If you are making a decision about where to stay in the Lofoten Islands, you have a lot of options.
Take your pick from rorbuers (fisherman cabins that have been converted into small apartments), hotels, hostels, and campsites.
Not only do you have to choose what kind of accommodation to stay in, you also have to decide where to stay. The Lofoten Islands are a large area and it takes several hours to drive from one side to the other. Your options include larger towns like Svolvaer or Leknes, picture perfect Reine or Hamnøy, or a number of smaller towns in between.
Another question we commonly get is if you should stay in more than one location. We’ll help you figure this out, too.
Let’s get started.
Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands
The main towns of Svolvaer, Leknes, and Reine all make great places to stay. There are also some wonderful small towns and fishing villages to choose from.
There are a few things to consider when choosing where to stay in the Lofoten Islands:
- The size of the town. The larger towns of Svolvaer and Leknes will have a lot of dining options and are accessible by airplane. The smaller towns like Reine, Hamnøy, and Å are more charming and picturesque.
- You will also need to consider driving distances between towns. If you stay in the far southern or northeastern part of the Lofoten Islands, you will be driving more to get to the sights (although that’s not a bad thing…around every bend is another gorgeous view and I doubt you will get tired of it).
- Should you stay in more than one location? On a longer trip (4+ days), staying in two different places reduces driving time and allows you to immerse yourself in several regions of the Lofoten Islands.
In our Lofoten Islands Itinerary, we list the best towns to stay in for each day of the itinerary. For a short visit to the Lofoten Islands (3 or less days), it is best to stay in one location, ideally in a centrally located town, such as Leknes. If you have 4 or more days on the Lofoten Islands, you have the option to stay in two locations. You will check in and out of one additional hotel, but this can save you a considerable amount of driving time and allow you to experience two different areas of the Lofoten Islands.
How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left corner of the map to see a list of the points of interest and to turn layers on/off. Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest.
To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
The Quick Answer
Before we get into the details of the best locations in the Lofoten Islands and the best hotels in the Lofoten Islands, here is a quick overview of our top picks of where to stay in the Lofoten Islands. After this section, we list the pros and cons of each town with a longer list of properties to choose from.
As far as location goes, staying in Reine or Hamnøy is our first pick. It’s hard to beat the scenery here, and with a wide range of accommodations to choose from, not to mention access to restaurants and a grocery store, this is a great place to base yourself.
However, if you planning a quick visit to the Lofoten Islands, Leknes has a prime location since it is centrally located.
If you want the classic rorbuer experience in this area, consider Eliassen Rorbuer or Reinefjorden Sjøhus in Hamnøy, or Sakrisøy Rorbuer in Reine. If you are a budget traveler, consider Sakrisøy Gjestegård in Reine.
If you want to stay somewhere centrally located in the Lofoten Islands that gets rave reviews, consider Rorbu i Lofoten or Lofoten Basecamp (both of these are in Leknes).
If you are a budget traveler, consider Hammerstad Camping in Svolvaer, Sakrisøy Gjestegård in Reine, or Lofoten Å HI Hostel in Å.
If we did it again (and I hope we do!), we would stay in both Nyvågar Rorbuhotell and Reinefjorden Sjøhus again. Both were amazing and oh, that view from Reinefjorden Sjohus! However, I’d also be interested in trying Lofoten Basecamp.
And if you are road tripping through the Lofoten Islands, you can stay at more than one place. It may make sense to spend a day or two near Svolvaer and then journey down to Reine and Hamnøy.
Best Places to Stay: Organized by Location
Svolvaer
Svolvaer is the capital city of the Lofoten Islands. This large town has an airport and a port where you can take a ferry to and from the mainland. Since it is one of the largest towns in the Lofoten Islands, you will have a lot of restaurants to choose from if you stay here.
It is located at the northeastern end of the Lofoten Islands. From here, you’re looking at a 2 hour drive to get to Reine, one of the the area’s most iconic areas, which can be a disadvantage of staying here. However, its airport, long list of hotels and restaurants make it a popular hub for travelers.
Driving Distances
- Svolvaer to Leknes: 70 km, 1.25 hours
- Svolvaer to Reine: 121 km, 2 hours
Svolvaer, seen from Fløya
Anker Brygge
Anker Brygge is a rorbu resort that offers 27 cabins and suites. Located on a small, man-made island, some rooms offer views of the town of Svolvaer. Take your pick from rorbu suites and rooms that accommodate between two and four people. All suites have a patio and a small kitchenette.
Svinøya Rorbuer
This is another property where you can stay in a traditional rorbu. Svinøya Rorbuer is located a short distance outside of Svolvaer, with a beautiful setting between the mountains and the ocean. Take your pick from one-bedroom cottages to a four-bedroom house that can accommodate up to eight people. People who stay here say the view is so beautiful that it is hard to leave.
Lofoten Suiteapartments
Stay in a gorgeous, modern apartment in the center of town. You will be within walking distance of most restaurants in Svolvaer and this property gets glowing reviews by prior guests. These apartments come equipped with a washing machine, a nice perk for those traveling for a long time or if you simply want to refresh your hiking clothes.
Hammerstad Camping
If you are traveling by camper van, plan on camping, or are looking for a highly rated budget accommodation, Hammerstad Camping is worth considering. This property offers a number of cabins that can accommodate two to nine people.
Kabelvåg
Kabelvåg is a very small town located just a few miles down the road from Svolvaer. If you like the idea of staying outside of town, but having a few restaurants nearby, Kabelvåg is a good pick. We spent one night here while road tripping through the Lofoten Islands.
Nyvågar Rorbuhotell
This is where we stayed and we loved it! We spent one night in a rorbu. The first floor had a small kitchen, living area, and bathroom. On the second floor were two bedrooms with two twin beds. The rooms were clean, quiet, and gave us a lot of space to spread out. Onsite is a restaurant and breakfast is included.
Get prices, read reviews, and see photos on Booking.com.
Nyvågar Rorbuhotell
Leknes
Leknes is centrally located in the Lofoten Islands. This is also one of the larger towns in the islands, so you will have all of the perks that come with that, such as restaurants, shopping, and even an airport.
This is one of the best places to stay in the Lofoten Islands if you want a central location. For those with a short stay in the Lofoten Islands (3 or less days) this is the location we recommend, since you can get to either end of the Lofoten Islands in around an hour of driving.
Driving Distances
- Leknes to Reine: 56 km, 1 hour
- Leknes to Svolvaer: 70 km, 1.25 hours
Lofoten Basecamp
This is a gorgeous property located just a few miles away from Leknes. Each villa has three bedrooms that can accommodate up to six people. Every unit comes with a kitchen, a washing machine, and a terrace with a beautiful sea view. This highly rated property tends to sell out fast, so if you’re interested, book it as soon as you know your dates.
Get prices, read reviews, and see photos on Booking.com.
Rorbu i Lofoten
With breathtaking views of the water, a full kitchen, four bedrooms that can accommodate up to 6 people, Rorbu i Lofoten is one of our top picks of best places to stay in the Lofoten Islands. This relatively new property gets exceptional reviews and you are essentially renting an entire house.
Get prices, read reviews, and see it in photos on Booking.com.
Scandic Leknes Lofoten
This hotel is located in the town of Leknes. Prices here are more budget friendly than staying in a rorbuer. Plus, this hotel is conveniently located near the airport, perfect if you are using the Leknes Airport to fly in or out of the Lofoten Islands.
Get prices, read reviews, and see photos on Booking.com.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Accommodations tend to book up fast so make your reservations as soon as you know your dates. The busiest season to visit the Lofoten Islands are the summer months. We made our reservations in February for our stay in July and even then, many places were already sold out for our dates.
Nusfjord
Nusfjord is one of the best preserved fishing villages in the Lofoten Islands. It’s located a bit out of the way, which can be a good or a bad thing, depending upon your travel style.
Driving Distances
- Nusfjord to Reine: 41 km, 50 minutes
- Nusfjord to Leknes: 27 km, 30 minutes
- Nusfjord to Svolvaer: 92 km, 1.5 hours
Nusfjord Arctic Resort
Nusfjord Arctic Resort is more than just a collection of restored fisherman’s cabins. It’s a historic property, with a restaurant, a pub, and a small museum. This is a tourist attraction, so there will be people who visit the property during the daytime. If you don’t like the idea of having a bunch of tourists milling about outside your door, this isn’t the place for you. However, if you like the idea of staying on a historic property, check it out. If you choose not to stay here, you can still visit it during the daytime, like we did.
Stay in one of the renovated fisherman’s cabins that can accommodate up to four people. Nusfjord Rorbuer has a beautiful setting, tucked away on a fjord amidst the rocky mountains.
Nusfjord Arctic Resort
Reine & Hamnøy
Reine is one of the most popular spots to visit in the Lofoten Islands. With its collection of red and yellow fishing cabins on the water and the backdrop of the Lofoten mountains, it is one of the most picturesque spots on the Lofoten Islands.
There are a lot of hotels to choose from, as well as several restaurants and there is a grocery store in town. If you plan to hike Reinebringen, staying in a property on the west side of town puts you within walking distance of the trailhead (parking for the Reinebringen hike can be challenging!).
Hamnøy is a small fishing village located right next to Reine. This is where we stayed and we had a wonderful experience.
Since everyone road trips down here at some point, Reine and Hamnøy can get very busy midday. But by 5 pm, most of the day-trippers are gone and Reine and Hamnøy are quiet again. So, another advantage of staying in these towns is enjoying the peacefulness and the views at the beginning and end of your days.
We loved it here. We loved how quiet and peaceful it felt in the evenings. It was wonderful walking to dinner, taking in the views, and hearing the seagulls (there are a lot of noisy seagulls here!).
Driving Distances
- Hamnøy/Reine to Leknes: 52 km, 1 hour
- Hamnøy/Reine to Svolvaer: 116 km, 2 hours
Reine and Hamnøy seen from Reinebringen
Reinefjorden Sjøhus
This is where we stayed and it was wonderful. We stayed in a two-bedroom apartment, which is really a two-level cabin with a kitchen and a living area. The view from the living room was AMAZING! We could look across the water to Sakrisøy and Reine and see Reinebringen in the background. My only complaint is that they do not have black out curtains, so with the midnight sun, I did find it difficult to sleep. That’s easy to fix by bringing along a sleeping mask. But without a doubt, we would stay here again.
Reinefjorden Sjøhus
View from our room
Take your pick from a traditional hotel room, superior and standard apartments, a deluxe waterfron cabin, or a 6-bedroom house which can accommodate up to 12 people. We stayed in the ‘Superior Apartment with View.’
Get prices, read reviews, and see photos on Booking.com.
Eliassen Rorbuer
This is the most iconic property on the Lofoten Islands…the red fishing cabins set against a backdrop of Reinefjord and the Lofoten mountains. And guess what, you can stay here! Take your pick from 35 renovated fishing cabins. The cabins can accommodate two to four people and some offer a sea view.
Get prices, read reviews, and see photos on Booking.com.
Eliasson Rorbuer
Reine Rorbuer
This is another classic rorbuer property located in Reine. Take your pick from one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom cottages. Onsite is Gammelbua, a restaurant that serves traditional Norwegian food.
Get prices, read reviews, and see photos on Booking.com.
Sakrisøy Rorbuer
This is another highly rated property that offers the classic rorbuer experience in the heart of Reine. One and two-bedroom cottages are available and the cottages offer a terrace overlooking the water. Sakrisøy Rorbuer tends to sell out fast so make your reservations as soon as you know your dates.
Sakrisøy Rorbuer
Sakrisøy Gjestegård
This is a restored manor house in Reine. The guesthouse has 10 rooms that share a living area and kitchen. Some rooms share a bathroom and the deluxe rooms have a private bathroom and flat screen TV’s.
Get prices, read reviews, and see photos on Booking.com.
A Few More Properties
Here is a short list of a few more small properties that get rave reviews:
- The Famous Yellow House (the whole, tiny house is yours!)
- Andøy Vest Rorbuer Reine (these deluxe waterfront cabins come with 4 bedrooms, perfect for families)
- Rostad Retro Rorbuer (take your pick between chalets, holiday homes, and 3-bedroom house)
Å i Lofoten
The tiny town with the tiny name of Å (pronounced aw) marks the southernmost point of the Lofoten Islands, at least what is accessible by car. There’s not much more here than some houses, a great bakery, and a Norwegian fishing museum. However, there is a great budget friendly place to stay.
Rorbuers in Å
There are two rorbuers in Å that get exceptional reviews: Å Rorbuer and Å-Hamna Rorbuer. Both of these sit in the center town and have wonderful seaside views of the other rorbuers that sit on the water’s edge.
Hostels in Å
Traveling on a budget? The Lofoten Å HI Hostel offers dormitory style rooms plus private double rooms. Lofoten Budget Hostel is another option.
Small Property Near Å
Lofoten Planet – Boutique Hotel is a small property that gets exceptional reviews. It is located in Sørvågen, a short drive from Å.
If you are planning a trip to the Lofoten Islands and have questions about where to stay in the Lofoten Islands, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information for Your Trip to Norway and the Lofoten Islands
Lofoten Islands Itinerary: Build Your Dream Adventure in Norway
The Lofoten Islands are one of the most stunning areas of Norway. This is where majestic mountains meet brilliantly white sandy beaches, fishing villages dot the coastlines, and hiking trails criss-cross their way through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Europe. If you are planning your Lofoten Islands itinerary, we have a lot of […]
Norway Bucket List: 20 Epic Things to Do in Norway
Norway is the land of fjords, quaint fishing villages, Vikings, trolls, the northern lights, the midnight sun, scenic drives, and some of the best hikes in the world. If you are planning a visit to this amazing country, here are 20 of the best things to do in Norway. So far, we have visited Norway […]
10 Day Northern Norway Itinerary with the Lofoten Islands
The islands of northern Norway are the perfect destination if you enjoy hiking, scenic drives, and jaw-dropping landscapes. On this northern Norway itinerary, road trip from Tromsø down through Senja and the Vesteralen Islands, ending with several magical days in the Lofoten Islands. This is the type of trip where every day just seems to get better […]
Top Ten Things To Do in the Lofoten Islands
The Lofoten Islands are a wonderland of jagged mountains, beautiful fjords, and white sandy beaches. This is a spectacular part of Norway to explore, especially for those who love scenic drives, hiking, and being outdoors. If you are planning a trip to Norway, here are 10 epic things to do in the Lofoten Islands. Best […]
How to Hike Ryten and Enjoy the View over Kvalvika Beach
The hike to Ryten has all of the ingredients of a perfect Lofoten Islands hike: sweeping vistas across the mountains and fjords, a fun but slightly strenuous hike to a mountain peak, and a breathtaking view of a white, sandy beach. The icing on the cake is a “mini Trolltunga,” an outcropping of rock where […]
How to Hike Svolvaer Fløya & Djevelporten in the Lofoten Islands
There are two ways to get a spectacular view over the town of Svolvaer…hike to the top of Svolvaer Fløya or climb Svolvaergeita. We did both on the same afternoon, making this one of our most memorable days in the Lofoten Islands. Svolvaer is one of the largest towns in the Lofoten Islands. Fløya is […]
10 Days in Norway: The Fjords and the Lofoten Islands
10 days in Norway…the options are endless for the best way to explore this gorgeous country. We have been to Norway twice and after each trip we wrote a 10-day Norway itinerary. Our 10 Day Norway Itinerary only covers the fjord region, from Stavanger to Ålesund, with epic hikes, fjord cruises, kayaking, and more. Our […]
Hiking to Måtind on the Stave-Bleik Coastal Trail, Vesteralen, Norway
Norway never ceases to amaze me. You know how you see photos online and think to yourself, “yeah, that looks nice…I’d like to do that.” And you get there and it’s so much better than you thought it would be? For us, that was the Stave-Bleik Coastal Trail on the Vesteralen islands. It’s not an […]
Svalbard Travel Guide & Itinerary for First Time Visitors
Svalbard. An arctic playground where there are more polar bears than people. This is a land of glaciers, the northern lights, the midnight sun, and frozen tundra. Svalbard may seem barren, but it is filled with arctic wildlife like reindeer, walrus, and polar bears. If you like the idea of exploring the great outdoors, your […]
Our Svalbard Budget: How Much Does it Cost to Visit Svalbard?
Do you have big dreams of visiting Svalbard? Then you probably also have the question how much does it cost to visit Svalbard? The short answer: it can be very expensive. We spent four days in Svalbard at the end of June 2018. Here is our Svalbard budget, with a full cost breakdown of flights, […]
The Ultimate Norway Travel Guide: How to Plan a Trip to Norway
Norway Travel Guide Breathtaking, adventurous, rugged, inspiring, photogenic, extraordinary…these are all words that can be used to describe Norway. It is hard to look at photos of Norway without saying “Wow!” over and over again. Norway is the land of fjords, quaint coastal towns, the Northern Lights, Vikings, trolls, dramatic photo spots, scenic drives, and […]
How to Hike Reinebringen (+ Where to Park)
Reinebringen, with its dazzling view over the fishing villages of Reine, Sakrisøy, and Hamnøy, is the most popular hike in the Lofoten Islands. It’s a hard, steep, challenging hike on long, stone staircases and muddy, rocky trails, so it’s not to be underestimated. Don’t let the short distance fool you…it’s a tough hike and you […]
Ørnfløya, A Short but Sweet Hike in Sommarøy, Norway
The view from Ørnfløya over Sommarøy is gorgeous! The hike up Ørnfløya is short and easy, perfect if you like the idea of getting an amazing view with minimal effort. This hike can be done as a day trip from Tromsø or if you are road tripping through Norway. How to Hike Ørnfløya Hiking Stats […]
How to Hike Segla, An Iconic Peak in Senja, Norway
The hike up to the summit of Segla is one of Senja’s most popular hikes. And this was our main reason for visiting Senja. Many visitors skip past Senja, heading directly to the Lofoten Islands. But those people are missing out seeing a gorgeous part of Norway and some hidden gems. That’s fine…that means less […]
Hiking Festvågtind in the Lofoten Islands, Norway
From the top of Festvågtind, the views over the fishing village of Henningsvaer are breathtaking. This hike is very similar to Svolvaer Fløya and Reinebringen, in that it’s a steep, somewhat unexciting climb to an awesome viewpoint. It’s absolutely worth it on a clear day but consider skipping this hike on a cloudy, rainy day. […]
Comments 14