You probably know them: those stunning images of the Lofoten Islands in Norway. This archipelago consists of dozens of islands and is a true paradise for nature lovers, hikers and photographers. In Lofoten, you’ll find dramatic landscapes, idyllic villages and breathtaking views. No wonder this destination is becoming increasingly popular among travellers! In this article, I’ll tell you more about this beautiful island group in northern Norway and show you where to find the most beautiful places in Lofoten.
How the Lofoten islands were formed
The Lofoten Islands were shaped by geological processes that began millions of years ago. The landscape is dominated by mountains rising straight from the sea. These peaks are actually the tops of underwater mountains pushed up by tectonic activity. You’ll find many fjords in Lofoten, carved by glaciers during the last ice age.
What makes Lofoten so special?
The combination of towering mountains rising from the sea, countless small islands and deep fjords creates a breathtaking landscape. Add to that picturesque fishing villages, local culture and traditions and you have the perfect ingredients for a unique destination. Because of all this, a stay in Lofoten can be incredibly diverse. Enjoy scenic hikes along white beaches, climb rugged peaks, visit authentic villages, drive the famous E10 road by car and indulge in culinary delights at excellent—and above all cosy—restaurants.
Most well-known Lofoten islands
It’s impossible to list all the Lofoten islands. Many are uninhabited and some don’t even have a name. The most famous and largest islands in the Lofoten archipelago are (from northeast to southwest) Austvågøy, Gimsøya, Vestvågøy, Flakstadøya and Moskenesøya. A bit further to the southwest, you’ll find the islands of Værøy and Røst. Most Lofoten islands are connected by bridges. But in a few cases, you’ll need to take a ferry to reach an island, such as Værøy and Røst.
Beautiful places in Lofoten
There are countless beautiful spots in Lofoten—far too many to list. Still, a few locations stand out as particularly scenic and photogenic. Of course, every visitor’s experience will be different, as it largely depends on the weather and other conditions. Below, I’ll share some of my favourite beautiful places in Lofoten.
Hamnøy (Moskenesøya)
Hamnøy is one of the most photographed places in Lofoten and it’s easy to see why once you arrive. This spot has everything you expect from Lofoten! Hamnøy sits on a small island, nestled right next to towering mountains that rise from crystal-clear water. The village is especially known for its red fishermen’s cabins, perched on stilts over the water or on rocky outcrops. It’s a favourite location for photographers and images taken from the same viewpoint often appear across all seasons and in every imaginable weather condition.
The best spot to photograph Hamnøy is from the bridge. If you’re driving from the northeast, there’s a small parking area on the right just before the bridge. Walk a short distance up the bridge and you’ll see the exact scene that often pops up in photos. Don’t forget to explore the village itself, too. The buildings on the island create charming and unexpected views—it’s a great place to walk around with your camera.
Å i Lofoten (Moskenesøya)
Å in Lofoten is the southwesternmost village on the Lofoten Islands that is accessible by car. In fact, this is where the famous 967-kilometre-long E10 road comes to an end, stretching all the way to Luleå in Sweden. Or, depending on how you look at it, this is also where it begins.
Å is one of the oldest villages in Lofoten and has a rich history. It has always been an important fishing hub, where stockfish used to be processed in large quantities. Wander through the narrow streets and enjoy the sight of all the wooden, colourful houses on stilts. At the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum, you can visit a traditional fishing village and learn how daily life unfolded between 1840 and 1960. You’ll also discover more about the local fishing culture and the region’s history. It’s lovely to stroll around Å. Like the rest of Lofoten, it offers many beautiful and especially colourful viewpoints. Don’t forget to walk over to the spot just before the tunnel, where a few rowboats are resting in the water. It’s a gorgeous little spot!
Ramberg beach (Flakstadøya)
One of the most beautiful beaches in Lofoten is undoubtedly Ramberg Beach. It’s not just tourists who flock to this spot; the locals love it too. The beach is famous for its white sand and turquoise water, creating a stunning contrast with the surrounding mountains. There are many white beaches in Lofoten with crystal-clear water, but the water here is especially blue! Ramberg Beach is a fantastic spot for photography, with a view that is nothing short of phenomenal. From here, you look out at numerous tall mountain peaks located in the northeastern part of Moskenesøya. Especially on cloudy days, the opposite shore appears mystical, with mountain peaks shrouded in clouds. A visit to Ramberg Beach is truly a must during your trip—it’s definitely one of the beautiful spots in Lofoten.
Nusfjord (Flakstadøya)
Nusfjord is one of the oldest fishing villages in Lofoten and also one of the best-preserved. In 1975, UNESCO added the village to the World Heritage list to help preserve its traditional Norwegian architecture. There is an entrance fee to visit the village, as it functions as an open-air museum. Nusfjord still exudes the atmosphere of days gone by. As you walk through the small harbour, you can easily imagine what life was like here in the past. There are several beautiful spots that offer great views of the village; these spots are marked on Google Maps as photo points and as the Panorama Nusfjord. Be sure to stop for a warm drink at Landhandleriet Café. The café is set up like an old shop and there are several small, intimate rooms where you can enjoy a drink and a bite to eat.
The drive to Nusfjord is impressive in itself. You’ll drive through dense forests, which are especially colourful in the autumn. Along the way, you’ll pass Storvatnet Lake, where enormous rock faces rise steeply from the water’s edge. Nusfjord is incredibly photogenic—definitely not to be missed during your trip to Lofoten.
Uttakleiv Beach (Vestvågøy)
Uttakleiv Beach is listed as one of the most beautiful beaches in Lofoten and attracts many visitors every year. While it has less white sand than some of the other beaches, it offers stunning rock formations on the shore and crystal-clear blue water. Uttakleiv Beach is also a popular spot for photographers, thanks to the spectacular sunsets that can be seen here. There is an entrance fee to access the beach, but it’s definitely worth it.
Sakrisøy (Sakrisøya)
Sakrisøy is a small fishing village on the almost-namesake island of Sakrisøya. The village stands out due to the predominantly yellow houses found here—highly photogenic yellow houses that contrast beautifully with the mountains further in the distance. The water is crystal-clear here as well, even on cloudy days. There is a fairly spacious parking area along the road near Sakrisøy Mini Apartment. If you park here, you can photograph the yellow houses from both sides of the road. One of the houses (the one on the far right) is frequently featured on social media, photographed in different seasons.
Want to get in the mood for your trip to Lofoten or continue enjoying it afterward? Watch the Norwegian series Twin, where identical twin brothers Erik and Adam (unwillingly) swap roles. The series is mainly set on the island of Sakrisøya and the accommodations Sakrisøy Gjestegård and Sakrisøy Rorbuer are used in the show as both homes and businesses (accommodation rental).
Svolvær (Austvågøy)
Svolvær is the largest town in Lofoten and an important hub for tourism. You’ll find cosy restaurants and cafés, along with a variety of nice shops. One of the highlights of Svolvær is the iconic mountain Svolværgeita, a favourite among experienced climbers. From the top, you’ll have an amazing view of the town and the surrounding islands.
Svolvær is home to the Lofoten War Memorial Museum, which features an extensive exhibition of uniforms and artefacts from World War II. Many activities are organised from Svolvær, including boat trips to the famous Trollfjord. The hike to Tjeldbergtinden also starts near Svolvær.
We only spent a short time in Svolvær, but even though it’s the largest town in Lofoten, many neighbourhoods still feel cosy and intimate. Be sure to visit the harbour—there you’ll find red houses and many traditional (fishing) boats.
Haukland Beach (Vestvågøy)
A beach that definitely deserves a spot on the list of Lofoten’s most beautiful beaches is Haukland Beach. It features truly white sand and, like many other beaches, crystal-clear water. During our visit, the water had a more vibrant green hue than the bright blue you’ll see at Ramberg Beach, but it was still an absolutely stunning spot. There is a spacious parking area and for a drink or a light snack, you can stop by the Haukland Beach Café.
Kabelvåg (Austvågøy)
Another historic fishing village is Kabelvåg. As you enter the village, the impressive Vågan Church immediately catches your eye. Built in the 13th century, it’s an important piece of cultural heritage. If you’re interested in marine life in Lofoten and/or local fishing traditions, a visit to the Lofoten Aquarium is highly recommended. At the Lofoten Museum, you can explore authentic fishermen’s cabins and learn more about the history of the Lofoten Islands. A great spot to take beautiful photos is from the pier—on one side, you’ll see colourful houses and on the other, there’s a wide view of the sea.
Henningsvær (Austvågøy)
You can take beautiful photos of a colourful harbour with dramatic mountains in the background in the fishing village of Henningsvær. Henningsvær consists of several small islands connected by bridges. The village is a popular destination for artists due to its inspiring scenery and the playful light that falls over it—you’ll find several art galleries here. A great spot to take photos is from Dreyers Gate, near the Henningsvær Port Viewpoint (marked on Google Maps).
Reine (Moskenesøya)
Reine is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful villages in the Lofoten Islands—and even one of the most picturesque places in all of Norway. The village is situated on a peninsula and is therefore almost completely surrounded by water. Reine is also well known for the Reinebringen Trail, a hiking route that leads to the top of the nearby mountain, offering a sublime view of Reine and the surrounding mountains and fjords.
Beautiful hikes in the Lofoten Islands
There are countless beautiful hikes to enjoy in the Lofoten Islands. A popular one is the Reinebringen hike, as mentioned earlier. The trail is quite steep and you’ll need to climb almost 2,000 stone steps. But once at the top, your effort will be well rewarded. Another well-known hike is the Ryten hike, which leads to a breathtaking view over Kvalvika Beach and the surrounding mountains. The hike to the Veggen summit offers stunning views of both Haukland Beach and Uttakleiv Beach. Most trails are easily accessible in dry weather, but can become slippery when it rains. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do the hikes due to bad weather… a good reason to return!
Things to do in the Lofoten Islands
There are plenty of things to do in the Lofoten Islands. Had your fill of charming villages and finished a few hikes? Ready for a different kind of adventure? Try kayaking, horseback riding, surfing or mountain biking. Prefer to be out on the water? Take a trip on a high-speed RIB boat or go sailing on a beautiful yacht. There’s no shortage of exciting activities in the Lofoten!
How to get to the Lofoten Islands
The easiest way to get to the Lofoten Islands is by flying, combined with renting a car. SAS Airlines, for example, flies from Amsterdam via Oslo (and sometimes with an extra stop in Copenhagen) to places like Bodø, Narvik and Tromsø. From there, you can drive to the Lofoten. Prefer not to drive that far? Then Widerøe Airlines offers flights from Bodø, Tromsø or Narvik directly to Svolvær or Leknes in the Lofoten.
