Tromso To Lofoten 12-Day Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary
Norway is one of the most beautiful countries to visit in Europe, and you will see why when you drive from Tromso to Lofoten. In this post, I highlight the most spectacular scenery, beautiful beaches, and remote villages you will experience on this epic Northern Norway drive.
I have included helpful directions, driving times, and an interactive map that shows the route from Tromso to the Lofoten Islands. You will also find information about driving in Norway, places of interest on the route to Lofoten from Tromso, and places to stay overnight. So, buckle up - you are in for a memorable 12-day road trip above the Arctic Circle!
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Driving from Tromso to Lofoten - What to Expect
Aside from some of the most incredible mountainous scenery you could imagine and the phenomenon of the midnight sun in summer, the drive to Lofoten from Tromso will allow you to stop at traditional fishing villages, stay in a rorbuer, take a wildlife cruise, walk along sandy beaches, eat the freshest seafood, visit a Viking museum, and stand on the most southern tip of the Lofoten Peninsula, to mention just a few activities.
The drive time from Tromso to Lofoten (Svolvaer) is approximately 8 hours; however, we took a detour to Senja for one night to break up the drive. You will find all the driving times below to help you plan your road trip.
Depending on how far you want to drive, this Tromso to Lofoten road trip can be adjusted to suit your preferences. No matter how long you spend in the Lofoten Islands, the trip is one of the best things to do in Norway and is definitely one of the prettiest!
Does that sound good? Of course, it does, so let me inspire you with my 12-day Tromso to Lofoten road trip itinerary. It will help you plan a similar trip, including driving times, accommodations, and Lofoten attractions to visit along the way.
- Tromso for three nights
- Senja Island for one night
- Svolvaer for one night
- Nusfjord Arctic Resort for four nights
- Lofoten Links for one night
- Harstad/Narvik Airport hotel for one night
Tromso to Lofoten Map
This Tromso to Lofoten map pinpoints all the places I highlight in this travel post, including places to stay, attractions to visit, and viewpoints to stop at during the drive.
Things to know about driving in Lofoten
- Petrol Stations are few and far between, so don't let your tank go too low.
- Convenience shops are also hard to find, so stop and restock when you see one. Bring water, snacks, and chocolate to keep you going during the drive.
- Norwegians drive on the right-hand side of the road.
- Be prepared to go slowly behind camper vans in some of the more touristy places. This part of the country is popular for caravanning in summer!
- Watch the speed limits on all roads and stick to them.
- Cars must have headlights switched on at all times while driving.
- Many car parks are pay-and-display. Download the EasyPark App to pay as soon as you've parked.
Best time to do a Tromso to Lofoten Road Trip
Lofoten is an all-year destination; however, the best time for a road trip is in summer, when the roads and countryside aren't covered in snow, and visibility is good.
Travelling to Lofoten in summer means you don't have to walk around in numerous layers! When I visited in July, most days had temperatures in the high 20s, which was a big surprise for us and, it seems, for the local people we spoke to. That said, it was cloudy on a couple of days with light showers, so while not cold, it can be wet. As with summer in the UK, be prepared for all eventualities in Northern Norway.
Day 1 - Fly into Tromso
Three Nights in Tromso
We flew from London to Oslo (2 hours) and then from Oslo to Tromso (2 hours). There are no direct flights into Tromso. Getting from the airport into town is easy via the shuttle bus, which is located to the right of the arrivals hall. I wouldn't recommend pre-booking a taxi; I did, and it didn't show up.
We booked one night at the Comfort Hotel Express, as I knew we would be arriving close to midnight and didn't want to spend much on just a few hours of sleep. The room was comfortable, and the receptionist provided us with good recommendations for coffee shops and attractions in Tromso.
Days 2 and 3 - Exploring Tromsø
Our second two nights were spent at Clarion - The Edge, a luxury hotel on the waterfront by the Hurtigruten Terminal.
Other hotels in Tromsø around the harbour include:
Clarion Collection Hotel Aurora.
Private rentals such as the Red Old House are available in the local neighbourhood.
Tromso is well known as a winter destination where tourists come to participate in winter activities and see the northern lights, but not as much as a summer destination. Big Mistake! Tromso is a fantastic summer destination with plenty to see and do.
We spent two full days wandering around town, visiting the arctic-alpine botanical gardens, taking the cable car to the top of Storsteinen, seeing the Arctic Cathedral, hunting out the street art, souvenir shopping, visiting the museums and getting our heads around the fact it never goes dark thanks to the Midnight Sun!
Tromso is full of attractions, so I don't think it will be boring just because it's high in the Arctic Circle - no, sir! It's a vibrant place and a university city, so a young vibe runs through the town.
| You can read about Tromso in more detail in my post: 16 Great Reasons Why Tromso in Summer Is Worth Visiting. |
Day 4 - Driving to Senja
Driving time from Tromso to Senja is 3 hours. Take the E8 out of Tromso, drop onto the E6 at Vollan, and then at Olsborg, drop onto the 855. Continue on the 855 to Finnfjordbotn, then take the 86 into Senja. Add extra time for photo stops.
On our last morning in Tromso, we picked up a rental car and headed to the next overnight stop on our journey from Tromso to Lofoten by car: Senja, Norway's second-largest island.
There are many reasons to visit Lofoten, and you will see why as you drive further into the Lofoten Archipelago. The further south you go, the more dramatic the scenery gets. There will be a lot of 'oh wows' being said on this trip.
Here are the stops we made on our way from Tromso to Senja:
- Ramfjordbotn
- Laksvatn
- Nordkjosbotn - two supermarkets and a burger joint are here, so stock up on supplies while you can!
- Rasteplass
One Night in Senja
Senja is often overlooked by travellers who want to stay on the main route and go straight from Tromso to the Lofoten Islands. However, this short detour meant we could stay in a traditional Norwegian lighthouse and visit some of the island's attractions - it's the perfect place to spend 24 hours.
| Wondering what to do in Senja? You can find out in my post: Senja, Norway: How to Spend One Day on Senja Island in Summer. |
| For alternative accommodations in Senja, please check Senja hotel availability and pricing on Booking.com. |
Day 5 - Driving to Svolvaer
The driving time from Senja to Svolvaer is 5 hours and 40 minutes. Take the 86 and 855 back out of Senja, drop onto the E6 and continue to Bjerkvik, where you will need to turn onto the E10 into Svolvaer.
A car ferry runs from Grylleford on Senja to Andenes, reducing driving time. We didn't use this service because it isn't pre-bookable. You have to turn up, and I hope you get on. If you don't, it could derail your plans. For this reason, we opted to drive from Senja to Svolvaer.
It's a long drive from Senja to Svolvaer; however, there are charming places to stop along the route, and the scenery gets better and better. Expect to see rivers, lakes, streams, waterfalls, mountains, valleys, and cute red wooden villages throughout the landscape. It's like a fairytale!
Here are the stops we made on our way from Senja to Svolvaer:
- Bardu
- Lapphaugen
- Husjordoya
- Laupstad
Bardu
Sir Henrik Waterfall is an easy 15-minute walk from the car park (a simple layby). Turn off the E6 onto the Fv161, and the waterfall is close to the Polar Park, which, sadly, we didn't have time to visit.
Lapphaugen
This is an interesting stop if you are interested in WWII historic sites. This Narvik memorial marks the place where the Norwegian army made its first strike back against the Nazi army in 1940.
Husjordoya
Husjordoya is an island in the middle of a fjord, which you will cross via a bridge. We parked here and went for a short walk along the river, where we came across information boards on Viking history and traditions. It's a green and picturesque location, as shown in my photo.
Laupstad
If you are drawn to churches, you'll spot a red-roofed chapel at the tip of an outlet. Take a quick detour, stretch your legs, and look at the 19th-century Sildpollne's Chapel. It's very remote and has beautiful lupins nearby (they are a regular sight in Lofoten).
Svolvaer - capital of the Lofoten Islands
One Night in Svolvaer
After a day of driving, we officially arrived in the Lofoten Islands at Svolvaer. We stayed one night at the Thon Hotel Lofoten, a modern building on the waterfront.
For alternative accommodations in Svolvaer, please check Svolvaer hotel availability and pricing on Booking.com.
Svolvaer wasn't precisely what I expected. I had a picture in my head of a traditional mountain town similar to Tromso. It wasn't, and I felt underwhelmed by its concrete buildings and parking lots, which marred the otherwise magnificent landscape.
Nevertheless, Lofoten's capital is a working port, has some good restaurants and is where you can board a cruise to the inner Trollfjorden, making it a tourist hotspot. It has red wooden cabins, which Lofoten is famous for, and a park with an interesting and unexpected art trail, so it's a place you either warm to or choose to drive through.
Day 7 - Driving to Nusfjord Arctic Resort
The driving time from Svolvaer to Nusfjord Arctic Resort is 1 hour and 40 minutes (allow extra time for photo stops). Take the E10 out of Svolvaer and continue for around 90 minutes until you see the sign for Nusfjord. Turn onto the Fv807 and continue straight into the resort, where the road stops.
This part of your road trip in Lofoten will be downright incredible. Expect to see beautiful Lofoten beaches with golden sands that wouldn't look out of place in the Caribbean. See mighty mountains rising from inky lakes and sea inlets, drive past waterfalls, and, of course, visit a traditional fishing village and see the fjords that make up the Lofoten islands. If you have ever travelled to New Zealand and found the scenery amazing, Lofoten is like the NZ South Island but on steroids!
Here are the stops we made on our way from Svolvaer to Nusfjord Arctic Resort:
- Rorvikstranda
- Henningsvaer
- Bostad (you will pass back this way on the return journey)
- Haukland Beach
- Uttekliev Beach
Henningsvaer
Henningsvaer was one of my favourite places during our Lofoten-to-Tromso trip. We spent around two hours wandering around this beautiful island, browsing its cute shops, stopping for coffee, cakes and beer, taking hundreds of photographs and checking out its football pitch - one of the world's most famous due to its location. If you are a football fan, you will want to see this pitch!
Nusfjord Arctic Resort - Lofoten's Historic Fishing Village
Four nights in a traditional fisherman's rorbuer on stilts (you could reduce nights spent here to save time - however, you probably won't want to!).
If you love unique places to stay, Nusfjord Arctic Resort is a must. All the buildings are original, traditional structures, ranging from the fisherman's cabins (rorbuer) to the bakery and the fish-processing barns.
Almost everything in the resort is historically authentic, making a stay here memorable. If you watch BBC's Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby, you may have spotted this magical Lofoten resort being featured.
Day One: We arrived in the evening, headed for dinner at Karoline Restaurant, and snuggled up in our fisherman's rorbuer.
Day Two: We explored the village and learned about Nusjord's history. We then relaxed in the outdoor spa and enjoyed fabulous food.
Day Three: We took a private boat to the fjords for half a day and spent the rest of the day relaxing with a book and wine in the rorbuer.
Day Four - We drove to the southernmost point of the Lofoten Peninsula, the village of Å. On the way, we took photos of Reine from the bridge and had lunch at Lofoten's one and only Anita's Seafood Restaurant.
| If Nusfjord sounds like a place you want to stay, here's the pricing and availability for Nusfjord Arctic Resort. |
| Wondering what to do in Å? You can find out in my post: What To Do In Å: Lofoten's Most Remote Preserved Fishing Village. |
Day 11 - Driving to Lofoten Links
Today should have been the end of our time in the Lofoten Islands, and we should have been catching a plane from Leknes Airport to Oslo. Sadly, that wasn't going to happen.
On our last day, we learned SAS Airlines was on strike, and the next available flight would be four times as expensive and depart in two days with Norwegian Air. Not ideal as we had plans in Oslo, but like all good travellers, we scoured the internet to find somewhere to stay for the next two nights.
We stayed at Lofoten Links for one night, including golf course access and accommodations in Gimsoya.
And we stayed at the Aiden Hotel by Best Western at Narvik Airport the other night.
The driving time from Nusfjord Arctic Resort to Lofoten Links is 80 minutes (allow time to stop at Lofotr Viking Museum). Take the road out of Nusfjord Arctic Resort, continue on the E10, and cross the bridge at Sundklakkstraumen bru (I have plotted it on the map). Turn onto the Fv861 and continue to Saupstad, where the Fv862 takes over. Then it's straight into Lofoten Links.
Here are the stops we made on our way from Nusfjord Arctic Resort to Lofoten Links:
- Vikten
- Bostad
Vikten
Vikten is a beach village with red cabins dotted along the shoreline. We stopped here to visit the glassblowing studio, and I'm glad we did. I came home with a beautiful pink glass heart as a souvenir.
You can watch the glass blower at work, creating beautiful bowls, vases, and hearts, and then grab refreshments from the cafe. Afterwards, wander along the beach and see the glass ornaments welded to the rocks.
Bostad - Lofotr Viking Museum
If my original flight hadn't been cancelled, the Viking Museum wouldn't have made it onto my Tromso Lofoten itinerary due to time limitations, so visiting it was great. It is a superb museum with a Viking longhouse reconstruction on the grounds.
Step inside the longhouse and see how the Viking chieftain lived. You can dress up, play games, and, for a little extra, buy soup, bread and mead to enjoy at the wooden table that runs along the wall in part of the longhouse.
Afterwards, follow the path through the fields and down to the river, where you can sail around the lake in a scaled reconstruction of the Viking ship displayed in the Oslo Viking Ship Museum.
On my sailing, things got out of hand when the wind turned, and the sails became hard to control. I had visions of swimming back to land. All turned out well and added to the fun. You can also try axe-throwing for free.
Lofoten Links
After a full day, we arrived at Lofoten Links in the evening. You can read about my stay in this post: Lofoten Links: Lodges and Golf in the Arctic Circle. It will give you a better idea of the accommodation and what to do there.
Day 12 - Driving To Harstad Narvik Airport
The driving time from Lofoten Links to Aiden Hotel at Harstad Narvik Airport is 3 hours. Take the E10 to the airport.
Before we left Lofoten Links, we had a lovely morning walk along Hov Beach and then hopped in the car for our last drive before returning it to the airport.
We chose not to stop as we passed through places we had already visited, such as Henningsvaer and Svolvaer. It was a straight drive to the hotel for dinner and an early night.
Day 13 - Flight from Narvik to Oslo
After a comfortable night in the Aiden Hotel, we called a taxi for the 5-minute journey to the terminal. Yes, you read that correctly! There is no way to cross from the hotel to the terminal, as the wide main road (E10) separates them. We had no choice but to call a taxi, which charged us £50 for a 5-minute ride.
We felt very ripped off. This was a joke, even knowing how expensive it is in Norway; however, it was a case of paying up or watching the plane depart without us. After being stranded for two additional days, we were ready to leave, so we paid and continued to Oslo for three days. Oh, and in case you are wondering, only two taxi firms are in the area, so they can charge what they like!
It's a shame our Tromso to Lofoten road trip ended on a sour note, but it would never detract from the enjoyment we had experienced in Northern Norway on this marvellous journey.
Is a Tromso to Lofoten Road Trip Worth Doing?
Yes, yes, and yes again! I have been fortunate to travel to amazing countries and see amazing sights, but Northern Norway has to be at the top of my list. Its raw natural beauty is spellbinding, and journeying through its mighty landscapes under the midnight sun is an experience I will never forget. Where else, other than the Arctic, can you sit on a beach close to midnight, and it's still light?
Norway is one of Europe's most mountainous countries, and its fjords are breathtaking. So do yourself a favour and visit Northern Norway and uncover its Nordic magic on a Tromso to Lofoten Bucket List Road Trip; you won't be disappointed!
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Lofoten Travel Guides
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What To See In Tromso’s Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden in Summer
Nusfjord Arctic Resort: My Unique Stay in a Norwegian Rorbu in Lofoten
Most Beautiful Lofoten Beaches In Northern Norway
Visiting Norway’s Senja Island In Summer: Best Things To Do
What To Do In Å: Lofoten’s Most Remote Preserved Fishing Village
14 Great Reasons To Visit Lofoten in Summer
Lofoten Links: Lodges and Golf in the Arctic Circle
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Angela Price: is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel.
With over 40 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations.
Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”. Read more about Angie.