Lofoten
Steep peaks rise from open sea in northern Norway, with fishing villages along the shore, midnight sun in summer and polar night in winter.
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Lofoten is an archipelago and traditional district in Nordland county, northern Norway, about 169 km north of the Arctic Circle. Steep mountains rise from open sea, with sheltered bays, beaches and fishing villages along the shore. Svolvær and Leknes are the two main towns. The main islands are linked by road bridges and undersea tunnels, so you can drive between them. Cod fishing has been a center of life here for over 1,000 years.
Timing changes the trip. In Svolvær the midnight sun lasts from 25 May to 17 July, and the sun does not rise from 4 December to 7 January. Winter brings northern lights and polar night scenery. Winters are unusually mild for such a northern place, but strong wind, snow and sleet are common, and steep mountain slopes can have avalanches. Bodø is the usual hub for travel here, and ferries and buses set the pace between islands, so allow time for connections.
Lofoten in five
- Rent a carBuses run along the E10 but not often. A car lets you reach trailheads and beaches on your own schedule.
- Book the Bodø ferry in summerThe car ferry from Bodø to Moskenes takes about 3 to 3.5 hours, and car spaces fill up in July and August. Book ahead.Getting around Norway
- Camp by the right to roamNorway's right to roam lets you camp on uncultivated land at least 150 m from houses, for up to two nights. Not in fields or car parks.
- Start Reinebringen earlyStone steps make the climb above Reine steep but clear. It is busy by mid-morning in summer, and wet steps are slippery.
Things to do in Lofoten
See all attractions in Lofoten
Need to know
- Airport
- Svolvær (SVJ), Leknes (LKN), or Evenes (EVE)
- Getting there
- Ferry from Bodø to Moskenes, or fly via Bodø
- Getting around
- Car; buses on the E10 are infrequent
- Best base
- Reine in the west, Svolvær or Henningsvær in the east
- Time needed
- 4–5 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow17 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh1°Low-3°Short days, lightsJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Short days, lights
- FebruarySnow16 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh1°Low-2°Lights, snowFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 116 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Lights, snow
- MarchSnow17 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh1°Low-2°Lights, more sunMarchSnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Lights, more sun
- AprilRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low1°Cold, quietAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 4°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MayRain17 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Midnight sun startsMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Midnight sun starts
- JuneRain15 rainy daysHigh12°Low8°Midnight sunJuneRain
Best
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Midnight sun
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Warmest, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warmest, busy
- AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh14°Low11°HikingAugustRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 135 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hiking
- SeptemberRain16 rainy daysHigh12°Low9°Lights returnSeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Lights return
- OctoberRain17 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low5°StormyOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Stormy
- NovemberRain18 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh4°Low1°Dark, stormyNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, stormy
- DecemberRain18 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh2°Low-1°Sun below horizonDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 133 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Sun below horizon
Average daily high and low in Svolvær, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Lofoten
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 1°
- Humidity
- 86%
- Wind
- 49 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Lofoten
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°7°100%Monday: Rain. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue9°6°78%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Wed10°8°100%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu8°6°55%Thursday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Fri9°6°71%Friday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Sat8°5°67%Saturday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Sun9°6°67%Sunday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 67%.
Updated 06:07 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 9.213 NOK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Henningsværon Austvågøya, the same island as SvolværRock climbing center with the KaviarFactory art venue and a soccer field on a rocky islet.
- Nusfjordcycling ferry from BallstadA fishing village reached by the cycling ferry from Ballstad.
- Åstart of the cycling routeThe southern start of the cycling route, which runs north past Fiskebøl.
Before you go to Lofoten
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Rules for Lofoten, checked
- Check whether you need a visa or other entry permission on UDI, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, before you book. Norway follows Schengen entry rules.Source
- Declare goods that go over the duty-free allowances on arrival. Norwegian customs (Tolletaten) sets the limits at toll.no.Source
- Strong wine and spirits are sold only at Vinmonopolet stores, not in supermarkets. Beer and low-strength drinks are sold in grocery stores.
- Norway's right of public access lets you walk and camp in open nature, but keep your distance from houses and take your rubbish with you.
Plan around Lofoten
Fjords, the Arctic north and the cost of travel
Read the guideNordlandBodø, the Arctic Circle and the ferry south
Read the guideNarvikThe Ofoten Line port east of the islands
Read the guideTromsøAnother Arctic base for lights and midnight sun
Read the guideOsloWhere many flights to the north begin
Read the guideGetting around NorwayFerries, flights and rental cars compared
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for ferry and flight disruption
Read the guideLofoten FAQ
When can you see the northern lights in Lofoten?
From about late August to mid-April on clear, dark nights. February and March combine good chances with more daylight for driving.
When is the midnight sun in Lofoten?
From about late May to mid-July the sun stays above the horizon all night.
How many days do you need in Lofoten?
Four or five days to drive the E10 from Svolvær to Å, with time for a couple of hikes and a spare day for bad weather.
Do you need a car in Lofoten?
Almost always. Buses on the E10 are infrequent, so a car reaches the trailheads, beaches and western villages. Without one, base in Svolvær or Reine and plan each day around the bus times.
Is Lofoten worth visiting in winter?
Yes for northern lights and snowy scenery, but days are very short and roads can be icy. Winter driving is for confident drivers; book a guided tour if you are not, and leave spare days for storms.