I’m always saying that the best way to explore Norway is by car, and that especially applies to Lofoten – in fact when I started planning my first trip to Lofoten my friends and I were thinking of only renting a car in Lofoten for a few days of our week there and my Norwegian friends just silently shook their heads at me.
You see, as in a lot of remote places in Norway, public transport on Lofoten isn’t great, and I think it would be fairly frustrating not to be able to explore all the far corners of these gorgeous islands.
So a Lofoten road trip it is!
And guys, if you’re wondering if the Lofoten Islands live up to all the hype they’ve been receiving over the past few years (thank you, social media) I’m going to go ahead and guarantee that it is.
In fact, since my first visit in March I’ve now returned to Lofoten in January, May, June, July, September, October, December, and December again – maybe one day I’ll have seen Lofoten in every month!
And 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.
Quick Lofoten Travel Guide
Lofoten Accommodation: Svinøya Rorbuer or Anker Brygge for unique Svolvær accommodation, Nusfjord Arctic Resort for luxury accommodation in Nusfjord, Eliassen Rorbuer or Rostad Retro Rorbuer for accommodation near Reine, and Lofoten Links Lodge, Ramberg Igloos, and Lofoten Arctic Dome 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 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.
Renting a car in Lofoten: finding the best Lofoten or Bodø car rental
Oh that’s right, you can’t do an epic Lofoten road trip if you don’t have a car!
You can either fly to Svolvær and rent a car from there, or fly into Bodø and get the ferry across to Moskenes in the south of Lofoten.
Generally flights to Bodø are cheaper, but then depending on the ferry schedule you may have to spend a night in Bodø. If you want to start your trip in Svolvær it would make sense to fly there, whereas if you want to start in the south of Lofoten then the ferry might make more sense, as Svolvær is a two hour drive from the ferry terminal in the south.
The south of Lofoten is definitely the most beautiful, so if you don’t have time to see all of Lofoten I recommend focusing on the south.
Car rentals in Bodø and Svolvær are usually about the same price, starting around $100/day for the summer, whereas in the autumn they drop to $60/day. If you’re visiting in the summer, book as early as possible, as the prices will go up! You can check the prices here
And remember that you’ll need to drop off your rental car at the same place you pick it up. So your Lofoten road trip needs to be a loop.
Getting to Lofoten from Bodø by ferry (with a car)
If you do choose to get your car in Bodø don’t worry, you can totally take it on the ferry – it will just cost extra. The ferry from Bodø to Moskenes takes between 3 and 4 hours. This ferry often does make me quite queasy (consider bringing medicine with you if you get seasick!) but I get seasick really easily.
The ferry timetable varies based on the time of year, but you can check the current times and prices here.
The best time of year to visit Lofoten
Nusfjord
I’ve written a complete guide to the best time to visit Norway here. But I do have some specific thoughts about the best time to visit Lofoten.
I asked a friend who grew up in Lofoten what times of year she’d recommend visiting, and she said mid to late August is really nice, because the summer crowds from July are gone, the nights are dark enough for a chance to see the northern lights, and the weather still feels like summer and is warm enough for camping.
This is also true of September, which is even darker so you’ll have a better chance to see the northern lights.
If you want to experience winter on Lofoten, February to late March is a great time because there’s often snow but polar night (when the sun doesn’t rise) is over, so it’s a lot lighter.
June is also a nice time to visit, as after a long winter you can finally go hiking again in the mountains (there might be some snow left though), it’s warm enough to camp in a tent, and if you come early enough the summer crowds won’t have arrived yet.
In June you can also experience the midnight sun – though be aware that this can mess with your internal clock (in a fun way!) and you won’t be seeing any starry night skies.
If you do come in the summer, you may like this tour or this photography tour.
The worst time of year to visit Lofoten
I’m a big fan of traveling in the low season, but I guess there are some pretty good arguments against visiting Lofoten during some months.
When I decided to visit Lofoten in October I was yet again met with silent head shakes from my Norwegian friends. Apparently, the weather from October to November is often really, really rainy. However, I was lucky with the weather and really loved my October trip to Lofoten! The truth is, the weather here will always be a bit of a gamble, so if you can only visit during a certain time of year, I say go for it.
And of course, December to late January is going to be really dark, which makes it difficult to explore the islands. Though the light during December and January is SO beautiful. The sun doesn’t rise, but instead the sky stays pink like a sunrise/sunset all day long. I’ve visited Lofoten twice in December and once in January, and while I had less time to explore with daylight, I did love how quiet the islands were and I even got to see the northern lights!
Speaking of which, if you do visit Lofoten to see the northern lights, I’d recommend this tour with a photographer who knows where to get to clear skies, or you could even go horseback riding under the northern lights like I did in December. However, Lofoten has pretty unpredictable coastal weather, so make sure you pack in a lot of other fun activities so you aren’t disappointed if you don’t see them.
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.
I also don’t love Lofoten in April and May, as it’s still too snowy and cold for a lot of outdoor activities, but no longer snowy enough to be a winter wonderland. Though again, this means you’ll see fewer tourists and prices are often cheaper!
And while July is sort of the perfect time of year to visit Lofoten, it’s also kind of becoming the worst as the islands are becoming popular. I mean, very, very, very popular.
But if you aren’t afraid of crowds and can book your accommodation waaaay in advance (seriously, I’ve even heard that it’s hard to camp in July because there are so many people!) then July in Lofoten is pretty magical.
Where to Stay in Lofoten
When planning your Lofoten road trip, it’s probably easiest to book your accommodation and then fill in your days based on where you’ll be staying. Lofoten is long, but north of Svolvær isn’t so interesting, so I recommend sticking to Svolvær and south.
It takes about 2.5 hours to drive directly from Svolvær to Å in the far south, so you could simply base yourself in the middle somewhere, or you could split your time between Svolvær in the north and somewhere in the south.
I usually like to spend a couple of nights in Svolvær and then the rest of my time near Reine in the south. Other options below Svolvær include Henningsvær, Gimsøy (great for northern lights!), Unstad (Arctic surfing!), Leknes, Nusfjord, Hamnøy, Sakrisøy, and Å.
It’s usually best to find accommodation with a kitchen, especially in the winter when many restaurants are closed for the season.
Svolvær
Svolvær is the main town in Lofoten, home to about 5,000 people. This is also where the airport is, so if you plan on flying into Lofoten, you’ll fly into Svolvær. I recommend spending a couple of nights here, as there are lots of restaurants, cafés and shops in town, and from here you can also explore the surrounding area.
My favorite place I’ve stayed in Svolvær is Svinøya Rorbuer, which has original old fishing cabins that have their own kitchens. There’s just so much character here, and Svolvær is a good base from which to explore the islands.
My second favorite place I’ve stayed in Svolvær is Anker Brygge, which also is right on the water and includes an excellent breakfast. These cabins are more traditional Norwegian luxury, as opposed to the rustic vibes of Svinøya.
And then I’ve also stayed at the Scandic Svolvær, which again is right on the water. This is more of a traditional hotel but the rooms are still on the water, and it’s right by the harbor so it’s especially convenient if you’ll be doing any tours leaving from Svolvær harbor. The breakfast here is fantastic!
And if you want to stay somewhere really special, the Lofoten Arctic Dome is about a 40-minute drive north from Svolvær, also near the beautiful Vesterålen Islands. The views from the dome are beautiful, and in the winter you’ll have the chance to spot the northern lights from the comfort (and warmth!) of your bed.
Henningsvær
About a 30 minute drive from Svolvær, Henningsvær is an adorable little fishing village on the coast. It might be most famous for it’s scenic football pitch right on the water. You’ll see lots of drone shots of this football pitch, though be aware that it is illegal to fly a drone in Norway without a valid EASA certificate, and tourists get hefty fines for this all the time!
Henningsvær is tiny, so you don’t need to spend much time here – you can easily see the village in an hour or so. This is a great place to stop for lunch on your road trip when heading south from Svolvær. My favorite lunch spot in Henningsvær is Henningsvær Lysstøperi & Café.
But if you do want to spend the night in Henningsvær, I recommend Henningsvær Rorbuer, where you can stay in a cute red fisherman’s cabin on the water, or Henningsvær Guesthouse, right in the village center.
Gimsøy (Northern Lights)
And then if you’re visiting Lofoten for the northern lights, then hands down the best choice is Lofoten Links Lodges, which is on Gimsøy, with really dark, unobstructed views north. The cabins even have north-facing windows for you to watch the aurora from inside. And they have a fantastic restaurant.
This is also near the horse center, if you want to go riding. I’ve written about horseback riding on Gimsøy here.
Unstad (Arctic Surfing)
Unstad Beach is most famous for Arctic surfing. You can even watch surfers here in the dead of winter, or try it out yourself!
Here you can stay at Unstad Surfpacker, which has both private rooms and budget dorm rooms.
Leknes
Leknes is a good midway point between Svolvær in the north and Reine in the south. And actually, you can fly into Leknes Airport as well, however it’s a smaller airport than Svolvær and flights here are quite expensive. Car rentals are also more expensive from Leknes Airport than they are at Svolvær Airport.
Leknes is a great base from which to explore some of Lofoten’s most beautiful beaches, including Unstad Beach, Haukland Beach, and Uttakleiv Beach.
In Leknes I’ve stayed at and loved the Scandic Leknes, which has an incredible breakfast!
Ramberg
Ramberg Beach is one of my favorite spots in Lofoten, so I was so excited when they put up some glamping domes here! These Arctic Domes might just have the best view in all of Norway. Check current rates and availability at Ramberg Glamping here.
Nusfjord
If you want to stay in the prettiest little village in Lofoten, Nusfjord is a great option! This tiny fishing village is a bit of a detour off the main highway, but it’s well worth the extra drive.
The nicest hotel in Nusfjord – and possibly all of Lofoten – is hands down Nusfjord Arctic Resort, which even has outdoor hot tubs right on the water!
Or a cheaper option is the Lofoten Cottages in Nusfjord, which are also lovely and have so much local character.
Hamnøy
On my very first visit to Lofoten many years ago, my friends and I spent our first three nights near Reine on Hamnøy, which is arguably the most photogenic place in Lofoten. At least I’m pretty sure it’s the most famous – have you seen this view before?
We stayed at Eliassen Rorbuer, in one of those little red cabins! Our cabin had two twin bedrooms and a cozy living room with a kitchen.
And the fun thing about staying here was that I could see a bunch of different versions of that famous view:
Have I already mentioned that the weather in Lofoten changes a lot?
Hamnøy is also right by two of my favorite places in Lofoten: Sakrisøy and Reine.
Sakrisøy & Reine Accommodation
I you want to stay somewhere a bit quieter than Hamnøy, I actually prefer the neighboring island of Sakrisøy, which is just a short walk from the village of Reine. Sakrisøy Rorbuer is a great option here, and I spent a night at Rostad Retro Rorbuer and absolutely loved the view out my window!
On my most recent trip to Lofoten, my friends and I stayed at the Madelhea Cabin in Reine, which is also right on the water with incredible views. I especially loved that we had our own balcony here with a table so that we could eat outside. As of now, this would be my top choice for the Reine area. But be sure to book it now, as it books out months in advance!
Madelhea Cabin
Å
Å is the last letter of the Norwegian alphabet, which is fitting as Å marks the end of the E10 highway that runs down Lofoten. This small fishing village is a great place to spend the night before or after getting the Bodø ferry, as it’s just a ten minute drive from the Moskenes ferry port.
The nicest accommodation in Å is Å Rorbuer, where you can stay in cosy red fisherman cabins on the water. They also have an excellent restaurant here. Another slightly cheaper option is Å Hamna Rorbuer, which are also cute little fisherman cabins on the water.
For budget accommodation in Å, I recommend Salteriet and Lofoten Å HI Hostel.
Bodø
And if you need to spend a night in Bodø, I always stay at the Thon Hotel Nordlys, which no joke, has the best breakfast in all of Norway. They even have a chocolate fountain!
I also think Bodø is worth an extra day, if you have the time. It’s quite a quirky coastal city with a lot of fun shops, restaurants, and bars. The surrounding nature is also gorgeous. I’ve shared my Bodø travel guide here.
Lofoten Scenic Spots
And now the most important part: where you should go in Lofoten!
A good starting place is to take a look at which tours or activities you’d like to do on the islands, and then work your schedule around that. You can find some great adventure activities on Lofoten here, as well as some more tours and activities here.
I’ll share my favorite spots in Lofoten for you to star on a map, but I also feel that the best part about driving around Lofoten is taking random little roads, not knowing where they’ll take you, and chasing any fleeting patches of blue sky or sunlight. So don’t be afraid to explore!
Here are some of my favorite scenic spots on Lofoten:
Svinøya in Svolvær
One of my favorite views in Svolvær is on the bridge to Svinøya:
Oh and if you come here, I can also highly recommend taking a RIB safari to Trollfjord to see more of the fjord and get to spot sea eagles! You can read about my experience with the safari here and I have a video of the eagles here:
Henningsvær
Henningsvær is one of the cutest little villages in Lofoten – famous for its beautiful football pitch right on the coast. As this village has gotten quite touristy, you’ll find lots of cute cafés here in the summer (however when I’ve visited in December and January they were all closed).
Gimsøy
As I said before, Gimsøy is one of the best places to see the northern lights in Lofoten.
Unstad Arctic Surf Beach
If you want, you can even go surfing yourself here! This Arctic surfing lesson is even appropriate for beginner surfers, and how cool will it be to say that you’ve been surfing in the Arctic?!
Haukland Beach and Uttakleiv Beach are two other beautiful beaches in the area well worth visiting.
Nusfjord
Ramberg Beach
Fredvang
Hamnøy
Hamnøy is home to probably the most famous view in all of Lofoten. You get the view from the bridge, which conveniently has a parking lot right next to it for you to pull over.
Sakrisøy
Between Hamnøy and Reine, Sakrisøy is another adorable island. I especially recommend a stop here for lunch at Anita’s Sjømat. The fish soup here is delicious, but I would most recommend the fish burger!
Reine
Reine is probably the most famous village in Lofoten, because it’s so picturesque. And it really is! Read my full guide to Reine, Norway here.
Reine is also home to one of the best restaurants in Lofoten: Gammelbua. It’s a bit pricey, but the decor is super cosy old Lofoten style, and they serve all the best traditional Norwegian dishes, including Lofoten stockfish, reindeer, and whale.
Reinebringen hike
Reinebringen is probably the most famous hike in Lofoten – and for good reason. These are definitely the best views I’ve ever seen here. And there’s good news! The hiking trail has been totally redone with large stone steps laid by sherpas from Nepal, which makes this a much safer (and kinder to the environment) hike than it was before. There are about 2,000 steps up to the top, which took my friends and me an hour and ten minutes to hike up, with many rest stops. We did this hike in June 2022.
This is a very steep hike and one of my friends and I both got a bit of vertigo on the way up. I was really worried about getting down, but hiking down was actually easier than it looked – I just made sure to keep my eyes down on the steps and not look out at the drops. Still, if you are very afraid of heights, I would skip this one.
Å
Driving safely in Lofoten
And finally, not to be a total mom, but can I just say a few things about safety in Lofoten?
The villages on these islands are small and tourism has kind of exploded in Lofoten in the past few years, so it’s not exactly set up for tons of people. Some of the roads are narrow and windy, a lot of parking lots are quite small, and locals still aren’t totally used to people setting up tripods on their front yards.
Just be aware that this isn’t a tourist park but in fact a small community. Don’t stop your car in the middle of the road to take photos or park on someone’s lawn if a parking lot is full. And drive carefully in the winter, when the roads can be treacherous (especially when they’re covered in slush!).
I’ve shared a complete guide to driving in Norway here.
Steph says
I feel like you’ve really upped your photo game lately! Stunning images.
Nynke says
Yes. With photos like these, it’s no wonder that you got asked on a picture trip by pros, Silvia!
Silvia says
Haha pretty sure it was Lofoten doing all the work here, not my photography skills!
Van @ Snow in Tromso says
We actually went in October and had the most gorgeous weather! Blue skies and sunshine during the day and purple Northern Lights at night – it was just so stunning! I’d love to go back in winter though just to see this amazing contrast of white snow against the blue ocean. So postcard perfect!
Silvia says
I remember that trip – you were there during that crazy Northern Lights display too! And it was just a few weeks after my friends had told me not to go to Lofoten in the autumn, aaaaah. You were really lucky though.
Lontaday says
Could you share which part of October did you go that you were able to view the northern lights? Am planning my trip now and was wondering if it’s worth it to go to Tromso now if the northern lights can be viewed in Lofoten Islands.
Dominique | dominiquetravels.com says
The landscape looks absolutely stunning! I would love to travel there even though the ferries seem kind of daunting to me in terms of planning 🙂
Silvia says
You can actually get to Lofoten by land or by plane if you don’t want to take any ferries! It connects by land in the north, and there are lots of daily flights.
Sarah Garnett says
Hi Silvia, I LOVE your blog, have just found it and it’s got loads of helpful info! We are coming to Norway end of May. How long was your stay in Lofoten? Would 5 nights be enough? We thought we’d take your advice and fly to Bodo, pick up the car, get on the ferry (can this be done on the same day) then return the same way although would prob have to overnight in Bodo.
Ange says
Hi Sylvia, Loving you’re info & photos. You’ve got me doubly excited about our visit in August for 4 nights. We’re also Flying into Bodo hiring a car from there. If the tides are right we plan to check out the whirlpools before taking the ferry across to Moskenes . Ive booked 2 nights in Reine but am not sure where to spend the other 2 nights before taking the ferry back to Bodo. Any suggestions? Being from Australia we might never get back to this are.
Lisa Michele Burns says
Silvia these photos are so beautiful! It’s hard to believe we were there not so long ago! I love looking back at everyone’s version of the same location and you most definitely are invited on any photo trip from here on out, like that was even in question 🙂
Silvia says
I know, somehow the whole trip just feels like a dream. Maybe because I was slightly delirious from being sick, haha.
Cynthia says
Well, you convinced me! This place is tops on my “Norway list” now, for sure! Amazing.
Silvia says
It really should be – Lofoten is the best!
Tosh says
OBSESSED WITH THESE PICS, GIRL!!!! So, sooo pretty!! Great work!! 🙂
Silvia says
Haha and I’m obsessed with Lofoten!
Amanda says
If you’re serious about wanting to go back soon, I miiiiiight be planning a short road trip in the Lofotens in July and would love a travel buddy! I’ll definitely be in Norway (and the Faroe Islands), and am DYING to finally see the Lofotens!
Silvia says
Oooh exciting! Definitely let me know what your plans are.
Arielle says
I’m not a winter weather person, but damn if these photos don’t make me want to layer up and pray for the best to see these amazing views!
Silvia says
Haha the views are worth the cold! Plus Lofoten isn’t actually that cold (at least compared to where I live in Norway).
Jeannie says
I’m just DYING right now, I’ve wanted to go to Lofoten for so long!!! Your photos are gorgeous and I loved follow along on your InstaStories!
Silvia says
You would seriously love it – it’s even more beautiful in real life!
Kristin says
Wow!!! Just phenomenally beautiful!! I want to get on a plane to Norway and see those beautiful snow-dusted mountains right now!
Silvia says
You should!
Rosie says
Oh, Lofoten is so beautiful. I love the photos in this post. I keep seeing it allllll over Instagram at the moment and I would love to go.
Silvia says
Seriously, Lofoten is everywhere on Instagram!
Bri says
I’m convinced I neeeeed to visit Norway now. So beautiful!!
Silvia says
It’s pretty magical here!
Gabby says
ok ok, Lofoten has been on my radar but now it is really a must see for me. So beautiful! Your pictures are really incredible!
Silvia says
And it’s even prettier in real life 🙂
Tasha says
I’ve been to a few places in Norway and loved it. I’ve never been to Lofoton though but it looks beautiful. I love how much detail you’ve given in your post, like the best time to go etc.
Silvia says
I hope you make it up there someday!
Helen says
Beautiful, beautiful pictures. I’m dying to go to Lofoten! Actually staying in one of those little red cabins must’ve been incredible!
Silvia says
Yeah, it was pretty amazing!
Kris says
Your photos are stunning! I’d never heard of this town before, but I’ve always wanted to visit Norway. I’ll definitely look into it if I ever make it.
Silvia says
You definitely should!
Milou says
Funnily enough I had never heard about this place until I saw it on your Instagram. Wow. It’s spectacular. Your pictures are absolutely stunning by the way, I don’t know why you felt so intimidated to be with photographers. 🙂
Silvia says
Haha I think because I never studied photography I always feel like there are some super important rules that I don’t know about or something.
Danielle Theriault says
I have never heard of Lofoten before! Visiting Norway for the first time this summer – might need to add it if I can | http://ourpassportpages.com
Silvia says
Oooh exciting, you should totally try to add Lofoten!
Kristine Li says
Amazing photos, I feel like pinning all of them! =D Lofoten is on my bucket list, hopefully one day i can cross it off! Those little red cabins are so prettyyyyyyyy
Silvia says
They really are so cute!
Jen says
I’ve looked into making this trip! I saw a road that seemed elevated around the water, the Atlantic Coast Highway? Was looking at some of the nearby sights. Your pictures are absolutely stunning!
Silvia says
Yeah, I think Lofoten is actually much more spectacular than the Atlantic Ocean Road (which is farther south) and it has the same elevated roads connecting the islands – you should definitely visit someday!
Anett Aksberg says
Yes, Lofoten is so beautiful. But I noticed that you were only on the west side of Lofoten. Next time I recommend the east side of Lofoten. I have lived in Lofoten my hole childhood and som of my adult life here. Absolutely go to Lofoten in the summer. ❤️
Silvia says
Oh what a wonderful place to grow up! We did go up to the east a bit as well, but the weather was so stormy that I wasn’t able to take photos, haha. I will have to return!
Anne says
I already have Lofoten on my wish list for a summer trip. After seeing your photos I now want to go on a winter trip too. This place is gorgeous!
Silvia says
I pretty much want to see Lofoten in all seasons, haha.
Ellie Wicks says
Hi! Thank you so much for this article, planning a visit to the Lofotens for next March and it’s been SO helpful! Just wondering whether or not you saw the Aurora on this trip?? Don’t want to get my hopes up but secretly dying to catch a glimpse of them!
Silvia says
We had clouds every night so we didn’t see the aurora, but hopefully you will!
Ellen says
Silvia, I’ve really enjoyed reading all your tips regarding Norway on your blog! My brother and I are planning a trip to Norway the last 2 weeks of May in 2018. You mention it may not be the best time to see Lofoten but what can we expect if we do come late-May? What about being in Aalesund?
Crystal says
You can’t imagine how excited I was to come across this post. We are currently in Europe and just decided to start thinking about a trip to Lofoten Islands… the EXACT week that you went!
Was a pretty cool finding. 🙂 Will use this post like our compass!
Kedar Patil says
This is so well written and the pictures are amazing. I plan to go in mid April this year for 3 days and need yoru advise on the places to stay.
Puneet says
Hi
You think driving from Bodo to Tromso via Lofoten island is possible to cover in 9 days via car in March?
Many thanks for your help!
Praveen says
We are planning for 5 day lofoten islands trip. We hate to change hotels frequently. Is it possible to just stay in one place like Reine or svolvaer and explore all types other places as day trip?
Silvia says
Yeah the area is quite small, so that’s definitely doable!
Corin says
Hi Silvia,
I enjoyed your photos and viewpoints of Lofoten : )
I’d just booked for Sept 18-25 (Sept 14-27 in Norway) in Lofoten based on annual weather reports, rain and fall foliage timing, also hoping to catch the Northern Lights when I found your post. ‘Was a bit concerned about your Norwegian friends shaking their heads over travel in Sept, though I’m sure it will be fabulous…
If you or anyone else is planning a trip during that time- feel free to drop a line. I’m equally excited about photographing beautiful places. ‘Will be heading from Bergen to Sognefjord on the Flam Train Sept 15-17 or 18 if you’d like to double your adventure.
Happy trails!
Corin
Christy says
Can you tell me where you found these cute horsies?? I’ll be there next week! Thanks for your write up!
Kourtnee says
Hey! I’m heading to Lofoten in September, and I want to do a road trip. I clicked the links to the Sixt rental sight but the prices are waaaay up from when you posted this I guess. I was getting $150/day at the cheapest. Do you think there is another cheaper option?
Silvia says
Hm you could try rentalcars.com or hertz.com, though it might just mean that all the cheaper cars are booked, as September is still high season.
Eran says
Hey,
Great post!
I have a few questions:
1. You said that May might not be a good season since there’s too much snow. So how come mid-February works??
2. What would you say is the minimum stay there? 1 week?
3. Were the roads slippery?
4. How cold was it?
Silvia says
May is a bit of an in between time because it’s there’s not enough snow for winter activities, but possibly too much to go hiking. Whereas February is nice and snow, plus you have a chance to see the northern lights. One week would be great on Lofoten, I would say minimum is two nights. Some roads were slippery, but if you drive slowly you should be okay. I think it was around zero degrees when I was there in March.
Xenia says
Do I require to rent a GPS in lotofen? Or the data network or wifi works well? Thanks
Yagmur says
Hi!
My boyfriend and I are thinking to make a travel to Lofoten and we loved your blog and pictures! Thank you very much for sharing useful information about Lofoten!
Love from Turkey!
Yagmur
Vishnu says
Hi Silvia!
I am absolutely amazed by the pictures here. My wife and I are planning to visit Lofoten in the last week of February 2019 on our honeymoon. I can drive a car but I do not have experience in driving in winter. Do you recommend renting a car? If yes, what precautions should I take? If no, then what are the other modes of getting around the island? We are planning to stay there for 3 days and 4 nights.
Silvia says
You should definitely rent a car unless you want to hitchhike – public transport is very limited on Lofoten. Just drive slowly and never brake suddenly and you should be totally fine. Oh and if you’re parked in the snow ease out of the space very slowly so that the wheels don’t spin into the snow.
Violet Lam says
Hi Silvia, am thinking of doing Lofoten Island in September 2019. But i need to know how to get from Lofoten Island to my next destination, Alesund. Thank
Anastasia says
It looks magnificent, but it is not really clear for me when you visited Lofoten?
I was planning to go there in three weeks, looking for aurora and winter landscapes, I know there is not a lot of light in that period, but I am sure there will be enough to visit.
Anastasia
Silvia says
This was at the end of March. There’s actually quite a bit of light in February, so I think that will be a great time to visit! (I was just there in December and even during the darkest time of year there’s enough light to see things).
carla says
Hi! great pics. Did you happen to check out Leknes? assessing whether it’s a good base other than Svolvaer. thanks!
Brittany Buza says
Which cabin option in Svinøya Rorbuer did you stay in?
miranda stein says
Hi,
I’m interested in seeing the northern lights this winter, but I was thinking of going in January because I saw that the number of nights where the Borealis was visible was the highest in January. After reading your articles though, I’m concerned about the weather. Could you tell me a bit more about that please?
Silvia says
You can never predict the weather! I think January will be a great time to visit. You might want to book a northern lights tour that will drive you around searching for clear skies.
Daniel says
Hi Silvia,
Thanks for your encyclopedic information on Norway; it’s helping me plenty for my trip, planned for April next year.
You saying April might not be the best time for visiting Lofoten has me slightly worried, though! I thought it was a decent combination of okay-ish weather and fewer tourists.
Is there any chance at all I might be able to see the Northern Lights in the first ten days of April?
Silvia says
Oh hm maybe at the very beginning of April, though it’s getting so light by then so I’m not sure the skies or dark enough anymore. But you’ll definitely have fewer tourists there, which will be great! And the weather could be quite nice, so I still think you’ll have an amazing time.
Jeff says
Hi Silvia. Thanks for posting about your trip here.
We went at the beginning of March 2019 in the heavy snow and it was just glorious. We landed late afternoon in Harstad\Narvik and drove as far as Lødingen wheere we spent the first night at an Airbnb called the Arctic Garden. We’d arrived in the dark so opening the blinds in the morning was the biggest shock..!! We were in paradise..!
We spent the rest of that day exploring and driving to the Fishermnan’s cabin in Reine (Valen Cabins). Lofoten, the most beautiful place I’ve ever been then gave us the most staggering 7 hour light show above and around our cabin on the first night there, and then we watched it for another 3 hours the next night right from our window.
We’re doing another trip there in late February 2020 but this time we’re driving from Tromso to Reine, via Senja. I’m so excited..!!
I might even blog the next one.
Christy says
Hi Jeff,
I saw your comment on this post and am curious if you did the Tromso to Reine, via Senja trip in 2020. That is EXACTLY the route we are thinking about taking in October 2023! If you have any input, I’d appreciate it!
Guadalupe Garcia says
Hi Silvia, I just came back from Lofoten and I have to say that I organized my trip based on your blog. I want to thank you for the invaluable helpful information that made my trip a visit to heaven on Earth. I felt much more confident on the places I booked and driving around. I traveled on my own, I’m not familiar with the arctic zones (born in Mexico and resident of Miami) and your advises were incredibly helpful to plan a trip that went beyond imaginable joy.
To add to your comments I have to say that I went in fall and the landscape was unbelievably beautiful with the autumn colors on their pick.
Thank you for the commitment on sharing your experiences to help us create ours.
Warm regards,
Guadalupe
sarah says
These photos are unbelievable! Lofoton has been on my bucket list for awhile. I’ve been to Norway once and loved it! I’ve been wanting to do a road trip in Norway ever since.
saheli ghatak says
Hey,
I loved your blogs about Norway, not only this one but also the NIN DIY tour. I am planning to a Norway trip in March and had around 8-9 days to spare. I have planned for DIY NION for the fjords view and around 3 nights for Tromso for Northern Lights. Can I add Lofoten islands in the same itinerary?
Silvia says
Yeah, I think that should be doable! You could fly from Tromsø to Svolvær or Evenes and explore Lofoten from there – definitely easiest if you rent a car though.
Boyan says
Hi, your blog is very helpful!
Together with my girl we are planning to visit northern Norway. We definitely wanted to be in March even before I read your post. Now I’m investigating how it would be for March 2021. I have a few questions though and I would be very happy if you help us a little.
The most important question is: would 7 nights be enough? We are planning to arrive and to depart from Tromso and go to Lofoten by car. What would be your itinerary in our case? Should we drive directly to the island or it would be better to make a few stops on the way? Is there a suitable place on the way where the skies are clearer and the chances for Norther lights are better?
Thank you very much!
alka nand says
Your Blogs have been Very helpful in our Norway tri Planning, I have bought your Guides too. We will be following your recommendations for road trips and activities.
We will be in Norway from July 23rd to 30th and in the Lofoten Islans on 28 and 29th.
We have a flight out of Bodo to Oslo at 4:45 pm on 30th.
I am wondering if I should spend the 29th night in Reine or in Bodo. Would the night ferry from Moskenes to Bodo provide nice Sunset views. Actually are you allowed to go out on the deck of ferry to take pics?
I am getting accomodations in Hannoy in the Eliassen Rorbuer that you had suggested. Would you suggest staying in Bodo that night so that we can explore Bodo on the 30th morning?
THanks so much!
alka
Silvia says
Yes the night ferry should still have nice views, and you can go out on the deck to take photos. Bodø isn’t super exciting so you definitely don’t need to stay there – I would do whatever feels most comfortable for your travel days.
Kelly says
Hi, I am planning to go to Lofoten in late March this year, we will be picking up a car and driving from Svolver or Narvik. We dont have a lot of winter road driving experience do you think it will be ok if we are very careful and slow?
Silvia says
Yes I think you’ll be fine! If there’s snow on the road just take it nice a slowly.
Laura says
I plan to go late May/early June. Is this a good time? I will be traveling solo so want to be safe.
Mary says
I’m planning a short trip to Norway with a friend in September and I’ve found your blog to be so helpful! So many beautiful places in Norway, but you convinced me that Lofoten is where we want to spend our time. Thank you for all the resources and tips!
Sejal says
Hi, I am planning to visit Norway in March 2024. Your blogs are very helpful and has convinced me to visit Lofoten. Do you think we can drive from Narvik to Lofoten? What is the best way to get to Tromso from there?
Silvia says
Yes, I’ve driven from Narvik to Lofoten many times (https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/narvik-to-lofoten-day-trip/). You can then also drive up to Tromsø. Just remember that if you’re renting a car you will need to return it to where you picked it up.
fotografwdrodze.pl says
In recent years, the Lofoten Islands have become increasingly commercialized. There are more and more buildings that devastate the amazing views.
Pang says
Very lovely island with awesome guides and charm pictures.
Dhu says
Thank you, Silvia, for such a detailed and heartfelt guide to exploring the stunning Lofoten Islands! Your deep love for the region shines through, and your tips on everything from car rentals to the best times to visit are incredibly helpful for planning an unforgettable trip. I especially appreciate your thoughtful emphasis on supporting the local community and preserving the area’s beauty—it’s inspiring to see such care woven into your travel advice.
Jessie says
Thank you so much for this incredibly detailed and inspiring guide to planning a Lofoten road trip! Your insights, from the best times to visit to recommendations for accommodations and activities, are invaluable. I especially appreciate the honest tips about car rentals and the ethical considerations regarding Airbnb—it’s clear you care deeply about preserving the local culture and economy. Your passion for Lofoten shines through, and it’s contagious. I can’t wait to plan my own trip with your advice in hand! 😊