Experiences
Lofoten Islands: Reinebringen, fishing villages and sea cabins
Red fishermen cabins on stilts, peaks plunging into the sea and stockfish drying on racks. How to experience the Lofoten Islands, from Reinebringen and Henningsvær to the midnight sun and the aurora, and where to stay.
It smells of seaweed and stockfish. Gulls cry over the harbour in Reine, and behind the red cabins the peaks rise straight out of the sea, so steep they look painted. You have seen the picture a thousand times. It is still something else to stand there yourself, coffee in hand, with the mountains reflected in the still fjord.
The Lofoten Islands are a chain of fishing villages, white beaches and mountains plunging into the sea, and one of Norway’s most photographed places. Here are the best things to do, when to go and where to stay.
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The best things to do in Lofoten
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Hike Reinebringen
Reinebringen is Lofoten’s most famous summit hike, right above Reine. Sherpas from Nepal have built a stone staircase almost all the way up, so the climb is steep but not technical. From the top, Reine, Hamnøy and the fjords lie below you like a model. Allow two to three hours return, and only go when the steps are dry and free of snow.
Henningsvær, Nusfjord and the fishing villages
Henningsvær sits at the end of a string of islets, with galleries, cafés and a football pitch that has become famous worldwide. Nusfjord is one of Norway’s best preserved fishing villages, and Å at the far end of Lofoten has a stockfish museum and a bakery.
Beaches and surfing
Lofoten has white sand beaches with turquoise water. Haukland and Uttakleiv are easy to reach, while Kvalvika requires a hike. At Unstad you can surf Arctic waves all year round, with a wetsuit and a surf school.
Vikings, cod season and the northern lights
The Lofotr Viking Museum at Borg is built around a reconstructed chieftain’s longhouse. From January to April the cod arrive to spawn, and the villages fill with boats and drying racks. From September to March the aurora dances over the mountains.
Where to stay in Lofoten
A rorbu is Lofoten’s answer to a hotel: old fishermen cabins on stilts above the water, renovated with modern comforts.
Reine Rorbuer
Reine Rorbuer sits in one of Norway’s most photographed villages, with Reinebringen behind and the sea beneath the floor. Walk straight to the trail and the harbour, and enjoy the restaurant on site.
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Svinøya Rorbuer
The view from a cabin on Svinøya.
Svinøya Rorbuer
Svinøya is just over the bridge from central Svolvær, with historic fishermen cabins and a much praised restaurant. A practical base if you fly into Svolvær.
Book your cabin: See rooms at Svinøya Rorbuer
Henningsvær Bryggehotell
The harbour hotel in the heart of Henningsvær.
Henningsvær Bryggehotell
The harbour hotel sits in the heart of Henningsvær, close to the galleries and the quay. The rooms have quality bedding, and there is a restaurant and bar in the house. Perfect for a quiet evening in one of Lofoten’s prettiest villages.
Book your cabin: See rooms at Henningsvær Bryggehotell
Lofoten Links Lodges
On Gimsøy lies one of the world’s most unusual golf courses, where you can play under the midnight sun in summer. The lodges have kitchenettes and large windows facing the sea, and in winter it is a fine spot for the aurora.
Book your cabin: See rooms at Lofoten Links Lodges
When is the best time to visit Lofoten?
June and July: midnight sun, light nights and flowering mountains. Peak season.
August and September: fewer people, good hiking and the first northern lights.
February and March: cod season, snowy peaks and the aurora. Cold, but beautiful.
You reach Lofoten by flying to Leknes or Svolvær, by ferry from Bodø to Moskenes or by car along the E10.
Lofoten Islands FAQ
How long does the Reinebringen hike take?
Most people take two to three hours return. The stone steps are steep, so go at your own pace and only when they are dry and free of snow.
How do you get to the Lofoten Islands?
Fly from Bodø to Leknes or Svolvær, take the ferry from Bodø to Moskenes, or drive the E10 from Narvik.
When is the midnight sun in Lofoten?
The sun does not set in Lofoten from late May to mid July.
What is a rorbu?
A rorbu is a traditional fishermen’s cabin on stilts by the sea. Many have been renovated into accommodation with modern comforts.
Where should I stay in the Lofoten Islands?
Reine Rorbuer is perfect for Reinebringen and western Lofoten. Svinøya Rorbuer is by Svolvær, Henningsvær Bryggehotell is in the village centre, and Lofoten Links Lodges sit by the sea on Gimsøy.