We visited the incredible Lofoten Islands for a week in summer and fell in love with the beauty. Lofoten Islands are an archipelago located in the northern reaches of Scandinavia. Part of Norway, Lofoten is a remote nature-filled destination that we think should be high on any outdoor lover’s summer bucket list. We have put together what we think is an incredible, highlight-filled, 5 day Lofoten Islands road trip itinerary below based upon our experiences. In the lead up to our week long visit, we did extensive research, and when we were on the islands we spoke to a lot of other travel bloggers and locals to get their insight. This guide is perfect for you if you’re looking to experience a bit of nature, see some photogenic towns, hike some of the best trails in Lofoten, and check out some of the incredible Nordic beaches.
A few ‘must dos’ for this Lofoten road trip:
- Hire a car: Lofoten Islands do have some limited bus services, and very expensive taxis, however getting around by car is not only a must, but relatively affordable (considering Norway’s costs). Hire one at the airport and start your road trip from there.
- Hiking shoes: if you plan on hiking in Lofoten, we’d say a good pair of hiking shoes is a must. In summer, most of the trails don’t require more advance hiking equipment, but the rock scrambles and wet trails mean hiking shoes should be a priority.
- Hiking fitness: if you plan on hiking in Lofoten, make sure you have at least a decent level of physical fitness. The trails are hard, with lots of elevation, and should not be underestimated.
See a few other key considerations of visiting Loften Islands in summer here.
Your ultimate 5 day Lofoten Islands summer road trip itinerary:
Our itinerary is designed to be a road trip through the incredible Lofoten Islands. We have broken the islands up into “3 regions”, including based around Henningsvaer, ‘central Lofoten’ and based around Reine. The map below details these regions, and the detailed road trip itinerary will share all of the do not miss locations so you can have the ultimate bucket list Lofoten Islands visit!
Lofoten Checklist: see below for our ‘must do’ checklist on your Lofoten Islands road trip itinerary
Start: Svolvaer airport
This is the easiest entry point to Lofoten Islands (in our opinion). Catching a flight from Bodo in a tiny plane with no more than around 30 people is an experience in itself. Getting to Svolvaer is often a long travel day, with a flight changing in Bodo, then off to Lofoten. From Svolvaer, depending on your landing time, we would recommend hiring a car and heading down to Henningsvaer. Pending your entry time (e.g. morning vs late landing, we would consider this either day 1, or potentially day 0 – and your trip may be “5.5. days”).
Day 1: Henningsvaer
Your first full day in the Lofoten Islands should be spent in our favourite town, Henningsvaer. Home to a picturesque harbour, one of the most remote soccer fields in Europe, and one of the best (but challenging) hikes in Lofoten. We have put together a detailed guide to Henningsvaer (see here) which will tell you the best hikes, coffee shops, beaches, and more. However, we have listed a few ways to fill up your day in Henningsvaer below:
- Hike Festvågtind: This hike is challenging but offers spectacular views. Aim for around 2-3 hours up and 1-2 hours down (experiences hikers will go faster). Wear hiking shoes, and expect it to be tough. Enjoy the impressive views of Henningsvaer below.
- Visit Henningsvaer Stadium: Head to the most remote stadium in Europe. Bring a ball if you can as the public is allow to kick around. It’s a unique experience.
- Grab coffee at Lysstoperi Café: the best café and bakery in town. A must in Henningsvaer.
- Visit Trevarefabrikken: the cultural heart of Henningsvaer offers excellent brunch/coffee, great pizza by the water (+/- a drink or 2), yoga upstairs, a sauna, accommodation, events and much more. Definitely visit!
- Swim in Rørvikstranda: Located at the edge of the Henningsvaer town, this beach is gorgeous and worth a quick stop (or a swim!).
- See more things to do in Henningsvaer, including the art gallery, local beach and more in our Henningsvaer guide here.
Day 2: Haukland region
As you head down the islands from east (e.g. Henningsvaer) to west (e.g. Reine), you will pass through the ‘central’ region of Lofoten Islands. There’s a lot to do around here, but the ‘must visit’ locations are Haukland and Uttakleiv Beaches. These are two of the more impressive beaches on the Lofoten Islands (and some of the most picturesque we have ever witnessed). Mountains flank white sand beaches and crystal clear water. We urge you to have a swim.. even if it is a quick dip (the water is cold!!!). You can also hike up to the Mannen, which overlooks the beaches. This is a popular ‘midnight sun hike’ in Lofoten. Haukland is a very popular beach, with lots of parking available (you have to pay a small fee). You can also camp at both Haukland and Uttakleiv Beaches (we are unsure of the exact costs). If you had to choose one, we would highly recommend Uttakleiv Beaches as this is a little ‘calmer’ and more picturesque in the evening for the midnight sun (see below).
Visiting the beaches could take a few hours, or be most of the day, pending your plan around relaxing on the beach, hiking or where you want to spend the night. We chose to book a farmstay accommodation nearby Haukland, and enjoyed our morning in Henningsvaer (great coffee and breakfast), then ventured down to Haukland and Uttakleiv Beaches in the afternoon. We also included a visit to Nusfjord on this day, however this could easily be included to Day 3 or Day 5.
Staying close-by to Haukland Beach, the Mannen Hike, and Uttakleiv Beach, allows you the perfect access to one of the best midnight sun locations on Lofoten. The ‘midnight sun’ is a phenomenon where during the peak of summer, the sun does not set. The sun is always up, and this unique experience is ‘must experience’ if you are there in the middle of summer. Certain parts of the island are better suited to the midnight sun than others, and Uttakleiv is a popular location for locals and tourists alike. This is where we ventured down to at 12am to whitness one of the more unique experiences of our trip! See our Midnight Sun guide for Lofoten Islands here.
Day 3: Ryten
The 3rd day of our Lofoten Itinerary is allocated to our favourite hike on the Islands, Ryten. This hike is located near Ramberg/Flakstad, and will take up around half a day. We highly recommend you allocate the time for this hike, as it is a ‘must do’ in our opinion! In peak season, we would recommend starting either early, or later afternoon, as the carpark gets very busy. The hike can take up to 4-6 hours total, but less for experienced hikers. It’s easier than some of the other hikes on Lofoten Islands, but the last 30-60 minutes of constant elevation is pretty tough and will definitely get your heart rate up. Be prepared for incredible views. If you’re into overnight hikes, camping on the beach below Kvalvika Beach might be up your alley. This is one of the most picturesque little spots on the islands, however you will need to carry all of your gear here as it’s a ‘hike in’ ‘hike out’ situation.
In the afternoon we recommend visiting Skagsanden beach / Lofoten Beach Camp. The beach is very picturesque, and the restaurant at the beach camp is a great spot for a post hike feed and beverage. If you didn’t watch the midnight sun last night, this would also be a good opportunity and location to experience this bucket list phenomenon.
You may choose to spend time stopping at some of the following towns and view points over this day, pending the timing of your hike, however we recommend Ryten be the focus / must do activity on Day 3.
- Nusfjord
- Ramberg Bridge view points (Flakstadbruene or Fredvangskrysset)
- Rambergstranda
- Lofoten Beach Camp / Skagsanden beach
- Leknes
Day 4: Reine
The other ‘must visit’ town in Lofoten is Reine, and will be your home for at least one night (possible 1-3 nights pending your itinerary). Stay in town, ideally in a traditional Rorbu house, with views of the mountains. Reine is very picturesque, so spend some time wandering the small town.
However, the main ‘must do’ attractions in Reine include:
- Reingebringen Hike: located 1km walk from the town, this hike is a must do, with a vertical 2,000 steps up. The views are spectacular.
- Stay in a traditional Rorbu house – see our Reine guide below for recommendations.
- Kayaking tour of the fjords and arctic: This is an incredible way to see the landscape from the water. Yon can easily book these when in Reine.
- Day trips to nearby Lofoten towns: see below for some great options.
There’s also a lot more to see and do, see our Reine guide here.
Day 5: Day trips
We have included a ‘free day’ here for day trips. There are so many cute towns to explore, a plethora of incredible hikes, and day trips to other islands to consider. We believe that you will ‘need’ this day as only 4 days will end up very rushed, and not leave much time for the unfortunately fickle summer weather. You may find that ‘day 3’ is raining all day, and then use this day to tick off that bucket list hike you’ve set yourself to do. We strongly urge you to allow time to be flexible with the weather, and your plans. We also think once you visit, you’ll be wishing you stayed another day or 2, such is the charm of the towns, and the multitude of day trip options. See 10 of the best day trip options to consider in your Lofoten road trip planning below:
- Nusfjord: A well preserved fishing town that is picturesque and full of history. You will also find one of the best café’s in Lofoten here.
- Sakrisoya: A small fishing town filled with brightly coloured yellow houses. Located in close proximity to Reine, it’s an easy day trip!
- Kabelvag: Located close to Henningsvaer/Svolvaer, this is a gorgeous little town with a cute harbour and great café!
- Unstad: Fancy visiting one of the arctic surf beaches? Unstad is home to a few surf schools and a great stop for those wanting to add more adventure to their Lofoten trip!
- Ballstad: Another ‘where the locals go in summer’ town. Head to Solisden for lunch by the harbour!
- Ramberg: A cute town, a good stop for shopping/refuel, and a gorgeous beach nearby. It’s also very close to Ryten (see above)
- Leknes: A decent town to base yourself if looking for a “central” location for 1 night. The town doesn’t have much happening, but the café, Huset Kafe, is excellent.
- Svolvaer: Not a ‘must visit’, but another one of the historic towns that is worth considering. In particular, the Svinoya island (historic island) and Svolvaer Floya hike are great options.
- Hamnoy: Another historic fishing village. Filled with accommodation of traditional Rorbu houses, it’s an easy stop on your road trip.
- Å: The tiny village is located on the west-point / end of the archipelago. It’s home to a museum and a bakery. Another decent option on your road trip!
- Eggum: Another tiny fishing town on the north-east of the archipelago. Home to beautiful views, an amphitheatre, and a few trails, it’s a decent addition to the list.
- Trollfjord: Considered one of the most beautiful and underrated locations in Lofoten, Trollfjord is located east of Svolvaer.
- Vindstad: Located near Reine, this is reached via ferry and is the gateway to a few secluded beaches and hikes with incredible views.
- Håen: An epic ‘add on’ to your Lofoten trip. Catch a ferry for Moskenes and complete one of the most picturesque hikes in the region (Håen hike).
See our guide to the best towns you need to visit in Lofoten Islands here.
Possible changes or alternative options to your Lofoten itinerary:
There are so many different places you could look to add onto your Lofoten islands road trip that would changes the layout/structure of your plan. We have listed a few great ‘alternatives’ below, and detailed excellent beaches/hikes to consider adding onto the Lofoten itinerary.
- Trollfjord: A still underrated Fjord and region located east of Svolvaer. It’s a little out of the way, and would need to be something you looked into in advance to plan around it.
- Beach day trip from Reine to Bunes Beach: A gorgeous beach and hike that is only accessible via ferry from Reine.
- Camping on beach near Ryten (Kvalika Beach): An overnight hike, camping on one of Lofoten’s most picturesque beaches.. that sounds like something worth changing your itinerary for.
- Midnight hikes: We had initially planned on a midnight hike to see the ‘midnight sun’ from one of the mountain peaks. Unfortunately this didn’t end up fitting into our timeline (partly due to the weather), but it is something we urge you to consider.
- Håen (& Håen Hike): If you’re looking for a day trip, this is one to highly consider. Catch a ferry from Moskenes to Håen. This little island is gorgeous, and has an incredible (but quite short) hike with phenomenal views.
Lofoten Islands Checklist:
10 MUST VISIT/MUST DO things on Lofoten:
- Watch the Midnight Sun
- Hike Ryten
- Visit Henningsvaer Harbour
- Have a swim at Haukland Beach
- Run or kick a ball on Henningsvaer Stadium
- Hike Festvågtind
- Visit and experience Trevarefabrikken
- Have a swim at Skagsanden beach
- Visit the historic Nusfjord town
- Enjoy phenomenal views at Reingebringen
And there’s so, so much more! See our list of guides below, a ‘best beaches’, and some top Lofoten hikes to consider below!
THE BEST BEACHES ON the LOFOTEN ISLANDS:
- Skagsanden beach – This gorgeous beach is one of our favourites. Home to sweeping views, you can also camp or get a meal at Lofoten Beach Camp.
- Unstad Beach: The best place for arctic surfing on Lofoten, this beach is worth visiting!
- Vikten beach – Often not the ‘first picked’, this is a great option if wanting to beat the crowds.
- Rambergstranda – A wide white sandy beach that is definitely worth visiting.
- Bunes Beach – An incredibly picturesque beach reached via ferry from Reine.
- Vik Beach – Another gorgeous arctic beach located in central Lofoten.
- Haukland Beach – One of the most picturesque beaches in Norway (and maybe the world) – a must visit!
- Uttakleiv Beach – A top pick, close to Haukland, and perfect for watching the midnight sun!
- Rørvikstranda – Located on the fringe of Henningsvaer, this is another beautiful beach worth stopping for!
- Gimsøya – A series of gorgeous little beaches worth stopping the car for!
- Eggum – One of the most popular beaches for watching the midnight sun in summer!
EXCELLENT HIKING OPTIONS ON LOFOTEN ISLANDS:
- Reingebringen – 2-3 hours, ~3kms distance, 480m elevation (moderate)
- Festvågtind – 2-4 hours, ~3kms distance, 540m elevation (hard)
- Ryten – 3-5 hours, ~9kms, 680m elevation (easy-moderate)
- Offersøykammen – 1-2 hours, 2-3kms, 436m elevation (easy)
- Mannen – 1-2 hours, 2-3kms, 400m elevation (easy)
- Hike to Kvalika Beach – 1-2 hours extra from Ryten (see above)
- Svolvaer Floya – 3-5 hours, ~4.5kms distance, 590m elevation
- Tjeldbergtind – 2-3 hours, 3-4kms, 367m elevation
Where to stay on Lofoten Islands?
We would recommend you base yourself in a few locations, as discussed above. Spending either 1-3 nights between Henningsvaer, ‘central Lofoten’ (e.g. Leknes, Lofoten Beach Camp, a farmstay, camping at Haukland/Uttakleiv/Kvalika), Reine. We have listed a few excellent options below which may help you with your travel planning.
Henningsvaer accommodation options:
- Trevarefabbriken – Stay in the cultural hub in the heart of Henningsvaer. Our top pick for those looking to be close to town and have a good vibe.
- Villa Bryggekanten – Stay in a classic Lofoten housing with great views.
- Henningsvaer Lofoten New Apartment – Beautiful Nordic designed apartments.
- Rorbu Suite Henningsvaer – Stay in a traditional fishing house in town!
Reine accommodation options:
- The Famous Yellow House – Book early, and plan your budget accordingly. It’s popular and famous for a reason.
- May’s Apartment – A whole studio apartment in the heart of Reine.
- Catogarden – A boutique hotel in town with sauna, fitness facilities and more.
- Lofoten Hi Hostel – Up the road in ‘A’, it’s a decent budget option but not in town.
- Traditional Rorbu House – A great option in a top spot!
Ramberg: Stay at the beautiful and well located Lofoten Beach Camp!
See more Lofoten Island accommodation options below:
Our free and detailed Lofoten Island guides:
- Our detailed Henningsvaer guide
- Our guide to the fishing town of Reine
- Check out our Nusfjord guide
- 8 things to know about travelling Lofoten in summer
- A gorgeous gallery from Henningsvaer – Drone Diaries #36
- What towns should you visit in Lofoten Islands – our guide
- Watching the midnight sun at Uttakleiv Strand – Lofoten Islands
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