Reine and Hamnøy at a glance
Reine sits between the Vestfjord and the Reinefjord and is the administrative centre of Moskenes. It is not a museum. Fish is still landed and processed here, the streets are narrow and people live behind the red houses. Respect privacy, stay on public paths and never touch stockfish that hangs out to dry.
Hamnøy is a fishing village with red rorbuer around the harbour, popular with photographers. Reine, Hamnøy, Sørvågen, Tind and Å all offer traditional fishermen's cabins as places to stay. Above the village rises Reinebringen, one of the most popular hikes in Lofoten. Plan this stop as a half day for the villages, or a full morning if you climb.
Visiting the villages
Simple rules that keep the places working.
Walk Reine on foot
The village is small and the roads are narrow. Park at a proper car park and walk. Do not stop in the road for a photo and do not block driveways.
Photograph Hamnøy from the right place
The red cabins around the harbour are the classic view. Use a pull-in or car park instead of the verge, and stay off private ground.
Leave the fish racks alone
Stockfish is a product, not a prop. Look, but do not touch or lean on the racks.
Think about where you sleep
If you want to wake up in the harbour, read the guide to rorbuer and the where to stay in Lofoten page. Not every cabin has the same facilities, so check each offer.
Our pick: Reine from the water
Our take: a guided kayak tour below the peaks around Reine.
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.
Tours around Reine and the south of Lofoten
Boat trips, hikes, northern lights and day trips, with live prices and availability.
The Reinebringen climb
Short, steep and weather dependent.
The mountain is roughly 450 to 485 m high. The path is steep, graded medium to demanding, and a stone staircase leads up the mountain. The climb takes 1 to 2 hours and is about 2 km from the start of the path, or 5.8 km round trip from the car park at Reine Ytre Havn. The two distances use different start points.
The season is May to September. Winter brings avalanches, ice and snow, and ice is possible in early autumn as well. The climb is not advised in winter.
Safety and parking for Reinebringen
What to do before you start climbing.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Wind | Do not climb in strong wind. Above 10 m/s it is especially dangerous |
| Fog and rain | Stay down in fog or rain |
| What to bring | Sturdy shoes, water and extra clothing |
| Children and dogs | Not advised for small children and dogs |
| Where to park | At Reine Ytre Havn |
| Where not to park | Passing places, the main road, nature areas and blocked driveways |
Check the price and rules on the signs at the car park. For most visitors, a good plan is an early start on a calm, dry summer day, with a plan to turn back if the weather changes. Bright evening light does not make the route safer.
The sea around Reine is also a good reason to look at a Lofoten boat tour on a day when the weather is too poor for the climb.
Getting to Reine
By car, bus or ferry.
Bus 18-772 runs Å, Reine and Hamnøy. Bus 300 links Å, Leknes, Svolvær and Narvik. Check the timetable for your date, as days and departures change.
The ferry from Bodø lands at Moskenes. Passengers travel free without a vehicle. A conventional car up to 6 m costs NOK 605 one way and a motorbike NOK 177 (2026). A seat guarantee is an optional extra, NOK 130 for a car up to 6 m or NOK 65 for an adult on foot. More on the getting there page.
Planning your day in Reine
One way to sequence the village, the climb and the weather.
Morning: the climb
If the sky is clear and the wind is calm, climb early. Reinebringen takes 1 to 2 hours up, so allow time for the descent and a rest at the top.
Midday: the villages
Walk through Reine, then continue to Hamnøy for the harbour view. Both are small, so an hour or two each is enough unless you stop for photos.
Bad weather: switch to the water
On a day that is too windy for the mountain, look at a boat trip instead. Operators cancel when conditions are uncertain and offer a rebooking or a refund.
Dark season: look up at night
From September to April northern lights are possible over the village. They are never guaranteed, and clouds decide. The climb is not advised in winter.
More around Reine
Places and topics to read next.
Lofoten hiking
Reinebringen, Ryten, Mannen and Festvågtind.
Rorbuer
Fishermen's cabins as places to stay.
Where to stay
Reine, Svolvær or Henningsvær.
Northern lights
Season and spots, never a promise.
Lofoten road trip
The E10 and its stops.
Henningsvær
Galleries, climbing and the football pitch.
Reine is the southern anchor of a much longer coast. For the whole region, see Northern Norway.
Reine Lofoten: frequently asked questions
Is Reine worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the most photographed places in Lofoten, with red houses under steep peaks. Allow half a day for the villages, longer if you climb Reinebringen.
How do I get to Reine?
By car along the E10, by bus 18-772 from Å or by ferry from Bodø to Moskenes. Check current timetables for your date.
Where do I park for Reinebringen?
At Reine Ytre Havn. Do not park in passing places, on the main road, in nature areas or in blocked driveways.
Is the Reinebringen climb safe?
It is steep and graded medium to demanding. Stay down in strong wind, fog or rain, and avoid it in winter. Take sturdy shoes, water and extra clothing.
Is lofotenislands.org the official site for Reine?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to the municipality, tourism organisations, ferry companies or tour operators it mentions.