Does the thought of a scorching 100°F heat, raging wildfires that every now and then lead to the evacuation of resort strips, and unsustainable mass tourism put you off visiting Southern Europe this summer?
You’re not the only one:
A growing number of travelers are actively avoiding Spain, France, Italy and the like, as visitor numbers and temperatures soar past manageable levels.
But if you’re still eager to experience some culture while enjoying cooler weather and beating the crowds, we have an alternative for you.
Just off the coast of Northern Norway, the Lofoten offers unrivaled natural scenery, Scandinavian heritage, and most importantly, milder weather:
What Is Lofoten, Even?
Norway’s most famous archipelago, Lofoten, is a collective of seven main islands connected by manmade bridges and narrow nature-made crossings, like a once-intact peninsula that has been broken into smaller pieces.
It is quite remote, and you’re unlikely to see crowds of tourists disembarking here, even at the peak of cruising season, which makes Lofoten particularly appealing to actual travelers who want to get off the beaten track, and immerse themselves in the local culture.
Norway as a whole is already a great destination for escaping the hustle and bustle of Europe’s big cities, as it is mostly rural, traversed by towering highlands and winding fjords, but these islands give idyllic a whole ‘nother meaning:
Summers Are Always Much Cooler Up Here
Lofoten has unique geological features, being characterized by jagged peaks, sheltered bays, and undisturbed Arctic nature.
You read that right: as it part of the Nordland county of Norway, it sits above the Arctic Circle.
It’s never too warm in Lofoten, even at the peak of summer, when other destinations in Southern Norway can easily reach highs of 86°F, and you can expect pretty mild temperatures, ranging between 73.4°F during the day and 57.2°F at nightfall.
What Makes Lofoten So Special?
This is a natural oasis of crystal-clear lagoons and scenic mountain ranges and it’s beautiful regardless of season, but we’ll argue summer is probably the best period to visit, as the seas around Lofoten are not frozen, snowing is restricted to some mountain peaks, and daylight hours are plentiful.
Whether it’s an evening kayak tour off the Svolvær coast, when the sun’s setting over the mountains, or a guided summiting of the landmark Svolværgeita, there are countless activities to keep the adventurer in you entertained over a long weekend, if not a whole week.
To give you a bit of a headstart, these are 5 of the most unique guided tours in Lofoten and their prices:
- Seakayaking – NOK 1,425 | USD $130.45
Perfect for visiting smaller islands only accessible by boats and secluded beaches.
- Coasteering 3 hours – NOK 1,350 | USD $123.59
Ideal for those who want to get active, and experience the wild Arctic nature up close
- RIB-Safari to Værøy and the old hamlet of Måstad – NOK 1,590 | USD 145.56
The easiest way to visit Værøy Island and its sleepy fishing villages on a day trip
- Sea Eagle Safari to Trollfjorden – NOK 1,295 | USD 118.55
An open boat tour across one of the most breathtaking fjords in Norway––what more could you ask for?
- Northern Lights Tour* – NOK 1,770 | USD 162.03
Your best chance to spot the elusive lights in a Northerly location while it’s still not the freezing winter
*This tour is offered from late August only, when aurora activity resumes in the Arctic
It Has Some Amazing Free Activities
That being said, nature in Norway is free to explore, and everyone has the right to roam freely in it:
There are beautiful spots all around Lofoten, including unspoiled beaches with gleaming-white sands, like Haukland, on the island of Vestvågøy, elected Europe’s finest this year by Lonely Planet, and Punn Beach in Værøynd.
Just don’t, you know, jump in the water expecting it to be as warm as the Mediterranean, or you may be in for an unpleasant surprise.
For enthusiastic hikers, Tjeldbergtind is a popular mountain to conquer.
It takes roughly two hours to complete and offers priceless views of the archipelago’s snow-dusted peaks and the several tiny islets scattered along the bay.
A 2 hours up and 2 hours down trail, the eerie-sounding Devil’s Gate (Djevelporten) is where you find Norway’s second-most iconic suspended rock lodged between two cliffs, after the one in Kjeragbolten:
Visitors commonly pose for pictures on top of it, and though accidents have not been recorded, do so at your own risk––of course; the most fascinating part is the sweeping panorama of the rocky formations bounded by azure waters in the distance.
Near Moskenes, the Reinebringen hike is another must-do.
It rises as high as 448 meters above sea level and is best enjoyed between May and September when it’s not super chilly to climb and the sun’s relatively warm and pleasant.
There’s certainly no shortage of nature-made wonders to admire around Lofoten, and hiking options are numerous, but if you’re searching for something manmade and truly unique, the walk from Nusfjord to Nesland should be at the top of your list.
Nusfjord is one of the oldest villages in Lofoten, and if you’re planning on staying overnight to complete the hike at a relaxed pace, consider booking a cottage stay with fjord views at the marvelous Nusfjord Arctic Resort, starting from $282.59 a night this summer.
The pathway to the equally picturesque village of Nesland can be steep and strenuous in certain sections, but the completely undisturbed Arctic nature makes it all worthwhile.
Has Lofoten Got Anything To Offer On The Culture Front?
You’ve likely come all the way to Northern Europe to experience some of that Old World, Scandi charm, and you’ll be thrilled to learn that one of the most beautiful towns in all of Norway, the postcardy Reine, sits on a small bay on Moskenesøya Island.
With its vividly red, wooded houses, Reine must (probably) be the most-photographed spot in the archipelago, but its largest town, often called ‘smallest big city in the world’, is the surprisingly-lively Svolvær:
As pretty as the other villages are, this compact regional ‘capital’ is the best place to stay in Lofoten, with its World War II memorial museum, art galleries, casual seafood restaurants, and well-equipped tourist facilities.
If you’re looking for an authentic restaurant to sample Norwegian food––they do have the best-smoked salmon in the world––make sure you add Børsen Spiseri, in the heart of Svolvær, to your list.
For example, an overnight stay at the privately-managed Kule gule huset guesthouse will only set you back by $89 per night on wide-availability dates this summer, while a double standard room at the centrally-located, basic-amenities Marina Hotel costs an acceptable $143 to book.
Those would be on the cheaper end, but of course, room rates can go much, much higher once you start looking for some more comfort and maybe a continental breakfast included.
What we’re trying to say is that Lofoten is definitely not the cheapest summer adventure to embark on once you start adding secondary expenses, like car rentals–trust us, you will need one to get around unless you fancy walking long distances or taking ferries–but it is worth a shot.
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