Some trips feel like you’ve won the travel lottery—and our time in Lofoten was exactly that. Late August blessed us with absolutely perfect weather every single day. With the season winding down, the islands were also remarkably quiet, giving us a front-row seat to Lofoten’s magic without the crowds. We managed to have an amazing time doing so many great activities in Lofoten, including hiking, rock climbing and kayaking.

Where to Stay in Lofoten

We flew into Leknes and spent the first part of our trip based in Hamnoy, to be able to explore the South. We split our time between Eliassen Rorbuer in Hamnøy and Bryggehotell in Henningsvær—two stunning bases that couldn’t have worked out better. A rorbuer is a traditional Norwegian fisherman’s cabin, often painted red and built on stilts. The red rorbuer cabins perched on the water in Hamnøy felt straight out of a postcard, while Henningsvær’s cozy harbor village energy gave us the chance to soak in sunsets with a drink in hand after long, active days. Admittedly, we wouldn’t have picked Henningsvaer if it weren’t for the climbing, but boy did this village deliver. Everything was in walking distance and had a charm to it.

Activities in the Lofoten Islands

Lofoten is a natural playground, and almost everything revolves around the outdoors. Here’s what we did (and what I recommend as great activities):

Hiking

There are a countless number of hiking trails, of varying length and difficultly so you can easily choose your own adventure. On the ‘must do’ list is the iconic Reinebringen. While it’s only 484 meters high, the iconic view from the summit makes it special. And while one may argue it’s easy given the 1978 sherpa steps built to get to the top, the steps are quite steep and physically demanding.

Rock Climbing

Lofoten is a destination on high on the list of many climbers, with world class crack climbing surrounding by amazing views. We went out with Javi from TRAD and spent the day crack climbing on the Gandalf Wall. Of course, one of the routes we climbed was Gandalf, a Lofoten 3 pitch classic, and we also did the neighboring route, Gollum. There are also many other classics, like Presten, and for an iconic, beginner-friendly option, Svolvaergeita, a famous climb shaped as two goat horns.

Sea Kayaking

Paddling at sunset was pure magic: calm seas, golden light, and mountain reflections everywhere.

Horseback Riding

We drove up to Hov Gard and had a chance to do a private ride on classic Icelandic horses. Riding them along the beach and through meadows was a unique way to take in the scenery.

Eagle Safari

We booked an RIB boat ride that took us out toward Tromsø. Once we arrived, we were fitted in thermal suits and goggles and then boarded a small high speed boat and set out on the water. While we went speeding out between the dramatic rock faces out to Tromso, the highlight was stopping along the way to see the sea eagles.

Scenic Drives

Simply driving across the islands is an experience: turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and dramatic peaks reflected in still lagoons. Every bridge leads to a new panorama.

Viking Museum

Near Leknes, there is a Viking Museum. We had not planned on visiting but managed a short visit and would recommend spending a couple hours here if you are passing through.

Weather & When to Go

We got unbelievably lucky: blue skies and sun all week in late August. The bonus? With summer ending, there were far fewer tourists than in July.

• Summer (June–August): Midnight sun, best weather, busiest season.
• Late Summer (August–September): Shoulder season, quieter, still great weather if you’re lucky.
• Winter (Nov–March): Northern Lights, cozy rorbuer stays, surprisingly mild temps thanks to the Gulf Stream (generally 0°C, worst case around -10°C).

Almost the Northern Lights

We nearly caught the aurora one night but missed it by a minute—closing the blinds just before it appeared. In Lofoten, the skies are always worth watching at night, especially as summer gives way to autumn.

Summary

Between the breathtaking scenery, endless adventures, and cozy fishing villages, Lofoten is one of those rare places that feels both raw and welcoming all at once. If the weather were always as good as what we had, I’d come back again and again. For outdoor enthusiasts, it truly is the dream.