The five best things to do on Norway's Lofoten Islands
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Loading... - Ramirez Irma
- 27 Apr 2023
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Internationally known for awe-inducing natural beauty, rich cultural traditions, and outdoor activities, the Lofoten Islands are one of Norway's most famous tourist magnets.
The destination seems to have something for everyone - visitors looking for an active vacation can enjoy long hikes and kayaking, fishing enthusiasts can try their hand at some of the best fishing in the world, while "bucket-listers" can test their luck and try to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Regardless of the category you fall into, our guide on the best things to do once you actually reach Lofoten will help you make the most out of the trip.
1. Set aside an entire day for a road-trip
Reaching Lofoten can be somewhat of a challenge. There are no train connections to the archipelago, the Hurtigruten ship voyage can be quite expensive, and trips by car (which are then combined with ferry connections) tend to take a while.
The fastest way to reach the islands is via plane. If you're taking the plane, we recommend renting out a car (well ahead of your trip) for the duration of your stay on Lofoten. Multiple rental companies have car collection points at the Svolvær airport.
Having a car lets you embark on road trips which are among the most picturesque in the world. We recommend setting a day aside for a trip along the Scenic Route Lofoten, which runs between Raftsundet and Å, with detours to Nusfjord, Vikten, Utakleiv, Unstad, Eggum, and Henningsvær.
If you depart from Svolvær to Å, you'll need about 2-3 hours to make the trip in one direction. If you do make the trip from Svolvær to Å, make sure to visit Anita's Sjømat restaurant and delicacy shop in Reine on the final leg of the journey. It has delicious seafood, the diner is very cosy, and the staff is delightful.
2. Go on an organized fishing trip
Lofoten is an extremely popular fishing destination. If you want to try landing monstrous cod, the time to visit is between January and April.
That's when the Northeast Arctic cod (called skrei in Norwegian) returns to the area to spawn. Both commercial fishermen and fishing enthusiasts visit Lofoten during this time to try and catch skrei.
Numerous agencies and private fishing guides offer fishing trips, and the prices for group trips often start from 800-1,000 kroner per person. Private fishing trips will cost you 2,000-3,000 kroner or more, depending on the season and duration of the trip. You can also fish from the shore if you wish.
You can find an overview of fishing guides in Lofoten, here.
Some companies have teamed up with restaurants and offer the chance of having the fish you catch on your trip prepared for you for dinner.
3. Experience a sea eagle safari from a RIB boat
On paper, bird watching might seem a bit unexciting at first glance. That is definitely not the case with the sea eagle safaris offered at the Lofoten Islands. Read More…
