Northern Norway has experienced a major tourism boom in recent years as people flock to the area in winter to experience the northern lights and in summer to go for a hike during the midnight sun, as it takes quite a bit of time and money to venture this far, you’ll want to spend as much time here as possible. This one-week itinerary enables you to combine a city trip with a road trip in the Arctic Circle archipelago of the Lofoten Islands.
Day 1: Bodø
Catch a flight to Bodø, where you can pick up your rental car and start exploring this Arctic Circle destination. The city is relatively small, so you can discover quite a bit even if you don’t arrive first thing in the morning. If you have plenty of time and stamina, go for a hike up the Sherpa Staircase to Mt. Keiservarden in order to admire the city and its surroundings from above. Don’t want to use all your hiking energy on your first day? Head to the Norwegian Aviation Museum to get a glimpse into the country’s history in the skies. In the late afternoon or early evening, wander along the pier and around the city center to discover some of Bodø’s colorful murals, and make sure to stop by Craig Alibone for the city’s finest chocolate pralines.
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Logistics: 1 mile from Bodø Airport to the city center (5 minutes by car). The city center is very walkable. Parking is available next to the Norwegian Aviation Museum and at Rønvikfjellet for the hike to Keiservarden.
Day 2: Around Bodø
While Bodø is a picturesque city, on your second day it’s time to explore the city’s surroundings. Head to Mjelle, a sandy beach north of Bodø, which makes for a stunning place to visit regardless of the weather conditions. Farther north and after a short ferry ride, you’ll find Kjerringøy, a peninsula bordering Sjunkhatten National Park where you can find famous Kjerringøy Trading Post. Fish trading has dominated the area around Bodø since the 19th century, and the old trading post is the perfect place to spend the afternoon.
Logistics: 14 miles from Bodø to Mjelle (30 minutes by car); 15 miles from Mjelle to Kjerringøy (1 hour by car, plus ferry ride).
Day 3: Saltstraumen and Svolvær
Before heading to the Lofoten Islands, make sure to head to Saltstraumen, one of the world’s strongest tidal currents. Twice a day, whenever the tide goes in or out, this current creates whirlpools in the narrow strait that divides mainland Norway from the island of Straumøya. If you’re lucky with the timing, Saltstraumen will put on a show you’re unlikely to forget. In the afternoon, it’s time to head to the Lofoten Islands. You can either bring your rental car on the Hurtigruten cruise ship to Svolvær (journey takes six hours), or you can leave your car and hop on the three-hour express boat to Svolvær and rent another car there.
Logistics: 17 miles from Bodø to Saltstraumen (30 minutes by car); 155 miles from Bodø to Svolvær (3 hours by express boat or 6 hours by ferry).
Day 4: Henningsvær and Nusfjord
After a stroll around the small town of Svolvær, it’s time to hit the road and explore the islands of Austvågøy and Vestvågøy on the fourth day of your northern Norway adventure. Make sure to first head to Henningsvær, a picturesque little village that’s most known for its soccer field right next to the ocean, but which also has a contemporary art museum called the Kaviar Factory. Driving south along the E10, stop by Lofotr Viking Museum to learn all about the age of the Vikings and why they left for Iceland and Greenland back in the day. Before heading farther south later in the afternoon, head to Unstad Beach to experience the best local spot for surfing. Afterward, drive to picturesque Nusfjord, a little fishing village that couldn’t be more Norwegian.
Logistics: 15½ miles Svolvær to Henningsvær (30 minutes by car); 30 miles Henningsvær to Lofotr Viking Museum (1 hour by car); 7 miles Lofotr Viking Museum to Unstad Beach (15 minutes by car); 19 miles Unstad Beach to Nusfjord (45 minutes by car).
Day 5: Reine
Your fifth day in the Lofoten Islands will guarantee you scenic views. First off, head over to Ramberg Beach for a view of the half-mile-long beach with views for days. Stop by Ramberg Gjestegård for traditional Norwegian cuisine for lunch. In the afternoon, drive on to Reine, perhaps the most photographed village in all of the Lofoten Islands.
Logistics: 9 miles Nusfjord to Ramberg Beach (15 minutes by car); 16 miles Ramberg to Reine (30 minutes by car).
Day 6: Å
You can’t leave the Lofoten Islands without going for at least one hike. While most people hike Reinebringen when in Reine, the trail is so popular that it had to be closed for maintenance in 2019, though it reopened in 2021. Head to the lesser-known Trolldalsvatnet trail, near the briefly mentioned village of Å. At a total length of 5 miles, this fairly easy trail will lead you to a lake with stunning views of the mountains on either side. Explore Å before heading back to Svolvær in the afternoon to return your rental car in order to take the express boat early the next morning, or board the Hurtigruten cruise to Bodø.
Logistics: 4 miles Reine to Å (10 minutes by car); 81 miles Å to Svolvær (2½ hours by car).
Day 7: Bodø
Take the express boat from Svolvær back to Bodø and catch your flight home from Bodø in the afternoon.