The Lofoten Islands

Extending for around 109 miles, the Lofoten archipelago consists of many islands and is administered by the municipalities of Vågan, Vestvågøy, Flakstad, Moskenes, Værøy and little Røst, far out in the ocean to the southwest.

Despite its location above the Arctic Circle – at the same latitude as Greenland – Lofoten experiences a notably warmer climate thanks to the circulation of the Gulf Stream. Nonetheless, it is considered a subarctic destination.

The islands offer a variety of experiences, from RIB adventures to horse riding and brewery tours. Go fishing for meter-long cod, witness the magic of the Northern Lights or stay in an authentic fisherman’s hut.

Whatever you choose to do, no one forgets a visit to Lofoten.

Though you’ll find rorbu (fishermen’s cabins) all along the Norwegian coast, they are most associated with the Lofoten Islands. Most notable at the water’s edge, they are often built atop sturdy timber piles.

Originally providing a place for cold, exhausted fishermen to offload their equipment and find shelter for the night, the cabins now attract tourists from near and far. Today, many rorbu serve as cafes and restaurants or are rented out as accommodation.

With water at every turn, it’s not surprising that Lofoten is renowned for its fishing. Seabed variations in Vestfjorden limit the exchange of water between the fjord and the open sea, producing temperatures that make it a favored spawning ground for skrei between January and April.

Indeed, thousands of fishermen make their way here every year for the Lofotfiske. The cod harvested here is a delicacy that graces dining tables around the world. You too can set sail to reel in cod, haddock and wolf fish on a boat trip.

No visitor to Svolvær, Lofoten’s largest settlement, could possibly miss the sight of Svolværgeita (the Svolvær Goat): two rock formations shaped like goat horns that loom over the town. This double peak, 1936 feet above sea level, caps off nearby Mount Fløya. 

There are several climbing routes up the mountainside, and the vista from the top out across Svolvær and the sea is sensational. And if you’re brave enough, you can jump five feet from one goat’s horn to the other!

With their location above the Arctic Circle and beneath the Auroral Oval, the Lofoten Islands are a fantastic place to witness the magic of the Northern Lights.

Between December 7 and January 5, Svolvær is cloaked in 24-hour darkness, giving visitors the best chance of seeing the aurora shimmering in the star-studded sky.

During the summer months, visitors to the Lofoten Islands will experience the Midnight Sun. Locals will tell you that this 24-hour sunlight is best viewed from the archipelago’s western beaches, such as Utakleiv and Eggum on Vestvågøy Island. Also on the island is Unstad Beach, a popular spot for surfers as there are good waves during stormy sunsets.

Elsewhere, the northern island of Gimsøy features a series of small but delightful beaches that wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean.

Most visitors to Norway want to catch a glimpse of a puffin, and there is no better place to do so than Røst.

Lying at the southernmost tip of Lofoten, this tiny island is home to not only the country’s largest puffin colony but also the largest number of nesting birds in Norway – some 25 percent of the country's seabird population.