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City guide

Lofoten Islands, Norway

Lofoten is an archipelago and a traditional district in the county of Nordland, Norway. Lofoten has distinctive scenery with dramatic mountains and peaks, open sea and sheltered bays, beaches, and untouched lands.

Type Region

Why go

  • Archipelago and traditional district in Nordland, Norway.
  • Served by Stokmarknes Airport, Skagen (SKN).

History

Lofoten is an archipelago and a traditional district in the county of Nordland, Norway. Lofoten has distinctive scenery with dramatic mountains and peaks, open sea and sheltered bays, beaches, and untouched lands. There are two towns, Svolvær and Leknes — the latter is approximately 169 km (105 mi) north of the Arctic Circle and approximately 2,420 km (1,500 mi) away from the North Pole. The archipelago experiences one of the world's largest elevated temperature anomalies relative to its high latitude. As of 2017, the islands attract one million tourists each year. Winter tourism has grown significantly, with visitors coming to experience the northern lights and unique Arctic scenery during the polar night season.

Airports

Stokmarknes Airport, Skagen (SKN) 32 km to the centre
Hadsel, 18, NO — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Widerøe) · direct flights to 4 destinations incl. Andoya, Bodo, Svolvær, Tromso (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 4 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Svolvær Airport, Helle (SVJ) 8.4 km to the centre
Svolvær, 18, NO — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Widerøe) · direct flights to 3 destinations incl. Bodo, Leknes, Stokmarknes (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 3 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Finnvik
Ferry terminal · 8 km from the centre
Outdoor
Trollfjorden
Ferry terminal · 9.4 km from the centre
Outdoor
Digermulen
Ferry terminal · 10 km from the centre
Outdoor
Excursion to Trollfjord
Ferry terminal · 12 km from the centre
Outdoor
Svolvær hurtigbåtkai
Ferry terminal · 12 km from the centre
Outdoor
Svolvær
Ferry terminal · 12 km from the centre · Hurtigruten
Outdoor
Lofoten Charterbåt AS
Ferry route
Outdoor
Finnvik - Digermulen
Ferry route
Outdoor
Hurtigruten
Ferry route
Outdoor
Svolvær - Skrova
Ferry route
Outdoor
Svolvær ferjekai – Skrova ferjekai
Ferry route · Torghatten Nord
Outdoor
Skrova ferjekai – Svolvær ferjekai
Ferry route · Torghatten Nord
Outdoor
Skutvik - Svolvær
Ferry route
Outdoor
Skutvik ferjekai – Svolvær ferjekai
Ferry route · Torghatten Nord
Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Stokmarknes Airport, Skagen (SKN). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: SKN has direct flights to 4 destinations on 1 airline (incl. Andoya, Bodo, Svolvær, Tromso). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Finnvik, 8 km); routes include Lofoten Charterbåt AS, Finnvik - Digermulen, Hurtigruten.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Lofoten Islands, Norway. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail