If you’re looking for remote white sand beaches, colourful fishing villages and rugged mountains dropping sheer into the sea, you might not think of heading high up into the Arctic Circle.
But Lofoten is quite simply one of the most beautiful places in Norway – a country that’s already famous for its spectacular fjords, vast icy glaciers and towering waterfalls.
Lofoten is a chain of rocky islands that lies off Norway’s northeast coast. The islands are connected to the mainland by a series of bridges and ferries, and surrounded by fjords, islets and massive mountains.
The islands are great for outdoor activities, such as hiking up mountains for awe-inspiring views, kayaking round islands, taking a dip in the sea – and even surfing.
But Lofoten is not just a summer destination. If anything, this remote region is even more scenic in winter when the mountain tops are capped in snow, icicles dangle off rose-red wooden houses and the northern lights dance across clear, starry skies.
Why visit Lofoten in winter?
Apart for the sheer beauty of the islands in winter, there’s also plenty to do in Lofoten, even when it’s cold outside.
Snow-shoe hikes, winter kayak trips on the fjords and wildlife safaris out at sea all take place over the winter.
You can also find cosy accommodation on the islands in the form of rorbuer, former fishermen’s huts that have been converted into comfortable cottages for holiday-makers.
Built to provide shelter for fishermen over the winter, these cottages are a great place to hole up in front of a roaring fire after a day out at sea or on the mountain.
And with little light pollution, the Lofoten islands provide some of the most spectacular sightings of the northern lights in winter.
What are the Lofoten islands like in winter?
Despite being so far north up in the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten islands have a comparatively mild climate, as their surrounding waters are warmed by the Gulf Stream. The sea doesn’t freeze and average temperatures rarely dip much below zero.
Of course there are downsides to visiting in winter. The long dark nights, for one.
In the north of the Lofoten it’s dark from around 7th December to 7th January, so your activities at this time of year are limited.
However, you can still go out on a fishing trip or a northern lights tour, or simply hole up in front of a roaring fire in one of the rorbuer huts.
If you’re visiting in winter, you’ll have to balance the hours of daylight with the average temperature and decide which tours you want to do.
| Average daytime temperatures (C) | Average daylight hours | |
| November | 5 | 5 |
| December | 3 | < 1 |
| January | 2 | 2 |
| February | 1 | 6 |
| March | 2 | 10 |
It’s worth noting also that the length of the days changes very quickly this far north.
So although it’s completely dark for about four weeks around mid-winter, it starts to get lighter by about an hour a week until June, then darker by about an hour a week until December again.
What to expect on a Lofoten winter tour
Taking a guided tour is definitely a good idea if you want to explore the Lofoten islands in winter.
The weather conditions can change very quickly and having an expert guide to show you where to go and help out if conditions take a turn for the worse is crucial.
Most tours are run by locals who know the terrain and waters well. They’ll also provide any specialist gear you may need, and guides will be able to tell you in advance what sort of clothing you should wear and any kit you need to bring with you.
6 of the best winter tours in Lofoten
So what are the best tours to do? We’ve picked our six favourite fun trips in Lofoten in winter.
Kayak round the fjords in winter
We love this two-hour winter kayak trip where you’ll paddle peacefully round the calm waters of the fjords and islands. You can admire the snow-capped scenery from the water as you explore the shoreline around Svolvaer.
You’ll be provided with a dry suit and the trip is suitable for beginners, though bear in mind that kayaking in the cold can be more challenging than in warm conditions.
Go on a northern lights hunt
Head out into the wilderness with an experienced photographer, who can help you get the best pics of the spectacular northern lights. On this four-hour tour, you’ll learn all about the aurora borealis and drive out to where you can get the best views.
Hot drinks are included, as is a souvenir photo! We love that this is a tour you can do in December when it’s completely dark, although March and October are actually the months with the most solar activity.
Explore the islands on an eco-boat trip
Take a silent tour of the Trollfjord on this electric catamaran. We think this is one of the most environmentally friendly ways of seeing the fjords without disturbing the wildlife that lives there.
The boat even has an underwater drone so that you can see the wildlife beneath the sea as well as the birds flying overhead.
Take a nature hike on snowshoes
When the snow is thick on the ground, the best way to get around is with snowshoes. On this three-hour guided trek, you’ll explore some of the stunning snow-covered scenery of the Lofoten islands.
Snowshoes and poles are provided, as is an expert guide who can teach you how to walk in snowshoes and tell you tales of the Lofoten, its history and culture.
Visit a Sami camp and meet some reindeer
Learn about the life and traditions of the Sami people on this fascinating five-hour trip to a Lapland reindeer herd.
The Sami have been herding reindeer in Lapland for hundreds of years, and on this (admittedly very touristy) tour you’ll visit a Sami camp and learn all about their culture and history.
We think the best part of this tour is that you can get up close and personal with some fluffy reindeer, and feed them their favourite food – moss.
There’s even a warming bowl of reindeer stew round a campfire included too!
Spot seals and sea eagles on a wildlife safari
See seals, sea eagles and stunning scenery on this speedy RIB tour of the Trollfjord.
This two-hour trip whizzes you past pretty fishing villages and dramatic sea cliffs in search of wildlife. We think that going on a tour with an expert guide gives you the best chance of spotting swimming seals and watching sea eagles soar and dive for fish.
Tips for visiting in winter
Of course, travelling this far north in winter involves a level of preparation. It will be cold, so make sure you pack well and bring the following essentials.
- Warm, waterproof coat
- Thick jumpers or fleeces
- Thermal layers
- Woollen gloves, hat and scarf
- Sturdy waterproof walking boots and thick woollen socks
- Sunglasses – if the sun comes out, it can be blindingly bright when reflected in the snow.
- An umbrella – it rains a lot up here too!
3 spectacular places to stay in the Lofoten islands
One of the best things about a visit to the Lofoten islands is staying in a cosy rorbuer, where you can keep warm and enjoy the views even when it’s snowing outside. Here are three of our favourite rorbuer in the Lofoten islands.
Nusfjord Arctic Resort
Nusfjord Arctic Resort is a whole village of fishing huts that have been converted into cosy cottages that you can stay in.
There’s an excellent restaurant here that serves local and seasonal food, but our favourite thing is the outdoor hot tub and sauna when you can warm up after a quick dip in the sea!
Eliassen Rorbuer
Eliassen Rorbuer is a series of red-painted wooden traditional fishing cottages on the island of Hamnøy. Surrounded by sea, the cottages range from comfortable doubles with a stunning sea view to bargain bunk-bed rooms sleeping six.
We love that there’s a good breakfast included, and they can organise loads of local tours and trips.
Å Rorbuer
Right down at the far southern tip of the Loftoen islands, Å Rorbuer has upmarket converted cottages on stilts over the sea. Å is the furthest south that the E10 highway goes, which gives this charming, picturesque village a remote end-of-the-road atmosphere.
The cottages here are comfortable and cosy and there’s a good restaurant on-site.
Is it worth visiting the Lofoten islands in winter?
We say categorically, yes! Apart from the stunning scenery, which looks even more beautiful when covered in snow, there’s a whole raft of fun activities that you can do in winter.
So, take our advice: wrap up warm and head north to Norway’s Lofoten islands for a magical winter trip!
See also:
Visiting Oslo in winter
Visiting Stockholm in winter
Visiting Copenhagen in winter
The best winter tours in Sweden
