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Henningsvær in Lofoten, Norway - Photo: Chris Craggs Photography
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Henningsvær in Lofoten, Norway

Scenic attractions in Lofoten

Experience the bird rocks outside the island of Røst and the cosy fishing village in Nusfjord.

Interest:  Nature attractions, Arctic Norway, Coast and coastal culture

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Bird rocks

On the tip of Lofoten you find the island of Røst and many other islands, islets and reefs. These are home of the largest number of nesting birds in Norway, with approximately one quarter of the country's seabird population. Visit the Skomvær Lighthouse - the final outpost overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

The island of Moskenes

Moskenes has plenty to offer for those who want a date with the natural elements. A boat trip through Moskstrømmen, characterized as one of the most fiercest and dangerous maelstroms in the world, brings you to the "outside" of Lofoten. Here you find traces of settlements dating thousands of years back in time. The gigantic Kollhellaren Cave in Refsvika is a coastal cavern with approximately 3,000-year-old cave paintings.

The fishing village of Nusfjord 

Nusfjord has an intertwining building area, which evolved at the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century. The building complex has survived as a homogenous unit, unscathed by fires or intrusive elements of modern architecture. This gives Nusfjord its uniqueness. Here archaeologists have uncovered evidence of the earliest "industrial fishing" in the Nordland region. Diggings have uncovered settlements from the fifth century.

Eggum and Unstad

At Eggum and Unstad the houses are grouped together as they would have been in the Middle Ages, and attractively situated at the foot of tall mountains. At Eggum you find a beautiful pebbled beach which is a nice spot to experience the midnight sun

"Borga", built in stone during World War II, was one of the first German radar stations in Northern Europe.

At Unstad a tunnel leading to the village was opened in the autumn of 1995. Here there are excellent conditions for surfing.

Henningsvær

With the mountain at its back and otherwise surrounded by the sea, Henningsvær was a natural hub of activity during the Lofoten Winter Fishery. In the 1800s, the island community prospered, and Henningsvær became one of the most prominent fishing villages in Lofoten.

Unlike many other fishing villages, the population of Henningsvær has remained stable in recent years, and there are still over 500 people living there.

The islands of Henningsvær were not connected to the rest of Lofoten by bridges until 1981, a fact that probably helped save the community from the contemporary style of architecture, that otherwise left its mark on just about all other Norwegian towns and villages in the 1960s and 70s.

Last updated: 19 September 2008
Henningsvær in Lofoten, Norway - Photo: Frithjof Fure
Henningsvær in Lofoten, Norway
Nusfjord in Lofoten, Norway - Photo: Magne Myrvold
Nusfjord in Lofoten, Norway

Tour suggestions in Lofoten

Experience the Lofoten Islands by car or bicycle.
Interest: Tour suggestions, Arctic Norway, Coast and coastal culture

What to do in Lofoten

Explore Lofoten by foot, go rafting in the Trollfjord and visit Lofotr Viking Museum. Taste stockfish and be amazed by the midnight sun.
Interest: Safari, Museums & Galleries, Fishing, Hiking, Cycling, The northern lights, Arctic Norway, Coast and coastal culture

Winter in Lofoten

If you want to experience the genuine atmosphere of the many fishing villages, you should visit Lofoten outside of the hectic summer season.
Interest: Safari, Water activities, Fishing, Winter without skis, Arctic Norway

Getting to Lofoten and around

There are daily flights into the airports in Lofoten. Travelling around Lofoten is most easily done by car, bike and ferries.
Interest: Transportation, Arctic Norway

About Lofoten

Tourist information in Lofoten

There are several tourist information offices in Lofoten. Some of them are closed during winter.

Key facts about Lofoten

Lofoten consists of seven main islands with 24,000 inhabitants.
Map of
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Lofoten

Scenic attractions in Lofoten Scenic attractions in Lofoten

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Nature attractions

Arctic Norway

Coast and coastal culture

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