The Lofoten Islands at a glance
The Lofoten Islands are a chain of mountainous islands in northern Norway. Fishing villages with red cabins sit between steep peaks, open beaches and narrow fjords. The scenic road along the E10 runs from Raftsundet to Å. With its detours it is 230 km long, and you can drive it without a ferry.
This guide covers tours, northern lights, the midnight sun, Reine and Hamnøy, Henningsvær, hiking, beaches, boat trips, rorbu cabins, getting there, road trips, weather and where to stay. Prices are in Norwegian kroner (NOK) and can change.
Our picks: Lofoten
Our take: the electric ship takes you quietly into the Trollfjord; the day trip covers the villages from Svolvær to Å; the northern lights tour comes with a photographer and food.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lofoten sightseeing day trip from Svolvær to Å
- Return transport Svolvær to Å
- Live guide
- Photo stops
Transport from Svolvær to Å and back with a guide, photo stops in Hamnøy, Reine, Nusfjord and Henningsvær, and a lunch break.
Check availability →
Northern lights tour with a guide and photos
- Guide and photographer
- Warm drinks and food
- Photos
A guide and photographer chases clear skies with you, with warm drinks, food and photos of the night. A sighting depends on the weather.
Check availability →
Silent Trollfjord cruise by electric ship
- Live guide
- Heated indoor areas
- Tap water
A quiet electric ship from Svolvær into the narrow Trollfjord, with a live guide and heated indoor areas.
Check availability →Lofoten tours and day trips
Boat trips, sea eagle safaris, northern lights tours and more, with live prices and availability.
Guides to the Lofoten Islands
Start with what you want to see, then work through getting there and where to stay.
Things to do in Lofoten
Villages, hikes, beaches and boats.
Lofoten tours compared
Boat trips, fishing, northern lights and guided hikes.
Northern lights
Season, tours and places to watch the sky.
Midnight sun
Dates by place and where the horizon is open.
Reine and Hamnøy
The most photographed corner of the islands.
Henningsvær
Bridges, galleries, climbing and the football pitch.
Hiking
Reinebringen, Ryten and Festvågtind.
Beaches
Haukland, Uttakleiv, Ramberg and Kvalvika.
Boats, cabins and getting around
The practical pages for planning the trip.
Boat tours
Trollfjord, sea eagles and RIB trips.
Rorbu cabins
What a rorbu is and where to find one.
Getting there
Flights, the Bodø ferry, buses and driving.
Road trip along the E10
Villages and stops from Raftsundet to Å.
Weather
Seasons, daylight and planning.
Best time to visit
Aurora, midnight sun and the shoulder months.
Where to stay
Reine, Svolvær or Henningsvær.
Looking at the wider region? Northern Norway covers the islands as part of a longer trip, and Tromsø has its own guide. This site stays on the Lofoten Islands.
How the Lofoten Islands fit together
The main stops, from the southern tip to the north.
Å, Reine and Hamnøy
The E10 ends at Å, where the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum shows old fishing buildings. Reine is a working fishing village with narrow streets, and Hamnøy has red rorbu cabins. Respect residents' privacy and do not touch the stockfish on the racks.
Reine and Hamnøy →Leknes and the beaches
Leknes has an airport and is a bus hub. From there you reach Haukland, Uttakleiv and Ramberg, and the Kvalvika beach lies in the Lofotodden National Park.
Beaches →Svolvær and Henningsvær
Svolvær is the departure port of the Trollfjord cruise. Henningsvær sits on small islands joined by bridges, with galleries, climbing and a famous football pitch.
Henningsvær →A few things to know before you go
Points that affect how you plan and what you pay.
No general tourist tax in 2026
A national law on a visitor levy took effect on 1 July 2026. Municipalities can start charging from 2027. There is no tourist tax that applies across the Lofoten Islands in 2026.
An airport bus to Svolvær
Since 1 July 2026 a year-round bus runs from Evenes airport to Svolvær (route FB85), next to the regional bus. By car, Evenes to Svolvær takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, longer in winter.
Getting there →The Bodø ferry is free on foot
Foot passengers travel without a fare on the Bodø to Moskenes ferry. Vehicles pay: NOK 605 for a car up to 6 m and NOK 1,302 for 6.01 to 8 m, one way (2026). A seat guarantee is an optional extra.
Parking at Haukland
Cars with up to 9 people pay NOK 26 per 60 minutes. The first 20 minutes are free with a valid ticket. Register right away at the machine, through EasyPark or at the café when it is open.
Beaches →The midnight sun has no single date
The window runs roughly from 28 May to 14 July, and at Uttakleiv from 25 May to 18 July. Mountains can hide the sun, so the place matters.
Midnight sun →Ramberg toilets come in 2027
A permanent toilet building at Ramberg beach is planned for summer 2027. The parking area and the beach path stay.
More independent Norway guides
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one region.
Tromsø
The Arctic city: northern lights tours, whales and dog sledding.
Lyngen Alps
Ski touring, hiking and dark skies east of Tromsø.
Northern Norway
Lofoten, the North Cape, Hurtigruten and the northern lights.
Norwegian Fjords
Geiranger, Nærøyfjord, the Flåm Railway and Preikestolen.
Stryn, Loen and Olden
Loen Skylift, Briksdal and the glaciers of the Nordfjord.
Lofoten Islands: frequently asked questions
Where are the Lofoten Islands?
They lie in northern Norway. The E10 runs along the chain from Raftsundet to Å, and the villages of Svolvær, Henningsvær, Reine, Hamnøy and Nusfjord are the main stops.
How do I get to Lofoten?
You can fly to Leknes or Svolvær, usually via Bodø, take the ferry from Bodø to Moskenes, or fly to Evenes and continue by bus or car. A daily Leknes to Oslo flight also ran from 22 June to 23 August 2026. Details are on the getting there page.
When can I see the northern lights and the midnight sun?
The northern lights are a dark-season sight, roughly September to April, and cannot be guaranteed. The midnight sun runs from late May to mid-July, depending on the place.
How much do tours cost?
Adult prices range from NOK 1,095 for a RIB trip or a fishing trip to NOK 1,490 for the Trollfjord cruise from Svolvær. The tours page compares them.
Is this the official Lofoten website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of Visit Lofoten, Visit Norway, a ferry company or a tour operator.