Around Lofoten
from £1519 including flights
Customers rate Discover the World
Average score 4.9/5
Based on 83 reviews. Powered by
Highlights
Visit the village of Henningsvaer popular with artists
Drive through stunning scenery on a scenic tourist route
Look out for orca, humpback and sperm whales
Explore Trollfjorden on an optional kayak or boat trip
Discover turquoise sea and white sand beaches perhaps unexpectedly
Hike through breathtaking landscapes
Why this trip...
Tailor made
This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe
Explore at leisure
With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore
Well-researched route
We've put our years of experience into creating this well-paced itinerary that includes the places we know you'll enjoy
Overview
The far north of Norway has a captivating and dramatic beauty. Lofoten is a collection of islands boasting distinctive glacier-carved peaks, tranquil fishing villages and some unbelievable sandy beaches. Combine these with the greener, gentler Vesteralen islands and explore one of Europe's best kept travel secrets on this self-drive holiday.
This holiday includes an introduction to the joys of island driving, with picturesque coastal roads and an abundance of stunning views along the way. Choose to focus on just Lofoten or combine with a couple of days exploring the Vesteralen archipelago, perhaps enjoying some hiking on Langøya and a whale watching trip before continuing to Lofoten.
Here the locals live from farming, fishing and some tourism, but this is a place with a true unspoilt feeling. See traditional red-painted fishermen's huts, known as 'rorbuer', photograph tiny fishing boats bobbing about in the harbours, browse local handicraft shops and galleries, discover inlets, secret coves and staggering scenery not typically associated with Norway.
This is a wonderfully laid-back holiday where you have the option to add in scenic boat trips, a visit to a whale museum, a whale or sea eagle watching safari, go kayaking or hiking - it can be whatever you want it to be.
Itinerary
The itinerary shown is an example of this self-drive holiday. We have many other hotels and route recommendations which can be tailored to your requirements. Please discuss with our Travel Specialists who can put together a bespoke itinerary for you.
Day 1 Evenes - Sortland
Fly to Evenes via Oslo and collect your rental vehicle from the airport and drive to Sortland in the Vesteralen archipelago for a 3-night stay at the Sortland Hotel.
(Approx 2 hours / distance 132 km)
Fly to Evenes via Oslo and collect your rental vehicle from the airport and drive to Sortland in the Vesteralen archipelago for a 3-night stay at the Sortland Hotel.
(Approx 2 hours / distance 132 km)
Days 2-3 exploring Vesteralen
Spend a couple of days exploring the islands of Vesteralen. Head north to the island of Andoya and the small town of Andenes. Perhaps visit the whale museum and join a whale watching tour with a chance to see sperm, minke, pilot and humpback whales, as well as harbour porpoises. Alternatively enjoy a puffin safari from the town of Bleik nearby. Return to Sortland via the dramatic west coast of Andoya. We also recommend Visit the historic village of Nyksund or don hiking boots for a coastal walk.
Spend a couple of days exploring the islands of Vesteralen. Head north to the island of Andoya and the small town of Andenes. Perhaps visit the whale museum and join a whale watching tour with a chance to see sperm, minke, pilot and humpback whales, as well as harbour porpoises. Alternatively enjoy a puffin safari from the town of Bleik nearby. Return to Sortland via the dramatic west coast of Andoya. We also recommend Visit the historic village of Nyksund or don hiking boots for a coastal walk.
Day 4 Sortland - Svolvaer
Leaving Vesteralen, head south to Lofoten and the town of Svolvaer along the E10, one of the most picturesque drives in Europe. Stay two nights at the delightful Svinoya Rorbuer in traditional style cabins in this charming fishing town.
(approx. 2 hours / distance 120 km)
Leaving Vesteralen, head south to Lofoten and the town of Svolvaer along the E10, one of the most picturesque drives in Europe. Stay two nights at the delightful Svinoya Rorbuer in traditional style cabins in this charming fishing town.
(approx. 2 hours / distance 120 km)
Day 5 exploring around Svolvaer
A day at leisure to enjoy the fantastic scenery of jagged peaks (some of the oldest rocks in the world), fjords, rugged cliffs, idyllic white sand beaches and thousands of tiny islands. Don't miss the chance to venture out onto Trollfjorden, by comfortable motor cruise, thrilling zodiac inflatable or peaceful kayak. Just 3km long and barely 100m wide at its entrance, the fjord is framed with smooth, vertical granite slabs rising to 1000m. Here sea eagles are often spotted. If you would rather stay on dry land, there is time to explore the town itself and soak up the harbour atmosphere.
A day at leisure to enjoy the fantastic scenery of jagged peaks (some of the oldest rocks in the world), fjords, rugged cliffs, idyllic white sand beaches and thousands of tiny islands. Don't miss the chance to venture out onto Trollfjorden, by comfortable motor cruise, thrilling zodiac inflatable or peaceful kayak. Just 3km long and barely 100m wide at its entrance, the fjord is framed with smooth, vertical granite slabs rising to 1000m. Here sea eagles are often spotted. If you would rather stay on dry land, there is time to explore the town itself and soak up the harbour atmosphere.
Day 6 Svolvaer - Reine
A short but spectacular drive today through the heart of the Lofoten archipelago, winding down the E10 towards Reine where you will stay at the Reine Rorbuer for three nights. The many tiny fishing villages that surround this beautiful area epitomise the spirit of the islands. Those with the energy can enjoy a hike to a stunning mountain point above the bay.
(approx. 2 hours 15 minutes / distance 122 km)
A short but spectacular drive today through the heart of the Lofoten archipelago, winding down the E10 towards Reine where you will stay at the Reine Rorbuer for three nights. The many tiny fishing villages that surround this beautiful area epitomise the spirit of the islands. Those with the energy can enjoy a hike to a stunning mountain point above the bay.
(approx. 2 hours 15 minutes / distance 122 km)
Excursions
Enhance your holiday by pre-booking a selection of excursions and activities. View or download the pdf below and then talk to our Travel Specialists about how best to fit these into your holiday.
Open Excursions PDFPrices and Departures
Price from £1519 including flights
What's Included
- Return flights between London Heathrow and Evenes via Oslo
- Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
- All breakfasts
- Car rental throughout
- 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
- No surcharge guarantee
- Full financial protection
Prices from per person
Based on two sharing, unless stated otherwise. Prices for other combinations of passengers and rooms available on request. Other vehicle types also available.
| Departure | Duration | Car category | Twin Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun - Aug 2020 | 8 nights | C - Ford Focus | £1,686 |
| Jun - Aug 2020 | 8 nights | O - VW Passat | £1,972 |
| Jun - Aug 2020 | 8 nights | G - VW Tiguan | £2,157 |
| Sept 2020 | 8 nights | C - Ford Focus | £1,519 |
| Sept 2020 | 8 nights | O - VW Passat | £1,707 |
| Sept 2020 | 8 nights | G - VW Tiguan | £1,981 |
| May 2021 | 8 nights | C - Ford Focus | £1,522 |
| May 2021 | 8 nights | G - VW Tiguan | £1,697 |
| May 2021 | 8 nights | O - VW Passat | £1,951 |
| Jun - Aug 2021 | 8 nights | C - Ford Focus | £1,755 |
| Jun - Aug 2021 | 8 nights | O - VW Passat | £2,020 |
| Jun - Aug 2021 | 8 nights | G - VW Tiguan | £2,192 |
| Sept 2021 | 8 nights | C - Ford Focus | £1,581 |
| Sept 2021 | 8 nights | O - VW Passat | £1,756 |
| Sept 2021 | 8 nights | G - VW Tiguan | £2,010 |
Prices from per person including Vesteralen
Based on two sharing, unless stated otherwise. Prices for other combinations of passengers and rooms available on request. Other vehicle types also available.
| Departure | Duration | Car category | Twin Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun - Aug 2020 | 9 nights | C - Ford Focus | £1,815 |
| Jun - Aug 2020 | 9 nights | O - VW Passat | £2,133 |
| Jun - Aug 2020 | 9 nights | G - VW Tiguan | £2,339 |
| Sept 2020 | 9 nights | C - Ford Focus | £1,652 |
| Sept 2020 | 9 nights | O - VW Passat | £1,861 |
| Sept 2020 | 9 nights | G - VW Tiguan | £2,165 |
| May 2021 | 9 nights | C - Ford Focus | £1,655 |
| May 2021 | 9 nights | O - VW Passat | £1,850 |
| May 2021 | 9 nights | G - VW Tiguan | £2,135 |
| Jun - Aug 2021 | 9 nights | C - Ford Focus | £1,885 |
| Jun - Aug 2021 | 9 nights | O - VW Passat | £2,182 |
| Jun - Aug 2021 | 9 nights | G - VW Tiguan | £2,375 |
| Sept 2021 | 9 nights | C - Ford Focus | £1,714 |
| Sept 2021 | 9 nights | O - VW Passat | £1,909 |
| Sept 2021 | 9 nights | G - VW Tiguan | £2,194 |
Meet our expert
You may also like
Tailor made trips
As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.
Travelling sustainably
We believe travel is about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and broadening minds through new experiences and cultural interaction.
Find a holiday idea or suggested itinerary that inspires you, then send an enquiry or call us
Your dedicated travel specialist will create a quote based on your preferences
Together we’ll refine your itinerary until you’re happy and ready to book
From the moment you book until you return home we’re here for you no matter what
