Visit the gorgeous Lofoten: Full guide plus 3 day, 5 day and 7 day itinerary

Back in spring 2023, we found ourselves living on Hadseløya — a small island close to Lofoten — and absolutely fell in love with the whole region of Northern Norway. As the snow slowly melted away, we spent weekends exploring the stunning area, and of course also Lofoten: The dramatic coastlines, the historic fishing cabins ("rorbuer"), and some of the most memorable hikes of all our travels.

Getting to and around Lofoten

Arrival by Plane

Most travelers arriving for a Lofoten trip fly into Harstad/Narvik (Evenes) Airport. From there, it’s about a 2h45 drive (ca. 170km) to Svolvær in the heart of Lofoten. Other options include flying into Bodø, then taking a ferry to Svolvær, or flying into Tromsø and either driving, taking the bus or taking the Hurtigruten/Havila ships down to Lofoten.

Rental Car

Having your own (rental) car is by far the easiest way to explore Lofoten. You can set your own pace, stop whenever you see a scenic viewpoint (spoiler: you’ll want to do this a lot), and head off the main route for less-crowded spots.

If you’re looking for a reputable local provider, I highly recommend Lofoten Rental Car. They gave us an excellent deal when we rented from them for several weeks in the low season.

Public Transport

You can get around Lofoten by bus, but schedules can be somewhat limited, especially during the off-peak months. This can still work if you plan carefully or have more time to spare. Check Reis Nordland for schedules and routes.

Best time to visit Lofoten

The best time to visit Lofoten depends on what you are looking for. Every season on these islands is beautiful, but each has a different charme.

Most people visit Lofoten during the summer months, from June to August. This is arguably the best time for excellent hiking conditions, mild weather and to experience the midnight sun. However, it does get very crowded, especially in July and August, when the Norwegians also have their school holidays.

The shoulder season (May to mid-June, late August to early October) is my favourite time to visit. Lofoten sees way fewer visitors, but the weather is still decent for most outdoor activities. Depending on the year, you might get late or early snow on the trails, so not all of them might be possible.

Lofoten in winter, from November to March, boasts magical snowy landscapes. You can go skiing, dog sledging and snowshoeing - and you have a good chance to see the Northern Lights! However, you’ll need to account for shorter days and potential road closures.

How long should you spend in Lofoten?

I would suggest to spend 5 days - this gives you enough time to explore without a rush and tackle some of the less crowded hikes. 7 days is a great amount too and will give you the chance to add a few more hikes as well as a trip by Hurtigruten to the famous Trollfjord.

If you have only 3 days, don't despair! We've got you covered with a condensed version of the itinerary and you'll want to come back to explore some more for sure!

3-day itinerary for Lofoten

With only 3 days, you’ll get a quick feel for Lofoten’s highlights — cozy fishing villages, stunning hikes, and dramatic coastal views. It’s a fast-paced itinerary but still enough to experience what makes Lofoten so special.

Day 1: Arrive in Svolvær

Fly into Harstad/Narvik (Evenes) Airport and drive ~2h45 to Svolvær.

If you get there early and feel up for a hike, head to the Devils Gate hike. This one usually takes about 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on how fast you move. The final part can be somewhat tough, but it’s absolutely worth the effort! If you’re newer to hiking or just want a less demanding route, this alternative trail might be a better fit. It’s a shorter walk but still has great views.

In the evening, stroll around Svolvær’s harbor area. Have dinner at a local spot like Restaurant The Kitchen or Sakura Lofoten Svolvær if you’re craving sushi.

Day 2: Kabelvåg, Henningsvær & a Hike

In the morning, drive to Kabelvåg for a quick look around (it’s small but charming). Then continue onwards to Henningsvær. Wander through the fishing village, check out the art galleries (e.g. Gallery Lofoten and Engelskmannsbrygga) and take some photos of the iconic stockfish racks.

After lunch, head out for a hike: Svarttinden near Henningsvær is a good option (takes 3–4h) with great views over the coastline.

In the evening, stay in Henningsvær or drive onward to Ballstad or Leknes for your next day’s activities.

Day 3: Ryten, Reine & Å

Start early and drive to Fredvang and to tackle the Ryten hike (3–4h). It’s popular for a reason — the views overlooking Kvalvika Beach are amazing.

After the hike, drive down to Reine, another famous fishing village. If you still have energy (and time), do the short but steep Reinebringen hike (2–3h).

End the day in Å, the southern tip of Lofoten. Stroll around the small harbor, or just relax and soak in the last of the island’s epic landscapes before leaving Lofoten.

5-day itinerary for Lofoten

This 5-day plan is perfect if you want to see the highlights of Lofoten without rushing too much. It’s again based on landing at Harstad/Narvik Airport (Evenes), picking up a rental car, and heading straight into Lofoten. If you are travelling by public transport or flying into a different airport, you might need more time to complete this itinerary.

You might consider staying in just one — or at most two — spots on Lofoten and using them as your base for the itinerary. Driving times aren’t too long if you have your own car (for example, going from Svolvær down to Å at the southern tip takes about 2.5 hours), which also means you won’t have to constantly pack and unpack in different accommodations.

Day 1: To Svolvær

Fly into Evenes and drive ~2h45min (170km) to Svolvær. If you arrive early in the day and feel energetic, you should stop and do a bit of this hike on the way. You probably won’t have time to reach the summit, but also just the first few kilometres are gorgeous and a great introduction to the region!

In the evening, explore Svolvær’s harbor and grab dinner. If you like sushi, Sakura Lofoten Svolvær is a nice option.

Day 2: Svolvær

Today, the hiking fun starts! In the morning, hike Devils Gate (Djevelporten). This hike is quite popular so I would suggest starting as early as you can! It takes around 2.5 – 4h round trip and has some quite steep parts.

In the afternoon, visit the War Museum if you need a break from hiking. It has an impressive collection of World War 2 items and teaches you more about Norway during this time. If you still have energy, you can instead try the Tjeldbergtinden hike (ca 2h).

If you want something gentler than Devils Gate, Børa på Austvågøy is a good alternative.

Day 3: Kabelvåg, Henningsvær, and more hikes

In the morning, drive to Kabelvåg and wander around for a bit, then make your way to Henningsvær. Henningsvær is a very cute fishing village with some great shops, boutiques and galleries. Pop into some of them, e.g. Gallery Lofoten and Engelskmannsbrygga.

If you are visiting Lofoten between February and May, it's stockfish "season"! This is a great stop for some pictures where you can get a great view of the famous stockfish "fields". Beware the smell though! In the afternoon, hike Svarttinden. The hike takes 3–4h round trip. Keep an eye on the trail conditions, especially if you are hiking in spring or autumn.

Day 4: Ballstad, Haukland, and Mannen

Start your day by heading to Ballstad for the Nonstinden and Ballstadheia hike. It takes 2–2.5h to complete. Ballstad is a picturesque village, so make sure you also check it out.

After lunch, drive to Haukland Beach and hike up Mannen (takes 2–3h). Both Ballstad and Haukland can get crowded in high season, so consider starting the first hike early.

If you don't feel like more hiking, you could add the Lofotr Viking Museum to your itinerary. Or go on a sea kayaking tour to experience Lofoten from the water! Both Lofoten Artic Adventures and Reine Adventure are great options.

Day 5: Nusfjord to Å

In the morning, optionally stop by Nusfjord (note the ~8 EUR entry fee). Some people love its charm; others skip it. Your choice! Instead - if you haven't done this activity yesterday - you could go on a Kayak tour!

Continue onwards to Fredvang and hike Ryten (3–4h). This is a big Instagram favorite, so expect company in summer.

Drive on to Reine and do the Reinebringen hike (takes 2–3h). It’s mostly stairs, but steep ones.

End the day in Å, a tiny village at Lofoten’s southern tip. We’ve even spotted whales from shore here, so keep your eyes open!

7-day itinerary for Lofoten

If you have 7 days, just follow the 5-day plan above and then add the next two days below. They are only partially on Lofoten, but I would argue complete this itinerary perfectly.

Day 6: To Hadseløya

Set off early, drive to Fiskebøl and then take the car ferry to Hadseløya. If there’s a hike you missed earlier in the week, you could squeeze it in during your drive to Hadseløya.

Once on Hadseløya, consider the Haugnyken hike for sweeping views of Lofoten in the distance.

Stay overnight on Hadseløya (e.g., around Stokmarknes). Check out Galleri Uver for a coffee or cake while sitting in the sun. There are also some great hikes that start at the cafe, so if you are feeling full after having cake, you could walk around the area a bit.

Day 7: Hurtigruten and Trollfjord

Start your day with a visit to the Hurtigrutemuseet in Stokmarknes. It’s a fun deep-dive into the history of coastal travel in Norway.

In the afternoon, catch the 3.15pm Hurtigruten or Havila from Stokmarknes to Svolvær (about 3h). Leave your car behind in Stokmarknes. This mini-cruise through fjords and past mountains offers stunning views, and you can often spot whales or orcas from deck. The port-to-port tickets are incredibly affordable (ca. 17-25EUR/person one way) and you can take your own food on board.

Have dinner after your arrival in Svolvær, then catch the 10.15pm return ship back to Stokmarknes. On the way, the ship detours into Trollfjord around midnight — watching it glide through the narrow passage under the midnight sun is unforgettable.

A quick tip: Book your port-to-port tickets in advance. The short journeys can sell out fast in the high season!

Where to eat and stay in Lofoten

A few quick recommendations:

• Places to stay
  • Svinøya Rorbuer, Svolvær: Classic fishing cabins with a nice harbor view.
  • Lysvoldbrygga, Henningsvær: Cozy huts by the water.
  • Villa Lofoten, Vestvågøy: Historic cabins with character.

• Where to eat
  • Restaurant The Kitchen (Svolvær): Traditional Norwegian dishes.
  • Restaurant Lofotmat (Henningsvær): Hearty local menu.
  • Chocolateroom (Ballstad): Great pastries and drinks.

For more detailed recommendations (including places on Hadseløya), check out our Travel Map for Northern Norway.

What next after Lofoten?

If you have more time, consider exploring more of Northern Norway:

• Senja: A quieter island with epic mountain scenery (here’s our Senja guide and itinerary).
• Andøya & Vesterålen: Known for whale watching, scenic drives, and fewer crowds. You can find an itinerary here!
• Tromsø: A very cute town worth exploring! There is also plenty of hiking in the region all year-round.