Visiting the Lofoten Islands is like stepping into a mystical world - one where jagged peaks rise out of the sea, colourful fishing villages dot the shoreline, and everywhere you look there is stunning natural beauty. It has a timeless feel to it, and between the long winters and the endless summers, there’s something awe-inspiring and so fairytale-like about these islands in the Norwegian Arctic Circle.

If you're craving dramatic landscapes, fresh sea air, endless hiking options, cinnamon bun breaks and sauna/Arctic dip combos, you will fall in love with Lofoten just like I did.

We were invited on a trip up here with some friends who had been once before. We’d been living in Costa Rica up until then and decided to head back to Europe to join this trip. We’re so happy we did, as it quickly became a contender for my favourite place ever! Fun fact: we actually drove there, all the way from Paris (about 3000km!) - which was an adventure in and of itself. If you have a van, I highly recommend the drive up from Central Europe.

In this post I share a few tips and travel ideas from my time in Lofoten. I share some of the highlights of my trip, things to do, activities and places to eat. At the bottom I also share my map with all the spots listed.

Introducing Lofoten:

Located above the Arctic Circle in northern Norway, the Lofoten archipelago is pretty remote. But luckily, there are a few good options to get there.

How to get there:

You can fly into Oslo and then catch a short domestic flight to the town of Leknes, one of the main entry points to the islands. Our friends flew into Evenes/Narvik airport and rented a car from there to drive through the archipelago. Alternatively you can fly into Bodø and take a scenic ferry across to Moskenes, (which is where we took the ferry from), and the good thing about that is you end up right in the heart of Lofoten.

When to Go & How Long to Stay:
I visited Lofoten mid-August, just after the midnight sun period had ended. The days were still super long, with the sun only setting for a few hours beneath the horizon, but it doesn’t get completely dark again until the end of August. I actually really enjoyed visiting in August, as it was just after the peak tourist season in July and the area felt a bit quieter and more spacious without losing their vibrant summer energy.

Summer (June to August) is ideal if you want to hike, swim, paddle, or road trip under near-constant daylight, while early Autumn brings a more peaceful vibe in light and colour. Winter, on the other hand, is another kind of magic entirely - with snowy landscapes, cozy cabins, and the chance to see the Northern Lights. It feels a little bit like a scene out of Frozen.

If you're planning a trip, I’d recommend staying at least 4-5 days to really get to know the islands and sink into a rhythm. We stayed for 10 days (having planned a week there but extending a few days longer). There’s so much to explore, so a week is a nice amount of time to visit Lofoten. Give yourself time to follow the winding roads, linger in tiny fishing villages, and stop whenever the view takes your breath away (which is more often than you think).

Hiking:

Lofoten hikes are next level! Definitely not for the faint of heart. They’re pretty unique in that they’re not necessarily very long (usually about 2/3hrs) but the elevation gain in that time is unreal. The trails shoot almost straight up from sea level into sharp peaks, often with panoramic views over turquoise water, white-sand beaches, and tiny red cabins below. It’s raw, dramatic, and very rewarding - but not exactly leisurely! Many hikes are short in distance but steep and technical, with some sections of loose rock or scrambling. That said, the payoff is incredible. I did [insert a hike or two you did here e.g., Reinebringen, Ryten, Mannen], and the views were unreal - you’re literally standing on top of a mountain. They’re some of the most rewarding and scenic hikes I’ve ever done. Here are some of my favourite hikes:

Ryten

This was the first hike we did, and it’s one of the easier ones. It lasts between 2-3 hours (elevation gain 540m) and is scenic the whole way, with rolling hills, lakes, and ocean views. The big reveal comes once you reach the top, where you look straight down onto Kvalvika Beach. Although when we got to the top it was completely foggy so we had to wait a few minutes for the clouds to pass to catch a view of the beach. I still can’t get over the colour of the water here.

Reinebringen

SO many steps, intense and busier but definitely worth it. The stone steps were built by Sherpas to make the climb more accessible, but it’s still a serious leg-burner. It’s like being on a neverending StairMaster. It’s not a long hike - maybe 1.5hours roundtrip but you climb a good 450m in elevation. Once you make it to the top, you’re rewarded with one of the most iconic views in all of Lofoten: the tiny fishing village of Reine surrounded by fjords, and jagged mountains as a backdrop. It’s probably the most popular hike in the islands, so what a lot of people do in the Summer is hike it in the middle of the night or leave super early morning to beat the crowds. We brought coffee and had our breakfast at the top.

Munkebu

We were looking for a slightly longer trek for a full day hike and this one was perfect. This was one of my favourite hikes in Lofoten. It had a more remote feeling, (we barely saw anyone) and offered a bit of everything: lakes, mountain passes, ocean views, and a hut at the end. It felt more like a full-day adventure than just a hike. You walk all the way up to the Munkebu Hut (where you can also stay the night if you’re going on further), and the changing scenery along the way made it feel like several hikes in one. There are sections that are steeper with chains/ropes so best to avoid doing it on a wet day. Bring layers and snacks, and enjoy the longer hike. It lasts about 5 hours (10km) but only about 400m elevation gain.

Flakstadtind

Steep and a little off the beaten path, this hike was relatively short again (2hrs) but the climb was pretty significant (480m). The very last part of the climb was more of a scramble up the mountain - there were parts really surprised me in how steep they were. The hike was quiet, it felt like a local secret. The summit views were absolutely stunning. This time we got lucky and had clear blue skies thankfully! It felt like a local secret.

Stornappstinden

A short but powerful hike. It’s only 2km long but with a 740m elevation gain. The ascent is pretty much straight up, but it’s doable and again if you’re lucky with the weather you’ll get some sweet views of the bays below. We didn’t have such luck, and it was another windy, misty non-view from the peak for us! Still worth it though for the views on the way up and the trail wasn’t too busy either which was a bonus.

Andstabben

We wanted to squeeze in one final hike on our last day here before taking the ferry back from Moskenes. So we found this quieter gem tucked away from the crowds. This trail felt more rugged and less well maintained than some of the others, but the views at the top were incredible! It felt like the views you’d expect from Hawaii - sheer cliffs falling into the ocean, and then jagged peaks on the other. It was like standing on the edge of the world. If you’re looking for a less busy option and OK with a bit of a scramble, this hike delivers.

Activities:

Unwind in a sauna:
Lofoten has quite a few saunas dotted around (see map below for my recs). And if you know anything about Lars and I, you’ll know we love a good sauna. And are on the hunt for them wherever we go. The sauna / Arctic dip combo is unbeatable. It takes some getting used to the cold water but is the most exhilarating feeling! Highly recommend.

Visit Bunes Beach:

Take a ferry from Reine all the way through the fjord to Vinstad where you can walk to Bunes Beach. If you’re looking for a more relaxed walk with little elevation - and not a proper hike, this is a good alternative. Optional dip in the sea on arrival.

Kayaking:

We never got around to kayaking - as we were so busy with other things! But from Reine you can rent out kayaks and paddle around the fjord.

Surfing:

There are a few places around where you can rent surfboards. We liked the look of Lofoten Beach Camp. There was not enough swell when we went so we used their sauna instead but the beach is beautiful and would be a sweet setting for surfing. I remember board and wetsuit rental being pretty pricey but then again I suppose it’s a once in a lifetime kind of experience to surf in Arctic waters!

Visit the little fishing towns:

There are some charming little fishing villages worth exploring. Take a drive and go for a wander - the views along the way are almost worth the trip on their own.

Have an Arctic beach day:

If the weather is good and your legs want a break from hiking - enjoy an Arctic beach day. Don’t be fooled though, the water may look like it’s from a Caribbean postcard, but it’s still pretty chilly!

Food & Drink

There aren’t a ton of restaurants around Lofoten - it’s more of a cultural thing I’ve found to be the case across Norway in fact. So we mostly made our own food. That said, there are some quaint little bakeries that serve up delicious cinnamon buns, a few dotted cafés and some bars here and there.

Some bar/restaurant highlights:

Anita’s Sjømat: for fishcake sandwiches and local seafood. The setting is fun too and you can buy souvenirs too.
Trevarefabrikken: an old warehouse that now has a cafe and bar, a sauna and also hosts events throughout the summer, sometimes yoga too. Their pizzas are delicious!
Brygga Restaurant: we went here for a beer at the end of our Munkebu hike. You’re surrounded by the rorbuer (old fishing cottages), and it’s a cute atmospheric setting.
Tapperiet Bistro: nice cozy vibes in the heart of Reine.
Oriana Kro: they also do pizzas down in the little fishing village of Nusfjord.

Café/bakery recommendations:

Delicious options for cakes, cinnamon & cardamon buns and snacks!

Bakeriet på Å
Lofoten Bakery
Henningsvær Lysstøperi
Hansines bakeri
Lofoten Bakeri
Bringen

Where to Stay

Lofoten has a real mix of accommodation options - from traditional fishermen’s cabins (rorbuer) to more modern stays or AirBnbs. We rented a house out through AirBnb for our group of 6 for our time there in the heart of Reine and were really happy with the location. It depends what you’re after but we found that staying around Reine area was ideal as there’s a lot of hikes and activities closeby.

Check out the map below for a list of accommodation options.

Lofoten Islands Map

This map includes more spots that I didn’t have time to cover in this post - including viewpoints, hikes, activities, restaurants and places worth stopping at. I highly recommend renting a car from the airport to visit as much of the island as possible. There really is so much to see and you can’t go too wrong!

Exploring Lofoten: Travel Guide

Introducing Lofoten: