Lofoten
Explore the jewel of Arctic Norway, the natural paradise of the Lofoten Archipelago
Jutting from the coast of Arctic Norway, the beautiful Lofoten islands are globally famous for their staggering natural beauty. Rugged snowcapped mountains overlook the winding causeways and bridges which link the islands, dotted with tiny fishing villages, golden beaches and sapphire waters. Adventurers from around the world flock here for everything from whale-watching to hiking to surfing and skiing, while picturesque towns such as Svolvær and Reine offer a warm welcome and hearty local culture. Lofoten really is one of the Arctic’s premier destinations.
Area of Lofoten
- 1,227 km²
Population of Lofoten
- 24,500
Why Travel to Lofoten
In cod we trust
It is impossible to go far in Lofoten without seeing enormous, neat racks of fish hanging up to dry in the Arctic wind. These dried cod have been the core of Lofoten’s economy for centuries (until the advent of oil and tourism), being easy to export and store. Indeed, with a shelf life of several years, this protein-rich food was vital to the expansion of the Vikings out of Norway, who eventually reached as far as modern-day Canada, arriving in North America more than 500 years before Columbus.
Surf's up!
Entering the frigid ocean may not be most people’s first choice when visiting Lofoten, but the islands’ location jutting into the open North Atlantic Ocean makes them a mecca for surfers. With huge waves and strong winds onto western shores year-round, Lofoten is fast becoming one of Europe’s premier surf destinations – just be sure to bring your wetsuit!
Modern-day Vikings
While considered remote today, Lofoten was firmly at the center of the Viking world. Dried fish from here fueled longship expeditions to Iceland, Greenland, and beyond, and powerful Viking lords grew rich on the fish and trade passing through the archipelago’s waters. Indeed, the largest Viking longhouse ever discovered (at a staggering 83m) was found here near the village of Bøstad – an outstanding reconstruction of it can be explored at the nearby Lofotr Viking Museum.
The Islands at War
Lofoten played an outsized role during the Second World War in Norway. As with the Vikings, the rich fishing grounds were still incredibly important, both as a source of protein to occupying German forces and as a chemical source to manufacture explosives. In 1941, British commandos fought back, destroying fish oil factories, sinking ships, and taking more than 200 German prisoners. The ghostly ruins of German fortifications can still be seen along the coast.
The Rorbuer
One can’t go far in Lofoten without seeing rows of red-painted cabins perched above the water. Known in Norwegian as ‘rorbuer’, these cabins are quintessential Lofoten icons, originally built as seasonal accommodation and workshops for visiting fishermen, who could tie their boats directly outside their front door. Today, many are repurposed as waterfront accommodation for visitors – surely one of the most picturesque places to stay in the Arctic!
Map of Lofoten
From Viking Lords to Rorbuer – the History of Lofoten
Archaeological evidence shows that Lofoten has been inhabited for at least 11,000 years, although the earliest written mentions of the islands date to the Viking Age. Then as now, fisheries were central to the islands’ economy, and records show that dried cod from Lofoten was sent along the Norwegian coast and onwards to Britain and other outposts of the Viking world. This natural bounty made many local lords obscenely wealthy – perhaps the most famous was Thorir the Stag, who vigorously resisted the Christianization of Norway, leading to a bloody battle with King Olaf Tryggvason; legend has it he was slain by the king’s own spear.
King Olaf Tryggvason quickly took control of the region’s most valuable resource – its fishing grounds. The confluence of several currents here means that the waters of Lofoten are far warmer than those around most of Norway, providing the perfect spawning grounds for cod, which flock to the area in winter. Fishermen from all over the known world came to seek their fortune, leading to the creation of the iconic rorbuer so emblematic of the region, and dried cod would continue to be the mainstay of the islands’ economy for centuries.
Lofoten was later exempt from the oil drilling which takes place across much of the Norwegian coast, largely aiming to protect the region’s vital fisheries. Today, these fisheries remain vital to the local economy, especially in winter, while tourism has become king of the summer, and locals in Lofoten were some of the early pioneers of sustainable tourism, aiming to work with and preserve their breathtaking environment.
Wildlife of Lofoten
Preserving the majority of its untouched natural environment, Lofoten is a haven for wildlife. On land, moose, foxes and vast herds of reindeer (shepherded by Indigenous Sami herders) roam the hills, while golden eagles soar overhead. On the coast, birdwatchers are spoiled for choice, and the cliffs of the archipelago are home to vast numbers of seabirds, including northern fulmars, black-legged kittiwakes and black guillemots. Be sure to watch the skies for the vast silhouette of the white-tailed sea eagles which are relatively common locally.
The marine environment is even richer than that onshore – these relatively mild waters hold vast numbers of cod, herring and other fish, which attract large numbers of seals and cetaceans. Minke and humpback whales are often seen, and there is even a well-known pod of orcas which ply the coasts of the archipelago.
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The Climate of Lofoten
Lofoten sits between 67-69°N – entirely above the Arctic Circle. Despite its high latitude, however, the moderating effects of the ocean mean that Lofoten is one of the warmest places in the whole of the Arctic, especially in winter, when the temperature rarely dips far below freezing. Similar latitudes in Greenland or Canada regularly become beset by sea ice in winter – something unheard of in Lofoten.
The region experiences polar night for most of December, and is bathed in midnight sun between late May and mid-July. While the weather in summer is frequently wet and windy, long dry spells are equally common.
| AVERAGE HIGH | AVERAGE LOW | PRECIPITATION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0.1°C) | 27°F (-3.1°C) | 5 in (130 mm) |
| February | 31°F (-0.5°C) | 26°F (-3.5°C) | 4 in (116 mm) |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 27°F (-2.8°C) | 4 in (113 mm) |
| April | 38°F (3.2°C) | 32°F (0.2°C) | 3 in (84 mm) |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 39°F (3.7°C) | 2 in (71 mm) |
| June | 50°F (10.2°C) | 44°F (6.9°C) | 2 in (65 mm) |
| July | 56°F (13.4°C) | 50°F (9.9°C) | 2 in (76 mm) |
| August | 56°F (13°C) | 50°F (9.8°C) | 3 in (96 mm) |
| September | 50°F (10.2°C) | 46°F (7.6°C) | 5 in (133 mm) |
| October | 43°F (6.1°C) | 39°F (3.8°C) | 6 in (173 mm) |
| November | 38°F (3.4°C) | 34°F (0.9°C) | 6 in (154 mm) |
| December | 34°F (1.3°C) | 30°F (-1.5°C) | 6 in (160 mm) |
