15 Best Things To Do In The Lofoten Islands (Summer)
Looking to plan an epic trip to the Lofoten Islands in Norway?
I had the incredible opportunity to spend nearly two weeks in the Lofoten Islands in the summer, and believe me, they’re even more magical than anything you’ve seen online.
From the midnight sun to incredible bakeries and freshly caught fish, the Islands offer endless adventures. Here’s my must-do list for an unforgettable summer adventure in the Lofoten Islands starting in Reine and ending in Svolvaer.
A quick guide to the Lofoten Islands:
✅ Hike Reinebrigen at Sunset
✅ Explore Nusfjord
✅ Wander around Henningsvaer
15 Best Things To Do In Lofoten Islands in the Summer
The Lofoten Islands are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, especially hikers. These magical islands offer something for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level.
1. Hike Reinebringen at Sunset
Arguably the most popular hike in the Lofoten Islands, Reinebringen is truly breathtaking. The hike is an out and back that is challenging primarily due to the steep staircase taking you to the mountaintop.
My recommendation is to hike this trail at sunset in the summer as it offers the best views and smaller crowds. You’ll also have better luck parking since most people tend to hike this trail during the day.
2. Take the iconic photo at Reine
The most photographed spot in Lofoten Islands, Reine is a beautiful village that you’ll often find on social media and desktop backgrounds. Parking in Reine is limited, my recommendation is to either get to Reine very early or late in the day to avoid crowds and grab your photo.
3. Hike to Ryten and Kvalvika Beach
One of my favorite hikes in Lofoten Islands, the views are stunning! There are several routes that you can take including a couple of out and backs and one route that will take you on a round trip adventure to the beach.
The hike has some serious elevation gain and can be steep for a few stretches of the route. Be sure to take breaks and keep an eye on the water as you can sometimes catch whale pods.
4. Take a drive to visit Panorama Straße
The epic views of Panorama Straße can be found right off of E10 on your way to Nusfjord. The road has a few turn outs so you can pull over and take photos.
5. Walk around Nusfjord and enjoy a cinnamon bun
Nusfjord is a beautifully maintained fishing village in the Lofoten Islands. There is a 100 NOK entry fee ($10 USD) to visit the town.
There are a couple of cafes and galleries worth exploring in Nusfjord. An absolute must visit is Hansines Bakeri, the cinnamon buns are incredible.
Shan’s Tip: If you are looking to have an authentic Norwegian experience, book your stay in a fisherman’s cabin at Nusfjord Arctic Resort. The resort offers guided tours and has incredible breakfast.
6. Hike Stornappstinden
The Stornappstinden hike is sometimes overlooked by the Offersøykammen trail. There are two different parking lots that will take you onto the trail. On a sunny day the views at top are breathtaking!
7. Shop at Lofoten Seaweed
Lofoten Seaweed is a female owned and operated business established in 2016. In addition to finding seaweed products, they also sell local artwork.
8. Hike Mannen and enjoy Haukland Beach
I recommend starting your day with a hike up to Mannen and even Veggen if you’re up for the challenge. The hike is clearly marked, however on a cloudy/rainy day it could be dangerous as the trail is steep on either side. I did this hike twice and it’s amazing what a difference a day can make.
Spend the rest of your day at Haukland Beach soaking up the sun. There is a small cafe (the new cafe will be completed by summer 2025) where you can buy snacks and beverages. Be prepared to pay to go to the bathroom.
9. Spend a few hours at the Viking Museum
The Viking Museum is located right off of E10 and a perfect stop especially on a rainy day. Tickets are $250 NOK ($25 USD) for adults and $165 NOK ($17 USD) for kids.
10. Catch waves at Unstad
There is no better place for surfing in Norway than Unstad Beach. Unstad Arctic Surf offers surf lessons and packages throughout the summer months.
Shan’s Tip: If you’re not wanting to surf, you absolutely have to stop at Unstad Arctic Surf’s cafe to eat their cinnamon bun. It’s arguably one of the best in Norway!
11. Hike Festvågtind
An epic hike just outside of Henningsvaer that offers incredible views on a clear day. I wouldn’t recommend doing this hike if it’s rained recently as there is a lot of scrambling involved.
12. Explore Henningsvaer
Henningsvaer is a beautiful village near Svolvaer full of shops and art galleries. When walking around town, be sure to walk to the football stadium.
Shan’s Tip: There are several great bakeries in town. I recommend stopping by Henningsvær Lysstøperi & Café and Trevarefabrikken. Both are fantastic!
13. Take a boat tour from Svolvaer
There are several boat tour options from Svolvaer that take you into the majestic Trollfjord, here are a few of my favorites.
⛵️ Luxury Sailboat Cruise → my favorite part of this experience was that it was limited to 12 people so you could truly enjoy the experience.
⛵️ Fishing tour → another great small tour that gets you out on the water on a traditional fishing boat with locals
⛵️ Trollfjord catamaran cruise → this tour is similar to the fjord tours you would experience in southern Norway, great for families!
14. Take a tour of Lofotpils Brewery
Lofotpils is the beer to drink in Lofoten Islands. They use mountain water from the islands to brew their delicious beers. The brewery offers guided tours during the week.
15. Hike to Djevelporten
The hike to Djevelporten offers some of the best views of Svolvaer. If you aren’t afraid of heights, you can climb onto the rock and take an epic photo. Hiking to Djevelporten is just under a mile, you can keep going to the Fløya lookout if you’re up for the challenge.
Lofoten Islands FAQs
Are the Lofoten Islands worth visiting?
100% yes! The Lofoten Islands are a hiker’s dream, especially in the summer with midnight sun. I learned quickly that it’s almost impossible to “do it all” because there is so much to explore on the islands.
Does the sun set in Lofoten Islands?
It depends on the time of year you are visiting the Lofoten Islands. During the summer months mid/late May to the end of July, the sun is out for 24 hours. However, between December and January, the Lofoten Islands don’t have any sunlight.
How many days do you need in Lofoten Islands?
If you are planning a trip to the Lofoten Islands in the summer months, I would give yourself at least one week to explore. This will give you enough time to see some of the highlights while driving around the islands.
How to get to the Lofoten Islands?
- Flying into the Islands is easy in the summer months and you can fly into one of the following airports.
- Svolvaer airport
- Harstad/Narvik airport
- Train rides are available daily to and from Bodø, you can learn more about this route in my 24 hours in Trondheim blog.
How to get around the Lofoten Islands?
The best way to get around the Lofoten Islands is via car or a camper van. The public transportation on the Islands can be unreliable. Learn more about camping/driving on the Lofoten Islands here!
Where to stay in Lofoten Islands
As I mentioned above, I recommend renting a camper van or car to get the ultimate experience on the Lofoten Islands. Here are my top three places to stay if camping isn’t your vibe. 🙂
✅ Nusfjord Arctic Resort! → The ultimate Lofoten Island experience where you can stay in a fisherman’s cabin.
✅ Thon Svolvaer → Perfect location in Svolvaer if you want to have a home base for your trip
✅ Furu Hostel → My favorite hostel in Norway!! This is the perfect spot for folks looking to meet other travelers. Their cafe has amazing food that is always fresh.
Final Thoughts
The Lofoten Islands are a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts and hikers alike. The breathtaking views, whether you’re driving along the coast or trekking through the mountains, will leave you speechless. Last but not least, the fresh fish and delicious baked goods found across the islands are simply unforgettable.
Now it’s time to start planning your next adventure, Cheers!
