Our Lofoten holidays & tours
The Lofoten Islands are an especially scenic region of Norway, with crystal clear seas and white sandy beaches, picturesque and plentiful fishing villages, and majestic pointed mountains, behind which the summer sun shines, hides, but never sets. Our Lofoten Islands holidays present an idyllic way to relax amongst some spectacular unspoilt scenery, meet some friendly local people, and explore on foot, by bike, or by boat, or even via sea swimming. Our holidays eschew some of the busier parts of the islands to seek out authentic experiences and connect you to communities who welcome responsible tourism: independent restaurants and coffee shops, family-owned hotels and local artisans.
Lofoten Islands summer photography holiday, Norway
Midnight Sun Photography in Norway's lovely Lofoten Islands
From
£3950 to £4350
9 days
ex flights
Lofoten sailing holiday in Norway
Sail Lofoten’s magic; fjords, freedom & unforgettable moments
From
€1150
8 days
ex flights
Lofoten Islands winter photography holiday, Norway
Unique Photography in Norway's beautiful Lofoten Islands
From
£3500 to £3800
8 days
ex flights
Norway small group holiday
Explore the landscape and history of Norway
From
£3285 to £3720
9 days
ex flights
Lofoten Islands self guided cycling holiday, Norway
Cycling vacation in Lofoten, where nature meets adventure
From
NKr25600
8 days
ex flights
Lofoten swimming holiday in Norway
A unique experience swimming in the Arctic Circle
From
£2999
7 days
ex flights
Contact Us
Call us for a chat about our holidays. We are happy to discuss your holiday and help in any way we can. No bots, queues or awful hold music.
01273 823 700
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Lofoten Islands map & highlights
The Lofoten Islands’ remoteness means reaching them entails a smorgasbord of flights and crossings. Most visitors fly from Oslo to Bodø, then it’s a 25-minute flight to Svolvær on the island of Austvågøya, although flying into Leknes on Vestvågøy is another option. Travellers with more time can use the scenic express boat, which stops off at islands and takes around four hours. Once here, the E10 road stretches to the tip of the archipelago. Cycling is safe but can be strenuous, while hiking allows you to access peaks and untouched beaches. With the sea and glaciers the architects of this landscape, it’s worth hopping in a boat or kayak to appreciate the corrugated cliffs and dramatic fjords.
Beaches
1. Beaches
No one comes to the Arctic Circle for a beach holiday, but don’t overlook Lofoten’s sandy shores. White sand and turquoise waters give Haukland a Caribbean feel (if you ignore the hefty mountains bracketing it), while Skagsanden is ideal for a summer driftwood fire in the glow of the midnight sun. Some of the best beaches aren’t accessible by car, including Bunes, reached by a ferry from Reine and a one-hour hike.
Hamnøy
2. Hamnøy
The oldest fishing village in the Lofoten archipelago is tiny, pretty and colourful. Think traditional red fishing huts (rorbuer), grey rocks, turquoise waters laced with green seaweed in summer, or whipped into white peaks in winter. A deep gash in the cliffs nearby is home to hundreds of kittiwakes, whose calls echo from inside. Come in May for the Elijazzen Festival.
Henningsvær
3. Henningsvær
Rather than perch on the craggy shore, Henningsvær spreads across a group of tiny islands off the southern coast of Austvågøya. Houses painted red, yellow and green sit above the waters of Vestfjord on wooden piers, earning it the nickname ‘Lofoten’s Venice’, with Mount Vågakaillen looming above. Hike for an hour up Glomtinden for great views down over the village and beyond.
Moskenstraumen
4. Moskenstraumen
The tip of Lofoten is home to a huge variety of wildlife, best viewed from a boat. Cormorants and gannets colonise the rocks, and the seas are churned by the moskenstraumen, or maelstrom, one of the strongest systems of tidal eddies and whirlpools in the world. Its heaving currents attract whales, seals and white tailed eagles.
Reine
5. Reine
At the tip of the archipelago on Moskenesøya and with just over 300 residents, Reine proves that small is beautiful. A precipitous road down gives a bird’s eye view of its red fisherman’s huts and glassy waters. From here, travel 10km to the end of the road at Å or take a ferry around Reinefjord, to appreciate the glaciated peaks from the water and - in spring - spot orca.
Trollfjord
6. Trollfjord
No trip to Norway is complete without experiencing at least one fjord from the water. Trollfjord is an exciting example, its narrow mouth just 100m wide with mountains either side that soar to 1,100m. Hurtigruten ships squeeze in here during summer, but a RIB ride is the best way to explore, watching out for sea eagles that soar above; with wings like barn doors, you can’t miss them!
