Note: If you want to witness the northern lights you have to visit Lofoten during winter.
By car
You can drive to Lofoten from any part of Norway and Sweden. It takes time, but gives you the opportunity to experience places along the way. Here are three alternative routes if you are coming from Oslo:
Oslo to Lofoten with ferry from Bodø (19 h): This is the fastest route to Lofoten from Oslo. You are driving along route E6 and to be honest, it’s a pretty monotonous road. It also includes a lot of road tolls. You drive to Bodø where you take the ferry to the southern tip of Lofoten – which according to me is the most beautiful part of Lofoten.Oslo to Lofoten via Sweden (20 h): If you want to skip the road tolls you can drive via Sweden instead, and cross the border a bit north of Mo i Rana. This route also includes the ferry from Bodø to the southern tip of Lofoten.Oslo to Lofoten via Kiruna (Sweden) and Narvik (Norway) (22 h): This road goes almost exclusively through Sweden and lets you see many of northern Sweden’s gems, including Kiruna, Torneälven, Torneträsk and Abisko. The road between Kiruna and Narvik is said to be fantastically beautiful. If I’m ever going to drive to Lofoten again, this is the road I would choose.
Tips! Norway is at the forefront when it comes to electric cars and charging stations. This means that you can easily drive through Norway with an electric car.
By train
You can take the train from Oslo to Bodø with a change in Trondheim (18 h) and then take the ferry (4 h) to Lofoten. If you depart from Sweden there’s a direct train from Stockholm to Narvik (19 h). You can see the timetable and book tickets for both departures at vy.no. If you plan to only visit Lofoten, I would recommend going by train. It’s easy, relatively cheap, you can combine it with a good night’s sleep and it’s the best option from an environmental point of view.
By flight
You can also fly to the Lofoten islands. There are four good options here: Bodø (with additional ferry ride), Leknes, Svolvær or Narvik. All airports connect through Oslo Airport. To reduce my carbon footprint I prefer to stay on the ground, so I’d rather take the car or train. Regardless of how you get to the Lofoten islands you will need your own car. There’s no public transportation at Lofoten, and half the fun is enjoying the scenery from your car! There are several car rental options in both Bodø and Narvik, as well as at Lofoten islands (for example in Reine and Svolvær). Here’s a good site to compare and book cars online. Here are some recommendations on Lofoten accommodation:
Eliassen Rorbuer (near Reine): Lofoten is filled with classic red rorbuer (fishermen’s cabins) and staying in one while you’re visiting can be a fun experience.Nusfjord Arctic Resort (in Nusfjord): A luxury accommodation in Nusfjord with a spa and the reputable restaurant Karoline.Rorbu Tind (near Reine): Another rorbu which is rented out via Airbnb by the sweetest host.Henningsvær Guesthouse (in Henningvær): A guesthouse at the best location in Henningsvær.Lofoten Vandrerhjem Kabelvåg (near Svolvær): A cheaper option near Svolvær.
Two great camping spots in Lofoten:
In Reine: This spot has morning sun and a great view of Reine.Uttakleiv camping: At the northern shore of Lofoten you’ll find Uttakleiv beach and camping. It costs 250 NOK for a smaller camper van to park here overnight, but in return you get toilets, a beach, sunset view and cute sheeps wandering around your car.
➳ Don’t miss: Walk along the dock for a picturesque view + visit the viewpoint at the southwest side for a view of the outermost islands of Lofoten. ➳ Don’t miss: The view of the harbour. ➳ Don’t miss: Bringen café is a great place for lunch or coffee. Thanks to Find us Lost we found our way to a smaller island nearby with a picturesque bridge (placed on this map). ➳ Don’t miss: The view – it’s magnificent. ➳ Don’t miss: Take a walk along the dock and admire the turquoise water + take a photo of the yellow houses from the bridge that connects Sarisøya with Olenilsøya. ➳ Don’t miss: The impressive view from the bridge connecting Hamnøya and Toppøya. ➳ Don’t miss: Driving over the bridge, or flying over it with a drone. Make sure to check the drone regulations for Norway before you fly. It can be hard to find a parking space near the starting point, so you might have to park a bit further away and walk for a bit to get there. If you want to get a view of Kvalvika beach from above you should continue your hike up to Ryten mountain top. It’s a more difficult hike, but is probably worth it if you have the leg strength. ➳ Don’t miss: Walk a few minutes up towards Ryten mountain top to get a better view of the beach. ➳ Don’t miss: The straight road from road E10 towards Nusfjord. It has a spectacular mountain backdrop! If you want a fine dining experience I’ve heard great things about Restaurant Karoline at Nusfjord Arctic Resort. ➳ Don’t miss: The sunset! ➳ Don’t miss: The cinnamon bun at Unstad Arctic Café ➳ Don’t miss: Walk around the town center and visit the famous Henningsvær soccer stadium. I can also recommend this Midnight sun safari. ➳ Don’t miss: The 360 degree view from the top!
