Reine or Henningsvær: two fishing villages compared

Reine and Henningsvær are both working fishing villages with rorbuer by the water, which is why they end up on the same shortlist. They are about 113 km apart by road, at opposite ends of Lofoten, so choosing one largely decides where you spend your days.

Henningsvær

Henningsvær stands on small, fairly flat islands off the south-west tip of Austvågøya, joined by a breakwater since 1934 and linked to the main island by road since 1983. About 500 people live there. It was protected as a cultural environment in 2022, and Visit Lofoten describes a village of galleries, small shops, festivals and a climbing and ski-touring community. Svolvær Airport is 31 km away and bus 743 runs to Kabelvåg and Svolvær. Visit Lofoten recommends the bus over driving, because the road in is narrow and parking is limited.

Reine

Reine is the administrative centre of Moskenes, with 296 residents (SSB, 2025), on a peninsula at the mouth of Reinefjorden. The Bodø ferry lands at Moskenes, about 5.0 km away, and a local boat crosses the fjord to Vindstad for Bunes beach. Reinebringen starts beside the village. Accommodation is mostly rorbuer, in Reine and in nearby Hamnøy, Sakrisøy, Sørvågen and Å.

Hikes compared

Both villages have a popular summit next door. Festvågtinden (541 m) above Henningsvær is steep with loose rock, and Visit Lofoten recorded more than 28,000 hikers in 2021. Reinebringen (484 m) is a long stone staircase that Visit Lofoten strictly advises against in winter.

Winter note

Some Henningsvær restaurants close in late December and January, so check opening hours if you are travelling then.

	Reine	Henningsvær
Atmosphere	Fishing village of 296 people (SSB, 2025) and the administrative centre of Moskenes.	Fishing village of 500-plus people on small islands, protected as a cultural environment since 2022, with galleries and small shops.
Accommodation	Mostly rorbuer, in Reine and the neighbouring villages.	Hotels, apartments and rorbuer, including Trevarefabrikken, Henningsvær Bryggehotell and Henningsvær Rorbuer.
Scenery	Mountains rising straight from the sea around Reinefjorden.	Low, fairly flat islands with Festvågtinden and the Vågakallen walls behind.
Activities	Kayaking on Reinefjorden, boat to Vindstad and Bunes beach, northern lights photo tours.	Climbing and ski touring with local guides, RIB and sea eagle safaris, snorkelling, kayaking and festivals such as Trevarefest and Codstock.
Restaurants	Gammelbua Restaurant in Reine; more in Sørvågen about 7 km away.	Cafés and restaurants close together, including Fiskekrogen and Vind Brasserie; some close in late December and January.
Transport	Moskenes ferry about 5.0 km; Leknes Airport about 58.2 km; buses 300, 742, 772.	Svolvær Airport about 28.6 km (SNL gives 31 km); bus 743 to Kabelvåg and Svolvær. Visit Lofoten recommends the bus because the access road is narrow and parking is hard.
Hiking	Reinebringen (484 m): steep stairs, not recommended for young children, strictly not recommended in winter.	Festvågtinden (541 m): steep, loose rock, some easy scrambling; more than 28,000 hikers in 2021; season May to December depending on snow.
Northern lights	Season late August to mid-April; photo tours from Reine Rorbuer.	Same season; Visit Lofoten notes very little light pollution in Lofoten and suggests moving away from village lights, for example to a beach or out on the water.
Midnight sun	Night of 27–28 May to night of 16–17 July 2027 over a flat horizon (MET Norway); Visit Lofoten points to the outer coast or a summit for viewing.	Night of 25–26 May to night of 17–18 July 2027 over a flat horizon (MET Norway); Visit Lofoten names the Festvågtinden summit as a midnight sun viewpoint.

Choose Reine if

• You are using the Bodø–Moskenes ferry.
• You want Reinefjorden, Bunes beach and Lofotodden National Park close by.
• You are happy with rorbu-style accommodation.

Choose Henningsvær if

• You want galleries, small shops and cafés within a short walk.
• You are climbing, ski touring or joining guided sea trips.
• You are flying into Svolvær and want a short transfer.