Norway : Around Lofoten

North to the Vesteralens
Drive from Evenes north into the Vesteralen archipelago. Stay in Sortland, the perfect base to explore this area. Perhaps head to the west of Langoya for some hiking or one of the quaint fishing villages.

A highlight is the whale safari from Andenes - take a trip out into the open sea to look for sperm whales, and you may spot other cetacean species including orcas. Seals and thousands of seabirds are a special feature of the abundant wildlife of the region. 

Lofoten islands
Head for the Lofoten islands, with jagged peaks (some of the oldest rocks in the world), fjords, rugged cliffs, idyllic white sand beaches and thousands of tiny islands. The locals live from dairy farming, tourism and fishing - in the spring and autumn hundreds of fishing boats come into the fjords.

Nowadays many of the traditional red-painted fishermen’s huts, known as ‘rorbuer’, are converted to visitor accommodation, giving you a real feel for the old way of life.

Harbour town of Svolvaer
A spectacular drive takes you to Svolvaer, the main town of Austvagoya. Flanked on its northern side by Svolvaergeita, a prominent landmark whose twin peaks resemble the horns of a goat, this area attracts many artists.

Don’t miss the chance to take a boat tour into Trollfjorden, by comfortable motor cruise, thrilling zodiac inflatable or peaceful kayak. Just 3 km long and barely 100 m wide at its entrance, the fjord is framed with smooth, vertical granite slabs rising to 1000 m. Here sea eagles are often spotted.  

Stopping en route 
As you make your way south through the islands there are plenty of inviting side trips: Henningvaer - a village of artists and craftsmen; the north coast - whose turquoise sea and white sand beaches might look more at home in the tropics; and Nusfjord - a UNESCO World Heritage village in a breathtaking location. 

Last but not least
An absolute gem, the final stop is Hamnoy in the south of Lofoten, whose rorbuer date back to 1890 and have been painstakingly restored. This area invites exploration on foot, by boat or even by bicycle. If you prefer less active options, there is plenty of culture and interesting museums to immerse yourself in.

An absolute must
Drive the E10 down to its very end at the village of A (the last letter in Norwegian alphabet) and the final mountain range, known as Lofotenveggen. Boat trips can be arranged from Sorvagen to the islands of Rost and Vaeroy, both rich in birdlife. With so much to do in this area, the time will pass quickly and soon you’ll be heading back to the mainland. 

Extend your trip
You can continue to Tromso or all the way to the top of Norway, taking the Hurtigruten coastal voyage from Harstad to Kirkenes with an excursion to Nordkapp. We would be happy to discuss these or other options with you.