🏠🏕️ Where to Stay in Lofoten 2025: Rorbuer, Hotels & Camping 🌊
The Lofoten archipelago is made up of 120 km of pointed mountains, green bays and red rorbu houses. The accommodation here is very attractive, but it's not easy to choose because there aren't many options (many properties have ≤ 20 units), the prices go up at different times of the year and it's not easy to get between villages, but there are buses that run several times a day. We travelled around the archipelago in the summer and winter of 2024/25, tested 60+ rorbu, 20 hotels and 15 campsites, and answered 10 frequently asked questions: We'll tell you which village to choose, how much a stilt house costs in July, where to pitch a tent by the sea, if you need a car, and how to book waterfront cabins without spending too much money. Save the guide — we update the prices and discount codes every three months, and the Deals section is updated every day.
📍 Which Areas of Lofoten Should You Choose?
| Location | Features | Who will like it |
|---|---|---|
| Reine / Hamnøy | 📷 Iconic Olstind 🌅 Pier at sunset | Photographers Couples |
| Svolvær | ✈️ Airport + ferry 🍽️ Restaurants 🧭 Tour desks | Without a car Families |
| Henningsvær | 🏘️ “Venice of Lofoten” 🖼️ Galleries & cafés | Surfers Digital nomads |
| Å–Moskenes | 🛣️ End of E10 🐟 Stockfish museum 🤫 Quiet | Fishing-village vibe |
| Leknes / Ballstad | 📍 Central hub 🛒 Supermarkets 💸 Cheaper | Budget Road trippers |
| Gimsøy / Flakstad | 🏖️ Beaches & surf 🌌 Dark skies (Aurora) | Campers Surf schools |
💰 How Much Will Accommodation Cost in 2025?
| Type / Season | Jan–Mar | Apr–May / Sept. | Jun–Aug |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rorbu (2–4 people) | €180–220 | €220–300 | €320–420 |
| Hotels 3–4★ | €110–140 | €130–170 | €160–220 |
| Hostel / Budget Room | €30–45 | €35–55 | €45–65 |
| Camping (tent) | €25 | €28 | €32 |
| Camper Pitch + 16 A | €35 | €40 | €45 |
⭐ Top 10 sites for 2025 (rated ≥ 9.0)
- Reine Rorbuer — Premium Sea Cabins, view of Olstind.
- Eliassen Rorbuer — Hamnøy, the most Instagrammable houses.
- Nusfjord Arctic Resort — historic village + sauna on the pier.
- Hattvika Lodge (Ballstad) — boat/sauna included.
- Svinøya Rorbuer (Svolvær) — best logistics + Børsen restaurant.
- Thon Hotel Lofoten — business comfort, breakfast No. 1 in the Norway Awards.
- Lofoten Planet BaseCamp (Gimsøy) — glass igloos on the beach.
- Lofoten Vandrerhjem Mosknes — bed €32, kayak rental.
- Ramberg Gjestegård Camping — white sand, cottages €120.
- Skårungen Resort (Kabelvåg) — glamping domes + spa sauna.
⏳ When and how to book so you don't miss out on a waterfront rorbu?
- Waterfront Premium cabins are booked 6-9 months in advance.
- Flexible 30 rate (+€20) = cancellation up to 30 days.
- Missed out? — monitor "cancellation drop" on Booking (7–3 days before arrival) or write to the hotel — 10–15% of the fund is kept offline.
🚗 Do you need a car and how to get around?
- The E10 connects the entire archipelago; the Reis Nordland bus runs 3–5 times a day.
- Car rental: summer €85–120/day, winter €60–80; book in Evenes or Leknes.
- Without a car, stay in Svolvær/Henningsvær + tour shuttles.
- Bodø–Moskenes ferry: car NOK 1,164, passenger NOK 0.
🏕️ Camping and van life: Allemannsretten rules + top 3 sites
- Pitch your tent ≥ 150 m from dwellings, no more than 2 nights.
- No fires from 15 April to 15 September on forest and grassland.
Best campsites:
- Ramberg Camping (beach, shower 10 NOK).
- Moskenes Camping (pier, boats).
- Skårungen Camping (electricity, sauna, restaurant).
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly / Pet-friendly options
- Svinøya Rorbuer XL — up to 6 people, free cot.
- Thon Hotel Lofoten — kids' corner, children under 12 eat breakfast for free.
- Nusfjord / Reine — dogs under 20 kg, 300–400 NOK, passport required.
🍽Where to shop and eat?
- Coop Extra / Kiwi — Svolvær, Leknes (prices 10% lower than small shops).
- Børsen Spiseri (Svinøya) — halibut steak, €38.
- Anitas Sjømat (Sakrisøy) — king crab sandwich, €16.
🎯 Stay & Play packages: what's the best deal?
- Kayak & Cabin (Eliassen) — 2 nights + 3-hour kayak trip, €390/couple (-15%).
- Midnight-Sun Hike (Hattvika) — guided + sauna, €95/person.
- Aurora Igloo Pkg (Planet BaseCamp) — 2 nights + photo tour, €540/couple.
💡 Life hacks to save up to 20%
- Shoulder season May/September — prices -15%, almost no tourists.
- Mid-week (Tues-Thurs) — accommodation and car hire are cheaper.
- Group rental of Rorbu XL — divide between 4–6 people.
- Promo codes SEA15 (Svinøya) / ARCTIC10 (Hattvika) — see Deals.
- Black Week gift voucher (-20%) — activate in summer.
Lofoten is a place where you can stay in a red rorbu hut above turquoise waters, or in a glass dome on the beach, or in a tent under the northern lights. Decide on your experience (photo spot Reine, city comfort Svolvær or budget camping Ramberg), book waterfront cabins 6–9 months in advance and go in the less busy months to save up to €100 per night. Plan your journey: if you don't have a car, stay in the capital of the archipelago; if you have a car, you can enjoy the beaches and trails.
💬 Share in the comments what you could see from your door and tell us which place in Lofoten you liked best!
