Finding an accommodation for your trip in the Lofoten Islands is both simple and not simple (I know, it doesn’t make sense… yet!). It’s simple because there really is a lot of accommodation.

It’s rare to be left high and dry, there’s always accommodation available, but you’ll end up with the most expensive options if you book at the last minute in the middle of summer.

And it’s not easy because the problem is knowing where to stay, as the Lofoten Islands are very big, so you’ll need to know where to find places to stay. But fortunately, I’ll explain it all just below, to give you a bit of a heads-up. First and foremost, I really advise you to get in early, for two reasons:

• whatever the season, the best accommodation goes out the quickest, even if there are always good options days before, but you’ll pay more. So it’s a good idea to book a few weeks in advance (a few months in high tourist seasons like midsummer).
• I forgot the 2nd reason. Good for you. But I think it was to tell you that prices go up over time. The closer you get to the date, the higher it goes.

In which city to sleep in Lofoten Islands

First of all, it depends on how much time you have to spend in Lofoten. 3 days, a week? All that will determine one thing: how many towns to stay in? It also depends on how you get to Lofoten (by ferry or plane)

Here’s my advice. Obviously, it depends on each person, but for my part I try to optimize my accommodation according to the things I want to see, and not drive too far each day. I’d like to point out that most of the sights are between Svolvaer and A. North of Svolvaer there’s less to see, although it’s superb.

• 3/4 days: stay in a central location if you want to see the whole thing. Like Leknes, Ballstad. We’re 1h15 from everything (A, Svolvaer, the beaches), so it’s really convenient.
• One week, there are 3 possibilities:
  • 50/50. 3/4 days around Svolvaer + 3/4 days around Reine. In other words, half to the north, half to the south. This separates the places and activities to see
  • everything in one central location, Ballstad or Leknes, which is handy because you can really juggle with the weather. You do more driving, but you’re more flexible. I did this on my last trip, for a week in Ballstad, whereas before I’d always done half and half. And frankly, it’s a really good option!
  • jumping around. 1/2 nights in each place and then continue on your way. In this case, we spend 1 night in Svolvaer, 2 nights in Ballstad/Leknes, 2 nights in Ramberg/Nusfjord, 2 nights in Reine. And then you’re close to everything every day. Some like it, others not so much (like me, I don’t like packing things up :D).

Where to sleep in Svolvaer – the good hotels

Why to stay in Svolvaer? Frankly, there are several reasons. I sleep there regularly when I go to Lofoten, I like the town and it’s practical when you split your accommodation into 2 places. But we’re still too far south to make the round trip every day. But here are the details:

• it’s a pretty little town, very pleasant with its little harbour
• it’s your first port of call
• you can explore the surrounding area and the northern part of Lofoten for a few days before heading south
• it’s not too expensive

So I’m going to suggest 3 hotels, 3 cheap accommodations and 3 apartments

Discover all accommodations in Svolvaer

Sleeping in Ballstad, an attractive option

During my last visit to Lofoten, I stayed in Ballstad for the first time. As it didn’t seem super convenient, I avoided going there. And what a mistake it was 🙂 Ballstad is a little haven of peace, a mini-town, halfway between the fishing port and the family village, surrounded by mountains. It’s not far from Leknes and the main road, so you don’t waste a lot of driving time staying here. And that’s just as well, because there’s some very nice accommodation. And as it’s so central, you can stay for a week to visit Svolvaer, Reine or A.

Discover all accommodations at BALLSTAD

Sleeping in Leknes, a practical option

Well, let’s face it, Leknes itself isn’t the prettiest town. But it’s super-central, close to everything, or rather far from nothing. So you can radiate out from Leknes, between A and Svolvaer, without a care in the world. Then, as soon as you’re a little outside (which takes a good 5 minutes, given the size of the town), it’s more fun. So I’m going to show you some practical accommodation, some of it outside Leknes, in beautiful surroundings.

Discover all accommodations around LEKNES

Sleeping in Reine / Hamnoy / Å

The Lofoten Islands are beautiful, but it’s in the south that you’ll find the most beautiful mountains and fishing villages. Sleeping there is really not bad at all, especially as there are some superb possibilities. From rorbuer to pretty waterside accommodations, some of which are also affordable. Let’s take a look!

Discover all the homes around REINE

The best rorbuer in the Lofoten Islands

A rorbu is a typical Norwegian fisherman’s hut, found in abundance on the Lofoten Islands, an archipelago with a long history of fishing. These very photogenic cabins are built on stilts, are usually red (sometimes yellow) and have now been converted into accommodation, much to our delight. So here’s a small selection of the most beautiful rorbuer on the Lofoten Islands! I’ve listed the prices and ratings so you can compare them at your leisure. Sometimes they’re hotels, often they’re apartments of varying sizes

Discover all the best LOFOTEN accommodations

Map of the best accommodations

If you’re looking for an accommodation in a specific place, or if you’re looking for an overview, this is the best map of Lofoten for you !

On that map, you can select the accommodation layer that gives you all the best accommodations in the archipelago.

Then you have everything you need : photo, price, reviews and link.

⭐️ You can access the map here!

In conclusion

I think I’ve said it all! It’s obviously impossible to list all the accommodations in Lofoten, there are too many possibilities, and there are some good and some not so good.

My advice is always to choose accommodation according to what you want to see, what you want to do in Lofoten, so as not to drive too far each day. Even if it means having 2 or 3 different accommodations scattered around the archipelago.

But let’s just say that there are so many nice places to stay here that we’re going to let ourselves be carried along by our favorites.

Oh, and in the following article I give you everything for an itinerary in Northern Norway!

And don’t forget the ultimate guide to discover Lofoten Islands