Svolvær, Norway: travel guide
The main town of the Lofoten Islands, ringed by jagged peaks and fishing hamlets — a base for sea-eagle safaris, the Trollfjord, kayaking and rorbu (fisherman's cabin) stays.
- Country
- Norway
- Currency
- NOK
- Time zone
- Europe/Oslo
- Nearest airport
- SVJ
Top places to visit in Svolvær
Svinøya Rorbuer
Heritage · about 0.8 h
The historic islet where Svolvær began as a fishing station, its red rorbuer (fishermen's cabins) on stilts now restored as harbour lodging and a seafood restaurant.
Trollfjord
Nature · about 3 h
A dramatically narrow 2 km fjord with near-vertical 1,000 m walls off the Raftsund, entered by sea-eagle safari boats and Hurtigruten ships from Svolvær.
Svolværgeita (The Goat)
Viewpoint · about 0.5 h
A twin-horned rock pinnacle towering over Svolvær, famous among climbers for the leap between its two summits — a striking sight even from town.
Magic Ice Lofoten
Nightlife · about 1 h · entry NOK 240
An indoor ice bar and gallery of Lofoten-themed ice sculptures in an old fish-processing hall, served with a drink in an ice glass.
Lofoten War Memorial Museum
Museum · about 1 h · entry NOK 120
A private museum with one of the finest collections of WWII uniforms and artefacts, telling Lofoten's occupation story in central Svolvær.
Vågan Church (Lofoten Cathedral)
Church · about 0.5 h
A large 1898 yellow wooden church at Kabelvåg, nicknamed the "Lofoten Cathedral", built to seat the seasonal fishing fleet.
Henningsvær
Heritage · about 2 h
A picture-perfect fishing village strung across small islands south-west of Svolvær, famous for its cliffside football pitch, galleries and cafés.
Djevelporten (Devil's Gate)
Viewpoint · about 2.5 h
A boulder wedged between two rock faces on the Fløya ridge above Svolvær, reached by a steep hike and a popular photo perch over the town and sea.
Things to do
- Trollfjord Sea Eagle Safari (RIB) Wildlife · 2 h · from NOK 1,200 per person
- Trollfjord Sightseeing Cruise Sightseeing · 3 h · from NOK 850 per person
- Lofoten Sea Fishing Trip Adventure · 3 h · from NOK 950 per person
- Lofoten Northern Lights Tour Nature · 4 h · from NOK 1,300 per person
- Svolvær Sea Kayaking Water Sports · 3 h · from NOK 900 per person
- Henningsvær & Lofoten Villages Day Tour Sightseeing · 7 h · from NOK 1,100 per person
Day trips and tours
- Trollfjord & Sea Eagle RIB Safari 2 h · from NOK 1,200
Where to stay in Svolvær
- Svolvær Sentrum about NOK 1,900 per night
Central Svolvær around the harbour, with restaurants, tour piers and mountain views.
- Svinøya about NOK 2,400 per night
The historic fishing islet just across the bridge, famous for its restored red rorbu cabins on the water.
Hotels
- Thon Hotel Lofoten 4-star · NOK 1,600 to NOK 3,200 per night
- Scandic Svolvær 4-star · NOK 1,600 to NOK 3,100 per night
- Vestfjord Hotel 3-star · NOK 1,000 to NOK 1,900 per night
- Anker Brygge 4-star · NOK 1,700 to NOK 3,800 per night
- Svolvær Sjøhuscamping 2-star · NOK 420 to NOK 1,300 per night
- Svinøya Rorbuer 4-star · NOK 1,800 to NOK 4,500 per night
Where to eat
- Børsen Spiseri Norwegian, Seafood · about NOK 800 per person
- Paleo Arctic New Nordic, Arctic · about NOK 1,100 per person
- Bacalao Bistro, Norwegian · about NOK 320 per person
- Du Verden Matbar Seafood, Norwegian · about NOK 500 per person
- Kjøkkenet Mat & Vinhus Norwegian, Seafood · about NOK 520 per person
- Svolvær Kaffebar Cafe · about NOK 160 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ferry main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.