Best time to visit Lofoten Islands

The best time to visit the Lofoten Islands is any time outside of December and January, when the sun doesn’t rise at all. The calendar either side of these dark days offers abundant treats, from the Northern Lights in winter, orca spotting in spring and excellent hiking and biking in summer and autumn. Read on to find more top activities and tips from one of our friends on the archipelago.

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Best time to visit the Lofoten Islands

Far from off-limits in winter, the Lofoten Islands are milder than mainland France in January, thanks to the Gulf stream

Without the Gulf Stream swooshing past, the Lofoten Islands would be ice-clad all winter; with it, Jan-Feb hover at around 1°C. In Jul-Aug, expect 15°C with the occasional 25°C scorcher! The sun doesn’t set from late May-mid July, perfect for round-the-clock adventure, from photographing wildlife to midnight cycling, but sudden showers and weather that varies across the archipelago is common. In winter, the sun doesn’t rise from early Dec-early Jan, but visitors return in Feb-Mar, lured by long nights for Northern Lights spotting. Come in spring to see orca, often chasing herring around Reinefjord and Vestfjord.

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Lofoten Islands Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

-5

-2

152

FEB

-6

-1

119

MAR

-4

113

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

100

AUG

105

SEP

175

OCT

230

NOV

-1

168

DEC

-4

178

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Things to do in the Lofoten Islands

Things to do in the Lofoten Islands...

Get on your bike! Cycling is the perfect all-senses way to experience the Lofoten Islands. Beautiful scenery waits around every corner, and you can hop off any time to visit a gallery or explore a fishing village. Most routes hug the space between mountain and sea, so are reasonably flat, and from early June to mid-July you can even ride all night, with the midnight sun as your guide. Embrace the Norwegian philosophy of friluftsliv, meaning 'free air life'. The idea is simply that returning to nature is returning home, but even if you're more Surrey than Scandi, it's easy to experience the bliss and calm of this landscape, just be prepared to get out there. Pull on hiking boots or jump on a bike to commune with mountains, fjords, marshes, lakes and wooded slopes. Stay in a rorbuer. These traditional red or yellow fishing cabins are the manmade mascots of the Lofoten Islands and many have now been converted into vacation accommodation. Sit out on the deck of one as the summer sun hovers over the horizon, gazing over racks of drying cod towards the sea, and you could have time travelled back a century or more.

Things not to do in the Lofotens...

Leave your camera behind. It's hard to take a bad shot in the Lofoten Islands. In summer, vivid colours - green mosses, turquoise waters, red fishing huts - compete for attention, while the mix of snow, blue skies and crisp Arctic light turns most winter snaps into classics. For keen amateurs and more experienced photographers alike, photography vacations reveal the best wildlife and landscapes, day and night, with capturing the Northern Lights a goal of any winter trip.

Ignore the wildlife. Although inside the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten Islands are warmed by the Gulf Stream, with mild sea temperatures. This pulls in herring and cod in their thousands, with whales, porpoise, dolphins, seals and seabirds pursuing this fishy banquet. Take to the waves and follow the crinkly coastline to see riotous colonies of cormorants and kittiwakes and spot marine life swimming past, while sea eagles are easily viewed from a RIB in Trollfjorden.

Eat whale meat. Norway continues to defy global opinion over commercial whaling, killing 1,000-2,000 whales a year for meat – much of it aimed at curious tourists in search of novel dining. Whalers cite tradition and claim their prime target – minke whale – is abundant. We disagree. If you want to eat something distinctly Norwegian try elk or moose, but remember to bring your credit card. Budget £75 for a meal for two in a mid-range restaurant, without alcohol.

Lofoten Islands travel advice

When to come

Dawn Kitson, from our supplier Aurora Zone, gives her insights on this northern Scandinavian jewel, from the best time to visit to how best to chill out.

“Personally, I enjoy the winter as I think the scenery is just stunning. The contrast of the snow and the white sandy beaches, dramatic mountain landscapes and Arctic light make the Lofoten Islands a spectacular place to visit. This combined with the very real chance of Northern Lights viewing in the evening makes it one of my favourite parts of Northern Scandinavia. Pack for warmth, though: layers, lots of layers, and as much wool as possible!”

When to come

Tips on enjoying your downtime

“I love sitting on the edge of the harbour in one of the cafes in Svolvær, just enjoying a cup of strong coffee and some waffles with lingonberry jam – no one does waffles like the Norwegians! – to just watch the world go by.”

Itinerary ideas

“If you don’t want to hike or cycle, there’s still plenty to do here. During the winter months there are Northern Lights tours which are always very popular and a real must any time of the year is a RIB safari to see areas which cannot easily be reached by road, to encounter some of the fantastic animal and birdlife native to these areas. Lofoten War Museum and Magic Ice, a bar constructed and carved from ice, are both quirky attractions in the unique little town of Svolvær.”

Itinerary ideas

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Written by Joanna Simmons

Best time to visit Lofoten Islands

Best time to visit the Lofoten Islands