Lofoten Islands - the beautiful Arctic archipelago

Photo: Frithjof Fure/Innovation Norway

Photo: Rita de Lange/Fjord Travel Norway

Photo: Andrea Gubelli/Innovation Norway

Photo: Frithjof Fure/Innovation Norway

Photo: Terje Rakke, Nordic Life/Innovation Norway

Breathtaking, unforgettable scenery, impressive alpine mountain peaks, Arctic fjords, tiny fishing settlements and stockfish:

The Lofoten archipelago is located north of the Arctic Circle in the county of Nordland, Norway. Between the mainland and the Lofoten lies the open Vestfjord. The archipelago is known for its exceptional natural beauty, the picturesque Fishing settlements, the Rorbu (Fishermen's cottages) and the stockfish. Lofoten has a very high density of sea eagles and millions of other sea birds, among them the colorful puffin. Due to the Golf Stream the climate is mild, despite the latitude north of the Arctic Circle. Between May 25 and July 17 you can experience the Midnight Sun, and from early May the nights are bright.

The Lofoten Fisheries
Even before the year 900 AD, the sagas tell about boats being equipped for the journey to the Lofoten and the winter cod fishing season, where the fishermen travelled for days and even weeks in open rowing boats and sailing boats to take part in the abundant fisheries of Lofoten, throughout the entire winter. This created a need for accommodation for the visiting fishermen, setting off the building of the well known "rorbus" - now most of them refurbished into comfortable accommodations for the leisure visitors.
The stockfish, produced from the cod, was sold to almost all European countries, and Italy is still the most important market for the high quality stockfish from Lofoten.

Scenery & attractions
The Lofoten wall - the archipelago looks like a closed wall when seen from elevated points around Bodo or when arriving from the sea, some 100 km. long, and 800-1,000 m. high.
The island of Moskenes with the Moskenes maelstrom, considered to be one of the most dangerous maelstroms in the world, and the coastal Kollhellaren Cave with some 3000 year old cave paintings.
Vestvaagoy with the archeological finds from the Iron Age and the Viking Age.
The Viking longhouse (83 m) in Lofotr Viking museum at Borg (the largest known longhouse).
The picturesque fishing village of Nusfjord.
The picturesque villages of Eggum and Unstad, situated at the foot of tall mountains, with the scenic pebbled beach at Eggum.
Henningsvaer - the most important fishing village at Lofoten.
Skomvaer Lighthouse.

Tours & cruises to the Lofoten Islands:
  

Lofoten Islands, Helgeland coast & the Sognefjord
12 nights individual trip starting in Oslo. Scenic train trips on the Dovre line to Trondheim, the Nordland line passing the Arctic circle to Bodo, cruise across the Vestfjord to the Lofoten Islands, 3 nights Hurtigruten cruise to Bergen passing the beautiful Helgeland coast, fjord cruise on the Sognefjord & the Flam Railway. Stays in Oslo, Trondheim, Bodo, Lofoten Islands, Bergen & Geilo.
Read more about Lofoten Islands, Helgeland & the Sognefjord


Arctic Fjords & Coastal Highlights
7 nights individual trip starting in Oslo, with flight to Tromso & an unforgettable Arctic gourmet dinner, then a 4 nights amazing Hurtigruten cruise to Bergen, with the Trollfjord, the Lofoten Islands & the Helgeland coast. Norway in a nutshell combination trip from Bergen to Oslo, with cruise on the Naeroyfjord and the Flam railway.
Read more about Arctic Fjords & Coastal Highlights 

Hurtigruten authentic cruises
We offer you cruise packages including cruises on the authentic Huritgruten ships. On the southbound cruise from Kirkenes to Bergen, the ships sail in the Vesteralen and Lofoten Islands during day time, with several land excursions to choose from.
Read more about Hurtigruten cruises