4 Things to do in Svolvær

A historically-important fishing village, Svolvær is found in northwestern Norway in the Lofoten archipelago. Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts can experience the unique environment of the Arctic Circle, while history and art buffs can enjoy the rich culture of the region.

Here are four things to do on your next visit to Svolvær.

Northern Lights on Lofoten Islands by enriquelopezgarre, Pixabay

Experience the northern lights

Visiting Svolvær (or anywhere in Lofoten) between September and mid-April means you may get a first-hand experience of the famous northern lights, also known as Aurora Borealis.

If you are lucky enough to have the right mix of weather conditions, sun storms and a clear night sky, look up to witness the dancing ribbons of color. And if you listen close, you might even hear the lights buzzing.

For the full experience and best chance of catching this special light show, book a northern lights tour with a guide or photographer who will take you to the best viewing sites away from the city lights.

Hurtigruten sailing in Trollfjorden - Photo by Tofoto-Nordnorge.com

Explore Trollfjorden

Trollfjorden is one of Norway’s most famous and beautiful fjords and a popular attraction in Lofoten. Both Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages sail into and turn in the narrow fjord on their coastal cruise along Norway.

If that is not quite your speed, you can also try a rib boat tour. Instead of just seeing the fjord, you’ll feel it too! If you like action and speed, this two-hour tour will be an absolute thrill.

Svolvær - photo by Christine Baglo - Visit Norway

Try a floating fjord sauna

Take in the beautiful harbor views while relaxing in a floating sauna! This is one of Svolvær’s newest amenities and is available for private bookings. The sauna has great views towards the harbor of Svolvær and Svolværgeita landmark.

Lofoten War Museum in Svolvær - Photo by Kjell Ove Storvik - Museum Nord

Visit museums and galleries

There are several small galleries and collections in Svolvær displaying art, memorabilia, artifacts and more. There’s also an ice museum featuring ice art, ice sculptures, ice installations and coastal culture.

Lofoten War Memorial Museum
This museum boasts the world’s largest collection of uniforms and objects from World War II. Here you will learn how the war affected Northern Norway.

Lofoten Museum
Situated on the harbor at the site of the medieval town of Vágar, you can learn about Lofoten’s rich fishing history in one of the region’s best-preserved manors.

North Norwegian Artist Center
The North Norwegian Artist Centre has a substantial collection of work by Norwegian artists, including textiles, pottery, jewelry and paintings.

Experience nature, art, history and relaxation on your next visit to Svolvær. This area has a lot to offer so plan to spend some time getting to know this precious part of the world.

What our customers say:

On behalf of the group I would like to thank you and your colleagues for organizing our wonderful tour of Norway. Everything went very well including the weather, which was spectacular. We enjoyed all the hotels, the central locations you chose and the amenities, especially the lavish breakfasts. Three extra days in Oslo allowed us to tour the city at our leisure and to enjoy more of the important sights including the newly opened National Museum. The Norway in a Nutshell tour was amazing and made much easier by using your recommended porterage service between hotels in Oslo and Bergen. Both the train journeys and the boat trip were spectacular, and combined with a night in the beautiful Kviknes Hotel made for an unforgettable two days. We were very impressed by the Hurtigruten cruise, particularly the way they combined a working ship with a cruise ship, the comfortable accommodations, the food and service. It was fascinating to visit all the various ports, islands and fjords and the two included tours were excellent and informative. In the end we were glad to have the extra night in Kirkenes, to visit their lovely museum and take a trip to the Russian border. It was a good way to end the tour. Again, thank for staying with us through 2 years of pandemic postponements and changes. We certainly will recommend Fjord Travel in the future.

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