This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Lofoten.
Lofoten is an archipelago in the north of Norway. It consists of six municipalities with a total of twenty-five thousand inhabitants. The biggest towns on Lofoten are Svolvær, Leknes, and Kabelvåg. There are several hostels in Lofoten, in many different towns on the islands.
Most tourists arrive to Lofoten by ferry from Bodø to Moskenes. The southernmost town is Å, popular by tourists for its unique name, but the town also offers amazing views and two interesting museums. Reine is another small town which is very popular with tourists, mostly because of the surrounding nature. This is also a village for artists, so you can find some galleries here.
Svolvær is the biggest city on Lofoten and has the main airport of Lofoten. Many tourists choose to fly here from Oslo and rent a car, as the ferry from Bodø might be a more expensive solution. It is not easy to travel around Lofoten without your own transport, as many buses only go once or twice per day. It is easy to get around by bike, so for budget travelers, that might be the best solution.
Hostels in Lofoten have high standards, just like the rest of Norway. They almost always offer a kitchen. Bed linen and towels are not always included, so it is best to check in advance if you have to bring these yourself. Usually each town has one hostel, so you won’t have a lot of choice. The main reason to choose a hostel in Lofoten would therefore be the location, as many are at least twenty-five kilometers away from the next hostel. A lot of hostels in Norway are based in boarding schools and therefore only open during the summer holiday. It can get busy, so it’s best to book in advance in July. All other months, it is usually possible to get a bed without reservation.
Written by local enthusiast for Lofoten hostels
Paulien
