⛰️This guide offers tips and tricks how to explore and see the best of beautiful Lofoten and Oslo.
⛰️Tips for the best hikes and towns to visit in Lofoten.
📍Tromsø – the capital of the Arctic
📍Aurora hunting tips
📍Offers an idea for your itinerary

Lofoten, Norway

Oslo, Norway

Svolvær, Norway

Lofoten Islands, Gimsøysand, Norway

Tromsø, Norway

Norway

🇳🇴Norway: explore Lofoten and Oslo

We booked flights with Norwegian - good prices, every flight on time, good service.

How to get around Lofoten: car, public transport - buses, ferry

We flew to Tromso and flew back from Harstad - you can do it the other way around, but it was the best way to explore Lofoten as much as possible.

First we traveled by bus and ferry. We arrived in Tromso and from there by ferry to Harstad. There we arranged to pick up the car at the rental company and from there we took the car back to Narvik airport.

But if you don't want to rent a car, you can use public transport there (bus, train and ferry) - they work great.

We stayed one and a half days in Tromso - it was enough time for us to explore this city.

You can get to the center from the airport by public transport - a bus that can also be used in the city. Tickets can be purchased via the app, machines at stops or SMS - the instructions are clearly explained in machines at stops or on buses, they will be happy to help you and direct you where you need to go.

Tromso accommodation

We stayed at Tromso Lodge & Camping - modern small cottage, fully equipped, smart equipment, had a terrace, kitchen and bathroom.

It is near the center - approx. 15 minutes walk or you can use the local bus.

A short distance from the hill from which you could see a night view of Tromso - the camp was far from the center - less lights, you could get to the hill by the camp from where you could find a great place to capture the Aurora (from there we saw our first Aurora).

This accommodation also offers a sauna (it is in the communal showers, but lockable if you prefer privacy).

One of the best spots for panoramic views over the city and aurora borealis, is from Mount Storsteinen (421 metres above sea level). If you are more of an urban type, you can enjoy the view of the northern lights and the city's stunning architecture from one of Tromsø's sky bars. 

📍just wander around the center (many cozy cafes and restaurants)

From Tromsø we took the ferry to Harstad 

We rented a car in Harstad and continued to Svolvaer. We decided to book accommodation in Svolvaer and explore Lofoten everyday from there.

The ferry takes 3 hours and costs around 40-60 EUR (multiple companies offer this route).

We took this shot from a drone - if you don't have a drone don't get your hopes up too high, standing right there looks like a normal football stadium.

From Svolvaer we took a day trip to another location, see our selection below, one location = one day trip:  

🥾Hoven is one of the easiest mountain hikes on the Lofoten Islands.

🚙On the way there you will see many wonderful places where you can stop and enjoy nature. 🍃

Moderate difficulty, it’s a steep, somewhat unexciting climb to an awesome viewpoint. 

Å is the southernmost village in Lofoten. It is Northern Norway’s best-preserved traditional fishing village.

End-point on the southern tip of the Lofoten islands, This is where the road E10 (King Olav’s road) through Lofoten ends.

Walking among these old houses and fishermen’s cabins, you get a sense of the life and hardship of the generations of fishermen that lived and worked here.

Lødingen is a small fishing village in Norway. It offers stunning views of the fjords and mountains and is a great place for outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking and kayaking. 

Lødingen lies at the geographical crossroads between Lofoten and Vesterålen making it an ideal place to stop, rest and explore.

📍A good place where to start or end your Lofoten adventure.

We stayed one day when we arrived in Norway in Oslo and one day before leaving back to our country. 

If it's your first time in Oslo, these are the places you shouldn't miss:

You can walk everywhere in the city center, and if you have luggage or a heavy backpack, you can use the lockers at the station. 

6. day - Å with a stop in Horn and Hamnøya

Horn and Hamnøya are small fishing villages near Reine, typical of Lofoten towns, with lots of small rorbuer, or fishing huts, huddled in the vertical landscape. 

🥾Don't forget good hiking boots; warm and sport clothes (if go in the winter); raincoat.

🇳🇴Norway: explore Lofoten and Oslo

Buy to unlock full guide