Everything to Know Before Visiting the Lofoten Islands

Visiting the Lofoten Islands is a once-in-a-lifetime destination. It had long been on my bucket list, and I finally booked tickets after my aunt had mentioned that Norway was somewhere she had always wanted to visit.

There’s no time like the present, and it didn’t take me long after that conversation to book our accommodation and secure our dates for summer 2025.

The Lofoten Islands aren’t the easiest destination to get to, but the reward is well worth the effort, long flights, and ferry rides. 

Here is everything to know before visiting the Lofoten Islands: 

Everything to Know Before Visiting the Lofoten Islands

When is The Best Time to Visit the Lofoten Islands?

We visited the Lofoten Islands in mid-July, which I would say is the perfect time to visit the area. We had 24 hours of sun, with the first sunset after the solstice on our last night. Experiencing the midnight sun was both disorienting and fascinating. 

Anytime the sun is up 24 hours/day is a prime time to visit the destination. However, I preferred July since wildflowers were in full bloom and it felt like summer had just arrived. 

Best Way to Get to the Lofoten Islands 

There are two main ways to get to the Lofoten Islands: 

1. Take the ferry from Bodo

This is what we did. We found it very easy to fly into Bodo, take the bus to the ferry dock, and enjoy the 3.5-hour leisurely ride from Bodo to Moskenes. There are a few things to know if you decide to take this route: 

• The ferry is free for foot passengers. If you want to secure your spot, the ferry allows 20 prepaid tickets (250 NOK) to guarantee your spot. We did this for peace of mind; however, most passengers just arrive an hour before the ferry and walk on free of charge. You can buy the prepaid tickets here. You will also want to take note of the ferry schedule to coordinate your arrival in Bodo. 
• If you plan to rent a car in Bodo and take it across on the ferry, a reservation is highly recommended. 
• If you do not rent a car and disembark on foot in Moskenes, research where you need to go ahead of time. You may be able to take a bus to your destination, or you will need to arrange transport pickup upon arrival. I recommend Guide to Lofoten, which charges a flat fee for transfer from the ferry. I do not recommend taking a taxi, as that is the most expensive option. 

2. Fly into Leknes or Svolvær

The other option is to fly into Leknes or Svolvær, which are both located on the Lofoten Islands. Leknes is roughly an hour from the heart of the islands, while Svolvær is a slightly larger and more accessible airport, and is a little over two hours away from Reine.

• Svolvær has the most rental car options from name brands like Hertz and Avis, but don't expect them to be cheap!
• It is quite easy to drive from Svolvær to Reine. The roads are not tough to navigate, and traffic is light compared to many other tourist destinations.

I looked into all options when planning our trip to Lofoten, but Bodo had the cheapest options with easy direct flights from Oslo or Stockholm, which is why we ultimately decided on that choice.

Do You Need to Rent a Car in Lofoten?

I read many blogs before traveling to Lofoten that said visiting the region without a car is nearly impossible. When it comes to everything to know before visiting the Lofoten Islands, transportation is one of the biggest factors. We rented a car for 2 of the 6 days through Lofoten Car Hire, and honestly, that felt like a great balance, although I feel like 3 days would've been easier. Here is why: 

• We stayed in the heart of Lofoten in Hamnoy. If you stay anywhere between Reine and Hamnoy, getting by without a car for a few days is totally doable if you enjoy walking and don’t mind taking a bus occasionally. 
• Renting a car for a week in the region is expensive. We opted to rent a car from Lofoten Car Hire for two days, and spent the remaining time taking ferries to hikes from Reinie and exploring the local area, which has a ton to do. Lofoten Car Hire is the only car rental in the region, without having to rent and drive from Bodo or Svolvær.
• The bus system in the Lofoten Islands is both good and bad. The bus is typically late by at least 10 minutes. When you see the narrow roads and one-lane bridges around Lofoten, it’s easy to understand why getting behind schedule is quite easy. The bus also comes through at very specific times, as it’s not built for tourists, so if you can’t be flexible with the schedule, it might not work for your trip. There tends to be some pretty big pickup gaps in the middle of the day. You’ll also want to purchase a Travel Pass Nordland, which offers a one-week public transport pass that includes buses and ferries. This will also come in handy if you plan to take the ferry from Reine to any nearby hikes or towns. 
• We saw everything else we wanted to see in the Lofoten in one day with our car rental. Having a car for the rest of the days would’ve been convenient, but we didn’t feel it was a need. 
• As long as you stay in the central Reine-Hamnoy area, a lot can be accessed from there without a car. For example, the Renie ferry provides access to Bunes Beach and other great day hikes, which we accessed by taking the morning bus into Reine & the evening bus back to Hamnoy. You can also access kayaking tours, Reniebringen, restaurants, and other attractions without a car in the region. 

So to conclude, having a car for a few days in the Lofoten Islands is a must. But if you want to save some money and not rent it for the entire week, that is entirely doable. 

Best Things to Do/See in The Lofoten Islands 

The Lofoten Islands have everything - incredible scenery, dreamworthy beaches, epic hikes, relaxing saunas, and even a surprisingly delicious food scene. Here is a list of the top things to/do see in the area: 

#1 Hike Reniebringen

Yes, this is likely #1 on just about every list highlighting things to do in Lofoten. Is the hike worth the hype? Yes, absolutely. But can it be incredibly crowded? Yes, absolutely. 

If you plan to hike Reniebringen, avoid doing it during the middle of the day. We left to hike it around 9:30 pm, and although the trail wasn’t crowded at that time, there were still plenty of people headed up to see the midnight sun. Around 11:00 pm, we shared the lookout with about 30 other people, but I hear that during the day it gets much worse!

If you truly want to do it when no one else is around, opt for an early morning hike, starting around 4 or 5 am. By that time, all of the night hikers had made their way down, but it was still too early for the plethora of day hikers. 

Aunt Candy on top of Reinebringen...Go Aunt Candy!!

#2 Explore the Beaches

I never, ever expected the Lofoten Islands in Norway to have some of the most scenic and pristine beaches I’ve ever laid eyes on. And I’ve been to my fair share to dremworthy tropical water destinations! Plan day hikes to Bunes Beach (extremely popular) or Horseid Beach, which both have trailheads accessible by taking the Reine ferry across the fjord. The Travel Pass Nordland is valid for these ferries. 

There are also plenty of beaches you can drive to, my favorite being Morpheus Beach at low tide. 

#3 Go Kayaking 

Similar to the beaches, the water in Lofoten is some of the best I’ve seen. Crystal clear waters and turquoise blue shades. It truly doesn’t get much better. There are plenty of places to rent Kayaks or paddleboards to explore the fjords. We used Nordland Kayak in Hamnoy and highly recommend them. We spent two hours out on the water, and easily could’ve spent longer. 

 #4 Eat & Explore

There aren’t many restaurants in the Lofoten Islands, but what we discovered is that what lacks in quantity is quickly made up in quality. Our studio at Reinefjorden Sjøhus has a full kitchen, where we cooked dinner for some meals. However, when we did dine out, there wasn’t a single dish that was disappointing. Eating out in Norway is not cheap, but if you budget for a few meals out, it will be entirely worth it. My top recommendations: 

• Gadus - tucked away in Hamnoy, we didn’t discover this hidden gem until our last night in Lofoten. If we had discovered it sooner, we would’ve likely thrown our home-cooked meal plans out and eaten here at any chance. Local fish, homemade pasta, and delicious rotating specials made it a top choice. 
• Underhuset - I can’t say I was expecting to eat Mexican food in Norway…let alone some of the best high-end Mexican food I’ve ever had…but here we are! A very cool location with flavorful dishes and hearty portions.
• Maritime Munchies - Great fish & chips, and the perfect place to grab a cold drink on a nice warm summer day. There is also a hidden little historical museum/shed next door that is nice to walk around and see historical photos of Hamnoy and the region. 
• Bringen Kaffebar - This was recommended to us by our driver, who picked us up from the ferry. Fantastic pastries, cinnamon rolls, and lattes. 
• Wood Fired Pizza Ryten Kvalvika Trail Farm - A tucked-away pizza food truck that sits next to a popular trailhead. Many times, the trailhead parking is full, but there is a different parking lot for the pizza, where you can grab a bite. But great pizza, good pricing, and fantastic post-hike food. 

#6 Road Trip, Hike, & Explore 

While you have a car, you’ll want to get out and explore everything the region has to offer. From exploring small fishing villages to epic hikes, you’ll want to add these places to your list of things to see/do while exploring by car: 

• Kvalavika Beach Trail - Go early, the parking lot is usually full by midday! 
• Nusfjord - Small and scenic fishing village. 
• Henningsvaer - Chain of fishing villages and islands, roughly two hours from Reine. 
• Volandstind - Stunning mountain hike with 360-degree views of the surrounding area. 
• Lofoten Woll - Wool & sweater shop on a sheep farm in rural Lofoten. 
• May Reilo Gallery - Located walking distance from Reine, a stunning hidden gallery w/ affordable art pieces for sale. No maps listing, but located here. 

Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands 

By far the best place to stay in the Lofoten Islands is from Reine to Hamnoy, which is about a two-mile stretch of islands and coastline. By staying here, you’ll be in the heart of the best landscapes and sights in the Lofoten Islands. Regarding everything to know before visiting the Lofoten Islands, where to stay is key. 

We stayed at Reinefjorden Sjøhus and I think we had one of the best views of any hotel in the region. If you aren’t on a backpacker's budget, this spot is well worth the splurge and offers options that sleep from 2 to 6 guests. They also offer saunas, hot tubs, kayaking, and paddleboarding all directly from the hotel. 

If you are on a backpacker's budget, great news. Wild camping is encouraged all throughout Norway, and it is never hard to find a place to park or pitch a tent for the night. If you’ve been looking at hotels & Airbnbs and cringing at the price, my biggest recommendation would be to rent a car or van and camp. You won’t regret it! This is what I would’ve done in my early 20s, but not so much on this trip with my 78-year-old aunt. 

There are plenty of other hotel, airbnb, and lodging options in the region. With it being light 24/7, I felt the splurge on a room with a view was worth it. We didn't spend much time there during the day, but evening and nights were unreal!

Everything to Know Before Visiting the Lofoten Islands - Is there anything else you'd like to know that I missed in this piece? Let me know in the comments!