which features numerous accommodation types across the street from a rocky beach. There are other options, however, if you’re looking to stay at a holiday home, like Lillevik Lofoten.

Vestvågøy is one of the more popular islands in Lofoten, thanks to its amazing beaches, scenic mountains, and restaurant options. One thing to know before visiting Lofoten is that there are far fewer restaurants than most major tourist destinations. Stay on Vestvågøy, though, and you’ll be fine!

Most people stay 2-3 days on Vestvågøy in order to fully appreciate the island. There are a ton of things to do and many places to see to keep you busy.

Lofotr Viking Museum

The viking museum is located at the location where the largest Viking long-house ever known to exist was found. A long-house is basically a traditional Viking home. It’s long and thin, hence the name. The long-house has been rebuilt and turned into a museum.

Unstad Beach

Unstad Beach is a beautiful beach that is famous locally for being a great surfing spot. Most people come to Unstad to surf, but it’s also possible to come just to appreciate the beauty of the scenic beach between towering peaks.

Haukland Beach

Haukland Beach has been named by Lonely Planet as the most beautiful beach in Europe . One visit and you’ll see why. The white sand and turquoise water will fool you into thinking you’re in the Caribbean. The jacket that you’re wearing will remind you, however, that you’re not.

Leknes is the second most populated town in Lofoten. There are not a ton of points of interest in the town, but it does have plenty of restaurants, bakeries, shops, and supermarkets.

Ballstad is a beautiful town on its own little island at the southern coast of Vestvågøy. There are tons of lodging options at the base of the steep mountain, yet few restaurants. The view from the bridge to the island is unbeatable.

Lofoten Seafood Center

The Lofoten Islands produce a lot of seafood, and you can learn all about it at Lofoten Seafood Center . It’s not really a museum, but a private seafood business that has a showroom and some exhibits. It’s free to stop by and learn all about how they farm salmon and catch cod.

There are a ton of things to do on Vestvågøy. These are mostly outdoors based, but so is life in Lofoten. When the weather is poor – as it often is – there isn’t a whole lot to do on the island other than relaxing at your rorbu with a nice glass of wine.

There are dozens of epic hikes on Vestvågøy. We can’t go through them all here, but the most popular hike on the island is the Mannen Peak Hike . This short hike takes you up a steep mountain high above Haukland Beach for some of the best views in all of Europe.

Go to the beach

It doesn’t get warm enough to lie on the beach too often in Lofoten. But should you get that rare event, a day at Haukland Beach can’t be beat. There are a ton of beaches on the island, but Haukland and neighboring Vik are by far the best beaches to spend your time at.

As mentioned before, surfing is a popular activity at Unstad Beach. You’ll need a full wetsuit for surfing in the Arctic, but it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. Consult Unstad Arctic Surf for more information.

Kayaking is a popular activity at Haukland Beach. Haukland Beach ’s tourism department manages kayak rentals and will hook you up with a nice day on the sea.

There are a lot of lodging options on Vestvågøy. I recommend either of the two options below, though there are many other fantastic places to stay on the island as well. Statles Rorbu- og Konferansesenter AS: A large property with many different types of rorbus to stay in. The owners are extremely friendly and the views from the balconies are superb.

Lofoten Basecamp: A collection of rorbus on the water. They face south, so they get precious sunlight in the winter months when the Polar Night ends.

Flakstadøya

Flakstadøya is a stunning island, complete with towering peaks coming straight out of the sea and charming fishing villages. It’s a less crowded island, as it’s so rugged, but you’ll want to spend at least a day exploring the island.

Flakstadøya has a number of things to do and see. We will go through a few of them here.

Ramstad Beach

Ramstad Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Lofoten. A long stretch of white sand with nearby beach cabins, it’s a popular beach for day trippers and campers alike. No other beach on the island even compares to Ramstad.

Nusfjord is probably the most beautiful and historic fishing village in the Lofoten Islands. Tucked away along a fjord at the southern side of the island, Nusfjord has been populated for generations. It’s tiny and easy to walk around in an hour or two.

Storvarnet Viewpoint

One of the most Instagrammable places in the Lofoten Islands is a seemingly random spot in the road on the way to Nusfjord. From here  you stare straight down a sheer cliff of granite. The road isn’t usually too busy so it’s possible to stop on the road for plenty of photos.

The hikes on Flakstadøya are not quite as popular as the big hikes on Vestvågøy and Moskenesøya. This means you’ll be able to find some solitude should you choose to hike on the island. The best hike on the island is Volandstinden Peak trail. It’s about 3 miles out and back and takes you up 1500 ft (457m).

Photography

As mentioned already, some of the most photogenic places in Lofoten can be found on Flakstadøya. The island is seemingly one giant art canvas. Stop as often as you can to photograph the fantastic landscapes. Nusfjord also makes a stunning background for fjord photography.

There are plenty of places to stay on Flakstadøya, even if most people skip over the island in favor of its more popular neighbors.

Ramberg Gjestegård: If you want to stay directly on the beach, this is the place for you. They also have campsites and a delicious restaurant.

Moskenesøya

Finally, we get to the southern end of the Lofoten Islands. Moskenesøya is the most popular island and what most people think of when they think “Lofoten Islands.” The village of Reine is thought to be the most beautiful town on the islands.

There is a major ferry terminal in the tiny village of Moskenes that connects the southern tip of Lofoten back to Bodo on mainland Norway. Bodo also has a regional airport and many people visiting Lofoten choose to fly to Bodo and take the ferry to Moskenes.

There are a ton of beautiful places to see on Moskenesøya. In fact, some people who visit Lofoten never even leave this one island. It’s got everything you would ever need for an amazing Arctic vacation.

Reine is one of the most scenic villages you will ever see. Tucked in between towering peaks and with coastline galore, it’s the most popular place in Lofoten. For as popular as it is, there are minimal restaurants and only a few places to stay.

Hamnoy is basically just a collection of rorbus and houses on a tiny, rocky island on the highway to Reine. But the backdrop of the steep mountainside behind the village makes it one of the most photogenic places in Norway.

Reinbringen

The most famous view in all of Lofoten is from the top of the Reinbringen mountain just outside of Reine. It’s about 1700 steps to the top of the mountain. The steps were built by Nepalese Sherpas in 2018, making the hike accessible to anyone who doesn’t mind climbing 1700 steps.

Kirkefjord is a deep fjord that almost splits Moskenesøya in two. You can take a ferry down the fjord to the dock to explore the pristine beauty of a part of Lofoten not accessible by car.

Kvalvika Beach and Ryten Peak

Kvalvika Beach is one of the most scenic beaches in Lofoten. It’s only accessible by a 1.5 mile hike each way from the parking lot. Above the beach, Ryten peak rises into the sky. It’s popular to combine the beach and the peak into one amazing hike.

As usual, hiking is the prime activity on Moskenesøya. Aside from the Reinebringen hike and the Kvalvika Beach / Ryten hike, there are dozens of other epic hikes on the island. If you’re up for an epic overnight hike, head down to the end of the E10 Highway and walk to the south tip of the island, up and down mountains without another soul in sight.

Kayaking is a very popular summer activity in Reine. There are multiple outfitters that will take you on a kayaking tour around the fjords. Just be prepared to pay top dollar though. 2-hour kayaking tours start at over $100 per person.

Moskenesøya is a photographer’s dream. There are so many photogenic spots on the island that it’s hard to choose a favorite. Literally anywhere you go around Reine is amazing. But if I had to choose, I’d say the view from the bridge to Hamnoy is the best!

While Renie itself may not have as many accommodation options as you’d expect, outside of the town there are plenty of options. Here are a few recommendations.

Rostad Retro Rorbuer: a quiet rorbu with an epic view of Hamnoy. It’s hard to beat staying at Rostad!

Sakrisøy Gjestegård: one of the most famous accommodations in Lofoten, the hotel is a collection of yellow rorbus on the sea with views of Reinebringen.

The Manor House in Hamnoy: one of the top-rated hotels in the region, there are a few rooms to stay at in this large house in the tiny village of Hamnoy.

South of Moskenesøya

While those 5 islands make up the Lofoten Islands, there is another gorgeous island south of Moskenesøya that many people consider part of Lofoten. Vaeroy is not accessible by ferry, but the island features some of the most splendid mountains in Norway. It’s a tiny island, basically a mountain that came out of the sea. The ferry runs multiple times a day so it’s easy to visit as a day trip from Reine.

The Lofoten Islands are one of the most beautiful places on earth. After reading this Lofoten travel guide, you’re now familiar with all 5 of the Lofoten Islands and have a good background for planning an awesome trip to this amazing part of Norway !

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Popular categories.

• Lifestyle 800
• Food And Drink 328
• United States 205
• Wellness 145
• Interior Design 92
• The Hamptons 87
• Privacy Policy

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Heart My Backpack uses affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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 ♥

Related Posts

Reader Interactions

Get updates.

Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive updates and stories from my world travels and life in Norway!

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.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Once a full-time nomad, I'm now trying to find a balance between continuing to explore off the beaten path places around the world while also building a home in Norway. Want to know more? Head to my About page !

COME AND GET IT!

Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive updates and stories from my world travels and life in Norway:

Find cheap flights from London to Lofoten & Vesterålen from £167

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from london to lofoten & vesterålen departing on 12/6. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to lofoten & vesterålen.

Save 28% or more Compare multiple travel sites with one search.

Track prices Not ready to book? Create a price alert for when prices drop.

Filter your deals Choose cabin class, free Wi-Fi and more.

Bundle and save Save money when you bundle your flight + hotel.

Best Lofoten & Vesterålen Flight Deals

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Good to know - Cheap tickets from London to Lofoten & Vesterålen

Faqs - booking lofoten & vesterålen flights, how does kayak find such low prices on flights from london to lofoten & vesterålen.

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from London to Lofoten & Vesterålen.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from London to Lofoten & Vesterålen?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Lofoten & Vesterålen from London is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from London to Lofoten & Vesterålen?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Lofoten & Vesterålen with an airline and back to London with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from London to Lofoten & Vesterålen?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Lofoten & Vesterålen from London up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Book cheap flights from London to Lofoten & Vesterålen

Cheapest flights to Lofoten & Vesterålen from London found in 2024

Recent return flight deals

Search by stops, search by price, recent one-way flight deals, last minute flights from london to lofoten & vesterålen, last minute flight, train and bus deals, london - lofoten & vesterålen flights.

London (LHR) United Kingdom

Cabin classes:

Browse origins:.

• Flights  » 
• United Kingdom  » 
• England  » 
• London Heathrow Airport

Browse destinations:

• Worldwide  » 
• Lofoten & Vesterålen

Lofoten Islands: Exploring Norway's Jewel | Travel Podcast by Veena World Travel. Explore. Celebrate Life Podcast with Neil and Sunila Patil

• Places & Travel

This week, Neil and Sunila dive into the allure of Lofoten Islands, Norway, uncovering its magnetic charm and why it's the ultimate destination for witnessing the Northern Lights in 2024. Sunila shares her firsthand experiences, from the iconic red houses to the mesmerizing landscapes that define Lofoten's beauty. Delve into the culinary delights, including the unique stockfish, and embark on thrilling adventures such as rib boat eagle safaris and tranquil fjord cruises. Explore the Icelandic horse stables with beachside saunas, and check out the age-old viking home musuem. Join the journey through Viking land and beyond in this captivating episode! If you like this episode, check out our other interesting episodes on Tokyo Traveller's Toolkit: Neighbourhoods, Cuisine, and Crossings;  Amsterdam Revealed: Canals, Tulips, Bicycles, and Beyond; Interlaken - Switzerland's Adventure Destination and much more! Get in touch with our hosts on their socials: Neil Patil: Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin Sunila Patil: Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin The Midnight Sun season has started in Norway, Let us take you there!  Don’t miss the latest episode by following us on your preferred podcast listening platform - YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3ByZWFrZXIuY29tL3Nob3cvNDczNjc4MC9lcGlzb2Rlcy9mZWVk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer...

• Episode Website
• More Episodes
• Copyright Veena World

U.S. tourist faces 12 years in prison after taking ammunition to Turks and Caicos

An Oklahoma man faces up to 12 years in prison on a Caribbean island after customs officials found ammunition in his luggage.

Ryan Watson traveled to Turks and Caicos with his wife, Valerie, to celebrate his 40th birthday on April 7. They went with two friends who had also turned 40.

The vacation came to an abrupt end when airport staff members found a zip-close bag containing bullets in the couple's carry-on luggage. Watson said it was hunting ammunition he had accidentally brought with him — but under a strict law in Turks and Caicos, a court may still impose a mandatory 12-year sentence.

"They were hunting ammunition rounds that I use for whitetail deer," Watson told NBC Boston in an interview conducted last week that aired after their first court appearance Tuesday.

"I recognized them, and I thought, 'Oh, man, what a bonehead mistake that I had no idea that those were in there,'" he said.

The couple were arrested and charged with possession of ammunition. Authorities seized their passports and explained the penalties they faced.

Valerie Watson said in the interview: "When I heard that, I immediately was terrified, because I was like we can't both be in prison for 12 years. We have kids at home, and this is such an innocent mistake."

The charges against her were dropped, and she returned home to Oklahoma City on Tuesday after the court hearing to be reunited with her two young children.

"Our goal is to get Ryan home, because we can’t be a family without Dad," she said.

The couple also spoke about the financial burden of a much longer-than-planned trip. "This is something that we may never recover from," Ryan Watson said.

The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a warning to travelers in September about a law that strongly prohibits possession of firearms or ammunition in Turks and Caicos, an overseas British territory southeast of the Bahamas that is a popular vacation spot.

It said: "We wish to remind all travelers that declaring a weapon in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring the weapon into TCI [Turks and Caicos Islands] and will result in your arrest."

The embassy added: "If you bring a firearm or ammunition into TCI, we will not be able to secure your release from custody."

The embassy and the government in Turks and Caicos did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The same thing happened to another American, Bryan Hagerich, of Pennsylvania, who was arrested after ammunition was found in his luggage before he tried to board a flight out of Turks and Caicos in February. He said he accidentally left it in his bag.

Hagerich was on a family vacation with his wife and two young children but has now been in the country for 70 days. He spent eight days in prison before he posted bail.

"It’s incredibly scary. You know, you just don’t know what the next day may bring — you know, what path this may take," Hagerich told NBC Boston.

"You know, it’s certainly a lot different than packing your bags and going away with your family for a few days. It’s been the worst 70 days of my life," he said.

Hagerich, once a professional baseball player, was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the MLB 2007 June amateur draft from the University of Delaware.

His case goes to trial May 3.

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

Planning a trip to Moscow? Our travel guide contains up-to-date, personal information on everything from what to see , to when to visit , where to stay , and what to eat !

• General Information
• What to see
• How to get to Moscow
• Where to stay
• Where to eat

Why visit Moscow?

Majestic churches, impressive historic fortresses, and palatial buildings: Moscow is a fascinating city whose emblematic architecture reflects the turbulent history that has defined Russia throughout the centuries.

The traces of the USSR can be found around every corner of the city , side by side with the iconic relics of Imperial Russia , like the mythical Red Square , the imposing Kremlin , and the beautiful  St Basil's Cathedral . 

Discover a fascinating world of Cold War bunkers, golden-domed basilicas, world-class art museums, and the legendary "palace of the people,"  as the Moscow Metro has been nicknamed. Whether you fancy watching a classical Russian ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre , perusing the fine arts at the Pushkin Museum , or marveling at the sheer size of the monuments to the Soviet state's achievements at the  All-Russia Exhibition Centre , this travel guide will help you on your way!

Where to start?

If you're going to travel to Moscow and you don't know much about the city yet, the first thing to do is to dive into its legendary history - understanding the past will help you understand the present. Next, check out our practical hints and tips on traveling to the city before discovering which of its most important museums , monuments , and attractions pique your interest.

Looking for a place to stay?

Booking your accommodation in advance is the best way to get great discounts. Our detailed guide on where to stay in Moscow  will help you decide which neighborhood you'd like to look for hotels or apartments in, and our hotel search engine will find you the best deals!

Why is our Moscow travel guide the best?

Introducing Moscow is a  city guide written by travelers for travelers  and contains personalized advice to help you make the most of your trip to the city.

All the information in this guide is valid as of December 2022. If you find any errors or have any comments, please feel free to contact us .

Our travel guides

• top attractions
• where to stay
• and much more

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

Read Next: Things To Do on Socotra

To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

How to Get a Decent Haircut in a Foreign Country

Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Travel Itinerary for One Week in Beijing

If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

How I Planned My Trip to Vietnam

The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

Places to Visit in Barcelona That Aren’t Beaches

First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

20 Travel Tips I’ve Learned From Travelling The World

There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

12 Stunning National Parks and Regional Parks In France

If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

How To Stop Procrastinating When Trip Planning

Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

Two Weeks In Thailand: The Perfect 14-Day Itinerary

I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

You Will Also Like: 3-Day London Itinerary

Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

How to Save Money While Traveling in Europe

The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

JOIN MY FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER!

Email Address *

YOU WILL ALSO LIKE

10 Dishes You Must Try When Going To Moscow

15 Fantastic and Easy Day Trips Close to Moscow

When Is the Best Time To Visit Russia

24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

My website uses cookies so that I can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to my website and helping me to understand which sections of Mind The Travel you find most interesting and useful.

You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that I can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, I will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit my website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Things to do in Moscow: how to visit Moscow | Unmissable, cool & unusual

• September 2, 2023

What are the best things to do in Moscow? What to do in Moscow? First, I will list the main places to visit by theme, passing by the must-sees, but also more unusual places in Moscow. Then, I will describe what to see in Moscow in one day and how to visit Moscow in 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 days. Let’s go!

Good to know. For more information, click on the places to open the dedicated blog posts.

Main places to visit in Moscow & best things to do in Moscow

I worked in Moscow and I loved this city for its dynamism and energy. We find there from time to time to see friends, remember good memories and enjoy this giant city! Then the time has come for us to share with you our practical guide.

TOP 5 must-see places in Moscow

• Moscow Red Square
• St. Basil’s Cathedral
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• Bolshoi Theatre

Places of cultural, historical and religious interest in Moscow

• Novodevichy Convent and cemetery
• Tretyakov Gallery
• Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
• Kremlin Izmaïlovo (pseudo-historic place, recently built in the image of the old, one of the best things to do in Moscow for your Instagram account 😉 )
• Park and ancient village of Kolomenskoye

Visit Moscow of the Soviet era

• Moscow State University and Sparrows Hill
• VDNKh and the Museum of Astronautics, one of the key landmarks of the Soviet era in Moscow
• GULAG Museum
• Metro stations
• The Stalinist skyscrapers, scattered all over the city

Less touristy places in Moscow

• Gorky Park and the GARAGE museum
• The old Krasny Oktyabr factory
• Zaryadye Park
• Center for Contemporary Art, WINZAVOD
• Business center, Moscow City

Main districts of Moscow to visit

• Patriarch Ponds
• Tchistye Prudy
• Kuznetsky most
• Arbat Street

However, regardless of the length of your stay, whether you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days or in 2, you need a visa. The article Obtaining a tourist visa for Russia could then be useful in any case.

What to do and see in Moscow in one day?

List of things to see and do in Moscow in one day:

• Go to Red Square
• Visit St. Basil’s Cathedral
• See Kremlin walls (but not to visit)
• Visit Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• Discover Kuznetsky most districts and see Bolshoi Theatre building
• And if you have time at the end of the day: go to the Sparrows Hill or to the Moscow City for a beautiful view

Things to do in Moscow in 2 days

If you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, there are 2 purposes: do not miss the essential places of Moscow and optimize travel.

• First day: Red Square , Saint Basil’s Cathedral , Zariadye Park, Bolshoi Theatre , Kremlin
• Day 2: Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the former Krasny Oktyabr factory on Balchug Island, Gorky Park, Moscow State University (one of the Seven Sisters buildings ) and Sparrow Hill

As 2 days os really short, be sure to choose an accommodation in the best districts where to stay in Moscow .

Walking on Red Square in Moscow: one of the unmissable things to do in Moscow

Iconic place and one of the must-see places in Moscow and even in Russia! Besides, if there was only one place to visit in Moscow in 2 days, this place would then be Red Square, without hesitation. Therefore, starting the city tour with Red Square is ideal . Several buildings are on the square, but not all of them have to be visited. Check out my blog post about Moscow’s Red Square in detail to learn more and not miss anything.

Visiting Saint-Basil’s Cathedral inside

Even more emblematic than Moscow’s Red Square! Built in the middle of the 16th century under the orders of Tsar Ivan Le Terrible, this cathedral is one of the most beautiful monuments of Orthodox art, and definitely one of the unmissable places in Moscow. Visiting Saint-Basil’s Cathedral inside is one of the most beautiful things to do in Moscow!

• Visit estimate time : 1h30
• Entry ticket : 700 RUB. Tickets can be purchased on the cathedral’s official website 45 days before the tour.
• Audio guide (recommended): 500 RUB
• Opening hours : June to August 10 am-6pm; from November to April: 11 am-5pm; May, September, October 11 am-5pm. Cathedral closed on Wednesdays. Entrance is closed 45 minutes before closing.
• Find out more in the dedicated article: Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow

Take a walk in Zariadye park: one of the coolest things to do in Moscow after visiting Red Square

Zaryadie Park is just a 10-minute walk from St. Basil’s Cathedral, so it’s easy to include in your itinerary if you’re going to visit Moscow in 2 days. From its heights, you can see the red walls of the Kremlin. But, the most impressive point of view is the platform which overlooks the Moskva river. A must see! And clearly one of the coolest things to do in Moscow!

• Open 24 hours a day
• Good to know! Park Zaryadye is also a place to visit in Moscow in winter. Find out more here: What to do in Moscow in winter?

See the Bolshoi Theatre and discover the Kuznetsky Most district

The Bolshoi Theatre is the most famous Russian theater in the world. The most economical way to see a presentation at the Bolshoi Theater is to take the tickets on the theater’s official website in advance, so here is our tutorial to help you: How to buy entrance tickets to the Bolshoi? In addition, several pedestrian or one-way streets

The Bolshoi Theater is the most famous Russian theater in the world. The most economical way to see a presentation at the Bolshoi Theater is to take the tickets on the theater’s official website in advance, so here is our tutorial to help you: How to buy tickets to the Bolshoi? In addition, several pedestrian or one-way streets are located north of the theater. It is therefore very pleasant to find them to leave the main axes of the megalopolis.

Visit the Moscow Kremlin

Visit Kremlin is on top of things to do in Moscow. A place of power for centuries, the Kremlin then shows us a whole different image when viewed from the inside. If you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, the Kremlin is certainly one of the must-see places in Moscow.

• Opening hours : Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thursday.
• See our blog post about visiting the Moscow Kremlin

Visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

This impressive Moscow Cathedral is the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is a must see if you visit Moscow in 2 days and clearly one of the things to do in Moscow. The Cathedral of Christ the Savior was first built in 1883 in memory of Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s Grand Army. Then in 1931 Stalin ordered its destruction. It was then rebuilt again (identically) only in 2000.

• Where? Ulitsa Volkhonka 15. At the foot of the Kropotkinskaya metro station.
• Opening hours . Daily: 10: 00-17: 00, except Monday: 13: 00-17: 00
• Free entry (some closing restrictions, for example a short)

Good to know! In orthodox religious places, one must avoid excessively uncovered clothing. Women should cover their heads. After visiting the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, you can explore Bolotny Island and Gorky Park. This is one of the routes our guide to Moscow.

The old Krasny Oktyabr factory: one of the coolest things to do in Moscow

If you cross the Moskva River by a pedestrian bridge which is located just in front of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the city and at the same time you can discover Balchug Island. Furthermore, if you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, you can include this island in your itinerary between the cathedral and Gorky park. Here is the old confectionery factory Krasny Oktyabr, which has gradually turned into a fashionable micro-district. There are then some elements of street art, cafes and restaurants and some Moscow bohemian side. At the end of the island you can see a gigantic 98-meter-high monument dedicated to the Russian reforming tsar Pierre The Great.

Good to know! You can find on this island are the trendiest nightclubs in Moscow. On weekends, there are taxi caps after midnight so there are so many people. On the other hand, if you go there in winter and during the day, the island is quite empty and less interesting to see.

Gorky Park is one of the TOP places to visit in Moscow, because it allows you to better understand the life of the locals and their rhythm. In fact, it’s a huge entertainment park. For example, in winter there is a giant ice rink and in summer – free dance or yoga lessons, sandy beaches for playing volleyball, an outdoor cinema. So, like the locals, have a Stakantchik (ice cream or cooked corn), and enjoy the atmosphere of the place: that’s one of the interesting things to do in Moscow to discover the city.

• Where? Krymsky Val 9. 20 minutes’ walk from Krasny Oktyabr, along the quays.

Sparrow Hill and Moscow State University

The Sparrow Hill, Vorobiovy Gori in Russian, is the highest point in Moscow. It is rather known to Russians, but less to travelers. A nice view on Moscow opens from the hill, and in particular on the Luzhniki Stadium. In addition, on the hill itself is the Moscow State University: an impressive skyscraper from the Soviet era.

• How to get there? By bus T7 (35 min) from Oktyaborskaya station, near Gorki Park. By metro (Vorobiovy Gorki station) + climb the hill on foot. On foot along the Moskva along the Gorky Park (1h30) + climb in funiculars.

Good to know! It is possible to cross the Moskva river by funicular. We actually tested it and it was pretty cool! That is one of our favorite things to do in Moscow!

What to do in Moscow in 3 days?

If you are going to visit Moscow in 3 days, it would be interesting to dive into the Soviet era which strongly marked the country and the city. After the Bolshevik Revolution, the capital was transferred from Saint Petersburg to Moscow, in order to mark the change of power. Moscow then became the world showcase for communist ideology. Here are the best things to do in Moscow for 3-day-trip!

VDNKh, visit Moscow of the Soviet era

VDNKh is a large exhibition center in the north of Moscow, where there are still several striking witnesses of the USSR. The most interesting are the Museum of Cosmonauts and the Statue of the Worker and the Kolkhozian , which will certainly impress you with its size!

GULAG History Museum

The explanations of the museum are very well done. We really have the feeling of going back in time. If you are going to visit Moscow in 3 days and you are interested in history and this subject in particular, I recommend this museum. Visit the GULAG History Museum is one of the most interesting things to do in Moscow.

Discover the Patriarche Pounds district

It’s a nice neighborhood in Moscow where you can come across rather affluent locals, but not necessarily very bling-bling. Take a walk in this area is really a cool thing to do in Moscow! In addition, the Ponds of Patriarch is one of the places of Bulgakov’s novel “Master and Margarita”. As this is an interesting area to see, we have included it in a walking tour of Moscow. The route ends at the Moscow Kremlin, which is very convenient, because you will be able to visit Moscow in 3 days by optimizing your trips.

What to visit in Moscow in 4 days: TOP things to do in Moscow in 4 days

If you want to visit Moscow in 3 days, you will already see a lot of things. On the other hand, if you stay one more day, you have plenty to do! The Novodevichy Convent, the Tchistie Proudy district and the Izmaylovo Kremlin are very good candidates for you, if you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days.

Visiting Novodevichy Convent in Moscow

The Novodevichy Convent is one of the most brilliant examples of Russian architecture, according to UNESCO. This beautiful complex was built in 1524 and today consists of the convent, but also of a cemetery whose status could be compared to that of Père-Lachaise in Paris. Visiting Novodevichy Convent is one of the great things to do in Moscow, if you want to go a little bit outside of the center!

Discovering Tchistye Proudy district

It’s one of the most popular areas of Moscow, with many cafes, restaurants and bars nearby. It is therefore a place to discover if you want to visit Moscow in 4 days. It is just as pleasant for a stroll as for the discovery of local life. For example, in winter the pond turns into an ice rink.

Visiting the Izmaylovo Kremlin, one of the coolest things to do in Moscow!

The Izmaylovo Kremlin is more of a tourist than a historic place. On the other hand, it is a pretty impressive place to discover, especially on weekends. Inside the Kremlin, there is a flea market where you can find a little bit of everything, but mostly good souvenirs to bring from Moscow. For example, chapka, traditional Russian scarves or matryoshka (Russian dolls). Add the Kremlin and the Izmaïlovo market to your itinerary if you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days, because it is a nice and very colorful place! Visiting the Izmailovo Kremlin is one of the things to do in Moscow, if you want to put colors in your Instagram account! 😉

In 4 days, we will have the opportunity to see several Moscow: Classic Moscow, Moscow of old Russia, Soviet Moscow and a little bit of the new Moscow. So what to visit in Moscow on the 5th day of travel?

What to visit in Moscow in 5 days?

Art lovers will be delighted to discover the Tretyakov Gallery and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, while others will prefer to stroll along Arbat Street, see the buildings of Moskva-City or visit Bunker 42.

Admiring Russian art at Tretyakov Gallery

Founded in 1856 by an industrialist and great lover of art, the gallery has grown over the decades, and then bequeathed to the state. Today the collection includes more than 140,000 pieces, 15,000 of which are paintings. Visiting the Tretyakov Gallery is one of the things to do in Moscow if you want to discover Russian art!

• Where? Pereoulok Lavrouchinski 10. A 5-minute walk from Tretiakovskaya station
• Opening hours. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Closed on Mondays.
• Entry tickets. 500 RUB.

Visiting the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts presents the treasures of ancient Egypt, the paintings of Rembrandt and Cézanne, a fine collection of Impressionism.

• Where? Ulitsa Volkhonka 12
• Opening hours. Daily: 10: 00-20: 00, except Thursday: 11: 00-21: 00. Closed on Mondays. The boxes close an hour before closing.
• Entry tickets. The prices vary according to the collections from 300 to 750 RUB.

Walking on Arbat Street

All Russians know Rue Arbat. So, walking on Arbat street is one of the things to do in Moscow. However, after the years, little by little it became very touristy. This is a pedestrian street only. There are souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes there, but it is no longer the most authentic neighborhood in the city.

Seeing the buildings of Moskva-City (Moscow City)

Moskva-City is Moscow’s business center, much like Paris’s Defense district. The skyscrapers of Moskva-City are among the tallest in Europe: 373 meters high! Very nice place to see at dusk.

Good to know! You can admire a nice view of Moscow City from the docks of Tarasa Shevchenko. It’s especially beautiful in the evening with all the lights on.

Bunker 42, one of the most unusual things to do in Moscow

Bunker 42 is a secret military complex which was to be used by the Soviets in the event of a nuclear attack: a space of 7000 m² 65 meters underground!

• Where? 5 Kotelnitcheski Lane, 11.
• Prices. 2200 RUB per person
• Opening hours. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Restaurant inside. Original, but rather a tourist trap.

What to visit in Moscow in 6 days or more?

There are still so many places to see, because Moscow is a big megalopolis and there is always something exciting to do there. For example: the ancient Kolomenskoye village or the WINZAVOD contemporary art center .

If you are interested in history and want to see Russian cities on a rather “human scale”, it would certainly be interesting for you to discover the cities of the Golden Ring . For example, it is very easy to get to Sergey Posad from Moscow (less than 2 hours in train). Visiting the Golden Ring is one of the best things to do in Moscow if you are staying more than a 5-6 days.

There are still plenty of places to see in Moscow, however I did my best to list here the best things to do in Moscow, what to see in Moscow in one day, but also in 2, 3, 4 or 5 days in Moscow!

Moscow travel tips:

• Airport transfer: how to go to Moscow?
• Where to stay in Moscow (hotels, districts)?
• Tourist voucher for Russian visa
• Christmas and New Year in Moscow
• What is the best time to visit Moscow?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Novodevichy Convent and cemetery in Moscow: tickets, cemetery map

Hermitage museum in saint petersburg: tickets, best time to visit, you may also like.

Moscow in winter | What to do in Moscow in winter? How to dress?

• October 1, 2023

Free Moscow map in English: Moscow metro map and city centre map

• December 12, 2023

• August 26, 2023

Moscow transport: metro, bus & taxi in Moscow | How does it work?

• August 15, 2023

Weekend in Moscow | What to do in Moscow for a long weekend?

• June 22, 2023

Christmas and New Year in Moscow: best markets and decorations to see

• September 18, 2023