When is the best time to go to the Lofoten Islands? The Lofoten Islands are the pearl of northern Norway. Mountain trekking in Lofoten

What is interesting about the Lofoten Islands in Norway? Location and attractions of Lofoten. Hotels and hostels on the Lofoten Islands.

The Lofoten archipelago, washed by the waters of the Norwegian Sea, consists of rocky islands, completely indented with sandy beaches and bays. Their main advantage is wild, picturesque and untouched nature against the backdrop of calm and serenity. The Lofoten Islands are particularly famous for their fishing villages, northern lights and exciting nature safaris. This is still an incomplete list of what is interesting about this amazing corner.

Lofoten Islands on the map of Norway

Geography and climate of the Lofoten Islands

Lofoten Islands, whose total area is 1,227 square meters. km, located west of the coast of Norway and north of the Arctic Circle. The largest islands of the archipelago are: Austvogøy, Vestvågøy, Moskenesøy, Gimsøy, Värøy, Flakstadøy and Røst. Despite its location, the archipelago is characterized by fairly warm weather due to the Gulf Stream, that is, a warm current.

Svolvær - the small capital of the Lofoten Islands

Lofoten Islands - history

The first settlements on the Lofoten Islands appeared approximately 6,000 years ago. The life of the first local residents was inextricably linked with fishing and, of course, hunting. In those days, the archipelago was covered mainly by forests, so there were quite a lot of wild animals. With the beginning of the development of agriculture, Vikings appeared in Lofoten. They attached great importance to fishing, which was the reason for the appearance of fishing villages on the islands.

The first huts for local fishermen were built on the coast in 1120. Many of them are currently being converted to accommodate tourists.

Lofoten Islands - accommodation, hotels, hostels

There are many villages and towns where you can stay in Lofoten. Prices for hotels, hostels and campsites in Lofoten are traditionally high, as elsewhere (remember, this is one of the most expensive countries in the world). The options we have selected are suitable for both budget tourists and those who are willing to overpay a little for comfort/location/atmosphere:

Eliassen Rorbuer. Let's start, as promised, with former fishermen's houses, renovated into comfortable cottages. In addition to the bedroom, the houses have a living room and a bathroom. An equipped kitchen is available to all guests. The hotel is located on the island of Hamney, where you can fish, relax and feel the flavor of Lofoten.
How do you like it? That very case when words are unnecessary!
Smaken av Lofoten. Bed/breakfast hotel in an authentic fishing village near Sorvagen, where it is customary to spend the night in transit. Colorful, beautiful and not too expensive 😉 Although no, it’s expensive, of course, but it’s worth it! Because the Lofoten Islands are exactly like this hotel and its surroundings. Price per room - from 8,000 rubles.
Scandic Svolvær 3*. This chain hotel in the capital of the Lofoten Islands. High-quality, but inexpensive - the best option. The main advantage is the location (on the island, in the heart of the harbor) and gorgeous views from the windows of the rooms. Hearty Scandinavian-style breakfasts are served in the restaurant with panoramic windows. We recommend!
Not a bad start to the day, isn't it?
Vestfjord Hotel Lofoten 3*. Another hotel in Svolvær with good value for money. The rooms are standard for 3 stars, everything you need is available. Again - breakfast! To understand why we pay so much attention to them, you need to spend at least a night in a Scandinavian hotel 😉
Standard Double Room at Vestfjord Hotel Lofoten
Villa Ballstad in the village of Ballstad (just over 10 km from Leknes airport). A very cozy guest house with an adequate price for an overnight stay. From here it is a half hour drive to the main attraction of the Lofoten Islands - the Viking Museum.
This is the kind of house you can live in in Lofoten!
Vandrerhjem Lofotferie Kabelvåg . Now we go to the village of Kabelvåg, where on the shore of the fjord there is a guest house (or hostel) with very tempting prices for Norway! What awaits you? Cozy rooms, clean well-equipped kitchen, gorgeous view from the window! Price - from 3,600 rubles.
One of the hotel houses with 7 rooms (Lofoten Islands, Norway)

Holidays in Lofoten Islands

Divers and snorkelers are not uncommon on these islands. Hidden here in the clear Arctic waters is a rich world of underwater flora and fauna. Diving in the waters around the Lofoten Islands is accessible not only to experienced divers, but even to beginners. Another exciting activity while traveling can be a boat trip, during which you can watch the marine life.

In addition, tourists are attracted by its incredibly beautiful beauty. Natural light show especially impressive due to the influence of warm winter weather.

What to do and see in Lofoten

Lofoten has several must-see attractions. But for inspection interesting places Lofoten Islands you will need to either rent a car or go on an organized excursion.

Panorama of Kjerkfjorden and a fishing village on one of the Lofoten islands. (c) Jack Brauer

So, what to see in the Lofoten Islands?

Once on the island of Austvogøya, in particular in the village of Kabelvåg, it is worth visiting the local aquarium, open to visitors since 1989 . Here, in 23 aquariums, all the underwater life of the Lofoten Islands is presented - from mammals to small fish.
Those interested in the history and lifestyle of the Vikings will be interested in Viking Museum Lofotr . Located in the village of Borg, this museum is a completely restored dwelling, the length of which reaches 83 meters. The last great Viking leader, Olaf Twennumbruni, once lived here. The interior halls have been recreated with extreme precision. Today, as in the Viking Age, there is a forge and a farm here. As for the pier, there are ships here too, which make the atmosphere of the museum more believable.
In Nysfjord you can visit old fishing village , consisting of a complex of buildings erected back in late XIX- early 20th century. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that they have never been restored.

Lofoten is also perfect place For fishing. Even in winter, lovers of a good catch come here. The most impressive event for many of them is the World Cod Fishing Championship, which runs from February until the end of April. Despite the fact that the number of fishermen at this festival reaches several hundred, there are many more tourists watching everything that happens. There is still a lot to see and do on the Lofoten Islands. Everyone will find something to do or a place to their liking here, be it a quiet fishing village or a golf club.

The Lofoten Islands (Norwegian version - Lofoten, in Russian-language sources the variant is often found - Lofonten Islands) is a large island archipelago in the Norwegian Sea off the north-eastern coast of Norway. The name of the island archipelago Lofoten first appears in the Viking sagas, where it denotes places that are unsafe for ships. Most likely, the Vikings gave this name to the archipelago because of the Maelstrom whirlpool that appears between the islands of Verey and Moskenese.

The Lofoten Islands archipelago includes seven large islands– Austvogey, Gimsey, Westvogey, Flaxtadeya, Moskenesey, Rest and Verey, as well as a number of small islands and rocks. The islands of the archipelago are separated from each other by narrow straits, and from the mainland of Norway by the Vestfjord Strait. By origin, most of the islands in the Lofoten archipelago are mainland, for example, the islands of Austvogea and Gimsey were previously one of the peninsulas in Scandinavia and became islands only after the disappearance of the last glacier and rising sea levels. The rocks of the islands are perhaps the oldest in Europe; according to scientists, they are about three billion years old. All the islands in the archipelago have a mostly mountainous terrain, their coastline is heavily indented by fjords and small bays. Highest point islands is Higraftindan Mountain, located on the island of Austvøgea and rising 1161 meters above sea level. total area The islands and rocks that make up the Lofoten archipelago are approximately 1,227 square kilometers.

The first people on the Lofoten Islands appeared about six thousand years ago, coming here from the continent. Scientists cannot yet understand why the islands were not inhabited earlier; most likely, the harsh climate at that time played a role in this. During the heyday of the Viking civilization, the Lofoten Islands were visited by them only to replenish their fish stocks. Around the 9th century, the first settlements of warlike Vikings arose on the islands, and they began to establish their bases here. During the heyday of the Kingdom of Norway, and then during the period of the Swedish protectorate, little attention was paid to the Lofoten Islands, and their population was engaged exclusively in fishing. During the Second World War, after the occupation of Norway by Germany, a German tracking station operated for a long time on the island of Gimsey, recording the movement of Allied naval convoys going to the USSR and in the opposite direction. It is believed that it was this station that guided German destroyers to the British cruiser Edinburgh, which was sailing from Arkhangelsk with a cargo of gold. In the mid-60s of the last century, the Lofoten Islands began to develop transport infrastructure, and in the late 80s they became one of the centers of tourism to Norway. It turns out that now it is difficult to imagine any trip to Norway without visiting the Lofoten Islands, which are distinguished by their unique nature and attractions.

IN this moment About 24 thousand people live on the Lofoten Islands. Almost all of them, according to national characteristics, are Norwegians. The official and most commonly used language here is Norwegian, although linguists also distinguish some local dialects among the islanders. The unofficial administrative center of the Lofoten Islands is the town of Svolvær, located in a valley and surrounded on all sides by mountains; its population does not exceed 4.5 thousand people. It is worth noting that the Lofoten Islands are an integral territorial part of Norway, and the sovereignty of this state extends to them.

The currency in circulation in Lofoten is the Norwegian krone (NOK, code 578), divided into 100 øre.

Getting to the Lofoten Islands is quite easy for many tourists, especially recently. Ferries regularly run here from the ports of Trondheim and Bode, which call at the port towns of the islands of Stamsunds, Moskenes and Svolvær. In addition, ferries to the port of Sortland run from Škutvik, Narvik and Melbu. There are also air connections with the islands - not far from Svolvær there is a small airport capable of receiving light aircraft, mainly from Bode Airport. However, the bulk of tourists arrive to the islands by road. Currently, the islands are connected by a system of bridges and tunnels, including one of the largest frame-cantilever bridges in the world - Raftsundet.

Tourists who come to Lofoten are mostly accommodated in small coastal fishing villages in the private sector or in small hotels in Svolvær and other towns. The hotels, despite their size, are distinguished by a high level of service and reasonable prices.

The climate on the Lofoten Islands is classified as temperate coastal. Thanks to a branch of the warm Gulf Stream, the climate on the Lofoten Islands is much milder than in other regions located at the same latitude. There are mild winters and fairly cool summers. The coldest months on the islands are January and February, but there is no significant cold here, and the temperature very rarely drops below -1° C. During this period, light snow may fall, which melts quickly. July and August are the warmest months in Lofoten, during this period the temperature rises to an average of +12° C. Spring and early summer are quite dry, and the average precipitation does not exceed 40 millimeters. The polar day here begins around May 27 and lasts until July 17, when the sun sets below the horizon. The polar night lasts from approximately December 8 to January 8.

Most tourists go to the Lofoten Islands for fishing. Fans of fishing who come here, as a rule, rent a fishing house in a coastal village or come with their own mobile house on wheels. Slightly changeable weather does not interfere with excellent sea fishing in the summer and whale hunting in the winter. Local fishermen, due to the increasing number of tourists, are increasingly organizing tourist fishing trips, and do not engage in cod fishing, as this brings good profits at relatively low costs.

Trekking tours are also conducted on the islands. For walks in the mountains, mountain biking and kayaking, special guides organize proven routes that will allow tourists to have a good rest along the way and avoid the surprises of a changeable hike. In Svolvær in the summer you can go down to the so-called Magic Ice Gallery and also take a boat cruise along the Trolfjord. The Museum of the Reconstructed Medieval Fishing Village organizes boat tours of what is considered Norway's most beautiful Reinefjord, as well as hiking trips to Kolhelleren Cave, where you can see ancient rock paintings. One of Lofoten's biggest attractions is the Viking Museum in the village of Borge, where the Viking dwelling and their ship "Lofotr" are reconstructed to life-size. In the aquarium of the town of Kabelvåg you can see several species of seals and fish that live in the North and Norwegian seas. A trip on a small boat to the majestic Maelstrom whirlpool, which is mentioned even in the immortal works of Jules Verne, will not leave even the most experienced tourist indifferent.

Lofoten Islands of Norway... This place has attracted the attention of many tourists, and for more than one century. Novels and stories were written about Lofoten, poems and many paintings were written, and even sculptures were sculpted, looking at the mesmerizing rocky peaks. Here you can take an unforgettable whale safari, as well as see the Maelstrom - the most dangerous whirlpools in the world, lovers active rest they can conquer more than one peak, go down a mountain river, ride mountain bikes, and also contemplate the beauty of the northern lights in winter.

Lofoten is a chain of seven islands with narrow straits, covering an area of 1227 square meters. km, home to a small population of 25 thousand people. The climate is quite mild, thanks to the Gulf Stream, and even in the winter months in the southern parts of the islands the temperature does not fall below zero.

Farmer's paradise and fishing treasure

In addition to all of the above, the Lofoten Islands are considered a paradise for farm. In 1994, Lofoten lambs gained worldwide fame and were recognized as the best. And fishing lovers will certainly appreciate the wealth of fish, mainly cod and herring, in the local waters. After all, it is here that cod returns to spawn after migrating to the Barents Sea.

The local population is mainly engaged in fishing, and cod harvesting methods have been preserved to this day, dating back to Viking times. IN last years there is a tendency to organize fishing trips for tourists - so local residents it is possible to earn more with less effort, especially since the flow of tourists here is constant.

Maelstrom Whirlpool

The Lofoten Islands are also popular thanks to the most dangerous whirlpool in the world - Maelstrom(Maelström - Moskenstraumen), which is also called the navel of the earth. The difference in water level in the whirlpool can be 4 meters. This is formed a natural phenomenon when the North Atlantic Current and tidal wave collide. Many learned about the whirlpool from the story of Edgard Poe, and about Lofoten from the novel “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” by Jules Verne.

You can admire killer whales only in the cold season - from October to February. Similar excursions are organized near the archipelago on large ships and even on rubber boats. Adult whales are majestic and graceful, with their impressive size - up to 9 meters in length and weighing up to 10 tons. Unique photographs in which you can capture the huge carcasses of black and white killer whales jumping out of the water can be remembered for many years.

What to visit in Lofoten Islands?

Cozy fishermen's rorbu houses, cottages, or apartments - no matter where you stay, you will find a lot of interesting things to do in Lofoten.

You can see that the Lofoten Islands are an archipelago in the northwest of the country in the Norwegian Sea. Its rocky islands are separated by small straits, and the archipelago is separated from the main territory of the country by the Westfjord. The Lofoten Islands are a corner virgin nature with unspoiled landscapes, beautiful bays, white sand and crystal clear waters.

general information

The archipelago consists of many small islands and 7 large ones (Eustvågøy, Vestvågøy, Moskenesøy, Røst, Yimsøy, Jalakstadøya, Värøy). The total area of Lofoten is 1227 square meters. km. The capital of the Lofoten Islands is the city of Svolvær on the island of Eustvågøy - an administrative, commercial and fishing center.

Small villages have been built on the Lofoten Islands, where about 25 thousand people live. The main occupation of the islanders is sheep breeding and fishing. Mostly cod is caught. Fishing bases on the Lofoten Islands in Norway are located everywhere.

Climatic conditions

The climate of the Lofoten Islands is temperate maritime, characterized by small annual and monthly temperature ranges, heavy precipitation, and strong winds. Maximum positive temperatures were recorded in July, with thermometers reaching +25°C. The Lofoten Islands are cooler in winter, with thermometers reaching +5°C.

Attractions

The archipelago holds many amazing things. The main attractions of the Lofoten Islands are:

On the island of Eustvogoy

Vestvogøy Island

Flakstadøy Island

Moskenesoy Island

Entertainment

After sightseeing, you can have some fun. A popular activity among tourists is a whale safari. The timing of appearance of whales off the Lofoten Islands is from mid-autumn to mid-winter. In addition, if you wish, you can conquer one of mountain peaks on foot or by bike, kayaking and sea - in the Lofoten Islands.

A pleasant reminder of your trip to the Lofoten Islands in Norway will be picturesque photos of the most interesting places in the archipelago.

Accommodation

The choice of accommodation on the archipelago is huge. Each island has one or more small ones; you can rent a house or spend the night in a van. The following establishments are popular:

in demand among foreigners Anker Brygge on the island of Svolvaer. The hotel offers cozy rooms, great service, reasonable prices;
An excellent hotel on the island of Heimea is the Henningsvær Bryggehotel. Guests can expect comfortable rooms, excellent cuisine, and helpful staff;
The 4-star Lofoten Suitehotel will delight you with its affordable prices and price-quality ratio.

Restaurants

The Lofoten Islands have a large selection of eating places. You can find a cozy cafe and an expensive restaurant. Tourists love to spend time at Krambua Restaurant, Borsen Spiseri, Anitas Sjømat, where they can taste excellent cod and lamb dishes.

How to get there?

Future tourists are often interested in how to get to the Lofoten Islands. There are several ways to do this:

By plane. Flights depart daily from the capital to Evenes Airport, which will take you there in 1.5 hours.
On a ferryboat. Small ferries depart from the harbor every day. Travel time is half an hour.
Traveling to the Lofoten Islands by car is possible along the road leading from Narvik. The city and the archipelago are connected by a bridge. Thanks to this, walks and excursions around the Lofoten Islands can be organized independently.

Take plenty of photographs

Lofoten is a photographer's paradise. Here you can photograph every piece of land, every piece of the fjord and every cozy rorbu house. There are a lot of tours that offer trips to the best photographic spots on the islands, but you can make a list yourself. This site has a very impressive list that you can refer to. I visited Hamnoy, Reine, Svolvaer, Kabelvag - indescribable beauty everywhere.

Just be prepared for the fact that at the top photo spots you will invariably encounter other photographers who will every now and then try to conquer territory to set up their equipment and set up a tripod (Italians are especially militant :)

Meet the sunrise and spend the sunset

From the beginning of December to the beginning of January, the polar night reigns in Lofoten, so don’t even expect to see the sun. But already closer to March, sunrises and sunsets in Lofoten are a must on the list of any trip. It is better to meet the sunrise on the beach, when the sun gently illuminates the coastal rocks and fishing gear, and to see off the sunset you need to rush to the bays and fjords, which, under the sign of the setting sun, are painted in magical pinkish and blue tones.

Walk from Reine to Hamna

Reine and Hamney are considered the most picturesque fishing villages in Lofoten. The best thing for a solo hiker is that the villages are located in close proximity to each other, so walking from one to the other seems like a given, enjoying gorgeous views along the way.

Moreover, it’s worth spending a little more time on the Rhine (or it’s better to spend a day or two there, depending on the season). The settlement itself is very nice. so you should definitely go around it, seeing the rorba by the water, the fish dryers, and the fishing schooners.

Go surfing on Ramberg beach

In addition to fishing, Lofoten is also famous for its passion for surfing. The water in some bays does not freeze all year round, and the waves, although not comparable to Bali or our Kamchatka, nevertheless attract extreme sports enthusiasts in wetsuits. Equipment for surfing, snorkeling and other entertainment can be rented right on the spot, you just need to be prepared for steep Norwegian prices. In addition to Ramberg, surfing in Unstad in the north-west of the Lofoten Islands is praised.

For those who do not dare to swim in Arctic waters, I still advise you to take a walk on sandy beaches. In contrast to the surrounding mountains, the turquoise water is a magnet.

Eat Norwegian fish

“Fish is what fed Norway, feeds and will feed,” says Nils, the owner of my home in Svolvaer.

— What about oil? - I ask in surprise.

— “We only found oil in the sixties,” Nils grins, “but there has always been fish.”

And it is true. In any Norwegian city, fish is loved and revered, and on the Lofoten Islands, fish is even considered a cult, especially Atlantic cod. Although fishing has now faded into the background (the main engine of the region's economy is now the construction and repair of ships), nevertheless, on your journey you will definitely come across fishing boats and traditional dryers for drying cod. Don't be surprised if you see fish heads without tongues on dryers: cod tongue is considered a local delicacy here.

Eating in restaurants in Norway is not a cheap pleasure. If you want to save money, but still enjoy local fish, then hurry to Kiwi or Rema 1000: in Lofoten they definitely have an assortment of local fish.

Travel around all of Lofoten by bus

From the southernmost settlement called Ä, Svolvaer in the north can be easily reached by bus. Moreover, the bus route runs along very beautiful places, so without any excursions you can fully enjoy the impeccable northern nature Lofoten. You can also plan your trip with stops in the same Reine, Hamnay, Leknes or Ramberg.

Visit the largest wooden church in Northern Norway

South of Svolvaere is the ancient fishing village of Kabelvåg. As my Norwegian friend told me, the villagers don’t like Svolvaer because it stole the title of capital from them, although Kabelvåg, founded in the 12th century, is many times older than the neighboring town.

If the village itself does not cause you much delight, especially after what you saw in the Rhine and Hamneu, then here is located at the entrance to the city wooden church It definitely won’t leave you indifferent. Vagan Church or, as it is also called, Lofoten Cathedral seats 1,200 people and is the largest wooden structure in Northern Norway.

Lofoten can be reached by plane or ferry. There are two airports in the city: in Leknes (in the middle of the archipelago) and in Svolvaer (in the north). Wideroe airline planes fly to one or another city (the planes have free landing, don’t be surprised) from Bodo, and you can easily get there from any major Norwegian city (I flew from Tromsø). You can also take a ferry from Bude to Moskenes. I flew to Leknes, and from there I took a bus to Reine. Now I would do it differently and from Bodo I would take a ferry to Moskenes, and from there to Ä.

I went to Lofoten for three days, which I now really regret: the islands deserve much more time, regardless of the time of year. If you want to explore all the nooks and crannies of the archipelago, then you should budget up to ten days - you won’t get bored.

Eating in restaurants in Lofoten is expensive and inconvenient - most gastronomic places open only in the evening. Fortunately, in Norwegian supermarkets you can find everything your heart desires, and at a fraction of the price.

The bus service in Lofoten, although developed, still exists according to a schedule, so plan your route in advance (the link to the planner is below).

On hiking Allow 3-4 hours from Reine to Hamney: this will be just enough for you to explore Reine and make constant stops for photographs.

Finding a stop on Hamney to go north is a whole quest. You need to leave the settlement and go in the opposite direction from the bridge to the tunnel, there you will see a stop nearby.

It seems like you can pay for travel on buses by card (I saw a terminal near the driver), but I always had cash with me. The most expensive fare from A to Svolvaer costs 210 CZK.

If you suddenly decide to fly to Leknes like I did, keep in mind that from the airport to the center of Leknes (from where, by the way, buses depart), you can only get by taxi or on foot, there are no buses with this route. I chose the second option and reached the center in twenty minutes.

In Lofoten, one of the popular attractions for tourists is “whale safaris”, where you are taken out to sea to watch whales. According to my Norwegian friend, this is the most useless waste of money in Lofoten, because the drive is long, expensive, and you will see whales for a maximum of thirty seconds. So think about it.

You can walk to Kabelvåg from Svolvaer (it takes about an hour), and you can get back by bus.

I went to Norway and Lofoten with the hope of seeing northern lights. This is my second attempt (before that I went to Finland) and it failed again :) I was unlucky with the weather, it was damp and cloudy, and in order to see the northern lights you need a clear and frosty night. However, if you want to see this miracle of nature, judging by the reviews, Lofoten is almost the ideal place for this, because the conditions needed here are from November to March, so perhaps some of you will be luckier than me.- website of the Norwegian Trekking Association, which contains a bunch of useful information along all hiking routes (and not only in Lofoten)