Planning a trip to the Lofoten Islands, Norway and want a totally doable itinerary? Keep scrolling to check out my 7-day Lofoten Islands itinerary from my trip to Norway during Summer!
This 7 days in Lofoten itinerary was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
When my aunt retired last winter, we decided to go on a trip together to celebrate. I didn’t really want to have to plan a full trip for us, so I figured the best idea would be to sign up with a tour company.
I’d been following Into the Wild Adventures for a while, and when I saw a trip to the Lofoten Islands in Norway that featured hiking, boating, and sightseeing, I figured it would be perfect for us!
The tour was technically 6 days long, but we spent a total of 7 days, including arriving and departing. This post talks about our entire Lofoten Islands trip, the tour company, and my tips for people who are thinking about going.
Before I Jump Into This Lofoten Itinerary
I want to make it clear that the Lofoten Islands weren’t our first stop in Norway. We actually flew from Seattle to Bergen so we’d have time to acclimate before our tour of the Lofoten Islands. Plus, the islands require additional flights.
This worked out really well! Here’s my full 3-day Bergen itinerary.
How to Spend 7 Days in the Lofoten Islands in Summer
Day 1: Travel to Svolvær
I’m so glad we stopped in Bergen first because we ended up having a 7:35 a.m. flight to get to Svolvaer by 11:25 a.m. This meant a 3:30 a.m. wake-up call so we could head to the airport by 4:45 a.m.
It was actually 2 planes and 3 flights to get there. We flew to Bodo with a stop in Trondheim (we stayed on the plane). Then we got out and had just enough time to pee and grab snacks before hopping on our flight to Svolvaer.
I had been expecting to fly in little prop planes or something but they were a lot larger than I expected and our flights were all pretty full.
When we arrived in Svolvaer, our Into the Wild Adventures tour leader picked us up in a large van and we headed to Thon Hotel Svolvær.
Thon Hotel Svolvær
I have to tell you about this hotel. It’s got a great location that makes it easy to walk to shopping, restaurants, grocery stores, and the waterfront. Check the latest rates and availability.
It also has one of the most incredible breakfast spreads I’ve ever seen at a hotel. There was a full English breakfast, vegetables, eggs, pastries, fresh fruit juices, smoothies, meats, cheeses, chia puddings, oatmeal, and tons of Norwegian food. This was all included in our stay.
They also have an on-site sauna that you can rent. I’ll talk about that more later in this post.
Lunch at Nordis Restaurant
When we got to the hotel to drop our stuff, we realized there were some other members of our tour already there and we decided to all go out to lunch to get to know each other. While all meals were included in our tour, this was on our own because the tour didn’t technically start until dinner.
We decided to go to Nordis Restaurant because there are only a few restaurants in Svolvaer and we were eating at another one for dinner.
My aunt got a pizza and I wanted sushi (but they only serve that for dinner) so I went with fish and chips. The food was really great for lunch.
Shopping/Hiking
After lunch, the group broke off into two groups. Most people decided to hike Devil’s Gate. I looked it up and it seemed way too intense for me so I ended up shopping with another group member.
My aunt is very outdoorsy and she opted to hike. She said it was really intense but totally worth the views.
After shopping, I headed back to the hotel to rest until dinner time. It had been a long travel day.
Dinner at Hotel
It was really convenient to just go downstairs for dinner at the hotel restaurant. I had a big bowl of mussels and they were quite tasty.
It was a great place to get to know the other members of the tour and take in the beautiful views.
Hotel Sauna
If you’ve never been to Scandinavia, you might not realize just how prevalent sauna culture is. I really had no idea. But, we do have a floating Norwegian sauna in the Seattle-area that I’ve experienced, so I’m glad I knew what to expect.
Basically, the sauna at the hotel was quite large and had two separate rooms. Our group pretty much took up one entire room.
After about 10 minutes of intense sweating, we headed outside to do our cold plunge. Some people were brave and jumped off the roof! Others waded in via the stairs. I HATE being cold, so I walked into the water until about knee level.
Our group rented it for about 90 minutes, I think, but most people were done after about an hour. It was seriously the best way to end a long travel day.
Going to Bed in the Land of the Midnight Sun
My aunt and I headed to bed around 11 p.m. so we’d have time to rest. I was really thankful that our hotel had nice blackout curtains because the sun didn’t set while we were there. It’s seriously trippy even when you know it’s what’s going to happen.
Day 2: Exploring Svolvær & Trollfjorden Fjord
It was nice to get almost a full day to explore Svolvaer. We kicked it off with breakfast at the hotel and I tell you, that spread is FABULOUS!
We ended up breaking off into groups again. One group went for a hike, another tried to rent bikes, and my group went for a walk to see the Fisherman’s Wife statue.
RIB Boat Tour
When I saw our itinerary included a boat ride, I had envisioned a scenic cruise boat (like what we did in Bergen). So, my nerves shot up when I saw it was more of a raft!
We had to gear up by wearing a full body suit (it was SO hot) as well as a life jacket. Of course, this made me extra nervous about how intense it might be.
I’m happy to report that it was one of the calmest boat rides I’ve done on a boat that size. As someone who isn’t super adventurous, I’d totally do this again. Check RIB boat rates and availability.
Because of the size of the boat, we were able to get a lot closer to the eagle spotting areas (we saw SO many eagles) as well as other scenic viewpoints.
Lunch at Bacalao
After the boat ride, we walked over to Bacalao to grab some lunch. Our group had to pre-order and I did the chicken salad. It came with a LOT of chicken so I did my best to eat as much protein as I could.
Drive to Henningsvaer
At about 3 p.m., we all piled into the two vans with all our luggage and drove to a cute village called Henningsvaer.
I did some quick research on the drive, and it sounded like Henningsvaer was one of the “trendy” towns in the Lofoten Islands. After being there, I’d totally agree!
Henningsvær Rorbuer AS
Henningsvær Rorbuer AS is family-owned and operated and they were so nice to us! The views were incredible and it was within walking distance to town. Check the latest rates and availability.
Our group was split into two cabins at Henningsvær Rorbuer AS. We had eight of us in one cabin and six in another. I was in the cabin with eight people and one bathroom.
Here are some photos of my cabin:
Went Shopping and Took Photos
After we sorted out who got what room and dropped our luggage, we walked into town to do some shopping before dinner. I’m so glad we did, as many boutiques closed early.
Almost all of the shops here sold really cute wool beanies. I was really tempted to buy one because of all the cute colors. But I had already bought my touristy Norway one, so I refrained.
If you read my Bergen itinerary, you’ll know that my aunt and I were obsessed with finding the perfect wool sweaters. Even though we found some at Dale of Norway, we kept our eyes peeled for more.
We found some really unique, handmade sweaters but got a little sticker-shocked at the $450-$600 price tags. But, apparently, these sweaters can last generations if you take good care of them.
Dinner at Knusarn
I had the fish tacos and they didn’t quite hit the mark for me (I LOVE fish tacos) so I was a bit disappointed.
But the vegetable soup and the bacalao stew looked pretty good.
After Dinner Walk and Sunset
Once we had eaten dinner, the group split off. My group decided to do a scenic walk on the way back to the cabins.
Of course, it was still really light out, so a bunch of us stayed up for sunset (which was at 11:30 p.m.) before heading to bed.
I want to note that our cabins didn’t have blackout shades so I was SO glad I brought a good eye mask to block out the light.
Day 3: Henningsvær Highlights
I ended up waking up super early (like 4 a.m.) and took advantage of an empty bathroom to do a bit of sink laundry without waking people up.
Breakfast
The whole group walked to Trevarefabrikken for breakfast around 8 a.m. We had hoped to get cinnamon buns there (apparently they are famous for them) but their bakery didn’t open until 10 a.m. So we just did the buffet breakfast there.
Some members of our group opted to do an intense hike so they ate a quick breakfast and headed off.
The rest of the group headed over to Lysstøperi Cafe for cinnamon buns and hot beverages around 9 a.m. for breakfast part two.
This cafe is super Instagrammable with tons of colorful candles hanging up. They actually sell the candles across the street in a little boutique. I thought my coffee and cinnamon bun were pretty good.
Morning Walk and Shopping
A group of us walked over to the soccer field where we did a little coastal walk to check out the views. It was pretty cool!
As soon as the shops opened at 11 a.m., our group headed back into town to visit the shops that were closed the night before. Then, we met our tour leader at Noon at the Joker grocery/convenience store to grab stuff for a picnic lunch.
Arctic Beach Time
We headed back to the cabins to grab our beach stuff and then drove to Rørvik Beach. We really lucked out on having gorgeous weather!
One thing we didn’t realize is that the tides go in and out pretty drastically. So, the sand was super wet and our beach towels got soaked!
We ended up spending a full 3 hours at the beach, which was a lot of fun!
Dinner at Klatreekafen
After we got cleaned up in the room, we drove to Klatreekafen for dinner. The portions were a lot smaller than other places we went. I had some fish and potato salad and it was pretty tasty.
The tricky thing is that they were out of items like steak and salad so it ended up being a pretty small menu.
Midnight Sun Kayaking Adventure
This midnight sun kayaking tour wasn’t originally on the itinerary, but someone suggested it before the tour, and we all agreed we wanted to do it.
Not being super adventurous myself, I was all over their website to make sure that I wasn’t signing up for something I couldn’t handle. I saw that most of their guests had never kayaked before, so I figured I was in good hands.
This ended up being one of my favorite Lofoten activities! The water was really calm and quiet and the views were amazing!
I wish we had had more time to rest and soak in the views, but I’d still do it again. Check the latest rates and availability.
One cool thing is that one of the guides was the photographer and he gave us all the photos right after the tour. But, most of us brought our phones and took photos any chance we got.
When we got back to the cabins, everyone was tired and starving. So we all ravaged our snack stashes and went right to bed.
Day 4: Gimsoy & Hemmingoden
We got all packed up and loaded the vans before driving into town for breakfast.
Breakfast
We pretty much did an exact copy of the previous day’s breakfast only with a shorter timeframe.
We had the option to choose Trevarefabrikken OR takeaway buns at Lysstoperi Cafe (for Into the Wild Adventures to cover our meal). Of course, I ended up having them cover my breakfast at Trevarefabrikken and then I bought a cardamom bun and coffee to bring with me.
Gimsoy
Around 9:15 a.m. the vans left for Gimsoy. By 10 a.m. we arrived at Hov Beach. The group split into two. Some people did a cute lighthouse walk while the rest of us enjoyed the beach and the sauna.
This sauna was a lot smaller than the one at the Thon Hotel Svolvaer but the view of the beach was pretty cool. We even saw a horseback riding tour go by on the beach.
I also think the temperature of this sauna was warmer (or maybe it was just that it was smaller) so my sweating was a lot more intense. It felt amazing!
They also have fairly nice showers and bathrooms there (it’s also a campground). So, I was able to take a really good shower after the sauna before heading to lunch.
Lunch at Hov Farm
We all met up for lunch at 1 p.m. at Hov Farm (right at the beach and campground). The food was pretty tasty!
I had the fish soup and some soda, and it hit the spot.
Viking Museum
After lunch, we made a stop at the Viking Museum and it was SO cool! Our main objective was to ride on the Viking boat so we headed there first. We had a bit of a wait before the next boat ride so I headed over to do archery and axe throwing.
I’m pleased to report that all 3 of my axe throws landed on the target! It was really exciting!
I had less success with the archery, but I’m so glad I had the opportunity to try it.
The boat ride was really fun! The group ahead of us all had to row but the wind picked up so we just sailed around the water. It was incredible to watch them work and see how physically demanding sailing is.
We only had a little time to look through the museum, and I wished we had about 30 more minutes so I could have stopped and looked at the views and done more of the hands-on activities. I’d definitely recommend visiting! Check the latest rates and availability.
Hemmingoden Lodge
We continued our drive until we got to Hemmingoden Lodge. We all got divided into 3 separate cabins. My cabin had my aunt, myself, and another tour member. The bedroom was really tight with 3 beds but thankfully there was a sofa bed so we could spread out a little.
The scenery around this Rorbuer (fishing cabin) was really stunning! Check the latest rates and availability.
Dinner at the Rorbuer
We all met for dinner right at Hemmingoden Lodge and it was some of the best food of the trip.
I think there was a lack of communication because we apparently had a preset dinner. When some of us pieced together that it was lamb (which I don’t eat), three of us asked for a fish option instead.
But I know they don’t only do preset menus because we saw other tables with fish and chips and burgers.
After dinner, I was wiped so I headed straight back to the room to relax and go to bed. Again, this fishing cabin didn’t have blackout shades, so I was thankful I had my eye mask.
Day 5: Ballstad and Surroundings
We got a bagged breakfast from the lodge and to be brutally honest, it SUCKED. It consisted of two slices of dry bread, some cheese, a yogurt, and a juice box. Thankfully, I had some snacks so I just did the yogurt and juice.
Drove to Unstad
Our first stop was to get cinnamon buns at Arctic Surf Cafe. They had signs everywhere saying they were the “world’s best”.
I ordered the sunshine roll (it’s a cinnamon bun with vanilla custard in the middle) and it was crazy delicious! Definitely the best one I had in the Lofoten Islands (but I didn’t try ALL the buns in the islands).
After eating, we had about an hour to walk down to Unstad Beach, which is the northernmost surfing beach in the world!
The weather was a bit chilly, so we just did a quick walk down there and watched the surfers. We also did an impromptu photo shoot that was fun! And there was a little surf shop that we popped into.
Cheese tasting at Lofoten Gårdsysteri
Honestly, this felt like sort of a weird stop on our tour. I mistakenly thought we were going to a goat farm to see goats, learn how cheese is made, and then taste them. It’s actually just a cafe where they served us a cheese board. The goats were super far away.
We got 5 different cheeses to try and they provided us with some bread. I was still somewhat full from the cinnamon buns and would have preferred a lighter option, such as sandwiches or vegetables.
Haukland Beach
Our next stop was Haukland Beach. Our tour had us scheduled for three full hours, which was too long.
The nice thing is that there was plenty of parking, lots of bathrooms, and a cafe with a little gift shop.
However, most of the group was pretty beached-out at this point so we begged to head back to the lodge a bit early.
Takeaway Pizza at Hemmingoden Lodge
For a nice change-of-pace, we picked up pizza at Pizzabakeren and ate it outside at the lodge.
Apparently, Norway is really big on pizza because I think this was the 5th time my aunt and I had pizza on our 10-day Norway trip.
After Dinner Walk and Bed
After having cinnamon rolls, cheese, and pizza as our only meals of the day, I was eager to go for a walk to move my body a bit.
The area around the lodge doesn’t have much shopping or anything, but there were a few scenic areas that were worth taking photos.
We also popped into the Joker grocery/convenience store to grab some breakfast items. Some group members also got eggs and ham to make a heartier breakfast for the next morning.
Then, we packed up everything so we could make an early start the next day.
Day 6: Scenic Drive & Final Stops
Our group members made us all eggs and ham and we brought all our sack breakfasts to create a little buffet around 6 a.m.
By 7 a.m. we loaded in all our luggage into the vans and hit the road.
Hamnøy Scenic Lookout
I was really excited when our tour leader announced that we’d be making a photo stop to see the cute fishing houses in Hamnøy.
This is the view I’d seen on a lot of travel blog posts about the Lofoten Islands!
Reinebringen Hike
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not very outdoorsy, but all 14 of us on the tour committed to at least starting the famous Reinebringen hike.
If you don’t know, this is one of the most famous hikes in the Lofoten Islands and it consist of almost 2,000 steps. These are stone steps that were laid by sherpas, and they have varying heights.
My goal was to climb 100 stairs and see how I felt. There were a few benches along the way so I hiked up with another group member and we made it to the third bench before she decided to walk into town.
I still had some energy and when I heard I was about 1/3 of the way up the mountain, I decided to try to make it up. I’m still in shock that I actually climbed the whole thing!
The scary thing about this trail is that there are no railings. As the morning went on, there were more and more hikers climbing up so it was hard to find places to pull off (especially since a lot of hikers had hiking poles).
But, I’m glad I made it all the way up! It was super cold so I’m glad I had a sweatshirt and a beanie while I was up there.
Reine Town and Lunch
After the hike, we walked about a mile into the town of Reine. It’s super cute and has a few shops.
I popped into the Visitor’s Center and really appreciated their selection of clothing, vintage postcards, and other souvenirs. This is also where you can purchase a certificate to say you hiked Reinbringen.
Then, I met up with the group at Tapperiet for lunch. I had the fish and chips and ginger beer and they hit the spot! I was STARVING after that hike!
I also had a bit of time to check out the Circle K (which has snacks and souvenirs) before heading to the van. Others went into the adventure store and bought rain jackets and wool sweaters as souvenirs.
Town of A
I didn’t do any research about the town of A so I wasn’t sure what all to do there. We had heard there was a jewelry store but no one there seemed to know what we were talking about.
A few of us ended up heading to the ice cream shop where we had a fun time chatting with the people who worked there. One of our group members even traded ball caps, which was a fun story!
We walked around a bit more and took some photos. And we also walked to a little lake near the town. Then, we headed back into the van for the 2.5 hour drive back to Svolvaer.
Oh, but we made an impromptu stop for a photo of the Instagram-famous yellow house. And we popped into a little antique store there that had fun items!
Dinner at Nordis Restaurant
We had a little time before our 7 p.m. reservation, so a few of us went shopping to grab last-minute souvenirs. There was a puzzle I really wanted so I grabbed it.
I was excited to go back to Nordis for dinner (it’s where we had lunch on the first day) but the service was crazy slow. It took us 90 minutes to get our sushi order. We were starving and one of the waiters took pity on us and brought us fries and bread on the house.
Thon Hotel Svolvaer
After dinner (around 9:30 p.m.), we headed to Thon Hotel Svolvaer to check in and crash.
Day 7
This was our departure day and I just wanted to give you our actual plan for the day to help you with planning.
We had an 11:50 a.m. flight to Oslo so that meant we could have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. We ended up being at the restaurant for about 2.5 hours just chatting with group members as they waited for their flights.
If you have a later flight like this (or in the afternoon), Thon Hotel Svolvaer is a great place to stay because their breakfast runs from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and it’s a massive spread, plus they have fancy coffee. And the dining area is huge.
The airport in Svolvaer is super tiny and it was a breeze to get there before our flight.
My aunt and I flew to Oslo (where we had a 6 hour layover) and then flew to London (where we had a 12 hour layover and spent the night at the airport hotel in Terminal 3) before finally making it home to Seattle!
Tips for Visiting the Lofoten Islands in Summer
Pack for ALL types of weather
I’m not kidding – we had gorgeous beach weather one day and needed jackets the next. Layers are your best friend! Don’t forget a waterproof jacket because the weather can change super quickly.
Book accommodations WAY in advance
Summer is peak season and those cute rorbuer (fishing cabins) fill up fast. We were so lucky our tour company handled this because I saw people scrambling to find places to stay.
Embrace the midnight sun but bring an eye mask
It’s so cool to experience, but trust me, you’ll need good blackout curtains or an eye mask to actually sleep. The sun literally doesn’t set – it’s trippy!
Don’t skip the sauna experiences
I had no idea how big sauna culture was in Norway, but it became one of my favorite parts of the trip. The contrast of the hot sauna and cold plunge is amazing, even if you’re not usually into that sort of thing.
Budget extra for food
Norway is expensive, but the Lofoten Islands are even pricier since everything has to be shipped in. A simple lunch can easily cost $30-40 per person. Stock up on snacks from grocery stores when you can!
Rent a car if you’re not doing a tour
The islands are connected by bridges and tunnels, but you’ll definitely want the freedom to explore at your own pace. Public transportation is pretty limited.
Try the local specialties
The seafood is incredible – don’t miss the fish soup, mussels, or bacalao (dried cod). And yes, those $500 wool sweaters are expensive, but they’re made to last generations!
Be flexible with outdoor activities
Weather can change plans quickly. We were lucky with our kayaking and beach time, but have backup indoor activities ready just in case.
FAQs About Visiting the Lofoten Islands
When is the best time to visit the Lofoten Islands?
We went in summer (late June/early July) and it was perfect! You get the midnight sun, warmest weather, and all activities are open. Just know it’s also the busiest and most expensive time. If you want to see the Northern Lights, you’d need to go in winter, but be prepared for very short days and cold weather.
How do you get to the Lofoten Islands?
It’s definitely a journey! We flew from Seattle to Bergen, then Bergen to Bodø (with a stop in Trondheim), then Bodø to Svolvær. The Wideroe flights were actually bigger planes than I expected, not tiny puddle jumpers. You can also drive up from the mainland, but that’s a LONG drive.
Do I need to book a tour or can I go independently?
Both work! We loved our tour with Into the Wild Adventures because they handled all the logistics, transportation, and accommodations. But if you’re comfortable driving and want more flexibility, renting a car and doing it yourself is totally doable. Just book accommodations super early!
What should I pack for summer in the Lofoten Islands?
Think layers, layers, layers! I packed everything from shorts and t-shirts to warm jackets and rain gear. Don’t forget a good eye mask for sleeping (midnight sun is real), comfortable hiking boots, and a swimsuit if you’re brave enough for those arctic waters!
How expensive is it?
Not gonna lie – it’s pricey! Meals can easily run $30-50 per person, and those gorgeous wool sweaters we kept eyeing were $450-600. But honestly, the experience is so worth it. Just budget accordingly and maybe stock up on snacks from grocery stores.
What’s the deal with the midnight sun?
It’s exactly what it sounds like – the sun literally doesn’t set during summer! It’s amazing for sightseeing and activities, but can mess with your sleep. Our hotel had great blackout curtains, which were a lifesaver. Pro tip: embrace it and plan some late-night activities like our midnight kayaking tour!
Is it worth doing the sauna and cold plunge?
YES! Even if you’re not usually into that stuff (like me), it’s such a big part of the culture and honestly felt amazing after long days of activities. Most places have saunas available, and jumping in the arctic water afterward is surprisingly refreshing.
What are the must-do activities?
Don’t miss the RIB boat tours (way less scary than they look!), visiting the cute fishing villages like Henningsvær and Reine, and definitely try kayaking if weather permits. The Viking Museum was also a highlight – axe throwing was so fun! And hiking Reinebringen if you’re up for it.
How many days do you need?
We did 7 days and it felt perfect – not too rushed, but we saw a lot. You could probably do it in 5 days if you’re pressed for time, but I’d recommend at least 6-7 days to really soak it all in and have some flexibility for weather.
Visiting Lofoten Islands Wrap-Up
And there you have it! Our actual Lofoten islands 7-day itinerary! I can’t believe we lucked out on the weather (it never rained on us) and the scenery seriously blew me away!
If you’re planning a trip to Norway, definitely consider adding the Lofoten Islands to your itinerary!
Looking for more Norway content? Check out my 3-day Bergen itinerary, Norway Packing Tips: What to Bring for Hiking, Sightseeing, and Cozy Cabin Stays, and Ultimate Guide to Planning a Trip to Norway’s Lofoten Islands: Essential Tips, When to Visit, and Must-See Highlights!
