8 reasons to visit the Lofoten Islands

The Lofoten Islands

Have you heard of the The Lofoten Islands? They are part of a relatively undiscovered Norwegian archipelago situated near the Arctic Circle. The wild nature of this beautiful landscape is a real rainbow of colours, with their Caribbean-blue sea, purple mountains, red fishing villiages and green meadows. The Lofoten Islands are characterised by their mountains and peaks, sheltered inlets, stretches of seashore and large virgin areas – a bucket list must for 2018!

Elisa Quincy summarises the top 8 reasons you should be visiting the Lofoten Islands next year:

1. Breathtaking views

This Norwegian landscape is characterised by high mountains overhanging the sea, including very ancient peaks known as the ‘Lofoten Wall’. It is among these mountains that you can discover a typical Nordic feature; a fjord. A fjord is a canal that soaks into the shore and floods among mountain slopes, creating coves and bays, where the sun reflects its colourful lights.

2. Well connected

All the major islands of the archipelago are reachable by bridges and tunnels. You can easily visit them by driving along a panoramic road that links them all together.

3. Unspoilt beaches

The water may be a bit chilly for a swim, but the turquoise blue water, untouched white sand and majestic mountain backdrop make the beaches at Lofoten a memorable experience. You can drive and walk to access them, making them the perfect feature for a road trip or hike. Who knew that the Arctic has some of the best beaches in the world?

4. Picturesque fishing villages

You will sporadically come across small fishing villages hidden among the breathtaking views that surround you. They are marked out by the traditional red fishermen stilt houses called ‘Rorbu’, where you can actually stay during your holiday. Here cod fishing is the main activity for the locals. Indeed the Lofoten Islands are an important fishing spot, and they are one of the biggest high quality exporters.

5. All-year round destination

In these beautiful Nordic islands you can find a more moderate climate, due to the Gulf Stream that mitigates the temperatures. This makes the Lofoten Islands an all-year round destination – perfect!

6. Rich with culture

The Lofoten Islands were home to the Norse warriors. The archipelago was an important area during the Viking Age and used to host the most powerful people in the northern world. Vikings travelled a lot, establishing various communities around the world. This cultural legacy is still alive in the inhabitants of the Lofoten islands.

Once here, you can visit some of the various museums situated on the territory and try a real Viking life experience. You can also see the famous ‘Norsemen’ building rediscovered by archaeologists in Borg. This building was the biggest residence of the Viking Age. Today, it is an interesting all-round gallery.

7. Midnight sun and the Northern Lights

Thanks to its position above the Arctic Circle, when visiting the Lofoten Islands you can enjoy two of the most fascinating phenomenons on Earth: the midnight sun and the Northern Lights. During the summer, because of the inclination of the Earth’s axis, the sun never sets – and neither do the locals!

The Lofoten Islands are also the perfect place to admire the Northern Lights in winter time. To see them, maybe reflected on the sea surface, is a show that many people dream to witness. Its not always easy, but you may catch the peculiar green lights when you least expect it, so be patient and look up to the sky!

8. Adventure activities

They locals are very active during this time of year so you can enjoy many activities including trekking, kayaking, horseback riding, whale-watching, diving, surfing, climbing, scuba diving – the list just goes on! Or if you’re feeling super relaxed, you can simply admire the Nordic beauty during these bright nights.

---