So yes, the Lofoten Islands are popular! But there’s a reason. It’s beautiful, really. It’s typical, breathtaking scenery and it’s a huge playground for superb hiking, typical fishing villages and heavenly beaches (yes, yes!).

But there’s even more to do on the Lofoten Islands, in every season, and I’ll explain it all below. Let’s get started!

1. Enjoy Norway’s most beautiful landscapes

When I say these are the most beautiful landscapes in Norway, I’m not kidding. You’re going to get a real eyeful on every road as you pass black mountains rising steeply out of the sea, surrounding heavenly beaches. Okay, it sounds strange when you put it like that, even unreal. And that’s exactly what it is. Unreal and yet true. That’s why the Lofoten Islands are so unique!

So my first recommendation would be to rent a car and simply drive around. Below, I’ll show you the beaches and villages. But I’d also advise you to take these roads:

• route 815 through Valberg
• Stamsund
• the road to Nusfjord
• Fredvang, its famous mountain, its bridges, the road to Selfjord

Basically, the most beautiful landscapes are on the island of Moskenesoya. It’s unbelievable, with the mountains rising sheer out of the sea. There’s only one road, so it’s very difficult to get lost.

In Flakstad, you have several beaches, including the must-see Ramberg and Skagsanden, but above all the superb loop to get to Flakstad.

On Vestvagoy, you have all the beaches and spectacular roads. You’ve got the trio of Vik, Haukland and Uttakleiv, 3 very famous, very beautiful and very different beaches. Eggum is also very nice.

The Valberg road, again, there’s nobody there and it’s got great views!

In short, there aren’t many roads but they’re all spectacular, so really, you can just say to yourself “oh but where does this go” and hop on without really knowing. I’ll tell you more about it below, but if you don’t drive, then you can discover Lofoten with a guide.

2. Go for great hikes

What makes the Lofoten Islands so famous is the amount of beautiful hikes, which is simply incredible. It’s a huge playground, with hiking trails absolutely everywhere, and each one more beautiful than the next.

In winter, however, it’s best to avoid them, as they’re dangerous due to icy conditions and snowfalls. Every winter, tourists get stuck at the top and have to be evacuated by helicopter.

So, just like that, the first hikes I think of are :

• Reinebringen, of course, the view is insane, the climb hard on the thighs
• Ryten and Kvalvika, with several paths leading to the superb Kvalvika beach
• Himmeltinden, for a superb view of the beaches
• Justadtinden, a must for Lofoten hikers
• from Unstad to Eggum, a lovely walk along the sea.

3. See the Northern Lights

Well, it’s true that I often say that among the best places to see the Northern Lights, the Lofoten Islands aren’t at the top of the list. Complicated weather, lots of clouds, heavy light pollution… it’s not the most obvious. But it’s far from impossible!

In the following article, I’ll give you some tips on how to see the Northern Lights in Lofoten, but I’ll have to condense it all here:

• you need to be mobile
• you need to know where the clouds are to avoid them (the ventusky site, for example)
• you need to stay away from bright city lights and street lamps
• have an unobstructed view

The great classic is to go to beaches like Uttakleiv, Vik, Haukland. I like Eggum and Gimsoya.

Seeing the Northern Lights is an unforgettable spectacle, so it requires a bit of preparation, but it’s definitely worth it! So what you can do, if you can’t manage with the weather, don’t want to drive, or prefer to let someone else do it, is to go with a guide who will accompany you to find those famous auroras 🙂 Here are some guides on the spot, mainly from Svolvaer:

• Svinoya Rorbuer
• Lofoten Lights
• Discover Lofoten
• Lofoten Aktiv

4. Kayaking in an exceptional setting

I’m going to tell you about the beaches and beautiful waters of Lofoten again, yes. But this time it’s for a different reason.

One of the main activities on the Lofoten Islands, summer and winter alike, is kayaking. Yes, crystal-clear water and incredible scenery make you want to go! Except that, as it’s a bit chilly, kayaking is a much better option!

There are a number of possibilities, but in general it’s from Svolvaer, in particular towards the island of Skrova, or from the beach at Eggum. Well, as the weather can be pretty funny in the Lofoten Islands, you have to wait until it’s not too windy (although it can be fun otherwise!). But it’s easy to do!

You can have tours that last 2/3 hours, like an initiation, or a full day, just to get the most out of it. Here are some recommendations:

• 3h from Eggum (spring, summer)
• Full day from Eggum (spring, summer)
• 3h around Skrova island (Svolvaer, spring, summer)
• 3h from Reine (spring, summer)
• Winter kayaking from Eggum

5. See the country’s most beautiful beaches

Yes, I’m talking about beaches, some of which are considered among the most beautiful in the world! Crystal-clear water, white sandy beaches, idyllic settings surrounded by mountains. But the water’s a little chilly, we won’t lie 😀

There are magnificent beaches all over the archipelago, but I’d especially recommend :

• Bunes (accessible by boat)
• Kvalvika, when you reach it from high up, overlooking the beach
• Uttakleiv, via Vik and Haukland
• Unstad, the surfers’ beach
• Eggum
• Ramberg, of course, with the mountains in the background, and its emblematic little house.

6. Discover the fishing villages

There are several images that instantly spring to mind when you think of the Lofoten Islands. These villages are typical of the fishermen of the Lofoten Islands, and each has its own personality, making them well worth a visit.

And beyond the red houses, they’re all set in exceptional surroundings. I recommend the following villages:

• Henningsvaer, not far from Svolvaer. Popularized for its soccer pitch, it’s much more than that and the harbor is really nice, as is the road to get there!
• Nusfjord, a lost mini-village of yellow houses, some of which have been restored to create a mini-open-air museum. Beware: during the day, the center may charge a fee in high season. But very nice!
• Hamnoy, with its red houses and ultra-photogenic mountain behind. A must-see, and the great classic is the view from the bridge – you can see why!
• Sakrisoy, on the other side of the bridge, has another mountain, a super-photogenic house and, above all, a village that’s all yellow, unlike its neighbor.
• Reine, ultra photogenic, the view from the bridge is incredible, with the village and mountains in the background. Perhaps the best view in the region!
• A i Lofoten, the village at the end of the road. And the village at the end of the world. Very pretty, very typical, the real fishing village.

7. Sleep in a rorbu

See all those super-pretty fishermen’s cottages? Well, you can sleep in them! Well, not all of them, but many have been converted. Simple ones, hotels, more luxurious ones, you can find everything and it’s great.

I love the smell of old wood in them, and they’re found all over the archipelago, so you’re spoilt for choice. In the following article on accommodation in the Lofoten Islands, I’ll list quite a few. But I can recommend the following:

• Anker Brygge, in Svolvaer
• Hattvika Lodge, Ballstad
• A Rorbuer, in A i Lofoten
• Eliassen Rorbuer, Hamnoy

8. Eating the best kanelbolle

Well okay, it’s not typical typical from Lofoten, I agree. However, there is one place where you’ll find yourself in heaven eating a kanelbolle: at the Unstad Arctic Surf, next to the Unstad surfers’ beach. Yes, I know, it’s totally unrelated.

My wife and I happened to pass by on our way to the beach, and we saw a sign saying “the world’s best cinnamon rolls”. Yes, of course. They all say that. But we were a little hungry, so we went for a taste. Seriously, they’re wonderful, so go and try them! And you can also take them to go (I did, too many times according to my bathroom scale).

I’ve also heard very good things about the kanelbolle from the bakery in A i Lofoten. I haven’t tried them yet, but I’ve heard they’re great! And now I’ve realized that I’m doing a whole section for a kanelbolle. Weird.

4 recommended accommodations in Lofoten

9. Discover Trollfjord, the country’s narrowest fjord

Another fjord in Norway, you might say. Well, yes, but not only! This one is special. First of all, it’s the only one in the Lofoten Islands. So it deserves a bit of attention. Secondly, it’s unique in that it’s the narrowest, only 100m wide and 2km long.

This gives it a special atmosphere, as it’s far from civilization: there are no roads, nobody lives there, there’s not a sound. When I was there, there was a mist, not a whisper of wind, a feeling of being at the end of the world. And if you take the Brim Explorer electric boat, you’re in complete silence!

The fjord can be visited all year round, departing from Svolvaer. Here are the different options:

• Tour by comfortable electric boat
• Discover the Trollfjord by inflatable boat

10. See the midnight sun

That’s one of the things that’s special about northern Europe (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland): we don’t have quite the same seasons as the rest of the continent. Well, we do, but worse.

In other words, in winter, there’s very little light. For more than 2 months, you can’t see the sun.

On the other hand, for 4 months there’s light all the time! From late April to late August, there’s no night. And even better, for more than 2 months (mid-May to late July), we have the midnight sun, which is a truly amazing experience. Imagine, you’re having an aperitif, it’s midnight, you still have the sun. You open one eye at 3 a.m., in the middle of the night with daylight, and your body goes wild.

But even better, it means you have absolutely all the time in the world to take in the scenery, go for a walk or a hike. And that’s just great. In short, if you go to Lofoten in spring or summer, there’s no escaping it! In the photo below, it’s exactly midnight in July. So no, the sun doesn’t set at all 🙂

11. Go snowshoeing

A totally wintry activity that’s really fun! It’s not the easiest thing to do in Lofoten, because snowshoeing requires a bit of flat ground (or at least not too much climbing) and snow. But both are rather rare in Lofoten. Snow is rather unpredictable in Lofoten. Climate change means there’s less and less of it in winter, so typical activities are more difficult.

Snowshoeing is a great introduction to winter sports, and a very easy way to get started. If you’ve never done snowshoeing before, I’d say this is the perfect opportunity, as the scenery is exceptional. It would be hard to find a better setting.

• Info and booking from Svolvaer

12. Seeing reindeer at a Sami farm

This is new and I just found out it existed! I’ve seen a lot of elk in Lofoten. But never reindeer. However, there is a Sami farm, but it’s not necessarily close, it’s near Sortland, on the border between Lofoten and Vesteralen. At Inga Sami Siida, you’ll discover Sami culture, see the reindeer, feed them, eat stew and chat with the family. It’s a small, friendly place 🙂

• Info and booking

13. Surfing

It doesn’t look like it, but there are several surfing beaches in Lofoten! Okay, wetsuits are mandatory. But at Unstad, especially, and at Flakstad, there are great facilities, good waves and plenty of surfers.

At Unstad, it’s more for advanced surfers, and there’s an annual international competition, the Lofoten Masters. We stumbled across it by chance last year, and it’s great! You can bring your own equipment, and there’s plenty of parking. Alternatively, you can rent some at Unstad Arctic Surf (you know, the kanelbolle that rocks). The setting at Unstad is exceptional.

At Flakstad, it’s more for beginners, but everyone can go, because it’s so big. At the Lofoten Beach Camp and Ramberg (just next door), you can rent equipment with no worries, and if you’d like to take lessons, then head to the Lofoten Surf Center in Unstad, where you can book a lesson on their website. They also have a store if you want to buy equipment.

14. Discover the most beautiful places with a photo guide

If you want to discover the most beautiful places on the Lofoten Islands, you can do so with a guide. There are several reasons for this:

• you don’t drive
• you want someone to show you the most beautiful places
• you want to be with a local, a photographer
• you don’t have much time, so you want to make the most of your visit.

So yes, discovering the Lofoten Islands with a guide can be a good option. I’ve done it in other places (my first guided visit was in Tromso) and I don’t regret it, because it gave me a good overview and helped me know where to go next by taking more time.

Guides will take you to the most beautiful places (beaches like Uttakleiv), villages like Reine, iconic places like Hamnoy. In short, if you don’t want to miss a thing, then this could be a good solution!

• 2-day photo tour
• Lofoten tour by minibus
• 7-hour discovery tour of Lofoten
• Visit the southern Lofoten Islands

15. Go fishing with a local fisherman

This was probably the first activity I did on my first trip to the Lofoten Islands. From Svolvaer, we boarded a fisherman’s boat, the typical wooden and white one, and off we went for several hours in the super-prolific waters to fish for hake (they’re a very nice size).

The sea was calm and the weather fantastic, so for that reason alone I’d really recommend this trip 🙂

But don’t forget the little lozenge for seasickness! They’re not allowed to give them out.

• Info and booking

16. Horseback riding at the beach

A new activity that can be a lot of fun, especially if you like horseback riding. The setting of the Lofoten Islands, beaches surrounded by mountains, lends itself superbly to horseback riding.

Hov Gard Farm offers you this great experience on Gimsoya, an island in the Lofoten Islands, with a very large area for horseback riding in a heavenly setting. It’s a place I like because I sometimes go there at night to see the northern lights, as the view is unobstructed. So I can confirm that it’s a perfect place to do this activity 🙂

• Info and booking

17. Dive into the Viking world at the Lofotr museum

The Lofotr Museum, located in Borg (just outside Leknes), is a journey back in time to the Viking era. It features a reconstruction of an impressive longhouse, the largest ever found in Scandinavia, dating back to 500 A.D. It served as the residence of a Viking chieftain and his community.

The museum features interactive exhibitions on the daily life of the Vikings, their beliefs and their explorations. Authentic objects such as tools, weapons and jewellery are on display. Visitors can also take part in immersive activities, such as demonstrations of ancient crafts, archery trials and Viking boat trips.

The atmosphere is captivating, the people super friendly, and the setting, surrounded by mountains and fjords, is breathtaking. An absolute must!

Beware of the opening times, which change very often, depending on the day and the season… and it’s not even open every day of the week.

• Information and opening times

Things you can’t do on the Lofoten Islands

Unfortunately, the following activities are not possible:

• see orcas and whales. Well, there are some, but there’s no tour any more, because there’s no certainty; the cetaceans are now just passing through, but they see them every year, at random.
• dog sledding. There was one person who had a kennel, except that with the lack of snow and the increasingly short winter season on the archipelago, it’s no longer really manageable, so she closed it for this winter.
• snowmobiling. This time, it’s for the snow, but mainly because there’s no flat land, so there’s no space big enough for snowmobiling.

Lofoten Islands map

In order to help you plan your stay, I have created a map of the Lofoten Islands on Google Maps where I have grouped all the essentials:

• most beautiful places
• ferries and airports
• accommodation
• places to see the Northern Lights
• beaches
• hiking
• and much more!

⭐️ Click here to access the map! ⭐️

In conclusion

So yes, we’re going to the Lofoten Islands above all for the scenery, because it’s simply incredible. We’re going to get a real kick out of just walking around.

But there’s so much more to do! Magical hikes, you can see superb beaches which are particularly pleasant in summer, you can also take advantage of the opportunity to go kayaking, one of the most popular activities in the region!

In short, you’re not likely to get bored up there, and each season is totally different, so you’ll be back, I’m sure 🙂

If you need more information, don't hesitate to ask me by clicking here 🙂How can I help you ?

Other resources on the Lofoten Islands and Northern Norway

I’ve written quite a few articles about the Lofoten Islands and Norway. I hope you’ll find the following articles interesting!

• Travelling to the Lofoten Islands: a complete guide for a worry-free trip – Discover all the essential information you need to plan your trip to the Lofoten Islands with peace of mind, from transport to must-do activities.
• Lofoten Islands map: all the details on a single map Access an interactive map of the Lofoten Islands containing all points of interest and practical information, for quick and efficient location-finding!
• Cheap accommodation in the Lofoten Islands: rorbuers and affordable hotels, find a selection of budget accommodation, from typical rorbuers to well-located hotels, to make the most of your stay without blowing your budget.
• How to get to the Lofoten Islands: all the transport optionsExplore the different ways of reaching the Lofoten Islands, whether by plane, ferry or car, to choose the option that suits you best.
• Watching the Northern Lights in the Lofoten Islands: top tips and locations I share with you the best tips and locations for watching the Northern Lights in the Lofoten Islands, along with the best dates and times to maximize your chances.
• The ferry between Bodø and the Lofoten Islands: timetables, fares and practical information: All the information you need to take the ferry between Bodø and the Lofoten Islands, a popular and practical option for discovering the archipelago.
• Complete guide to visiting Tromsø: Prepare your trip to Tromsø with this detailed guide, featuring the best sites to visit, practical tips and activities not to be missed.
• What to see in a week in Tromsø: complete itinerary: Discover a 7-day itinerary to explore Tromsø, including the most iconic places and the most captivating activities for an unforgettable stay.
• Accommodation in Tromsø: where to stay during your stay: Finding the perfect accommodation in Tromsø has never been easier with this selection of the best hotels for a comfortable and convenient stay.
• Winter activities in Tromsø: top experiences not to be missed: Winter in Tromsø is full of exciting activities. Here are my recommendations for the best experiences and reliable agencies to make the most of the Norwegian winter.
• Best places to see the Northern Lights in Tromsø: Discover the must-see spots to watch the Northern Lights in Tromsø on your own and enjoy an unforgettable spectacle.
• Top agencies to see the northern lights in Tromsø: Choose from the best specialist agencies for a northern lights-watching experience without missteps.
• Tromsø map: places to see, practical info and accommodationA unique map with all points of interest, practical advice and accommodation options to make your visit to Tromsø as easy as possible.
• When to go to Tromsø: a guide to the best periods: Find a seasonal infographic with the activities available month by month, so you can choose the ideal period to suit your desires and take advantage of the best conditions.