Where to Stay in Lofoten: A 2024 Guide to the Best Places to Stay
Welcome to Lofoten, an archipelago located in northern Norway known for its breathtaking landscapes and picturesque fishing villages.
With its towering mountains, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters, Lofoten is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers alike. As you plan your visit to this stunning destination, one of the key decisions you’ll need to make is where to stay.
From cozy cabins nestled amidst the fjords to charming hotels overlooking the midnight sun, there are plenty of options that cater to various budgets and preferences.
In this article, I will guide you through some of the best places to stay in Lofoten, ensuring that your accommodation perfectly complements your unforgettable experience.
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Planning your trip? Use my favorite resources!
Accommodation – Booking.com to find the best deals on hotels.
Flights – Skyscanner to look for the best prices and deals on flights.
Rental cars – DiscoverCars to shop around at multiple car rental agencies.
Travel insurance – Safety Wing; keep your trips insured to protect yourself while traveling.
Tours/experiences – Viator or Get Your Guide are excellent sources for tours.
Where to Stay in Lofoten Map
Below I have a map of all the places listed in this article of where to stay in Lofoten. Note that you will most likely begin your journey in Lofoten in either Leknes or Svolvaer as this is where the airports are located.
☀️ If you are traveling to the Lofoten Islands during the high season of the summer months June – September, book your lodging early months in advance since accommodations can fill up quickly.
I recommend staying at two different places during your trip to Lofoten to maximize your time. For example, the drive from Svolvaer to the Southernmost town of Å is about 2 1/2 hours straight through, but there are many more places to see off the main road.
I stayed two nights in Ballstad and two nights in Hamnoy to more thoroughly explore each area better. This worked out perfectly and I would recommend other travelers to do the same! You never know which area will be your favorite, so its nice to stay in two different places.
🏨 However, if you want or have to stay in just one location I would recommend Ballstad or Leknes since they are both central.
Where to Stay in Lofoten: The Best Hotels & Airbnbs on the Islands
In this all inclusive guide on where to stay in Lofoten, I’ll break down the best places to stay on the islands by the major destinations/towns starting in the Northernmost part of the archipelago.
Svolvaer
You may want to spend a night or two in Svolvaer before or after flying in and out of Lofoten. Svolvaer is a main hub in Lofoten and has many amenities in town available even in the off season. There are a lot of hiking opportunities from Svolvaer as well.
But I wouldn’t recommend staying in Svolvaer during your entire time in Lofoten since it is rather far from the rest of the hikes, viewpoints, and destinations further South. You would waste a lot of time driving if you stayed in Svolvaer the entire length of your stay and planned to venture to the islands further South more than once.
The Thon Hotel Svolvaer and Svinoya Rorbuer are both great options while in Svolvaer.
The Thon Hotel is more of a traditional hotel with a restaurant onsite, while the Svinoya Rorbuer is more set in nature with the option of having a cute cottage of your own.
Leknes
Leknes is the location of the other airport in Lofoten and has the advantage of being central on the islands. The town also has many amenities and stores available for convenience.
Statles Rorbu is a few miles from the center of Leknes on the water with beautiful mountain views and cabin options. All rooms have a patio so you can enjoy the views and fresh air during your stay.
Lofoten Basecamp is on the Northwest side of Leknes and slightly closer to town than Statles Rorbu. This hotel is highly rated and close to many famous beaches. There are cabins to rent and private rooms available. There is also a sauna onsite so you can get the full Norwegian experience!
Ballstad
The town of Ballstad is close to Leknes and is also a slightly larger town with many amenities like grocery stores and restaurants. Ballstad also has an advantage to being central in Lofoten.
I stayed at this lovely Airbnb Seafront Cottage in Ballstad that had a private balcony and waterfront views. It was super clean, comfortable, with an equipped kitchen perfect for making hot meals when the winter weather was not so great. The host is so friendly and super accommodating, even walking over in the snow to give us laundry detergent!
The Hattvika Lodge is a really popular place to stay in Lofoten with a restaurant onsite. There are fisherman’s cabins to choose from as well as private rooms and apartments.
Nusfjord
Heading further South and off the main road in Lofoten we have Nusfjord- a charming small, historic, seaside village. Nusfjord is one of the most preserved fishing villages in Lofoten.
The Nusfjord Arctic Resort is the best place to stay there, with restaurant options onsite as well as a spa and hot tub overlooking the ocean. This is a great unique, luxury stay option.
Reine/ Hamnoy
There are some of those iconic places that you’ve just gotta stay at while on a trip, and Eliassen Rorbuer is one of them.
You’ve probably seen loads of that picturesque shot of Lofoten with the mountains rising sharply from the see in front of red cabins. Well- those red cabins are Eliassen Rorbuer! And you can sleep in one of those cabins!
The location of Eliassen Rorbuer is perfect in Hamnoy. You’re close to many of the most popular views, hikes, and photographic locations in Lofoten.
🎣 The cabins are renovated fisherman’s cabins but still maintain their character and charm. The oldest cabins here are from 1890!
I was lucky enough to stay in a waterfront cabin with the most fantastic view of the water and mountains. There was also large windows on the ceiling for even more viewing and light.
The accommodations have kitchenettes equipped with stovetops and refrigerators so you can cook your own meals. This was crucial for us for saving money by grocery shopping. Plus, since we visited during the winter off season there weren’t many options available to eat out- something to keep in mind!
They have 1 & 2 bedroom Waterfront Cabins, Standard 1 & 2 Bedroom Cottages, Studio, 1, & 3 Bedroom Apartments to choose from. Book your stay here!
🥾 Popular hikes nearby: Reinebringen, Ryten, & Munken.
I was hosted by Eliassen Rorbuer in exchange for a feature on my social media and blog. All thoughts published here are on my own, and I would’ve stayed here regardless if I was hosted by them or not!
Å
Å is the last, Southernmost village in the Lofoten Islands that you can drive to. A small village, it is another one of the most well preserved traditional fishing villages in Northern Norway.
Å-Hamna Rorbuer has beautiful holiday homes that feature full kitchens, terraces, seating areas, and private bathrooms. Free parking onsite with plentiful hiking, fishing, cycling, and canoeing opportunities nearby.
Lofoten Å HI hostel is the only hostel option on this list. The property is highly rated and has both a 4 bed female or male dormitory choice, or double or twin room with shared bathroom available.
Best time to go to the Lofoten Islands
The Lofoten Islands are a year round destination, dependent on what you’re looking for.
❄️ If you’re not a fan of clouds, rain, and snow- I would avoid the months between November and April. But, if you want to experience the islands during a quieter time with fewer crowds, snow on the mountains, and a chance to see the Northern Lights- then visit in the winter like I did!
☀️ Want to experience the midnight summer and enjoy world class hiking? Visit in the summer months of June – August.
⛅️ With a trip in the shoulder season months of September and October, you’ll enjoy snow free hiking trails with fewer crowds than the summer, with a chance to see the Northern Lights if you’re lucky! I hope to go this time of year the next time I get the chance to visit Lofoten.
Best things to do in the Lofoten Islands
- Enjoy the midnight sun in the summer, or go Northern Lights hunting Autumn-Early Spring!
- Go hiking! Some of the most popular hikes in Lofoten inlude Reinebringen, Ryten, Håen, Torsketunga, and Festvågtind but there are so many more!
- Go horseback riding on the beach at Hov Gard.
- Experience the sandy shores of the infamous beaches such as Kvalvika beach, Haukland beach, Uttakleiv beach, and Ytresand beach.
- Go kayaking to admire the tall mountains from the turquoise ocean waters with Skrova Kayak or Lofoten Arctic Adventures.
Visiting Lofoten: FAQs
Still have some questions you need answering about where to stay in Lofoten? Let’s answer them!
Where is the best place to base yourself in the Lofoten?
I think if you have at least 4 nights in Lofoten you should choose 2 places to base yourself in Lofoten. In my planning of my trip to Lofoten, I found that there were just so many unique places to stay on the islands, I wanted to definitely stay in 2 different places during my 4 night stay. For instance, one stay in the Svolvaer or Ballstad area, and then one stay in the Hamnoy/Reine area.
I stayed in both Ballstad and Hamnoy and found they made perfect places to base yourself.
But, if you want choose just one place, I would go with the Leknes and Ballstad area since it is central.
How many days should I spend in Lofoten?
I think 4-7 days is perfect. I spent 4 full days in the winter and thought it was a good amount of time. But in the summer I would want a few more days to do more hiking. The islands may look small on the map but there is so much to explore.
What is the best month to go to Lofoten?
If you want to experience all that Lofoten has to offer such as the hiking, kayaking, sightseeing, etc. I would recommend going June – September.
I went in January and I would still definitely recommend it, but only if you want a winter vacation! Be prepared for cold temps, snow, rain, wind, and all in between! But when the sun makes an appearance, it’s really special. Plus you have the chance to see the Northern Lights in the winter.
Is it expensive to go to Lofoten Islands?
Norway is definitely not a cheap country to visit. However, I did find Lofoten to be cheaper than our trip to Tromso, Norway. In Lofoten you can do a lot of free activities like hiking and sightseeing, so your main expenses will be lodging, car rental, food, and gas.
I found lodging to be surprisingly affordable, and you can always make it even cheaper by camping during the summer months. Save more money by getting accommodation with a kitchen so you can cook your own meals as opposed to paying higher prices dining out. And get an economy car when renting so that it is better on gas! These small things will help to make your stay in Lofoten a bit more affordable.
Conclusion: Where to Stay in Lofoten
In conclusion, Lofoten offers a range of accommodation options that cater to different preferences and budgets.
Whether you seek the charm of traditional fisherman cabins, the luxury of boutique hotels, or the convenience of modern apartments, there is something for everyone in this breathtaking archipelago.
From its stunning natural landscapes to its rich cultural heritage, Lofoten promises an unforgettable experience for all visitors.
So whether you are a nature enthusiast seeking adventure or simply looking to unwind amidst unparalleled beauty, choosing where to stay in Lofoten is just the beginning of an incredible journey.
