Lofoten Islands (Norway)

Lofoten Islands are an archipelago within the Arctic Circle, and a Norwegian district in Nordland. This island group is located to the south of Vesteralen Islands and is known worldwide for its distinctive scenery - high mountains, sheltered inlets and bays, large virgin lands.

The archipelago has total land area approx 1227 km2 (474 mi2) and total population around 25,000. The largest islands are named Austvagoy (527 km2), Gimsoy (46 km2), Vestvagoy (411 km2), Flakstadoya (110 km2), Moskenesoya (186 km2), Vaeroy (19 km2), Rost (10 km2). Lofoten's highest elevation point is Higravstinden (1161 m / 3800 ft) on Austvagoy.

Rost Reef is the world's largest deepwater coral reef. Wildlife is represented by millions of seabirds (including sea eagles, cormorants, puffins), otters, moose (on largest isles), minke whales.

Lofoten Islands are served by the following small airports: Leknes, Svolvaer, Rost (for flights mainly to Bodo), Stokmarknes (Skagen), Harstad (Narvik), Evenes (direct flights to Oslo and Trondheim), Væroy (heliport).

Bodo is the main hub for travel to the Lofoten Islands. In addition to the regular flights, there is also a ferry service to Moskenes from Bodo and a ferry to Skutvik (Hamaroy) from Svolvaer.

Lofoten Islands cruise terminal

Lofoten Islands tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

Among the most popular Lofoten Islands tours and excursions are:

• surfing (at Unstad)
• cycling tours - there is a dedicated cycling route on Moskenes (south to north), which is a cycle-path part the public road. There is a dedicated cycling ferry between Ballstad (Vestvagoy) and Nusfjord (Flakstadoya) that allows cyclists to avoid the steep Nappstraum tunnel. For most of its length, The cycling route runs along the coastline and is generally flat.