Lofoten Islands
5
Day Itinerary •
Norway
Five days in the Lofoten Islands give you the full extraordinary sweep of the most dramatic archipelago in the Arctic, from Svolvaer's harbour and Henningsvaer's rocky island village to the Reinebringen panorama, the UNESCO fishing village of Nusfjord, the extraordinary hidden beaches of Moskenesoya, the whale safari from Andenes in the Vesteralen, and the extraordinary Trollfjord hidden behind the outer wall of the Lofoten peaks. This route covers the complete Lofoten and Vesteralen archipelago. Svolvaer and Kabelvag, Henningsvaer, the full western island drive to Reine, Reinebringen and Hamnoy, Nusfjord and Flakstad beaches, the extraordinary Andenes whale safari and the midnight sun at sea, and the extraordinary Trollfjord cruise through the narrowest fjord in the Lofoten Islands.
Best Time To Visit
June to August for midnight sun and whale safari
Getting There
Fly into Svolvaer or Leknes from Oslo. Ferry from Bodo overnight.
Getting Around
Car essential throughout. Hire at Svolvaer airport.
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,200 to 2,200 NOK per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate. Reinebringen is steep. Whale safari by boat.
DAY 1
SVOLVAER
MORNING
SVOLVAER HARBOUR AND THE WAR MUSEUM
Svolvaer is the most extraordinary Arctic harbour in the Lofoten Islands, its extraordinary collection of rorbuer fishing cabins on the waterfront and the dramatic Svolvaergeita twin peaks at 764 metres rising directly above giving the finest single view in the archipelago. The Lofoten War Museum on the harbour tells the extraordinary story of the German occupation and the remarkable British Lofoten Raids of 1941 with original artefacts. The fish market beside the harbour sells the finest fresh skrei cod and stockfish. Travel: 20 min drive to Kabelvag
MIDDAY
KABELVAG AND THE LOFOTEN CATHEDRAL
Kabelvag is the most extraordinary historic village in the northern Lofoten Islands, its extraordinary 19th-century wooden church, the largest in the Lofoten Islands and known as the Lofoten Cathedral, giving the finest single building in the archipelago. The Lofoten Museum at Storvagan tells the extraordinary story of the islands' fishing heritage with remarkable original buildings. The extraordinary Aquarium at Kabelvag is the finest in northern Norway. Museum entry approx 130 NOK. Travel: 45 min boat
AFTERNOON
THE TROLLFJORD EVENING CRUISE
The Trollfjord is the most extraordinary narrow fjord in the Lofoten Islands, its extraordinary 2km length only 100 metres wide at the entrance, the vertical walls rising 1,000 metres on both sides in extraordinary closeness. The evening boat from Svolvaer harbour passes through the entire Trollfjord in extraordinary silence, the mountains above entirely filling the sky. The boat turns in the extraordinary inner basin and returns through the same extraordinary walls. Book at Svolvaer harbour.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Svolvaer Goat the extraordinary twin peaks at 764 metres directly above the town is the most extraordinary mountain backdrop to any harbour in Norway. The extraordinary view from the harbour at midnight sun in late June with the peaks in warm gold is the finest light phenomenon in the Lofoten Islands. The harbour at 11pm in June is entirely extraordinary and free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Svolvaer harbour Coffee with the extraordinary Arctic peaks and harbour before the day begins. | Lunch: Restaurant in Kabelvag Outstanding village restaurant. Local skrei cod and Lofoten shrimp. | Dinner: Du Verden, Svolvaer Outstanding harbour restaurant. Local stockfish, skrei and Arctic cloudberry dessert.
DAY 2
REINE AND HAMNOY
MORNING
THE REINEBRINGEN HIKE
The Reinebringen trail rises 448 metres in 2.5km to the most extraordinary summit panorama in the Lofoten Islands, the extraordinary 360-degree view over the Reinefjord ring of peaks, the red village rorbuer below and the open sea toward the Moskenes strait. New steps cut into the steepest section have made the trail safer. Start before 7am to have the summit entirely to yourself in summer. The extraordinary Reinefjord seen from above is the finest view in Norway. Hike free. Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
SAKRISOY AND THE INNER REINEFJORD BOAT
Sakrisoy's extraordinary yellow rorbuer between Hamnoy and Reine give the finest reflection in still water in all of Lofoten. The extraordinary inner Reinefjord boat from the Reine quay penetrates the Kirkefjord arm inaccessible by road, its extraordinary perpendicular walls and the waterfalls dropping from above into the still water the finest boat experience in the islands. The extraordinary landing at Vindstad in the inner fjord is outstanding. Boat approx 200 NOK. Travel: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
HAMNOY AND THE BRIDGE VIEW
Hamnoy's extraordinary red rorbuer on the rocky islet below the E10 bridge give the most famous single photograph in the Lofoten Islands, the red cabins reflected in the still water with the mountain peaks behind in the evening light. The extraordinary evening walk along the Hamnoy shore gives the finest alternative angles. The small fishing museum in the oldest rorbu on the islet is outstanding. The evening light on the Reinefjord peaks from the bridge is extraordinary.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Munkebu mountain hut above the Reinefjord at 398 metres is the most extraordinary overnight experience in the Lofoten Islands, accessed by a 3.5-hour hike from Vindstad in the inner fjord. The extraordinary midnight sun view from the hut over the Reinefjord is the finest in Norway. Book at DNT Bergen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Rorbua Restaurant, Reine Early morning coffee before the Reinebringen hike. | Lunch: Sakrisoy village shop Fresh shrimp at the most extraordinary viewpoint in Lofoten. | Dinner: Gammelbua, Hamnoy Outstanding converted boathouse. Local skrei cod and Arctic cloudberries.
DAY 3
NUSFJORD AND FLAKSTADOYA
MORNING
NUSFJORD UNESCO FISHING VILLAGE
Nusfjord is the most extraordinary preserved fishing village in the Lofoten Islands, its extraordinary 19th-century rorbuer and fish warehouses in a narrow fjord the finest example of traditional Norwegian fishing culture in the world. The extraordinary stockfish drying racks, the old general store with original provisions on the shelves, and the boat shed museum give the complete picture of Lofoten fishing life. The village was a UNESCO European heritage pilot project. Entry to village approx 80 NOK. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
FLAKSTAD BEACH AND THE ARCTIC SWIMMING
The white sand beaches of Ramberg and Flakstad on Flakstadoya are the most extraordinary Arctic beaches in Norway, their unexpected turquoise water and white sand giving a tropical appearance at 68 degrees north. The extraordinary contrast of the snow-capped mountains directly behind the tropical-looking beach is one of the most extraordinary natural juxtapositions in the world. Swimming is possible in summer when the water reaches 14 to 18 degrees. Entirely free. Travel: 30 min drive to Moskenes
AFTERNOON
MOSKENES AND THE A VILLAGE
The extraordinary village of A on Moskenesoya is the most extraordinary end-of-the-road village in Norway, its collection of historic rorbuer at the very southern tip of the Lofoten Islands giving the finest preserved fishing village atmosphere in the western islands. The Norwegian Fishing Village Museum in A tells the story of the islands with extraordinary original equipment. The extraordinary Maelstrom whirlpool in the Moskenes strait is visible from the ferry in calm conditions.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Kvalvika beach on Moskenesoya is the most extraordinary hidden beach in Lofoten, accessible only by a 1.5-hour hike over the mountain from Fredvang, its extraordinary white sand and turquoise water in a mountain amphitheatre entirely inaccessible by road. The finest wild swimming location in the Lofoten Islands. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Reine Coffee before the Nusfjord drive. | Lunch: Nusfjord village cafe Outstanding fish soup in the UNESCO village. Local stockfish. | Dinner: Restaurant in A village Outstanding end-of-the-road dinner. Local stockfish stew and Arctic cloudberries.
DAY 4
HENNINGSVAER
MORNING
HENNINGSVAER AND THE CATHEDRAL FOOTBALL PITCH
Henningsvaer is the most extraordinary village in the eastern Lofoten Islands, its remarkable football pitch built on a flat rock between two island channels giving the most extraordinary football ground in the world, entirely surrounded by water. The village itself on its rocky island is the finest concentration of galleries, cafes and rorbuer in the eastern islands. The extraordinary boat trip from Henningsvaer around the island gives the finest views of the extraordinary peak wall above. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
THE FESTVAGOYA PEAK HIKE
The Festvagoya hike above Henningsvaer gives the most extraordinary aerial view of the famous football pitch from above, the extraordinary 400-metre summit reached in approximately 1.5 hours from the village. The extraordinary panorama over Henningsvaer, the outer Vestfjord and the inner island channels is the finest in the eastern Lofoten Islands. The hike is considerably less crowded than Reinebringen and gives extraordinary solitude. Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
KABELVAG EVENING AND DEPARTURE PREPARATION
The extraordinary Kabelvag village in the late afternoon, with the wooden Lofoten Cathedral above the harbour and the extraordinary evening light on the Vestfjord, is the finest time to visit the historic village. The Lofoten Museum gives the extraordinary context for the islands' 1,000-year fishing heritage. The drive back to Svolvaer for the last evening before the Andenes departure gives the extraordinary final view of the Svolvaergeita peaks above the harbour.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Digermula ridge hike on Vestvagoya gives the most extraordinary undiscovered mountain panorama in the central Lofoten Islands, its extraordinary ridge walk between three summits entirely free of other hikers. Access from the Leknes side of the island takes approximately 3 hours return. The finest hidden ridge walk in Lofoten.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Svolvaer Coffee before the Henningsvaer drive. | Lunch: Henningsvaer waterfront restaurant Outstanding island restaurant. Local cod and Lofoten shrimp. | Dinner: Svolvaer harbour restaurant Outstanding farewell dinner. Local skrei and cloudberry dessert.
DAY 5
ANDENES WHALE SAFARI
MORNING
DRIVE TO ANDENES AND THE WHALE CAPITAL
Andenes at the northern tip of Andoya island in the Vesteralen is the most extraordinary whale watching destination in Norway, its extraordinary position above the deep Bleik Canyon where sperm whales feed year-round giving the finest guaranteed whale sightings in Europe. The drive from Svolvaer to Andenes takes approximately 2.5 hours through the extraordinary Vesteralen island landscape, crossing from the Lofoten to the Vesteralen at Sortland. Travel: 3 hour whale safari
MIDDAY
THE ANDENES WHALE SAFARI
The Andenes whale safari is the most extraordinary wildlife experience in Norway, the extraordinary sperm whales visible from the boat as they surface to breathe at 10 to 15-minute intervals before diving for up to 90 minutes. The boat reaches the Bleik Canyon edge approximately 15 minutes from harbour where the whales feed on giant squid. The extraordinary scale of the sperm whale, the largest toothed predator in the world at up to 18 metres, is outstanding. Approx 1,100 NOK. Travel: 30 min
AFTERNOON
ANDENES LIGHTHOUSE AND THE MIDNIGHT SUN
The Andenes lighthouse on the northern tip of Andoya gives the most extraordinary midnight sun view in the Vesteralen, the sun in late June and July circling above the horizon through the night without setting. The extraordinary light on the sea from the lighthouse at 11pm is unlike anything elsewhere in Norway. The Andenes old town below the lighthouse has the finest collection of traditional whale hunter houses in the Vesteralen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Bleik beach below Andenes is the most extraordinary beach in the Vesteralen, its extraordinary white sand below the Bleiksoya bird rock with 100,000 nesting puffins giving the finest combination of beach and wildlife in northern Norway. The extraordinary Bleiksoya rock visible from the beach is the finest puffin colony accessible in Norway. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Andenes Coffee before the whale safari. The safari departs from the harbour at 10am. | Lunch: Andenes harbour cafe Outstanding local fish after the whale safari. Local halibut and Vesteralen shrimp. | Dinner: Andenes Havhotell Outstanding hotel restaurant in the whale capital. Local fish and Arctic cloudberries.
Where To Stay
Svolvaer, Night 1 Svinoya Rorbuer or Anker Brygge Hotel. Harbour. Approx 1,200 to 2,500 NOK. Reine or Hamnoy, Nights 2 to 3 Reine Rorbuer or Sakrisoy Rorbuer. In the village. Approx 1,500 to 3,000 NOK. Andenes, Night 4 to 5 Andenes Havhotell. Whale capital harbour. Approx 1,000 to 1,800 NOK.
Top Tips
1. Hire a car at Svolvaer. The E10 road scenery is extraordinary and public transport misses the best viewpoints.
2. Book Reine rorbuer 6 months ahead for summer. The red cabins above the fjord reflection are the finest in Norway.
3. The Andenes whale safari guarantees a sighting and refunds if no sperm whales appear. Book at hvalsafari.no.
4. The Trollfjord evening cruise from Svolvaer is the finest 2-hour boat trip in the Lofoten Islands. Book at harbour.
5. Northern lights at Lofoten: October to March, clear skies, away from village lights. The beach at Haukland is finest.
6. Fresh skrei cod is available February to April, the finest fish in Norway. Out of season, stockfish is extraordinary.
Total Budget
1,200 to 2,200 NOK/day