How many days do you need in Lofoten Islands?
Plan on spending four or more days in the Lofoten Islands. This gives you enough time to drive the full length of the Lofoten Islands, visit a few towns, and hike a few trails. If you like hiking or if you want to fully immerse yourself here, one week would be perfect.
In fact, Lofoten has one of the world's largest higher temperature anomalies that have been observed in such high latitude. This is because of the Gulf Stream, which brings warmer waters and prevents the sea around the archipelago from freezing fully during the winter.
However, something that already makes potential visitors to Lofoten pause is the high prices. Travel to the islands requires expensive flights, car rental, or a complicated combination of trains and ferries. Accommodation prices soar throughout the summer season due to high demand.
According to official statistics, more than a half a million people visit the Lofoten Islands each year. Figures compiled by local hotels suggest that figure is even higher — closer to 1 million a year. Another 300,000 come ashore from cruise ships.
We'll cover what to do in Norway if you have a 1-day stopover or a long backpacking trip planned. We recommend a minimum of 5 days to really explore and delve into what Norway has to offer. If you have less time than that, don't worry – there's still lots you can see and do.
The best time to visit the Lofoten Islands is any time outside of December and January, when the sun doesn't rise at all. The calendar either side of these dark days offers abundant treats, from the Northern Lights in winter, orca spotting in spring and excellent hiking and biking in summer and autumn.
Trollfjord Cruise
Located close to Svolvaer, Trollfjord is considered one of the most beautiful fjords in the Lofoten archipelago. With steep cliffs rising high above the narrow fjord, it looks really picturesque. The waters here are crystal-clear and the reflections can be stunning.
Oh that's right, you can't do an epic Lofoten road trip if you don't have a car! You can either fly to Svolvær and rent a car from there, or fly into Bodø and get the ferry across to Moskenes in the south of Lofoten.
You can see the Northern Lights in Lofoten from late August to mid-April.
Weather in Summer
The weather system in the Lofoten Islands is rather unstable and it shouldn't be expected to have tropical temperatures during the summer months. In fact, the average temperatures are 10 degrees Celsius in June, 13 in July and 13 in August.
Why is Lofoten so warm?
The Lofoten Islands have also a very mild climate although they are so North because sea currents convey warm water northward along the Norwegian coast. It is the Gulf Stream that keeps the climate so mild.
This is a beautiful beach with the perfect view over to Vestvågøy. On warm summer days, the beach is crowded with locals and visitors and those who feel brave enough can go for a refreshing swim in the azure blue sea.
With temperatures averaging around 0 degrees Celsius (though days up to +5 and down to -10 can be expected), the Lofoten winter isn't nearly as cold as other places in Norway. However, strong winds make it feel colder so it's important to bring enough warm clothes.
Welcome to our home
Lofoten is a place of contrasts. It's a natural wonder with thriving local communities. It's where mountains meet the sea, and where local businesses meet recreation. Lofoten's distinctive magic lies in its ability to bring together everyday local life with a global interest in its natural beauty.
Driving to Lofoten
It takes just over three hours. It's also possible to drive without using the car ferry. However, driving from Bodø to Moskenes takes up to 8 hours and that still includes a smaller ferry crossing from Bognes to Lodingen. Driving a completely ferry-free route via Narvik takes at least 8.5 hours.
There are four standard meals in Norway: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and kveldsmat.
June, July and August are the best months to go to Norway for warmer temperatures and longer days. The warmest month in Norway is July, when there's the fabled midnight sun – ideal for hiking, cycling, kayaking and berry picking.
In general, travel in Norway can be expensive with an average trip costing around €115-305 (1,315-3,488 NOK or $125-333 USD) per person per day.
Then again, Lofoten's weather is notoriously unpredictable, so maybe it will surprise you with some consistent sunshine! So regardless of what the weather forecast is saying, bring some rain gear and warm layers that you can remove if the sun comes out.
Credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted at most places. Some stores also accept mobile payment options such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. In the unlikely event that you need cash, ATMs are available in most Lofoten towns.
Does the sun always shine in Lofoten?
Unlike Iceland, which is often referred to as the 'land of the midnight sun,' but in reality the sun only briefly remains above the horizon in the far north of the country. On Lofoten, located almost 200 kilometers north of the arctic circle, the summer sun will not sink below the horizon for nearly two months.
Conclusion. The midnight sun is a phenomenon that takes place during summer north of the Arctic Circle. During this period of time, 27th of May to 17th of July in Lofoten, the sun doesn't set below the horizon.
In Tromsø, you get great scenery too and arguably your chances of seeing the aurora are actually higher, but Lofoten's scenery is even more spectacular and it's easier to find dark skies. There are no bad places to see the Northern Lights in the Lofoten Islands.
Mosquitos: unlike the north of the Norwegian mainland, there are few mosquitos or stinging insects in the Lofoten Islands.
Should I rent a car in Lofoten & Vesterålen? Nothing beats the feeling of touring Lofoten & Vesterålen in your car, and it is thus recommended that you rent a car when you arrive in town.
There is no need for a 4×4 rental in winter and most locals just drive normal cars. More or less any road you are allowed to drive on is paved or graded, so Lofoten is not like Iceland where you might have to cross wild rivers.
Lofoten is best explored by having your own car. You can rent a car in either Leknes or Svolvær. During the popular summer months, rental cars can sell out, so I'd recommend booking early. Click here to see prices and availability for rental cars in Svolvær and in Leknes.
There is no official season since the northern lights are almost always present, day and night. Caused by charged particles from the sun hitting atoms in Earth's atmosphere and releasing photons, it's a process that happens constantly.
In 2023, we are getting closer to the solar maximum of cycle number 25, so it's considered a good year to see the Aurora.
Northern Lights season in Norway
The Northern lights are always happening, it's just that you don't see them during the day. While the Arctic Circle's midnight sun makes it impossible to see them during the summer, the long dark nights of winter are perfect for Northern Lights viewing.
Does it rain a lot in Lofoten?
The rainiest period is from September to December, the month with the most rain is that of October, while the driest months are those between April and June. In Lofoten islands, on average, about 700/800 mm of rain fall in a year, which in the winter months are mostly in the form of snow.
(Lofoten Islands and Arctic, Norway)
Very cold water temperature (43 °F) at Kvalnes (Lofoten).
The warmest temperature ever recorded in Norway is 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in Nesbyen. The coldest temperature ever is −51.4 °C (−60.5 °F) in Karasjok.
In Nordic countries (and thus also in Lofoten), we accordingly find dark, light-proof curtains in almost all bedrooms to enable an appropriate sleeping rhythm in the first place.
The source of Lofoten Water is so pure that it is the only water on the premium market that does not require any filtering or distillation while remaining high in quality and purity. It is one of the purest and best-tasting natural drinking waters in the world.
Lofoten Islands
Whales – blue, beluga, humpback and orca, polar bears, reindeer, Arctic foxes, walrus… it really is a wildlife lovers' dream!”
INSULATED SHOES
Warm waterproof shoes are a must if you want to survive winter in northern Norway. From the kids in kindergarten to the guides working in the Arctic, most Norwegians wear Sorrel shoes. They're warm, durable, stylish, and wallet-friendly.
The earth is rotating at a tilted axis relative to the sun, and during the summer months, the North Pole is angled towards our star. That's why, for several weeks, the sun never sets above the Arctic Circle.
The Lofoten Islands
Winter is the season for orca and humpback whale viewing, while sperm whales and porpoises appear during the summer.
What is the average temperature in July. The average temperature in A i Lofoten in July for a typical day ranges from a high of 55°F (13°C) to a low of 52°F (11°C). Some would describe it as moderately chilly with a gentle breeze.
What to wear in Lofoten winter?
- Go Backcountry Skiing in Lofoten. ...
- Take a sauna in Lofoten. ...
- Visit a Lofoten Christmas Market. ...
- Go surfing in the Arctic. ...
- Sail and ski in Lofoten Islands. ...
- Take a Lofoten winter photography tour. ...
- Take a sea eagle safari through Trollfjord. ...
- Experience the Polar Night.
The Lofoten Islands are located off the northeast coast of Norway, above the Arctic Circle, and they're world famous for good reason.
There is no train connection to Lofoten. Bodø is the end of the line coming from the south. The train ends at Narvik if coming from Sweden and the east. From Bodø take the ferry to Moskenes.
There are three ways to get to the Lofoten Islands: flying into Oslo and taking a connecting flight, driving from Oslo, or taking a ferry from Bodø. The best way to see the islands is by driving or biking around to enjoy the beautiful scenic route and majestic mountains surrounding you.
Lofoten is one of the most popular bucket list destinations for travellers, but very few people actually live there.
There is no direct connection from Oslo to Lofoten. However, you can take the train to Oslo lufthavn stasjon, take the walk to Oslo airport, fly to Evenes, take the walk to Harstad/Narvik lufthavn, take the bus to Lyngvær øst, then take the walk to Lofoten.
Oh that's right, you can't do an epic Lofoten road trip if you don't have a car! You can either fly to Svolvær and rent a car from there, or fly into Bodø and get the ferry across to Moskenes in the south of Lofoten.
You can see the Northern Lights in Lofoten from late August to mid-April.
Lofoten is situated just beneath the auroral oval, a belt of light that encircles the geomagnetic poles and provides some of the best chances in the world of seeing the northern lights.
Beach fun. Many people go to the beach to swim and sunbathe, but in Lofoten you will find several other activities that you can do on the beautiful beaches.
Is Tromso or Lofoten better for Northern Lights?
In Tromsø, you get great scenery too and arguably your chances of seeing the aurora are actually higher, but Lofoten's scenery is even more spectacular and it's easier to find dark skies. There are no bad places to see the Northern Lights in the Lofoten Islands.
So what I always tell people is this: if you want to experience the most beautiful landscape and are willing to pay for Northern Lights tours (or are comfortable driving in the snow), definitely head to Northern Norway.
Unlike Iceland, which is often referred to as the 'land of the midnight sun,' but in reality the sun only briefly remains above the horizon in the far north of the country. On Lofoten, located almost 200 kilometers north of the arctic circle, the summer sun will not sink below the horizon for nearly two months.
In Lofoten, the dark period is short, just under four weeks. From Bodø and farther south, the sun does actually appear even in the deepest mid-winter, lighting up the winter landscape briefly around midday. At the other end of the scale is Svalbard, where the sun disappears completely for almost four months!
While in Lofoten the polar night starts in mid December and lasts for approximately four weeks. The scientific definition of polar nights is when the sun is located more than six degrees under the horizon, but the common perception of the period without daylight starts when the mountains starts blocking for the sun.
Norway probably has the cleanest water in the world. Tap water in your hotel or restaurant tastes just as good as bottled water, and it also saves you some drinking money. Rent a car – Renting a car in the Lofoten Islands is a good idea for several reasons.
