Norway it is a special country for all nature lovers. There is no doubt that its landscapes are overwhelming and for some time now more and more tourists from all over the world leave behind their doubts, usually related to the cold, the culture, the language, and go to Norway.
Here the Lofoten Islands they are one of those hard-to-forget destinations. They are located within the Arctic Circle so before embarking on the adventure it is convenient to know well when to go and what to see at each moment of the year. It is that the beauty of the islands changes with each season.
The Lofoten Islands
It is a group of islands located between parallels 67 and 68 above the Arctic Circle. There are some major islands and some minor ones, and in total they cover 1227 square kilometers. Currently the population is around 25 people.
Is mountainous islands, with a multitude of fjords and beaches. Sure you think it's very cold here but really the climate is quite temperate thanks to the famous Gulf Stream. In May and June the temperatures can be between 9 and 15 ºC, in August a little lower and in January it can drop a little below zero, but not that much. And if you have a particularly hot summer, you can even suffer 30ºC.
How to get to the Lofoten Islands
You can arrive in plane, car or ferry. There are three airports: one is in Svolvaer, one is in Leknes and one is Rost. All three have numerous connections to Bodo and also to Oslo. The flight from the capital is three hours. You will choose the airport depending on your destination.
Harstad / Narvik airport on the mainland is the closest direct flight to Oslo but from here you have a three hour drive to Svolvaer which is the departure gate to Lofoten. Svolvaer airport on the islands is very easy to reach from Bodo and finally Leknes airport is in the middle of the islands but unfortunately nowhere near any place of interest so it is not convenient.
Do you prefer to arrive by car because you are going with yours or do you want to rent one? The E10 road connects the islands with mainland Norway crossing a multitude of tunnels and beautiful bridges on its way. No need to take the ferry. Now, if you are not going by plane or by car, you must use the ferry. Bodo is the port of departure to the islands and obviously, it takes less than going by car. You arrive in Moskness which is less than 10 kilometers from Reine.
El passenger ferry From Bodo to Svolvaer it takes three and a half hours. You can get to Bodo by train from Oslo or from Bergen and there you can take the ferry. There is a car ferry that connects Bodo with Moskness and takes an hour more and there is also the Hurtigruten ferry with two stops on the islands, one in Svolvaer and one in Stamsund. If you use them, please reserve well in advance.
What to do in the Lofoten Islands
It all depends on your tastes. If you are looking to see the amazing Northern Lights this is a good winter destination. You can hire a three-day package and stay in a cabin on the seashore, at the foot of the mountains. A beauty.
This package (offered directly on the official Norwegian tourism website) costs NOK 3.595 per person between September and November and a further XNUMX NOK outside those months. Includes accommodation, three breakfasts, and hunting for the Northern Lights.
You can also ride a catamaran around the peninsula, also sleep in cabins and taste the local cuisine. The package including accommodation, boat ride and fishing village walk costs NOK 2.290 per person. Another winter option is ski, kayak or go fishing.
Kayaking is particularly beautiful when the famous Midnight Sun. The waters look like liquid gold ...
The walks are on the Helgeland coast, in the waters of the fjord and allow you to appreciate the second largest Norwegian glacier, the Svartisen. There's also kayaking in rivers and lakes. You like him surf? Here in the Lofoten you can also practice it in the small village of Unstad, where it has been practiced since the '60s.
Another thing you can do is visit the Fishing Village Museum A that works in a centenary building. You will understand the life of fishermen, the characteristics of their boats, their fishing techniques. There are guided tours and an old bakery works inside. And speaking of gastronomy here on the islands the undisputed king of dishes is the cod. There are many restaurants, between modern and good seaside taverns, so do not leave the islands without trying their varieties.
Kayaking, fishing excursions, Northern Lights hunts ... but also hiking to explore remote beachesyes, reach the mountain tops or simply get lost in its landscapes while walking between the skies and the sea. A particularly special place for this activity is the island of Moskenesoya.
You can even download the maps of all the roads it proposes, a lot. Of course some are difficult and you must be an expert but that is specified.
On this island, the village of Reine shines, with its red and white houses located on the coast. A marvel. From here you can go on a walking tour or rent a bike. If you go in high season, it is always advisable to book before. From Reine to other towns there are not many kilometers so if you like to pedal you can travel 27 km to Ballstad, 26 to Svolvaer or 63 to Stamsund. If heights are your thing then the Lofoten are great because it is said to be one of the best destinations in the world to climb.
Accommodations abound but you can also go camping. Camping is allowed throughout Norway and here it is no exception. Along the E10 there are many special areas. The north of the island of Moskenesoya, the beaches of Bunes or Horseid are beautiful destinations to go camping. The views of the Midnight Sun over the white sand are unforgettable… Ordinary tourists leave the beaches at sunset, when the ferry returns to Reine, so if you stay that will be great.
For more serious camps, less rugged, with showers and a kitchen, try the Fredvang campsites on the coast of Flakstadoya. Y? Do you like las Lofoten Islands this Easter?