🇳🇴 [Norway] Lofoten Island Self-Driving Itinerary Sharing

I've compiled a complete itinerary to share, hoping it will be helpful for those planning to visit.

✏️Planning Considerations
📍Month: We returned from late August to early September, just as schools in the UK started. This period was slightly less crowded than the peak summer season in Europe, as we chatted with different people.
During this period, daylight hours were still quite long, rising before 5 a.m. and gradually darkening after 9 a.m.
📍Theme: Our primary goal was to enjoy the natural beauty of Lofoten and enjoy fitness, so we weren't considering the Northern Lights or snow. Many netizens have asked, so I'll repeat: the chances of seeing the Northern Lights in summer are very low, and winter snow is beautiful, but it prevents regular hiking. If you can't combine both, please first determine your priorities.
📍Self-Driving Considerations: We are a family of four with two teenagers traveling together. We enjoy the outdoors and a slow pace, so self-driving is more convenient.
Our daily itinerary was relatively loose, as we often stopped along the way to see what we liked. This stop-and-go approach always took longer than the estimated driving time. Finally, we didn't like spending too much time driving each day, so we planned our itinerary and accommodation accordingly.
📍Flights: Since we were staying in London, we flew directly to Oslo with a layover. We also spent four days and three nights in Oslo, which is highly recommended! I've posted a previous article for those interested.
📍Weather/Clothing: Lofoten is known for its wildly changing weather, with sun, rain, strong winds, and then sunny weather several times a day. Locals also say that weather forecasts are only for reference and not always accurate.
In our experience, layering is essential, especially if you're hiking or spending a lot of time outdoors. A windproof and rainproof jacket and hiking boots are essential.

▶️Please refer to the previous post for detailed descriptions of individual attractions. This post focuses on sharing and planning the overall itinerary. Photos will help you understand the day-by-day itinerary.

▶️Day 1: Oslo to Lofoten
📍Fly from Oslo to Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes
📍Rent a car from Avis at the airport. It's completely self-service. After completing the formalities and receiving the car keys, you'll find the car in the parking lot and navigate your way in.
📍Arrive in the evening at Nyvagar Rorbuhotel, a row of converted red fishermen's cottages with a full restaurant. You can book a great sauna and outdoor bathtub with mountain views.

▶️Day 2: Ramburg Nusfjord to Nusfjord
🚶♀️First hike: Glomtinden
Round trip, about 5.6 km, took us about 3 hours. We also saw locals running up and down the mountain with their children or walking their dogs. It's a popular route (but be sure to wear the right shoes and equipment). The view from the summit is fantastic, offering 360-degree views. 📍Stop at Rorvukstranda Beach for lunch.
📍Stay in the unique fishing village of Nusfjord and book dinner at a restaurant on the pier. Lonely Planet hailed it as "one of Norway's most beautiful fishing villages." The village retains the famous red or yellow Rorbuer (fishermen's huts) built on stilts and jutting out to sea. This stay is highly recommended. Another benefit is that there are fewer tourists during the evening and early morning hours.

▶️Day 3: Nusfjord to Rein
📍Morning stroll through the fishing village
📍Check out and drive to Ramberg Beach, known as the "white sand paradise above the Arctic Circle." The approximately one-kilometer-long beach features soft white sand and clear waters, framed by majestic mountains in the background, creating a picturesque natural landscape. The famous red huts set against the backdrop of the beach.
📍Lunch at a nearby restaurant and a stop at the supermarket.
📍Visit Lofoten's "Golden Triangle" of Hamnoy, Sakrisoy, and Reine: Starting in Hamnoy, Lofoten's most famous scenic spot, take a photo of the iconic red fisherman's huts against the towering mountains from the bridge. The town is walkable, but smaller than expected and not as elaborate as other fishing villages.
📍A ten-minute drive to Reine, where we'll stay at a B&B. We plan to stay two nights and explore the surrounding area. Reine was once voted "Norway's Most Beautiful Village," and the fact that the Lofoten Visitor Center is located here demonstrates its importance.
📍You can walk to the supermarket and buy dinner within the town. At the end of August, the sunset is late, making it easy to drive to Hamnoy and Sakrisoy to enjoy the sunset lights.

▶️Day 4: Reine
📍Woke up at 5:30 a.m., already bright. The lake was calm, with perfect reflections like a mirror. We then drove to the small town of Hamony and the neighboring town of Sakrisoy to see the yellow houses, and finally to the Reine viewpoint. I personally think Reine is the most beautiful and complete of the three towns.
📍After breakfast, we drove to Town A, which also marks the end of Lofoten Road E10. A simple trail next to the parking lot leads to the lakeside to admire the seagulls and wild birds of the fjord. We then explored the town, visiting the fishing boat museum, essential oil production, blacksmiths, traditional houses, and souvenir shops. Then, we strolled along the harbor and had lunch with the famous salmon sandwich.
📍For lunch, we drove to Sakrisoy to enjoy fish soup at a famous seafood restaurant. Then, we returned to the hotel to rest.
🚶♀️In the evening, we hiked the second route: Reinebringen! National Geographi once described this hike as "the most photogenic viewpoint in the world!"
The journey from the trailhead back to the starting point took about two hours and forty minutes. While climbing over 2,000 steps did make me breathless, the views from the top were incredible. I spent about an hour enjoying the scenery. Many of the postcard-worthy views of Lofoten are captured from the air, but the Reinebringen hike offers a relatively quick way to experience the beauty. If you can only choose one hike in Lofoten, I'd probably recommend this one.

▶️Day 5: Reine to Henningsvær
🚶♀️At noon, we drove back to our third hike: the Ryten/Kvalvika Beach Trail, which took about 3.5 hours. The climb to the top of Ryten offers a breathtaking view of Kvalvika Beach below. The unique white sand beach, turquoise waters, and cliffs frame the coastline are truly breathtaking. Of our three Lofoten hiking trails, we felt the Ryten route offered the most expansive views and beautiful scenery throughout.
📍In the evening, we passed Ramburg Nusfjord and booked a sauna/outdoor hot tub to relax after two days of hiking.
📍We stayed at Henningsvær Guesthouse.

▶️D6: Henningsvær to Airport
📍Checked out in the morning and took a family stroll through the town, the harbor, the art gallery, and the souvenir shops. It's a pretty complete town, perfect for a leisurely stroll. We also visited the famous, legendary football stadium, but its beauty can only be captured by a drone.
📍After lunch, we drove off, stopping along the way. Since we had an early flight the next day, we checked into a cabin under a bridge, a 15-minute drive from the airport. It had an outdoor jacuzzi (we really loved the sauna and hot tub).

▶️D7: Lofoten to Oslo
Drived to the airport and returned the car with Avis. We flew back to Oslo.