Wondering what not to miss during your stay in the Lofoten Islands? You’ve come to the right place!
The Lofoten Islands, located off the coast of Norway above the Arctic Circle, are one of those places that can be described as unique in the world. After more than a month in Norway, we didn’t think we’d be surprised, but we were. The scenery is simply breathtaking, combining rugged mountains, sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters.
We’ve listed below the ten most beautiful places to visit and photograph during your Lofoten Islands vacation (with a little bonus to finish).
Our top 10 on our map
We loved doing this top. While in some geographical areas we have 1 or 2 favorite landscapes, in Lofoten the scenery is so spectacular everywhere that we had to think long and hard about this top 10.
We’ll take you with us to explore this little corner of paradise!
1. Watching the midnight sun from the village of Reine
Let’s start with what we think is the must-see village: Reine in the south of the Lofoten Islands! This small fishing village is often described as the most picturesque in Lofoten, with its red fishermen’s huts set on an archipelago of islands, surrounded by mountains plunging into emerald fjords. It’s the postcard of Norway’s Lofoten Islands.
As you generally know, we try to get off the beaten track to offer you alternatives to the touristy or too-familiar places.
➡️Soyons honestly, we didn’t find any other village as charming as Reine during our stay.
➡️On recommends that you visit after 9pm in summer, to take full advantage of the peacefulness of the site and the midnight sun. The soft, warm lights completely transform the landscape, giving it an almost magical dimension. You can park at the entrance to the village, where the view is sublime, as you can see from our photos, which were taken around 11pm in late June.
In winter, it’s also a great spot for watching the Northern Lights!
2. Reinebringen hike: the picture-postcard highlight
For our second Lofoten must-do, we’ve decided, after much consideration, to tell you about the incredible hike up Mount Reinebringen. If you’re only going to do one hike during your stay, we recommend you choose this one.
For those looking for an accessible hike with a view that rewards every effort, Mount Reinebringen offers a breathtaking panorama. The view of turquoise fjords, rugged mountains and the picturesque village of Reine is simply unreal!
- Topography: 4 km round trip and 400m D+ – approx. 1h30 round trip
- We advise you to leave at the end of the day, around 7pm, to avoid the crowds and take full advantage of the tranquil setting.
- Free parking in the village or along the road
3. Hauklansatranda: THE white sand beach
For this third must-see, we take you to a sublime white sand beach– yes, you’re still in Norway’s Lofoten Islands!
Haukland Beach (Hauklandstranda) is recognized as one of the most spectacular beaches, famous for its fine white sand that contrasts magnificently with the turquoise waters of the ocean and the rugged mountains in the background.
Even though it lies beyond the Arctic Circle, its landscape is more reminiscent of the tropics than a typically Nordic scene.
A hiking trail allows you to get a little higher for an even more spectacular view.
4. Offersoykammen and the turquoise sea
For our fourth must-see, we recommend theOffersoykammen hike. Although unpronounceable, it’s well worth the effort.
As always in Norway, the climb is steep, with the path leading straight up to the top of the mountain, where the panorama is once again incredible! We’ll leave you to admire the photos.
Topography: 2.5 km round trip and 406m D+ – about 1h30 round trip – free parking at the trailhead
5. Å the typical village: robuer and cod dryer
A second village we recommend in the Lofoten Islands is Å, pronounced O (Norwegian doesn’t seem to be a very accessible language), at the southern end of the archipelago. In our opinion, it embodies the essence of a traditional Norwegian fishing village, with its authentic “Rorbuer” (fishermen’s huts) and characteristic cod dryers.
The Rorbuer buildings, with their bright red wooden facades set directly on stilts at the water’s edge, add color to the landscape. Å is also famous for its cod dryers, where the fish are hung out to dry in the open air (until mid-June, I hear the smell is very nice…).
6. Safari in Trollfjord
Obviously in Norway and the Lofoten Islands this is the must-do activity, we set off by boat to explore the surrounding fjords, to visit nearby villages inaccessible by road and we were able to observe a sea eagle catching fish in the fjord waters. Quite a show!
We set off on a (silent) catamaran from the village of Svolvær (in the center of the Lofoten Islands), for 3h30, with the Brim Explorer company.
7. Ryten summit and Kvalvika beach
For this 7th item, we’re once again talking about a hike, because in Lofoten, to take in even more of the view, you have to get up high!
Accessible only on foot, this secluded beach is framed by majestic mountains. The view from the top of Ryten over Kvalvika beach is one of the most beautiful (and best-known) in Lofoten.
Topography 7 km round trip and 600m of D+ – about 4 round trips – small free parking area at the start of the hike (we advise you to get there very early or very late)
8. Sakrisoy’s mythical yellow hut
Thanks to the vertiginous peak in the background, this pretty little yellow hut in the village of Sakrisøy has become a must-see when visiting Lofoten. It’s a very photogenic place.
Color point colors: traditional village huts on the Lofoten Islands are usually painted red (a cheap pigment), while those painted yellow were often a sign of affluence. Yellow paint was more expensive than traditional red paint, so the use of this color could reflect the owner’s status. So they’re rarer!
➡️En while writing this article, we discovered that it’s possible to book this famous yellow hut several months in advance, as the interior has been lovingly decorated: see prices and availability here.
9. Henningsvaer: the most famous soccer stadium
Henningsvær is another charming fishing village, often dubbedthe “Venice of the North” due to its unique location and natural canals. The access road from the south is magnificent.
It’s best known for its soccer stadium, but let’s face it, without a drone, the view isn’t quite as impressive.
It’s also a popular starting point for hiking the famous Svolværgeita peak.
10. BONUS: Vaeroy Island, a preserved gem
For this last point, we step out of the frame a little with the Vaeroy Island which is far less well known than the previous spots, yet offers some incredible scenery.
It’s a small mountainous island of just 600 inhabitants in the south of the archipelago, accessible only by boat.
If you have time, we recommend taking the ferry from Boddo to Vaeroy (a one-night stop may suffice) and then from Vaeroy to Moskenes. If, and only if, you make a stopover in Vaeroy, both ferry trips are FREE (yes, you’re not dreaming!). It’s a pretty incredible option, considering that Vaeroy Island is one of our favorite Norwegian islands, and you’ll be able to do some sumptuous hiking there almost on your own! Official website for timetables and bookings.
We’ve put together an article with our detailed budget for the Lofoten Islands and our tips for saving money while making the most of this little corner of paradise.
The Lofotens archipelago: geography and special features
- Location: this Norwegian island group lies north of the Arctic Circle. This chain of islands stretches for some 200 kilometers in the Norwegian Sea, from the Bodø peninsula to the island of Røst.
- What to expect Geographically remarkable, the archipelago is characterized by steep, pointed mountains, deep fjords, sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters (as in the tropics), contrasting with the emerald green of the pastures.
- Climate: relatively mild compared with other regions at the same latitude, thanks to the Gulf Stream current. This temperate climate allows for a surprising wealth of flora and fauna.
- Why are the Lofoten Islands so famous? Two natural phenomena can be observed here: the midnight sun in summer and the northern lights in winter.
We hope this article will help you plan your stay in the Lofoten Islands. And who knows, maybe, like us, you’ll let yourself be bewitched by the unique charm of this place.
We’ve had a lot of fun writing this article and looking back at all our incredible photos. If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Find our detailed Lofoten itinerary here.
Don’t hesitate to leave us a note or 5 stars below, to let us know if you’re planning this trip, to ask any questions you may have, below we’ll answer you with great pleasure. You can check out our Instagram stories from our Norway trip, to give you a taste of what’s in store!
