Renting a Van in the Lofoten Islands: Best Campsites & Essential Tips for the Ultimate Adventure
Looking to rent a van in the Lofoten Islands?
This summer I rented a van in the Lofoten Islands for a week and had an absolute blast. While you can rent a car, I think renting a van offers a more authentic experience when you’re in the Lofoten Islands.
After my trip, I created a list of the best campsites and tips for traveling on the Islands for future adventures. My best advice I can give is to book your van rental as soon as possible, the Lofoten Islands are becoming more popular every year!
Best Campsites in the Lofoten Islands
Norway is one of the few countries that has a “right to roam” law, that allows anyone to camp as long as it’s 150 meters (500 feet) from private property. If you’re renting a van, you’ll want to recharge and refresh. Here are my top five campsites with bathroom and shower facilities.
Perfect location if you want to hike Reinebrigen and explore Reine. This is a very popular spot so I recommend getting here earlier in the day to guarantee a parking spot with power (if needed).
This campsite has it all! They have so many social events so you’ll make fast friends at this site. My favorite thing about this site was the Sauna.
⛺️ Uttakliev Camping
This is a limited spot for campers but the views are incredible! You can hike Mannen and/or Veggen from this campsite to catch the sunset.
⛺️ Fredvang Camping
I loved this spot so much! The site is next to the trailhead for Ryten and Kvalvika Beach. Learn more about hiking to Ryten here.
⛺️ Lofoten Boblicamping
This site is great if you are with a group that wants to cook larger meals since they have a few buildings with kitchens. I also loved this spot because it was less than 10 minutes from Henningsvær.
Shan’s tip: I used the Park4Night app to find places to park when I was going on day hikes but didn’t want to camp overnight. I recommend creating a profile so you have full visibility of sites. This app can be used around the world too!
Lofoten Islands FAQs
Where should I rent a van from in the Lofoten Islands?
I rented a vintage Volkswagen from Lofoten Van Life and they were wonderful to work with. I met other travelers who had great experiences renting from the following companies.
- Rent a van from Lofoten Van Life here!
- The vans cannot go outside of the Lofoten Islands, so no long road trips!
- Rent from Campervan Norway here!
- If you want to do a full on Norway road trip, you can work with these folks to pick up from Trondheim or even Oslo before going up to the Lofoten Islands.
- Rent a van from Electric Campers here!
- There were a lot of these vans on the Islands when I was traveling and they provide a charging map.
✨ Planning a trip to Norway? Don’t miss my new guidebook: Journey Along the Coastal Pilgrim Trail.
What do I need to pack for a Lofoten Island van road trip?
✔️ Eye Mask to catch some z’s and blockout the Midnight Sun. Check out my recommended eye masks here and Norway travel tips here.
✔️ Ear Plugs are also a must with all the people at the campsites it can get loud
✔️ Camp towel some of the rental companies include towels, however I like to have my own especially after a long day of hiking and beaching
✔️ Portable laundry bag is an absolute must for van life and backpacking. The Scrubba bag is my favorite way to do laundry on the road.
When is the best time to rent a van in the Lofoten Islands?
I recommend visiting the Lofoten Islands in the summer months May-September to enjoy the best weather and of course the Midnight Sun. The fall months are also a great time to rent a van in the Lofoten Islands, you just need to be prepared for colder weather.
Is renting a van in the Lofoten Islands worth it?
YES! I think renting a van in the Lofoten Islands is the best way to experience the Islands. There also aren’t many hotels or hostels to stay in on the Islands so a van is your best bet. Learn more about the best things to do on the Lofoten Islands here.
Final Thoughts
I loved renting my Volkswagen Doffen in the Lofoten Islands so much. It was one of my favorite solo trips because I was able to explore the Islands at my own pace.
Shan’s tip: Book your van reservation at least 6 months in advance, these rentals go quickly especially in the summer months. The rental companies have limited vehicles with automatic transmission, specifically the Lofoten Van Life company.
Planning a trip to Norway and need inspiration? Learn more about traveling to Norway here:
👉 14 Best Things to do in Lofoten Islands
Now it’s time to start planning your own adventure, Cheers!
