There's much more to Norway than visiting Oslo and learning about the Vikings. Norway is home to other tourist destinations such as Bergen, Trondheim, and of course, Lofoten Islands, which we'll go over in this list.
The Lofoten Islands are hidden gems across the turbulent waters of the Norwegian Sea above the Arctic Circle. Lofoten is known for its fishing, villages, and outdoor attractions. Lofoten is also known for its unrestricted landscape of mountains, fjords, seabirds, beaches, and the like.
Want to visit the Lofoten Islands? You sure can plan a trip for the foreseeable future. Just make sure you research the haunted places in Norway and set aside one week because you'll need seven days to see Lofoten, and here's what the perfect itinerary looks like.
10 Flying Isn't The Only Form Of Transportation To Lofoten Islands
You could fly or commute to the Lofoten Islands or you could plan a road trip. A road trip in Lofoten is easier than you'd think, as the E-10 road connects all of its islands together. So, you could rent a rental car once you touch down at Leknes Airport or Svolvær airport. Also, a rental car can give you more freedom to explore Lofoten, whose islands are within a 60-minute drive of each other.
9 The Lofoten Islands Offer A Variety Of Accommodations
If you need a certain type of accommodation, Lofoten has you covered with its variety of accommodations such as hotels, hostels, fisherman cabins, and campsites. You might want to stay in Svolvær or Leknes if you're looking for a convenient and lively city that'll satisfy your urban needs. Moreover, you can find a stylish, eco-friendly hotel in the Thon Hotel Lofoten, which offers picturesque views of the Svolværgeita Mountain and free wi-fi access on site.
8 Tackle Some Of The Most Challenging Hikes In Lofoten Islands
If you're a hiker, you'll find out that Lofoten provides a grand stage for some of the most challenging hikes in Scandinavia. Check out Moskenesøy, Lofoten's westernmost island, for the most popular trails with many adventure companies and walking guides based in and out of Reine. Also, we highly recommend that you snap some photos after you absorb the extraordinary panoramic viewpoints whenever you take a short break from tiring hiking to catch your breath.
7 A Lot Of Artistic Opportunities Await In Lofoten Islands
In Lofoten, the art is endless. Art is more than just photography and photographers, it's for everyone with a creative spark in them. So, if you're suffering from blank canvas syndrome, you'll rediscover your creative spark in Lofoten. You can stop by Kunstnerhuset for a temporary studio space for artists working with paint, graphics, and vice versa. Art is sort of a way of life in Lofoten and it's a more positive activity for all.
6 Surfers Can Catch Waves In Lofoten Islands
Surfers are always welcome in Lofoten. Lofoten's Unstad Beach is a magnet for cold water surfers as it's alongside the deep sea surrounding Vestvågøy. According to the international surfing community, Unstad Beach is known as one of the best surfing spots in Europe. Just a heads up, its waves are the most stable during fall and winter, so surfing in Lofoten isn't for the faint of heart like, say, the newbies who are brand-new surfers.
5 You May Not Get To See The Northern Lights
Sure, Tromsø and Alta steal the spotlight for aurora spotting in Norway, but the northern lights make Lofoten a fascinating alternative for sightseers. The only downside to Lofoten is that its coastal location tends to have higher cloud covers. That being said, you may not get to see the northern lights, so don't get your hopes up. Please just try to focus on getting the chance to see some remarkable islands on your Scandinavian getaway.
4 Bring Different Outfits Just In Case The Weather Changes
Sure, Lofoten is located on the same latitude as Nunavut, Canada, and Murmansk, Russia, but its climate is rather mild, thanks to the Gulf Stream, the North Atlantic Currant, and the Norwegian Currant. So, you shouldn't expect it to be freezing cold all year round, as its winter temperatures rarely dip below freezing, its summer temperatures tend to start at the 60-degree mark, and its rainiest season is from September to November of each year.
3 Lofoten Islands Is Expensive Unless You Get Creative
Yes, Lofoten is expensive, but if you get creative, you can find good deals. According to Capture The Atlas, you can pay an average of $13.18 USD per night during the low season compared to around $20.28 USD per night during the high season. Seven-plus dollars may not be a great deal, but it's a good deal. In addition, you should take into consideration the daily cost of food, as restaurant and cafe costs add up quickly.
2 Learn More About Vikings In Lofotr Viking Museum
Lofoten and Norway in general are known for Vikings, but you sure can experience the Viking lifestyle up close and personal at Lofotr Viking Museum in Borg. Its reconstructed chieftain's village on top of a hill is a major highlight for visitors and locals alike. If you're interested, you can stay for a little bit longer to enjoy an authentic Viking feast complete with mead, songs, and stories with a local chieftain and his wife.
1 Reine Isn't The Only Village You Should Visit In Lofoten Islands
You'll likely pay a visit to Reine first, but there are many other villages to explore in Lofoten. Just five minutes out of Reine, you can find Å, a fishing-oriented village. If fishing isn't your forte, you can head over to Svolvær, the largest city in Lofoten, or Henningsvær, a well-known village built on several small islands. Wherever you visit and whatever season you're in, you'll find gorgeous settings and stunning waterside views in Lofoten.