Vågan

Vågan municipality has approximately 9.100 inhabitants and covers a area of 477.5 km2. Vågan municipality includes almost all of the islands of Austvågøy, Gimsøy and a number of small islands, among them Henningsvær and Skrova. A small edge of the island Hinnøya also belongs to Vågan. Svolvær is the "capital" of Lofoten, and an important junction for the entire region. The town is also the largest gateway to Lofoten for the steadily increasing tourist traffic. Lofoten's cod fishing season is between January and April. The original method was lines pulled in by hand from open boats, but today's modern fishing fleet employs more efficient fishing gear. The Coastal Steamer (Hurtigruten) has daily departures.

Seen from Vestfjorden, the mountains of Lofoten to the north seem like a single connected range. Actually, this wild and powerful terrain is a series of islands stretching 200 km into the Norwegian Sea. The name Lofoten is often connected with the richest cod-fishing in the world. There is some farming, but fishing dominates as it has for hundreds of years.

The Coastal Steamer takes us through Raftsundet to Vesterålen to the north, and the famous Trollfjorden, a narrow fjord where precipices descend into the sea. The islands of Vesterålen are more fertile than Lofoten. Though there is a lot of farming, fishing and fish processing remain the major industries in Vesterålen. Wild mountains and fjords, idyllic islands and fishing villages, white sandy beaches and flowering fields, stormy seas and the midnight sun - you experience all of these rich contrasts in the island kingdom of Lofoten and Vesterålen.

Regardless of the time of year you visit - with the mystical Midnight sun, a spectacular thunderstorm or the magical Northern Lights. The polar night occurs when the night lasts for more than 24 hours. This occurs only inside the polar circles.

SVOLVÆR

Svolvær is the "capital" of Lofoten, and an important junction for the entire region. Today Lofoten´s regional centre with approximately 4.120 inhabitants. The town is also the largest gateway to Lofoten for the steadily increasing tourist traffic. Lofoten´s cod fishing season is between January and April. The original method was lines pulled in by hand from open boats, but today´s modern fishing fleet employs more efficient fishing gear. "The Svolvær Goat" (Svolværgeita), is the town´s most characteristic feature, and it represents a challenge to climbers. Svolvær became transit harbour in 1918. The painter Gunnar from Lofoten. His most famous painting, "The Battle of Trollfjord" can be seen in the County Hall. Among galleries we might mention the North Norwegian Artist Centre with its exhibitions and Dagfinn Bakke´s Gallery. The Konrad Gallery exhibits the works of amateur painters. Svolvær offers the atmosphere of a harbour, a small town and art simultaneously. This is a bustling trading and communications centre with ferry, sea and air connections.

SVOLVÆRGEITA

Svolværgeita, "the Svolvær Goat", is the town´s most characteristic feature, and it represents a challenge to climbers. Svolværgeita peak was reached for the first time in 1910.

MAGIC ICE

In an old shed, where the Coastal Steamer (Hurtigrutekaia) have it´s departure there is a icebar called the Magic Ice Hall. In this 300 m2 bar there are minus 5 degrees all year round. The bar is decorated by ice sculptures and your drink will be served in a glass made of ice, everything in the bar is made of ice. Sculptures and installations made of ice, dramatically lit and using sound music and images, they tell stories about nature, traditions and a fisherman's life on this island. The guests gets warm clothes before they have a drink. Magic Ice has an atmosphere that has to be experienced from the inside. The Ice Bar have what they called "a quiet room", a chapell for thinking and prayer.

COASTAL STEAMER (HURTIGRUTA)

The World´s Most Beautiful Voyage is a voyage like no other. Nothing can compare with it. Nothing about this journey will resemble anything you have ever experienced before. A ticket for the Coastal Steamer is a ticket to the theatre, an 11-day drama in which new acts constantly unfold all around you. See the pictures from the Coastal Steamer taken by one of our passengers.

LOFAST

The LOFAST-road opens December 1, 2007, and is a boat-free connection to the mainland. The new travelling time between Svolvær and Evenes will then be less than 2.5 hours. Now you can easier get to Lofoten. By air to Evenes Airport or by train through Sweden to Narvik. Public buses between Narvik and Lofoten are scheduled to travel twice each way every day. We also remind of the express boat travelling between Narvik and Svolvær.

STORVÅGAN

Historical area with roots all the way back to the year 900. In the Middle Ages the area was the most densely populated area in North Norway due to the Lofot Fisheries. From there, all fish was transported out of the regions for further export to the continent. There are archaeological excavations during the summer which are available to the public. In addition we have the Lofot Museum, the Lofot Aquarium and Gallery Espolin Johnson - all of them fine attractions.

HENNINGSVÆR

"The Venice of Lofoten" and one of Lofoten´s largest fishing villages, with approximately 540 inhabitants. Henningsvær is one of the most distinctive and idyllic fishing villages in Lofoten with the 942 metres high Vågakallen towering in the background. There is a pure white, inviting beach in Rørvik, close to Henningsvær. Henningsvær was connected to the mainland by the bridge which was built in 1983. The community has a special and dense atmosphere dominated by the fisheries. The Karl Erik Harr Gallery is a popular goal for tourists. There is a collection of works by other well-known Nordland artists there, too, painted from the mid-1800's and up until more recent times.

KABELVÅG

This community was the most important and oldest fishing village in the last century, and opened its first guest house in the late 18th century. Kabelvåg forms a part of the municipality´s cultural history reserve with an interesting architectural structure. Kabelvåg have approximately 1.950 inhabitants. Around the year 1103, King Øystein had Lofoten's first church built in Kabelvåg. Later, around 1120, he also had "rorbu" cabins built for the fishermen. A commemorative statue of him can be seen on the heights overlooking Kabelvåg town centre. Vågan Church, also known as "Lofoten Cathedral" can also be found in Kabelvåg . It was built in 1898 and can accommodate up to 1.200 people. Just outside Kabelvåg is the modern tourist centre, Nyvågar.

DIGERMULEN and RAFTSUNDET

The community of Digermulen with Keiservarden is situated by the entrance to the strait Raftsundet. There are organized tours from Svolvær several times a day to these beautiful natural surroundings. You can also travel on your own by express boat or ferry to Digermulen. It is now also possible to drive by car / bus.

GIMSØY and LAUKVIK

Regions on the "outside" of Lofoten with a fantastic view to the open ocean and the Midnight Sun.

HOV

Hov, a peaceful, idyllic place on the outer coast of the island of Gimsøya with small inlets and white beaches, and an unobstructed view towards the north and the Midnight Sun. When seen from Highway E 10, it is situated behind the distinctive mountain peak of "Hoven", which is also very suitable for moderate mountain walks. Hov has one of the oldest settlements in the Lofoten Islands and is abundant in ancient monuments, including several burial mounds and landing places from the Stone Age and the Viking Age.

PICTURES

Pictures taken by amateur photograps of local scenery worth seeing. GoNorway want to show pictures of good quality taken by anyone. Click on the small images and get a large image with a map and a txt of what you see. The photographers name with link to their Homepage, Facebook, Twitter and video on YouTube.

MOUNTAINEERING

Lofoten´s mountains are a paradise for climbers. Popular climbs include The Raftsund range, Svolvær goat, Vågakallen and the mountains at Reine.

FISHING

Deep sea fishing enthusiasts can take a fishing trip out on the ocean. You can fish for salmon, sea trout and Arctic trout. Be aware that there are a number of special rules in regards to fishing. Remember to purchase a fishing licence.

GOLF

Lofoten Golfclub is a seaside links course. 9 holes. Par 31. 1986 meters from white tee. Yellow Water obstacles at 8 holes. Putting & pitching green, driving range. Owing to the bright North Norwegian nights the course is open 24 hours a day from the end of May until the beginning of August. The Midnight Sun is your companion all day and all night.

Lofoten Golfclub is fitted snugly into the natural terrain. The sea provides water obstacles near several of the holes and the beaches act as natural sand bunkers. This makes the course a good challenge, also to more experienced golfers.