Lofoten Campervan Holiday: The Most Beautiful Destinations!

The Lofoten Islands are a stunning archipelago in northern Norway, famous for their breathtaking landscapes, picturesque fishing villages, and remote location. To truly experience the beauty of this region, a campervan road trip is ideal. We'll tell you which places you absolutely must see on your Lofoten holiday.

A Lofoten campervan holiday is an unforgettable experience. The scenery is breathtaking, and with a campervan, you have the freedom to explore the area at your own pace, stopping wherever you like.

There are numerous campsites and pitches where you can stay overnight.

To make your road trip planning easier, we'll share where Simeon Baker travelled on the archipelago and what an amazing route could look like. You'll find a video of the road trip at the end of this post.

Lofoten Campervan Holiday: Route and Tips

Simeon continued his journey from Southern Norway, heading from the Atlantic Road to Bodø. It's a 13-hour drive, so it's advisable to plan for two days. From Bodø, you take the ferry to Moskenes, where your Lofoten adventure begins.

• The town of Å
• Reine
• Sakrisøya and Hamnøy
• Kvalvika Beach
• Skagsanden Beach
• Offersøykammen
• Hauklandstranda
• Unstad
• Henningsvær
• Kabelvåg

The Town of Å

The Lofoten Islands boast many fascinating towns and villages that will enchant every visitor.

One of the most remarkable towns in Lofoten is Å. This small town is located on the island of Moskenesøy and is known for its beautiful seaside location, colourful houses, and rich history.

The town has a long fishing tradition, and there's a fish factory where you can see how the famous Lofoten stockfish is made. There's also a small museum that tells the story of the town and its inhabitants.

The landscape around Å is breathtaking and offers many opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and kayaking during your Lofoten holiday. There are also several beautiful beaches near the town.

It's also worth visiting the traditional bakery, which makes delicious cinnamon buns that fill the whole town with their aroma.

Simeon camped in the large main car park. The car park isn't officially for camping, but no one seemed to mind, and there were many other campers there.

We recommend not camping there for more than one night, and you should avoid leaving obvious camping gear outside, as well as keeping the area clean. Public toilets are nearby.

Reine

Reine is a small town in the Lofoten Islands, Norway, known for its stunning natural beauty. The town is situated by the sea and surrounded by majestic mountains that reflect in the water.

The town is a popular destination for tourists seeking spectacular landscapes and outdoor activities.

Reine offers many opportunities for outdoor adventures such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, and skiing in winter.

One of the most famous hikes in the area is Reinebringen, a steep mountain peak with breathtaking views over the town and the surrounding mountains and fjords.

To start the hike directly from your campsite, the wild camping spot at coordinates 67°54'42.6"N 13°04'27.4"E is ideal.

The town itself is very charming and has a rich history. There's an old fishing hut, now used as a museum, offering insight into the lives of Lofoten fishermen.

There are also several restaurants and cafés offering local dishes, including the famous Lofoten stockfish.

Pay a visit to Bringen Kaffeebar bakery or Tapperiet Bistro.

Tip: In Reine, you can refill water and dispose of grey and black water – 67°56'07.7"N 13°05'55.9"E.

Lofoten Holiday on Sakrisøya and Hamnøy

Sakrisøya is a small island in the Lofoten Islands, Norway, part of the Moskenes municipality.

The island is about 1.3 km long and 500 meters wide, with a population of approximately 150 people. Sakrisøya is known for its picturesque beauty and rich fishing tradition.

Most residents live from fishing and stockfish production, making the island an important centre for the Lofoten fishing industry.

The island is surrounded by steep mountains and deep fjords, providing a breathtaking backdrop for photographers.

Many picturesque fishing huts along the coast give the island a special charm and make it a popular photo motif.

There are also several hiking trails on the island that lead to spectacular viewpoints. The trail to the top of "Varden" hill, for example, offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands and mountains.

Sakrisøya is also a popular destination for anglers and offers good opportunities for deep-sea fishing.

Hamnøy is also a small fishing village and belongs to the Moskenes municipality. It is located on a small island connected to the main island of Moskenesøy by a bridge.

The village is surrounded by steep mountains and has a picturesque small harbour where fishing boats and rorbuer, traditional fishermen's cabins, are moored.

Many of these rorbuer have been converted into cosy holiday homes in recent years, now offering visitors the chance to stay near the sea.

Hamnøy is also a good starting point for exploring the surrounding area. There are several hiking trails nearby that lead along the coast and through the mountains.

A special attraction is the "Brygga" restaurant, housed in an old rorbu by the harbour, offering breathtaking sea views. Anita's Sjømat is also a nice spot.

A visit here is a must for anyone on a Lofoten campervan holiday.

Simeon didn't camp here because it's so close to Reine, but it's definitely worth visiting these two most famous places in Lofoten.

Kvalvika Beach

Kvalvika Beach is a picturesque beach in the Lofoten Islands, Norway, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago. The beach is located on the west side of Moskenesøy island and is only accessible on foot or by bike.

To reach the beach, you need to hike for about 2-3 hours. The path leads through spectacular landscapes, past mountains, rivers, and lakes reflecting in the clear air.

From Ryten, you get an incredible view of Kvalvika Beach. Simeon went there to enjoy the sunset.

He camped in a farmer's car park. You can stay overnight here for €10 and start the hike directly from there.

Skagsanden Beach

Right by Skagsanden Beach and also near Ramberg Beach, it's beautiful.

Skagsanden Beach is a picturesque beach in the Lofoten Islands, Norway, known for its breathtaking scenery and crystal-clear waters. It's located on Flakstadøy island, about 10 kilometres west of Ramberg.

The beach is impressively large, stretching for several kilometres. The white sand and clear water offer visitors an idyllic setting for relaxing, walking, or swimming.

It's also a popular spot for surfing, as the waves here are particularly good.

Near the beach, there are hiking trails that lead through the hilly landscape, offering the chance to experience the beauty of Lofoten up close.

Skagsanden Beach is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the peace and beauty of Lofoten. It's a place that can be visited at any time of year.

A great place to stay for a few days while hiking in the area or enjoying the beach.

Lofoten Beach Camp, where Simeon stayed, was one of his favourites on the entire Norway trip.

You can choose between pitches with electricity or free pitches without. If you opt for the latter, it feels like wild camping, but with the luxury of nearby facilities and being closer to the beach.

A bit pricey, but worth it considering how beautiful the spot is. Surf and yoga classes are also offered. The on-site restaurant and café are great for coworking.

Offersøykammen

If you're on a Lofoten holiday, you should definitely hike Offersøykammen. Offersøykammen is a mountain in the Lofoten Islands, Norway, located on Vestvågøy island.

At 436 metres high, it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and is a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers.

There are several routes to the summit, including a relatively easy hike suitable for most people. The path is well-marked and leads through beautiful scenery.

Once you reach the summit, you're rewarded with a stunning panorama. The views of sunsets and the Northern Lights from up here are especially unforgettable.

After the hike, Simeon returned to Lofoten Beach Camp, as it's very close by.

Lofoten Holiday in Hauklandstranda

This is a great place to camp in Hauklandstranda, at coordinates 68°11'58.5"N 13°31'47.7"E. Here you'll have peace and quiet and won't be disturbed by anyone. It's possible that you might not be allowed to pitch your tent here during peak season, so you should check beforehand.

Alternatively, there's a paid campsite called Uttakleiv Camping directly behind the tunnel.

However, this one is a bit more expensive, and all available pitches are on a hill. Still, it's a nice spot with good views if the Hauklandstranda spot isn't open.

From here, Simeon also saw the Northern Lights and did two hikes in one day.

The Mannen hike is very easy in good weather and not too long. The Himmeltindan hike leads to the highest peak in Lofoten – a much more challenging route.

If you're not fit or don't enjoy hiking, you might want to skip this one.

> Travel to the North Cape by campervan!

Unstad

Unstad is a small fishing village in the Lofoten Islands, Norway, known for its beautiful sandy beach and incredible waves. It's located on Vestvågøy island, about 20 kilometres west of Leknes.

Unstad beach is a popular spot for surfers and is considered one of Europe's best surf spots.

The waves often reach several metres high, and conditions are ideal for both beginners and experienced surfers. There's also a surf school on-site offering courses for all ages.

Besides surfing, Unstad also offers beautiful scenery for hiking and exploring.

The surrounding mountains provide magnificent views of the sea and islands, while the rivers and lakes are rich in trout and other fish species.

The village itself has retained its traditional charm and is a popular place for visitors who want to experience authentic life in Lofoten.

There are several restaurants and cafés offering local specialities, as well as accommodation for travellers who wish to stay overnight.

Regardless of your surfing ability, I 100% recommend stopping by Unstad Arctic Surf and trying one of their famous cinnamon buns.

Many places in Norway claim to have the "best" cinnamon bun in Norway, but Simeon is sure: this one actually was.

Henningsvær

During your Lofoten campervan holiday, you should definitely stop in Henningsvær. Henningsvær is one of the most beautiful towns in Lofoten. It's apparently very busy in summer, but in September, when Simeon was there, it was completely quiet.

He even stayed two nights in a hotel because the wind was very strong and shook the van quite a bit.

Plus, for a visit to Henningsvær, it's easier to be right in town and enjoy what it has to offer. Really nice restaurants, cafés, and shops.

He stayed at Trevarefabriken, which is a very special place. It's an old carpentry workshop that was renovated by a group of friends and transformed into a really beautiful community space with hotel rooms, a restaurant, and a café.

Additionally, there's a very nice sauna with sea views, and events are regularly organised there. If you're there, you should visit it.

A really nice café is Klatrekafféen, a unique and cosy spot for lunch or a warm cup of coffee or tea. Very delicious cakes.

It's right on the water and offers a beautiful view. Sometimes they also have small live music concerts there.

Henningsvær is very famous for its football stadium, built on a small island in the middle of the sea. You can take great pictures, especially with a drone.

A nearby hike is Festvågtind, which offers a great view. Simeon didn't do it due to bad weather, but if he came back, he definitely would.

Lofoten Holiday in Kabelvåg

Kabelvåg is located on Austvågøy island, about 5 kilometres north of Svolvær, the capital of Lofoten.

The village has a long history and was once an important trading post for stockfish. It has retained its historical charm, and there are many well-preserved 19th-century buildings to see.

A highlight of the village is Kabelvåg Church, built in the 19th century and one of Norway's largest wooden churches. It's also known for its beautiful interior and stained-glass windows.

There are also several museums in Kabelvåg, including the Lofoten Museum, which houses an extensive collection on the history and culture of Lofoten. The Nordnorsk Art Centre, which showcases contemporary art from the region, is also worth a visit.

Conclusion: Lofoten Campervan Holiday

The Lofoten Islands are undoubtedly one of the world's most impressive landscapes, offering a breathtaking backdrop of mountains, fjords, beaches, and fishing villages. The contrast between the rugged nature and the picturesque villages is unique and makes Lofoten an unforgettable travel destination.