Lofoten Handbook

North-east or south-west Lofoten: which end to stay in

Lofoten runs about 129 km by road from Svolvær to Å. The north-east around Svolvær has the towns, an airport and boats to Bodø; the south-west around Reine has the Bodø car ferry, small fishing villages and what Visit Lofoten calls the most dramatic landscape. Leknes sits between.

Last verified 16 September 2026

Lofoten is a chain of islands running from north-east to south-west, and the E10 links them from the mainland to its end at Å. By road it is about 129 km from Svolvær to Å. A base at one end, or nights split between the two, keeps the daily driving down.

The north-east: Vågan

Vågan, the municipality at this end, had 9,900 residents in 2026. Svolvær has Svolvær Airport, a daily express boat to Bodø and calls by Hurtigruten and Havila, and Evenes Airport is about 166 km away by road. Kabelvåg has the SKREI museums and aquarium, and Henningsvær is a base for climbing and galleries. Accommodation ranges from chain hotels to restored rorbuer.

The south-west: Flakstad and Moskenes

Flakstad and Moskenes together have about 2,200 residents. Visit Lofoten calls Moskenesøya the most dramatic landscape in Lofoten, and Lofotodden National Park, established in 2018, lies on the island. The Bodø car ferry lands at Moskenes, and a local boat crosses Reinefjorden to Vindstad for Bunes beach. Villages such as Hamnøy, Reine and Å are small, and most accommodation is in rorbuer. Restaurants are fewer: Å has one, plus a bakery in summer.

The middle

Leknes, on Vestvågøy, sits between the two ends and has an airport, supermarkets and pharmacies. It suits a single base for travellers who want both ends within day-trip range.

A note on 'north'

Visit Lofoten says the midnight sun can be seen from the outer, northern side of the islands or from a summit. That means the north-facing coast along the whole chain, not the north-east end.

North-east Lofoten (Vågan: Svolvær, Kabelvåg, Henningsvær) South-west Lofoten (Flakstad and Moskenes: Ramberg to Å)
Atmosphere Svolvær (4,807, SSB 2025) is Lofoten's largest town; Kabelvåg (about 2,300) and Henningsvær (500-plus) are larger villages. Vågan has 9,900 residents (2026). Small fishing villages; Reine has 296 people (SSB, 2025). Flakstad has 1,200 residents and Moskenes 980 (2026).
Accommodation Hotels, apartments and rorbuer, with the largest selection in Svolvær. Mostly rorbuer and sea houses, plus a few hotels (for example in Sørvågen) and campsites near the beaches.
Scenery Alpine peaks on Austvågøya with small glaciers in the Higravtindan and Trolltindan massifs; Trollfjorden to the north-east. Moskenesøya's pointed peaks and deep corries, and Lofotodden National Park; Visit Lofoten calls it Lofoten's most dramatic landscape.
Activities Trollfjorden boat trips, sea eagle safaris, fishing, climbing around Vågakallen, galleries and SKREI in Kabelvåg. Reinefjorden kayaking and boat to Bunes beach, RIB trips to the Maelstrom, surfing and SUP around Ramberg, and museums at Å and Sørvågen.
Transport Svolvær Airport; Evenes Airport about 165.6 km from Svolvær; express boat to Bodø; Hurtigruten and Havila. Bodø–Moskenes car ferry; Leknes Airport about 58.2 km from Reine; Evenes about 286.1 km from Reine.
Restaurants Widest choice in Svolvær; cafés and restaurants in Henningsvær and Kabelvåg. Fewer and smaller; Sørvågen has several restaurants, Å has one restaurant and a summer bakery.
Hiking Fløya and Djevelporten, Festvågtinden. Reinebringen, Kvalvika and Ryten from Fredvang, Bunes beach from Vindstad.
Families Lofoten Aquarium at Storvågan, Kabelvåg, and Visit Lofoten describes Kabelvåg as suiting families. Rambergstranda is on Visit Lofoten's family beach list; Visit Lofoten calls the Bunes beach trip perfect for families; Reinebringen is not recommended for young children.
Midnight sun Laukvik (35 km north of Svolvær) and Hov on Gimsøya are on Visit Lofoten's midnight sun list. Skagsanden near Ramberg and Bunes beach are on the same list.
Northern lights Season late August to mid-April across Lofoten; tours from Svolvær. Same season; photo tours from Reine.

Choose North-east Lofoten (Vågan: Svolvær, Kabelvåg, Henningsvær) if

  • You are arriving by air at Svolvær or Evenes, or by express boat or coastal ship.
  • You want hotels, restaurants and shops within walking distance.
  • Trollfjorden, climbing or galleries are high on your list.

Choose South-west Lofoten (Flakstad and Moskenes: Ramberg to Å) if

  • You are taking the car ferry from Bodø to Moskenes.
  • Steep mountain scenery, Reinefjorden and Bunes beach are the priority.
  • You prefer staying in a rorbu in a small village.

Questions

Which part of Lofoten is north and which is south?
The chain runs north-east to south-west. Svolvær is at the north-eastern end and Å at the south-western end of the E10.
How long does it take to drive from Svolvær to Å?
The road distance is about 129 km. Route planners estimate a little over two hours without stops; in winter Visit Lofoten advises allowing extra time.
Where can you see the midnight sun in Lofoten?
From the outer, north-facing coast or from a summit. Visit Lofoten's list includes Laukvik, Hov, Eggum, Unstad, Skagsanden and Bunes beach.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.