Updated February 2020
If you want to see some of Norway’s most beautiful landscape, you couldn’t go wrong with a trip to Lofoten.
Actually, maybe you could. Here are a few things you should know about the Lofoten Islands when planning a trip there:
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. I typically recommend Backcountry for this kind of gear.
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!).
You’ll also find lots of Lofoten options on Airbnb, like this centrally located apartment, this cozy cabin, or a room in this home only 50 meters from the ocean. And if this is your first time using Airbnb you can get a discount by signing up here.
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.
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 Sixt.
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.
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??
Could you?
If you’ve traveled to Lofoten and have anything to add, please share your tips in the comments!
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Renates Reiser says
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
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!
Nynke says
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.
Silvia says
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.
JET says
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.
Thanks,
JET
Silvia says
It’s a plugin by Code Canyon called “Interactive World Maps.”
JET says
Thanks so much for replying, i appreciate it
I love your blog and the map is super cool
Ioanna says
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)
Silvia says
It really is sooo worth the trip
Jeff Eastmead says
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.
Dave says
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.
Silvia says
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
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.
Jarek says
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.
Silvia says
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
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
kevin says
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!
Silvia says
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
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?
Caren says
Hi. Good Day. I plan to visit Lofoten this December. Could you suggest how many days is enough? 7 days?
Bill Kerwin says
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
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!
Ellen says
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?
Fiona says
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. = (
Silvia says
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
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
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 🙂
Cindy says
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!
Silvia says
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
Anne says
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,
Silvia says
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
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,
Silvia says
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
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?
Esra says
Kind regards from Svovaer Lofoten
Marjorie says
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?
adam says
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
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!!
Silvia says
The photo is of Reine!
Landscape Photographer says
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
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
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?
Silvia says
Sounds right! Of course you can also fly if you don’t have time to do that all overland.
Ella says
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
I’m currently visiting Lofoten at the moment. These tips have been helpful.
Jules says
What a beautiful place! Thanks for the local tips. Yet another place to add to the growing bucket list! x
طراحی ویلا مدرن says
really impressive landscape, beautiful horses, I love it, I wish to visit this place soon as possible.