Lofoten Islands in autumn

Magical, beautiful, and largely untouched.

Le Lofoten

Their territory is characterized by mountains that plunge steeply into the sea, bordered by white beaches that have nothing to envy to the Caribbean. They are connected to each other by a “highway,” and in recent years, they have become one of the top European tourist destinations.

Autumn in Norway, the romantic light and the travel photography

Autumn in Norway is not considered the best season for visiting the Lofoten Islands when considering the weather and rugged landscapes, but it is undoubtedly the right season for a photographic journey. The light is romantic, warm throughout the day, respectful, and capable of painting cottages or snowy landscapes with shades and nuances that are hard to imagine in other times of the year.

My journey started in late autumn, at the end of October precisely, and in almost ten days, I explored these islands extensively, even venturing to the distant, wild, and rugged Vaeroy, which is about a 1-hour ferry ride from Moskenes or about 3 hours from Bodo. Visiting it in autumn or winter is something truly for lovers of extreme nature. A little curiosity about this island is that it is called the “island where winter does not exist” thanks to the milder climate due to the Gulf Stream, with temperatures that rarely drop below freezing.

Traveling during this time allowed me to enjoy a few more hours of daylight and live in an almost vibrant dawn followed by an equally fascinating sunset over a snowy landscape.

Doubts before departure

I’ll try to be helpful if, like me, you have some doubts about organizing an autumn trip to the Lofoten Islands by giving you as many tips and suggestions as possible to convince you to choose this period as one of the best for a trip to those places.

What weather will I find?

In the Lofoten Islands, you can experience all four seasons in a few hours each day. The climate is unstable and variable, but this should not discourage you because November is more about snow than rain, and the sun will still shine in the sky.

How will the landscape be in november?

We are used to picturing the Lofoten Islands with the bright green color because we consider them a summer destination for outdoor activities. We can also consider them a winter destination when they are covered in snow, and we want to spot the Northern Lights. But autumn is an intermediate season, and we might wonder if it’s just a transitional season. The answer is, of course, no! My biggest fear before leaving was finding myself in the middle of a dull landscape, without vegetation and without snow. But by November, snow has already arrived almost everywhere, and the landscape begins to be festive, white, and pure both on the peaks and on the meadows, and lakes begin to freeze. The few hours of daylight easily allow spotting the Northern Lights in the sky.

Can I go trekking?

The Lofoten Islands are famous for their splendid treks and outdoor adventures. The answer to the question is yes; you can go trekking in autumn. Most of the trails are still passable despite the snow or ice. During our stay, we had to give up only one of the planned treks because the path was too icy for us, who set out without crampons. The trails are mostly snowy, but with good hiking shoes, the grip remains excellent.

Where to stay?

There are various options, from hotels to cottages to Airbnb accommodations. My group of friends and I, being four and wanting to share as much time as possible together, decided to experience a holiday in cottages, overlooking the more expensive and less convivial hotels for the opportunity offered by cottages to cook together in the evening, have a common living room for board games, and, why not, a sauna or a hot tub with a superb view of the bay.

The options are numerous and all very beautiful, and the choice, wherever you go, will surely be excellent. To visit the islands effectively, given the limited hours of daylight at this time of year, I recommend staying a few nights further north in the Svolvaer area and a few nights south in the Reine area. Here are my recommendations:

• Cottage near Svolvaer
• Eliassen Rorbuer – Reine

Are they very expensive?

Norway and therefore the Lofoten Islands are more expensive than Italy. The cost of living is higher. But we don’t have to despair. Choosing to stay in a cottage rather than a hotel allows you to have a complete kitchen that offers the possibility of preparing meals, saving a lot. There are various supermarkets for shopping and Vinmonopolet for alcoholic beverages. Attention!!! For those traveling to the southernmost islands or to Vaeroy, the last Vinmonopolet is in the city of Leknes, 1 and a half hours away (plus 1 and a half hours by ferry for those going to Vaeroy). Here are some average costs of products:

– Water: 2.5 euros for 1.5 liters – Eggs: about 5 euros for 12 eggs – Wine: from 10 euros per bottle upwards at Vinmonopolet, from 50 euros at the restaurant – Beer: from 10 euros at the restaurant – Average dinner with fish and chips and 1 beer at the restaurant: 35 euros per person – Smoked salmon: 260-gram package, about 12 euros – Coca Cola: about 4 euros per 1 liter at the supermarket – Gasoline: about 2 euros per liter

How can I get around?

By car. Renting a car is highly recommended. The cars are all hybrid, fuel consumption is low, and gasoline costs the same as in Italy. And by ferry if you want to visit Vaeroy. The ferry to the island is free at this time. There are 3 each week, not many, but despite some difficulties with schedules not particularly convenient or with the sea that can be rough, I must say it is really worth it.

Can I see the Northern Lights?

• Northern Lights Aurora Alerts
• Yr

Both applications offer a section where you can predict the Northern Lights for each location.

My Lofoten Islands

As you may have read, spending days on the Lofoten Islands in November represents a magical adventure and is ideal for those who love outdoor activities, without crowds, with the possibility of having endless photographic spots, perfect light, and, with a bit of luck, experiencing the majesty of the Northern Lights.