Hike up the Ryten & find the hut on Kvalvika beach

My favorite hike was the one up to the Ryten and Kvalvika beach. I already thought the nature along the entire hike was beautiful and the view of Kvalvika beach from the summit was breathtaking. But my personal highlight was the hut on Kvalvika beach.

We had watched the movie “North of the Sun” the evening before the hike. It's about two students, Inge Wegge and Jørn Ranum, who spent the winter on Kvalvika beach for nine months to surf. They built a hut out of driftwood and garbage that washed up on the beach. Every few weeks, they went to the supermarket to look for expired food that would otherwise have been thrown away and therefore wasted. The story is totally admirable. It was all the more interesting to be able to see their hut in real life!

By the way: Inge and Jørn left the hut with all their camping gear etc. so that everyone could stay there overnight. That's exactly what I've now put on my bucket list. So I'll probably have to come back again!

Shoot your own postcard picture on the Reinebringen

If you've ever seen pictures of the Lofoten Islands, then there's a very good chance that this picture was taken on the summit of Reinbringen. Because the view from up here is a real postcard motif. Therefore, you should definitely not miss this view!

Although you first have to climb more than 1500 steps, the effort is rewarded once you reach the top. You will also have completed your sports program for the day and can spend your well-deserved break with the best view of the small fishing village of Reine.

You can then explore the fishing village of Reine after the hike. Or you can head to Anita's Seafood and reward yourself with a delicious fish burger and cinnamon buns for the effort you put in beforehand.

Relax in the sauna on the beach in Hov Gård after a hike up the Hoven

What do you deserve after a good hike? Of course: relaxation! So it's a good thing that Hov Gård has a sauna right on the beach. Here you can hike up to the Hoven, enjoy the beautiful view and then relax your muscles in the sauna on the beach.

For me, the sauna visit was an absolute highlight. There was a panoramic window in the barrel sauna from where we could watch the beach and the sea. To cool off, we were able to jump into the Arctic Ocean a short distance away. Simply perfect!

However, the sauna cost €250 for 10 people for 1 hour in total. A bit steep, but well worth it. Afterwards, you can round off the day with a good meal at Restaurant Låven.

Have an unforgettable fishing experience in Svolvær

An absolute jam jar moment and probably my favorite memory of the trip was the fishing trip in Svolvær. We laughed so much while fishing that we practically worked out our abs. I also found it very exciting to go fishing myself. I had never done that before.

On the boat, the team from Go2Lofoten explained to us how to cast the line and what we had to watch out for. They were also there to help us whenever we needed assistance. Afterwards, they gutted the fish we had caught so that we could prepare it for dinner.

Dinner was a real feast. Everyone in the group had caught different fish and we prepared them in different ways. So we had a little fish tasting. Highly recommended!

Go on a kayak tour to Reine

I can't say that all the activities we did in Lofoten have been highlights. But somehow everything was just that: a highlight. Including the kayak tour to Reine.

In general, I always like kayak tours. But with the panorama of the Lofoten Islands, it's even better. On the two-hour tour, we not only discovered Reine from the water, but also learned a lot about Norwegian culture. For example, about stockfish, which is preserved using a drying method that is thousands of years old.

We did the tour with Reine Adventure. The cost of this was already included in the price of the trip with Join The Crew. I thought the guides there were very good and they also had clean showers on site that you can use if you fall into the water during the tour. The best thing, however, was that Anita's Seafood is located directly opposite, where you can enjoy a delicious lunch break after the tour.

Visit the most famous soccer pitch in the world: Henningsvaer Stadium

As I grew up with a soccer-loving brother, soccer was always very present in our lives. That's why I might know more about soccer than some other women or even know more soccer grounds in the world than others. But I think others besides me know this soccer pitch: Henningsvaer Stadion.

Because the soccer pitch in Lofoten has gone viral on social media a few times. If you see the picture above, you might understand why. The way the pitch lies on the small island in the sea with the mountains towering in the background... Wow! A very special view.

Yet, you only have this view from the air. Nevertheless, it's worth coming to Henningsvaer. Besides the soccer pitch, there are a few cute shops and cafés where you can have a good time.

Snack delicious cinnamon buns in Nusfjord

We often enjoyed cinnamon buns on the Lofoten Islands. They were all good. But the cinnamon buns in Nusfjord were particularly tasty. That might also have been due to the view while eating them. Because the panorama in the Nusfjord is somehow even more special than many others.

Perhaps it's because Nusfjord is one of the oldest fishing villages in Lofoten, with most of the buildings dating back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The buildings are therefore from a time when the fishing village was one of the most important fish landing sites in Norway. This is why you pay a small entrance fee of around €9 for a visit to Nusfjord. However, as the money goes towards maintaining the buildings, I think it is very fair and good to pay this.

Swimming after a hike on the Mannen at Hauklandstranda

Our first hike at the Lofoten islands was up the Mannen. I enjoyed the hike, even though it was very windy. It gave us a great first impression of the Lofoten Islands, as the nature here was beautiful.

The highlight of the hike, however, was the moment when we arrived back at Hauklandstranda at the end of the hike and went for a swim. The water was fresh, but not too cold. Fortunately, the sun was shining too, so we were able to warm up again on the beach in the sun. I can definitely recommend it.

Relax on the beach at Ramberg

While driving on the Lofoten Islands, we stopped again and again to enjoy the most beautiful views of nature. One of these stops was at Ramberg beach. It was definitely worth it. I mean, you can see the panorama for yourself in the picture. Just wow!

The rest of the group even hiked up Ramberg - under the midnight sun. Unfortunately, I had to skip the hike so that I could do some work. But it must have been very nice. Maybe you'll make it up there on your visit to Lofoten!

The Lofoten Islands have so much more to offer

We spent a week on the Lofoten Islands. Within the week, we were able to see a lot. Yet, there is definitely more to discover! Some hikes that I still have on my bucket list for my next trip to the Lofoten Islands are: Håen, Nonstinden, Offersøykammen, Helvetestinden and Bunes Beach, Hermannsdalstinden, Munken, Tindstinden and the hike to Horseid Beach. Maybe you can include one or two of these hikes!

Hamnøy is a fishing village that we didn't visit this time but that I would definitely like to see. The panorama of the fishermen's huts in front of the towering mountain is incredibly impressive - at least on the pictures I've seen.

Otherwise, you should always keep an eye out for whales on the Lofoten Islands. Because you can see whales here all year round: In summer, the sperm whales stay in the north of Norway, while in winter you will mainly see orcas and humpback whales in the fish-rich fjords. Whale watching tours are offered in some places. You can book them via Get Your Guide (affiliate link). Just pay attention to what the organizations' ratings say about animal welfare.

Otherwise, there is one other place that is worth seeing, but which you will definitely pass by: The Fredvang Bridge. Both the view of the bridge and the view from the bridge are worthwhile!

I have put together a list of all the places on Google Maps.

You can find the list here.