Explore The Lofoten Islands
Still to do
Red fishermen's cabins beneath jagged peaks, white beaches above the Arctic Circle and a sun that never sets in summer.
The adventure
The first sight of Reine stops you: little red cabins on stilts at the water's edge, wooden racks of drying cod and the granite spike of Olstind rising straight out of the fjord behind. In Lofoten, the mountains don't rise from hills or valleys, they come straight out of the sea.
The road hops from island to island over bridges and causeways. There are white sand beaches with turquoise water at Ramberg and Haukland, though the sea is cold enough to take your breath away, and hikes such as Reinebringen with stairs up to a view that makes the climb worthwhile. In summer the sun doesn't set at all. In winter, the Northern Lights dance above the peaks.
Why it’s epic
- Reine, Hamnøy and their red rorbuer cabins.
- Reinebringen and Ryten hikes over the beaches.
- Midnight sun from late May to mid-July.
- Stockfish, dried on wooden racks as it has been for centuries.
What it is
An archipelago above the Arctic Circle, where jagged mountains rise straight out of the sea above fishing villages of red rorbuer cabins.
How to do it
Fly to Leknes or Svolvær, or take the ferry from Bodø. Hire a car and drive the E10, which links the islands by bridges and tunnels.
Top tip
Stay in a traditional rorbu, a converted fisherman's cabin on stilts over the water.
Need to know
- Book summer accommodation and car hire months ahead.
- Weather changes fast; take waterproofs whatever the season.
- Respect the wild-camping rules and land with care at popular spots.
Plan this trip
- Rough cost
- £2,000 to £5,000 per person, including flights from the UK
- Time needed
- 5 to 7 days
- Best time to go
- June to August for midnight sun; February to March for aurora
- Fly into
- BOO airport
Norway is expensive; car hire and rorbuer are the main costs.
Make it happen
Why it’s on my list
Not done yet. If you’ve done it and have tips, tell me about it.
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