Best Time to Visit the Lofoten Islands

[@guidetonorway]

➡️INTERACTIVE MAP OF LOFOTEN⬅️ Planning your next trip to Lofoten and tired of spending hours on research? Check out our comprehensive Interactive Map of Lofoten now! guidetolofoten.com/map-of-lofoten-islands/ 🆓 FREE MAP OF LOFOTEN 🆓 Not sure yet if you are willing to buy the complete product? No problem, check out our FREE map with selected activities and recommended accommodations here: www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1eQ79TtGUtHIZbITTBIr9d3f5jrxcmiyP&ll=68.11080635255998%2C13.9388185&z=9 Wishing you an exciting trip to the Lofoten islands! Ivar & Radka

[@jeanrobinson705]

We went to Lofoten for two weeks in July 2023, and were aware the roads would be busy, but they weren't as bad as we'd expected. The weather was fabulous, with beautiful clear skies, and the roadside verges were full of wildflowers. It hadn't occurred to us that, because the sun doesn't set, the earth doesn't get a chance to cool down, so it was warm at night as well as light. The midnight sun didn't bother us, even with curtains open. And it was so warm we ran out of short-sleeved tops.

[@Blueparradiddle]

Hi can you say please which two weeks you chose as I am planning a cycling trip and of course trying to work out a good time to go, thanks in advance, Mike

[@Marisha_Piano]

WOW! Wonderful video! Like 907 👍.Your travel vlogs make me feel like I'm right there exploring alongside you! It's a great escape from everyday life! Thank you very much!💗 And have a nice day!

[@Japanvideography]

Thank you for sharing this lovely video that captures many of the beautiful natural scenery. Like 355.

[@guidetonorway]

Hi! Thanks for watching and glad to hear that you enjoyed our video. Subscribe for more similar videos in the upcoming months! Ivar

[@ThisisChristina537]

Nice video, i think i will go to Lofoten in summer between June and August: hiking, biking and laying down next to the beach....how wonderful❤️🥰

[@guidetonorway]

Hi Kristina! Thanks! That sounds like a great vacation! We plan to do the same 😍Only a few more months...

[@patpostalmiller9072]

Super useful vdo. Thank you. We are going to visit Lofoten and Tromso in the end of October 2023. I hope to see the Northern light 🤞🏻❤

[@guidetonorway]

Crossing fingers for clear skies 😊 on our webpage we have a free map of Tromsø you can check out. Ivar

[@akshaygangrade007]

How was it in Oct?

[@sdogg]

How did you go mate? I'll be there from 20/10 to 24/10 this year. My partner and I are hoping to do several hikes, see the lights, and take lots of amazing photos of the landscapes. What was it like for you? Did the weather hold out?

[@mebuku624]

Nice...very nice.....specially mentioning the time to visit is superb....

[@guidetonorway]

Thank you for watching

[@whitewalker608]

This was an amazing video! Exactly what I was looking for. I want to bring my mom who is turning 60 this year to Norway. The only issue is we want to see the green Southern landscapes AND experience the Northern lights as well. We are planning for late September as well but I'm paranoid if it'll be too rainy during that time with a lot of blocked roads.

[@guidetonorway]

Hi White Walker! Glad to hear you enjoyed our video! yes you are a bit too paranoid when it comes to the roads. It is very rare that roads in Norway are closed due to flooding or something like that. If they are, its usually in spring when the snow melts. So don't worry about the roads being closed, but be sure to plan enough time when driving between the south and north. You could easily add 20-30% driving time to what google suggests. Especially in the west. September is a great month to travel in Norway. And northern lights wise, it's pretty good as well. Hope you have a great trip with your mom! You are welcome to join us on facebook. Norway - tips for travelers (the closed group is the most active one). Its easier to ask questions there and to get good answers. Thanks for watching!

[@whitewalker608]

@@guidetonorway Thanks a lot for this advice! Will definitely join the group.

[@JezaLoki]

I’m from Australia and I’ve driven in Arctic Norway during winter many times. You’ll be fine. Use this site if you’re in doubt. In Norwegian only. www.vegvesen.no/trafikk/#/

[@MudvayneS10]

Didn't saw your video when I made my decision to go there in September, but now I am even more happy with it :D It will be my first time from 3-17th.

[@guidetonorway]

That’s the best time of the year 😊 you will love it! It’s so crowded in Lofoten right now, and we just left yesterday and we are not coming back until September :) see you in the mountains! Ivar

[@MindBlower18]

Great Video 👍 Thx from Munich... 🇩🇪 😉

[@guidetonorway]

Thank you for watching and for your feedback :) Wishing you a good summer, from Lofoten!

[@dsam3]

Went July..it was amazing

[@michadybczak4862]

Awesome and very useful info!

[@guidetonorway]

Glad it was helpful!

[@1966trail]

Brilliant, I’ve been planning on a campervan trip to Lofoten, hopefully this year but that’s been dashed and I’m gutted, so next year is a 100% certainty. I’ve been looking for a good map and came across your interactive map 😍, why hadn’t I found it sooner, along with your Facebook group and KZbin this is just perfect, so glad I stumbled across you guys. 🙏🏻❤️

[@guidetonorway]

Thank you for watching! And for the lovely feedback! Good luck planning your next years vacation! 😊 And make sure to use our Facebook community. Cheers, Ivar

[@1966trail]

Thanks, just joined the Facebook community, lots to look forward too. 🙏🏻❤️

[@TitanAerialPhotography]

Excellent video - really informative and helpful AND some fantastic photos and video too. Many thanks. Looking forward to my trip at the end of May 🙂

[@guidetonorway]

Thank you for your feedback! Wishing you a great trip in May! Enjoy the flowers and midnight sun! 😊

[@sdogg]

My partner and I will be there from 20/10 to 24/10 - we have planned on doing several hikes and are (obviously) hoping to see the Northern Lights. I hope the weather holds up for us.

[@welshlad6427]

Thank you for your wonderful vlog and information. September it is 🇳🇴❤️

[@guidetonorway]

Thank you for watching and I appreaciate your feedback! September really is the best! We plan to be in Lofoten the whole of August and September this year. Cant wait!

[@lt.e]

Im going to visit the lofoten this year on 2.8 to 16.8. i hope we can enjoy your beautiful country and nature! Cant wait to get there😢 Ps : thanks for the vid! Good work

[@guidetonorway]

Thank you Leon! I’m sure you are going to have a great time here in August! Ivar

[@uncinarynin]

Thank you. I will come end of July ...

[@guidetonorway]

All the best :)

[@jackko4193]

i love this place i was born in bergen norway but have family up in the northen norway like lofoten and hammerfest i now live in denmark and go there every year or so last year i went around october early winter but now this year in a month im gonna go july

[@guidetonorway]

Hi Jackko! I understand that you come back to Lofoten year after year. It’s different every time we come here. We just arrived to Lofoten two days ago and we had an amazing time yesterday but today and the next days it’s not looking so good. Making the best of the situation is definitely a skill that Lofoten teaches, again and again 😅 crossing fingers for a sunny July! ☀️

[@vie1111]

Hey.. I plan to visit norway by the end of oct to nov. From this video i think this not a good season 😭 Could you advise me how long at least i should stay in lofoten to see northern light? I plan to see it in tromso as well. I read that this year will be the peak of the northern light on november.

[@simonadamhu]

Amazing video, beautiful landscapes. May I ask what the music is from 0:15-0:25?

[@femke25]

Great video! just booked for late august, very excited to go.

[@guidetonorway]

Thanks! Late august is a good time to visit. Beautiful sunsets and few people :) What’s on your bucket list?

[@brigitkarlsen4294]

Excellent done THX........!!!!!

[@guidetonorway]

Glad you liked it!

[@diegoattiani4009]

Very informative video ! Going to the end of March is it still possible to find a snowy landscape? Thank you

[@guidetonorway]

Yes, absolutely :)

[@zachzulanas4125]

what are the chances of seeing northern lights in early September? I'm going for the first week of September and would love to see them! great video nonetheless :)

[@guidetonorway]

Hi Zach! Thanks for watching and your feedback! I appreciate it a lot! You can see the northern lights in Lofoten from the end of August. In early September it should give you good chances of seeing the aurora. You just need a clear sky, so cross your fingers :)

[@politicallycorrectredskin796]

Clear night sky is all you need. It's still there in summer. You just can't generally see it because the sun doesn't set. But September already has dark nights, so no problem.

[@cjhelmus058]

When you go to Tromsø chances are higher than anywhere else.

[@wollymolly]

Thank you for this very informative video. I am planning to go middle of October. Can you please give some advice on that? Is September a better time or would mid October still be ok?

[@guidetonorway]

Hi! By mid October the leaves on the trees are probably gone but you still have the color on the ground. Up in the mountains you may get some fresh snow during colder periods but you can still hike. The biggest concern is autumn storms that may already arrive, making any outdoor activities difficult. But you may also have beautiful calm and crisp weather. It really changes from year to year. If you can choose I would go for September but if not then middle of October can be amazing too! Cheers, Ivar

[@Kamerynho]

Thank you so much for this useful video! I'm planning to go the first week of Oct, literally Oct 1 - 7. Do you think the autumn storm may have arrived and the chance for aurora is weak?

[@guidetonorway]

Hi H! Thanks for watching 🙏 last year October was very calm and beautiful so you still have good chances to see the aurora and do some fun activities/hiking in the beginning of October 😊 Ivar

[@applevalencia645]

Hi, how did you go on those dates? planning on going on the same dates.. Oct 1-7 ....did you see the aurora? was it rainy?

[@md.279]

great vid, I am wondering what’s the ideal amount of days to stay in Lafoten islands?

[@guidetonorway]

Hi MD! Thanks for watching and your feedback! You are asking an impossible question :) however, I would say if you have a limited amount of days in your holiday, and you want to do the top sights and activities, then 5-7 days would be a minimum. Then you have time to do 2-4 hikes, go fishing, see the midnight sun on a clear sky hopefully, do midnight hiking once, eat some local cuisine and maybe, if you have time, try some of the organised activities like eagle watching in Troll fjord, catamaran cruise, day trip to Skrova or Værøy. If you are planning a longer Norway trip and you are scheduling several days in Oslo or Bergen first, then I recommend you skip those days and spend them in Lofoten instead. It’s so much better up here! Of course I would recommend our map of Lofoten so you can appreciate how much there is to do up here :) Take care! Ivar

[@thaithaichannel1448]

Support to you 🙏 🙏

[@guidetonorway]

Thank you very much!

[@thaithaichannel1448]

@@guidetonorway 💛🙏

[@lohrainemaia]

Hello! Thanks for this video. Help me a lot. Any chance to see northern lights in mid or end april? :)

[@guidetonorway]

Hi Lohraine! The aurora companies end their season in the end of Feb. But you can still see the aurora until maybe mid April. After that it starts to be too bright.

[@rileytah2392]

Am planning to head over to Lofoten with my husband and 1 year old son next year .. which month would you recommend and any recommendations for places to stay & activities suitable for us with a newborn ? :)

[@guidetonorway]

Hi Riley! I would assume that the warmer summer months would be easier with a 1 year old. You could have him in a "backpack" when hiking (I think you know what type I mean :) ) and it is just so much easier and safer to do this in the summer than in the winter with deep snow and slippery ice. Where to stay depends on what you want to do and how long you plan to stay? Activities also depends on where you want to stay. But in general I think the following activities would be great for you, I will just leave the links here so you can check them out. Troll fjord cruise (Svolvær): getyourguide.tp.st/I8WlOLeq Reine Fjord cruise (Reine): viator.tp.st/2NeUe3iV Værøy cruise (Å): viator.tp.st/RATgCEO0 The last two cannot be booked yet since they only run in the summer. They might open for booking in the new year. We have several other great activities for families in our Interactive Map of Lofoten, so you might want to check that out if you wish to find even more options :) Thanks for watching! Ivar

[@lisbethsalander3758]

Beautiful 💕

[@guidetonorway]

Thank you, Lisbeth! So, when are you planning to visit Lofoten? :)

[@avikaupra7227]

Hi can I ask if end Nov to early Dec is a good time to visit for northern lights in Tromso and Lofoten and is there plenty of snow? Or Feb is better? We are traveling fromAsia so it's a bog deal for us. Ps. Thank you for the vid it's fantastic and Im falling in love with Norway already. Any suggestion is helpful thanks 😍😊

[@guidetonorway]

Hi! Thanks for watching! Feb is better if you want a higher chance of snow ❄️

[@ronieduardo1]

Great information thanks 🙏

[@guidetonorway]

Thank you for watching! Glad you liked it

[@oligreendot]

I guess I’ll go in April-may to benefit from low tourist and hiking available everywhere

[@guidetonorway]

Thanks for watching. Not a bad idea. Just be aware that in April and the beginning of May, a lot of trails are still covered in snow and you would possibly need snowshoes or microspikes. Middle to end of May is a great time to hike on mainly bare trails in Lofoten :)

[@sumunordland]

thanks!🥰

[@guidetonorway]

Thank you for watching :)

[@robertolungu5421]

Amazing video! I was planning to go to Lofoten this november, would you say it’s a bad month to see the aurora borealis as it would be one of the things i would like to see?

[@politicallycorrectredskin796]

November to February is good. Still weather-dependent, though. If it's cloudy you won't see anything. Probably the best way to make sure is to drive out Lofoten and back again. Most likely you'll get varied weather, since it's very localized on the Norwegian coast.

[@guidetonorway]

Hi Roberto! Thank you for watching. November is great to see the aurora. I mean, you are statistically more likely to get stormy weather in November than lets say February or March, which are the two most popular months to see the northern lights, but if you have time off in November, you might as well go in November :) It's also a great month to visit for photography as the fresh snow starts to sprinkle the summits with a drizzle of sugar. Just be aware that it's very much off season in Lofoten and you will find that some accommodations, restaurants as well as activity providers are closed, or run with limited staff and availability. Hiking may or may not be limited as well due to weather and climate. The aurora season has definitely already started and we are excited to head out and hopefully spot some aurora action the next two nights here in Værøy! The airstrip at the north side of the island is a great place to see them from. No light polution as well as no mountains blocking the view. Wish us luck! 🤞 Good luck aurora hunting to you! ☺ Ivar

[@guidetonorway]

​@@politicallycorrectredskin796 It's even fine in late August until the Middle of April. However, most activity providers go for a slightly shorter season. I like your tip of driving across Lofoten spotting for the aurora. In the worst case, you get a beautiful road trip 😊Have you seen the aurora in Lofoten before? Ivar

[@politicallycorrectredskin796]

@@guidetonorway Yes. I was in the army up there, so got to see all the seasons inland where my camp was, and visited Lofoten three times when we were on leave. Three of the guys in my barracks lived out there, so I ingratiated myself and was invited to three separate overnight family dinners in Harstad, Henningsvær and Reine. That was our excuse to go all three times:) One thing I did notice was that if the weather is reasonable it is a lot better to see the northern lights in Lofoten than it was in my camp. -2 to +2 lends itself to looking up much more than -30 or -40 does. "Ooh, pretty!' And then all the cold comes down your neck when your clothes move and you look down again. I mostly observed the aurora that happened to be close to the horizon while I was inland. Setermoen the camp is called if you want to gawk at some pictures. It's not too far from the base of Lofoten. Perfect if you like soldiers, extreme cold and amounts of snow or mosquitoes.

[@politicallycorrectredskin796]

@@guidetonorway Oh, and yes. It's always there. It's just too bright in summer to see it. All you really need is darkness.

[@jemaluang1]

Hi, really well done video, very clear and to the point. After your video ,kind of decide on September to visit, what is the best way, or town to fly into from Oslo. can you get a car rental from that town ?

[@guidetonorway]

Hi Bernard! Thanks for watching and glad to hear the video was helpful to you. You can watch our video "How to get to Lofoten" where we explain this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oV63i6amid95ftk&feature=share&EKLEiJECCKjOmKnC5IiRIQ We also have an article going into the same topic guidetolofoten.com/getting-to-lofoten-islands/ I am also going to make a video soon on where to rent a car specifically because a lot of people ask about this and I always end up giving a very very long answer :D So definitely subscribe if you havent already Ivar

[@jemaluang1]

I will do that, you are very helpful !

[@guidetonorway]

@@jemaluang1 You are most welcome. Glad I can help! Ivar

[@ymke4234]

We just booked a trip to Lofoten and Tromsø from the 14th to the 22nd of January 2025, but now I see al lot of people advising against visiting in January 🙈 Did we make a mistake booking mid January?

[@applevalencia645]

Hi, planning tonfirst week of October. say from the 1st-7th Oct. hows the westher like during these period?

[@guidetonorway]

Hard to say more than one week in advance :) Last October we had great weather. You just have to cross your fingers and hope for the best :) October can be mind-blowingly beautiful here with fresh snow and still autumn colors. Cheers, Ivar

[@motto2124]

Hi...will december be a good time

[@guidetonorway]

For what specifically? It depends what you like to do. December is very quiet in Lofoten and the days are short but it’s one of the most beautiful months of the year if you ask me. Of course, this assumes a little bit good weather. So your experience may vary 😄

[@yxmyam]

Hi, I’ll be going at the end of December to like the first week of January, is it a good time to go then ?

[@guidetonorway]

Hi Yameen! Sorry for late reply. Well it’s the darkest period of the year so expect short days, but I’m sure you know that :) what are your plans? Ivar

[@nikolaiWODKA]

I would like to travel from Tromso to Lofoten by car, at the end of February and beginning of March, is this a good idea in your opinion?

[@thilakshriyan5372]

Did u go?

[@itsConnor28]

Can I expect plenty of snow around 18 March?

[@guidetonorway]

Oh yes. You can expect snow covered ground well into April

[@igorshakin8]

👍👍👍👍👍

Whitch is the moutain to 4:10 please ? :D (exaclty)

[@guidetonorway]

Hi Kineaste! Thats Volandstind :) A very easy summit

@@guidetonorway Merci !

[@californialeder9716]

I’m going in September I’m worried about the rain and being able to hike. I was also wanting to see northern lights … I will be there for 3 nights 2 days in mid Sept. Where do you suggest staying for hiking in northern lights. Thank you

[@guidetonorway]

Mid September is perfect for hiking! I would hang around in western Lofoten mostly if I wanted to do hiking and northern lights watching. Maybe Eliassen Rorbuer or Rostad Retro rorbuer would be good for you? It would be ideal with a room with a view towards the north so you would see the lights when they arrive. It's of course better to be outside, but sometimes it's nice to be able to wait inside with a warm cup of tea. In general it's cheapest to book with booking . com. Especially if you are a Genious member. Several rorbuer often have some discounts off season. www.booking.com/city/no/reine.en.html?aid=1445647&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2

[@californialeder9716]

Thank you !!!!

[@guidetonorway]

@@californialeder9716 No problem!

[@politicallycorrectredskin796]

Water proof clothes. Sept is perfect for hiking. Low temperatures, few people, scenery even more beautiful. You just need clothes for rain and you're good.

[@whitenbald]

Looking at historical weather data for Lofoten, it says that October rarely snows and also has lower cloud cover than March (and definitely November to February) -- what's the truth?

[@guidetonorway]

Hi. Late October can see some snow at night and in the mountains but it usually melts fast. Where did you find information that October has lower cloud cover than March? I guess it can depend on how you measure it. But I’m pretty sure if you ask a local when you have the best chance to see a clear sky it will be rather in March than in October. In general, I wouldn’t trust statistics too much when it comes to real life weather. For example, Oslo has statistically more rain during the year than lots of places in western Norway. However, western norway clearly has more days of rain than Oslo. It only means that when it rains in Oslo it pours. Also, cloud cover sounds like a very ambiguous term to look at. Does it mean low cloud cover, medium cloud cover, or high cloud cover? And what about ocean fog? My point is: don’t spend too much time looking at the forecast. Also, here in Lofoten the weather very widely from place to place, from day to day, and from year to year. So it’s hard to say anything specific about the weather really. The climate is also predicted to change slightly towards warmer and wetter weather in the future. However, this summer was the best summer in hundred years. So it’s hard to say anything definitive about a specific month. Ivar

[@Nora_meow99]

I love Norway 🐧❄️☃️🦌🛫

[@guidetonorway]

So do we :D Are you visiting this year?

[@Nora_meow99]

@@guidetonorway yea sure...every year and every night, of course just by my dream 🙋😸🙏🙏

[@guidetonorway]

@KanKin Cats It's not the same as the real deal :) Crossing fingers for physical visit one day ☺️ Take care!

[@Nora_meow99]

@@guidetonorway serious, I have high hopes for KZbin, after getting paid , I really want to be in Norway ✈️

[@guidetonorway]

Hope it works out for you so you can realize your dream :)

[@JezaLoki]

February is the best time to visit. In my experience.

[@guidetonorway]

February is my favourite time to experience the northern lights, but it's still quite cold! What do you like about February? :)

[@JezaLoki]

@@guidetonorway I love the cold! I’m from Australia so visiting a true winter wonderland is like being on another planet. I’ve also visited Lofoten in July and December. July has its advantages and disadvantages. Longer daylight hours but lots of tourists. December days are very short however the daytime light is gorgeous. I didn’t see the Aurora while on Lofoten in December, but I did see it almost every night while on nearby Senja. Det bo et troll på Senja. February has slightly longer days than December with haunting light, few tourists, the chance of the Aurora, and beautiful snowfall. The quintessential Norwegian winter experience.

[@guidetonorway]

​@@JezaLoki Coming from Australia in the summer to Norway in the winter must be a massive contrast! I agree with you that July is just too crowded. We usually try to stay away from Lofoten in July. And like you say, December has that beautiful pastel light, at least when its not stormy. As a drone pilot and photographer, I enjoy pretty much every month except July, when the sun is mostly too high for good photos. So, which month are you coming next time? ;)

[@JezaLoki]

@@guidetonorway I’d love to see some of your photography! I think December to March is always going to be my preferred time to visit Arctic Norway. Indeed, there is a huge contrast from the scorching hot and blisteringly dry Australian summer to the dark and icy Arctic winter. That contrast and otherworldliness really enhances the travel experience. Lately, I noticed that column driving has become a regular thing in some places. A few years ago we were driving to Nordkapp in January. A road closure between Alta and Honningsvåg delayed our plans by a day. To catch up on our schedule we had to then drive from Kamøyvær to Kiruna and then to Sirkka, Finland all in one hit. Heading south beside the Altaelva river into the setting sun was one of the most magical winter scenes I’ve ever witnessed. No cloud cover near the horizon so the whole valley glowed golden pink as the sunlight shone northwards. At the same time, a dark cloud directly overhead gently let large puffy snow fall. -22.C outside. Spectacular.

[@PuneethSrinivas]

@@guidetonorway How is day light in mid Feb ?

[@millerforester6237]

Don't need a video for this. Midnight Sun or The Aurora in Winter.

[@guidetonorway]

Thanks for watching at least 😍