Svolvaer Travel Guide (+ 7 Things To Do in Svolvaer, Norway)
Svolvaer in the Lofoten Islands might be small and relatively underrated, but this small town still packs in some of the most unforgettable experiences in northern Norway!
So, if you’re trying to figure out the best things to do in Svolvaer, Norway, this blog post has all of the must-do experiences you need to know about to make your trip unforgettable.
I spent some time exploring the “Capital of the Lofoten Islands” solo this past March, initially picking it as a central, well-connected base to explore more of the beautiful islands.
But Svolvaer completely surprised me in its own right.
I’d expected nothing more than a quiet base, but instead found adventure after adventure, from sea eagle safaris and sailing iconic frozen fjords, to cosying up in harbour bars and wandering past charming red fishing huts!
Ready to visit Svolvaer? Let me share everything you need to know, from how to get here and where to stay, to what the weather’s like and, of course, the very best things to do!
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Where Is Svolvaer Located?
Svolvaer is the main town of the Lofoten Islands, an Arctic archipelago in northern Norway famous for its wild, dramatic coastlines, and traditional red rorbuer fishing huts.
Svolvaer sits on the island of Austvågøya in Nordland County, about halfway between Bodø and Tromsø.
But despite feeling incredibly remote, Svolvaer is actually surprisingly well-connected as both the cultural and transport hub of the Lofoten Islands.
And this is what makes Svolvaer such a perfect base for exploring everything these beautiful islands have to offer!
I still remember arriving for the first time on the Havila Coastal Express, watching the outline of the mountains slowly appear through the snow and darkness. It was pure magic.
So make sure you spend some time actually exploring Svolvaer itself, rather than just passing through to explore the rest of the islands.
Is Svolvaer, Norway Worth Visiting in Winter?
Yes, absolutely! In fact, Svolvaer was the place that surprised me the most during my entire 3-week trip to Norway this past winter.
I was expecting Svolvaer to be just another convenient base, but it actually ended up being one of the highlights of my trip!
In my experience, winter is when Svolvaer feels most magical and peaceful.
Between December and March, Svolvaer transforms into a dreamy winter wonderland, surrounded by mountain scenery that feels like something out of an old snow globe!
It’s also the perfect base for Northern Lights chasing, thrilling sea eagle safaris, cosy café culture, and of course exploring more of the famous Lofoten Islands.
There’s something so special about exploring the best things to do in Svolvaer, Norway, when the summer crowds have gone and the town feels like it belongs to just you and the locals who call it home.
Katie’s Top Tip: If you’re visiting Svolvaer in winter, aim for mid-February to March, as daylight lasts long enough for sightseeing, but you’ll still have a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights!
Svolvaer’s Weather in Winter
Svolvaer’s weather in winter is exactly what you’d expect from the Arctic, with lots of snow and cold, crisp days.
From November to March, temperatures usually sit around -1°C to 3°C. (Although in my experience, the wind chill makes it feel a lot colder).
What surprised me most, though, is that Svolvaer didn’t feel as cold as I expected.
The Gulf Stream keeps the Lofoten Islands much milder than other places at the same latitude (we’re talking the same line as Alaska and Siberia!!)
So just pack properly for an Arctic winter – with thermal base layers, a mid-layer in wool or fleece, a waterproof/windproof jacket, and waterproof snow boots – and you’ll be fine!
The main thing you need to be aware of is the limited or even non-existent daylight (especially around Polar Night in December).
You’ll definitely want to check the sunrise/sunset times before you confirm dates for your trip, to make sure you have enough daylight for the kind of sightseeing you want to do.
Katie’s Top Tip: Pack slip-on crampons if you plan to even walk around town after snowfall, let alone if you want to get out into nature. I slipped once when I didn’t have them on, but with the crampons, I always felt steady on my feet.
How Many Days Do You Need in Svolvaer, Norway?
If you’re short on time, two full days are enough to experience the best things to do in Svolvaer, Norway, like the harbour, the ice bar, a fjord boat trip, and maybe even a Northern Lights tour.
But ideally, spend three to four full days in Svolvaer to really slow down and explore more of the nearby villages (like Henningsvaer and Kabelvåg) without rushing.
I personally spent four days in Svolvaer in winter and found it was the perfect amount of time to see all of the main sights, both in Svolvaer itself and in the surrounding islands.
Katie’s Top Tip: Svolvaer is well worth the extra nights of your itinerary, if you can manage it! Every direction you look feels like a postcard. Plus, Svolvaer makes a great base for day trips as well – especially in winter when it’s not as easy to get around on your own!
How To Get To Svolvaer, Norway
Getting to Svolvaer probably looks complicated when you look at how remote it is on the map, but it’s surprisingly easy! Here are your options:
Flying to Svolvaer
The quickest way to get to Svolvaer is to fly into Svolvaer Airport, which connects through Bodø.
The local airline Widerøe operates these regional flights daily throughout the year, with around four or five services in each direction, spread throughout the day.
The flight time from Bodø to Svolvaer is approximately 30 minutes, and then the airport is just an 8-minute drive, bus or taxi ride from the centre of Svolvaer.
It’s the most time-efficient option if you’re short on days and want to maximise your time exploring Svolvaer once you land!
Driving to Svolvaer
If you’re already in northern Norway, driving gives you full flexibility and plenty of scenic stops along the way!
Just keep in mind that the distances are long (around 6 hours from Tromsø or Bodø), so reaching Svolvaer by road will take the longest out of all of our options.
The E10 then runs all the way through the Lofoten Islands to the village of Å, and is one of Norway’s most beautiful drives.
But, if you’re visiting Norway in winter, I wouldn’t recommend driving yourself unless you are 100% confident driving in often extreme winter conditions.
The Ferry to Svolvaer (Svolvaer, Norway Cruise Port)
I personally travelled by ferry to Svolvaer and would highly recommend it as the most scenic and stress-free of all the options – especially in winter!
I took the Havila Coastal Express from Tromsø overnight in March.
The ship left at 1:30am, and I had a cosy cabin to sleep in. Then, by morning, I was relaxing in the panorama lounge, watching the landscape change outside my window until our arrival in Svolvaer at 6:30pm.
Having taken this service multiple times, both on the full round-trip and as a ferry, I honestly can’t think of a better way to explore northern Norway!
Katie’s Top Tip: If you have the time, take the ferry at least one way. The journey is part of what makes travelling through the Lofoten Islands (and Norway in general) so unforgettable!
Where to Stay in Svolvaer
Svolvaer has plenty of accommodation to choose from, with a mix of traditional rorbuer cabins (the iconic red fishermen’s huts) and modern hotels overlooking the harbour.
If you’re dreaming of waking up to endless mountain and sea views that (literally!) come straight from a Norwegian postcard, I’d recommend going all out and staying right by the waterfront.
Just across the bridge from central Svolvaer, Svinøya Rorbuer offers those picture-postcard views without being too remote or difficult to access.
The traditional rorbuer cabins are typically Scandi, with cosy furnishings, a small kitchen to make your own food (which saves a lot of money in Norway!) and, of course, a small deck to enjoy those famous, panoramic views.
It is just the dream bucket list stay in Svolvaer!
But, if you’d prefer something more central (and, I’m gonna be real, more affordable!), the modern Thon Hotel Lofoten is also a good choice.
The hotel is right next to Svolvaer’s main square and cruise port, which means you’re never far from tour pick-up points or catching a late-night Coastal Express to see more of Norway.
Plus, the rooms are comfortable and modern, most have beautiful sea and mountain views, and the breakfast is delicious!
Katie’s Top Tip: Book early if you dream of waking up in a traditional rorbuer with sea views. Watching the snow fall over the harbour from your cabin feels like pure magic – but these cabins are incredibly popular and book up months in advance.
7 BEST Things To Do in Svolvaer, Norway
1. Go on a Sea Eagle Safari
One of the most iconic things to do in Svolvaer, Norway, is a thrilling RIB boat Sea Eagle Safari (and trust me, it’s worth the hype!)
These powerful, majestic birds are the largest eagles in Europe, with wingspans that can reach almost 2.5 metres.
Seeing the eagles swoop above the snow-covered fjord is a memory I will never forget!
Tours leave straight from the harbour and take you through the dramatic and incredibly photogenic Raftsund Strait, surrounded by mountains and tiny fishing villages that look like they should be on a Christmas card!
This unforgettable boat trip is for sure the most adventurous way to see some of northern Norway’s most beautiful scenery and iconic birds.
And it’s definitely a dream tour for all thrill-seekers out there!
Katie’s Top Tip: Sit near the front of the boat for the best photos, and go with a small-group operator if you can for the best experience.
2. Chase the Northern Lights
If you’ve come to Svolvaer in winter, this is the big one, right?
I’m pretty sure the Northern Lights are on every traveller’s Norway bucket list!
And, having seen them several times in Norway, I completely understand why people fly across the world just for a chance to spot them.
From September to early April, Svolvaer has some of the best aurora conditions in northern Norway, with low light pollution and dramatic mountains that make for amazing photos!
There are two main ways to see the Northern Lights in Svolvaer: join a guided Northern Lights chase or wrap up warm and head to one of Svolvaer’s darker viewing spots like Svinøya Island.
I would personally recommend you book this small group Northern Lights chase with an incredible local guide called Odd-Petter (more about him in a bit!)
He is highly experienced in hunting for those ever-elusive Northern Lights, even when conditions seem impossible, and will always take you to the most beautiful spots to see them.
So if you want the most reliable option for seeing the Northern Lights from Svolvaer, this should definitely be the tour you pick!
Katie’s Top Tip: If you do want to hunt the lights solo, download the app “My Aurora Forecast” to track KP activity and cloud cover in real time.
3. Visit the War Museum (Krigsminnemuseum)
For a different kind of experience, the Lofoten War Museum is one of the most fascinating Svolvaer, Norway attractions – and also a great indoor option for when the weather turns.
The museum is privately run by a passionate local collector, and it’s packed (and I mean packed!!) with authentic World War II artefacts, uniforms, photos and stories.
Norway’s role in the war is often overlooked, but the Lofoten Islands were massively significant due to their fishing industry and strategic location – and this little museum brings that history back to life!
Katie’s Top Tip: This museum may be small, but allow at least 30 minutes to an hour to properly explore. It’s much more detailed than it looks from the outside, with lots of exhibits that you might miss if you rush, so give yourself time.
4. Take a Trollfjord Boat Trip
A Trollfjord cruise is one of those bucket-list experiences that makes you realise how wild and untouched this beautiful region still is.
It is also a more relaxed way to enjoy the scenery of the Raftsund (and hopefully spot those majestic sea eagles!) than joining the more adventurous, speedboat-style sea eagle safari.
The Trollfjord is a 2km-long fjord in northern Norway, with a narrowest point of just 100m, making it one of the smallest and narrowest fjords in all of Norway.
This beautiful fjord is also totally unspoilt, with no settlements or buildings inside. So as you sail through, you will only see the water flanked by steep cliffs that rise straight out of the sea (some as tall as 1000m!)
Boat tours leaving from Svolvaer also sail through the stunning Raftsund channel before entering the fjord, and honestly, this part was a real highlight for me!
Plus, in winter, the mountains are covered in snow, and the tiny settlements you pass should definitely be photographed and added to the front of a Christmas card.
When I sailed this stretch of coast on this boat trip, we’d just had an intense snowstorm.
There were only five of us who had braved the conditions to still join the tour, but we were rewarded with the most remarkable golden sunlight breaking through the black, heavy snow clouds.
I’ll just let a photo do the talking for me:
I also have to mention the incredible staff on board. Even though there were only five of us passengers, they still gave us the best experience, working hard to spot sea eagles through the snow and even launching the underwater drone for a while.
Plus, as a thank you for still joining the tour despite the weather, they gave us all free hot drinks. And I had the most delicious hot chocolate I’ve ever tasted!
Katie’s Top Tip: My only tip is that if you only do one thing in Svolvaer, please let it be this Trollfjord boat tour! The crew are so friendly and knowledgeable, the scenery is unlike anything I have ever seen, and of course, you have a chance to spot those majestic sea eagles! I don’t say this lightly, but this boat trip ended up being the highlight of my entire 3-week trip to Norway in winter!
5. Scenic Walk Around Svolvaer Harbour and Svinøya
One of my favourite things to do in Svolvaer, Norway, doesn’t require a tour or a ticket – just an hour or two to enjoy one of the most beautiful walks I have ever been on!
Start at the harbour, by the main square, and wander slowly along the waterfront.
Colourful, traditional fishing huts (called rorbuer) line the pier on the opposite side, and majestic mountains rise behind them to create a scene that is seriously photogenic.
Then, cross the bridge to Svinøya Island, where you’ll pass traditional wooden fish-drying racks and cute local art galleries, get a closer look at the rorbuer, and enjoy some of the best sea views in Svolvaer.
As a solo female traveller, I completely adored this walk because it felt very safe, easy and incredibly scenic (even in the snow and during a spontaneous hailstorm!)
Katie’s Top Tip: Go in the late afternoon when the light gets soft and golden. I unfortunately picked the worst, gloomy day to complete this walk, but I can only imagine that those sea views are even more spectacular at golden hour!
6. Have a Drink at Magic Ice Bar
If you’re looking for one of the most unique things to do in Svolvaer, Norway, you can’t skip the Magic Ice Bar!
It’s basically a frozen art gallery and cocktail bar in one, carved entirely from ice, right in the heart of town.
Every wall, sculpture, and even the glasses you drink from are made from crystal-clear ice sourced locally from the surrounding Lofoten Islands.
The entry ticket also includes your first drink, served in a glass of solid ice!
I unfortunately ran out of time to visit this ice bar in Svolvaer, but I did visit the one in Kirkenes and had a great time. So I highly recommend it!
Katie’s Top Tip: The Magic Ice Bar in Svolvaer is kept at -5°C inside all year round, so you’ll be given a warm poncho at the door. But still make sure you wrap up warm with good base layers and even gloves.
7. Join a Day Trip to Explore Northern Lofoten
If you only join one organised tour during your time in Svolvaer, please make it this Northern Lofoten half-day trip!
I went with a local guide called Odd-Petter (who also runs the Northern Lights chases I mentioned earlier), and honestly, it was one of the best experiences of my entire trip to Norway!
Odd-Petter was warm and funny, and so knowledgeable about life on Lofoten and his experiences growing up and calling these remote islands home.
He drove us through some of the most breathtaking landscapes I’ve ever seen, from picturesque fishing villages like Kabelvåg and Henningsvaer, to Arctic beaches dusted with snow, and quiet viewpoints along the famous E10 road!
One of my favourite stops on this tour was Gimsøy Church, surrounded by the most beautiful sea and mountain views.
It’s such a simple building, but our small group was the only one there, so it felt like we had stumbled across somewhere magical and undiscovered!
Then, on the way back, we even went on a spontaneous moose chase. It was so much fun, even though we weren’t lucky enough to spot anything more than tracks this time.
The whole tour lasted around 6 hours, and was packed with stops and beautiful photo opportunities!
But what made this experience so special and memorable was Odd-Petter’s genuine care and love for these islands. (He even bought me the most delicious cinnamon bun!)
And when my second tour with him to explore South Lofoten was sadly cancelled due to dangerous weather, he texted me updates all morning and even recommended things to do in Svolvaer!
Katie’s Top Tip: Odd-Petter’s tours are very popular (and for very good reason!), so make sure you book your North Lofoten tour early to avoid disappointment. For reference, I booked mine around a month in advance. Trust me, you definitely don’t want to miss this one!
Final Thoughts
Svolvaer may be small and often just seen as a base to explore more of the Lofoten Islands, but it’s so much more than that!
From the snow-dusted mountains that surround the harbour and traditional red rorbuer fishing huts, to the seriously impressive Trollfjord and friendly locals who’ll happily share their stories, it’s impossible not to fall in love with Svolvaer!
And for solo female travellers (like me), this picturesque Arctic town feels safe, welcoming and very easy to explore – even in the wildest winter weather conditions!
So make sure you spend at least one slow day just in Svolvaer, with no tours booked or any real schedule, to really get a feel for this underrated “base” town – from its fascinating War Museum to those beautiful harbour walks!
Svolvaer Travel Guide: FAQ
Is Svolvaer safe for solo female travellers?
Yes! In my experience, Svolvaer is one of the safest-feeling towns in Norway and a great base for solo female travellers wanting to explore the Lofoten Islands.
Crime rates are extremely low, every local I met was kind and respectful, and the town is very used to tourism.
But, like anywhere, it’s still important to use common sense.
So don’t walk unlit streets late at night, always check the weather forecast before heading out, and most importantly: trust your gut.
If you want a deeper dive into what safety in Norway is really like, from nightlife to local attitudes, I’ve written a full guide you can read here: Is Norway Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Can you see the Northern Lights from Svolvaer?
Absolutely! Svolvaer is one of the best places in northern Norway to see the Northern Lights.
From late September to early April, you can often spot them right from the harbour. And the town’s compact size means you can be away from light pollution within minutes, so you don’t always need a tour.
But, if it’s cloudy or you’d rather not navigate alone in the dark, booking a Northern Lights chase is so worth it! I recommend local guide Odd-Petter, who knows exactly where to go for clear skies and the most beautiful scenery, and has years of experience hunting the aurora. So you’ll have the best chances during your trip!
Is Svolvaer expensive?
Like most of Norway, Svolvaer definitely isn’t a budget destination, but there are definitely things you can do to cut costs a little bit.
Accommodation prices vary depending on the season, but you can save a lot on food by staying somewhere with a kitchen and cooking meals yourself. Local supermarkets like Rema 1000 and Kiwi have everything you’ll need, at much more affordable prices than the restaurants.
And the good news is that most of the best things to do in Svolvaer, Norway, are free! Like exploring the island of Svinøya, watching the Northern Lights from town, or walking the harbour at sunset.
What is the best time to visit Svolvaer?
This depends entirely on what you’re hoping to see and do in Svolvaer!
For Northern Lights, visit between October and March, when the nights are long and dark. This is also when you’ll experience true Arctic winter, with snowy landscapes and a beautiful blue light.
If you prefer hiking, kayaking or wildlife spotting (or you just want to experience the famous Midnight Sun!), then June to August would be your dream months to visit Svolvaer.
Spring and autumn are the shoulder seasons which are a lot quieter, slightly cheaper, and often overlooked by tourists either wanting the Northern Lights or Midnight Sun. This is a lovely time to visit if you just want to experience the beauty of these islands.
Read More About Travel in Norway:
- 11 Things To Do in Oslo in Winter (That Aren’t Just Museums)
- 12 Magical Things To Do in Bergen in Winter (Cosy & Fun!)
- Norway Coastal Express in Winter: Solo Travel Guide + Review
- Svolvaer Travel Guide (+ 7 Things To Do in Svolvaer, Norway)
- The BEST Northern Lights Tour From Tromsø (Review + Tips!)
- Is Norway Safe For Solo Female Travellers? (+ Safety Tips)
- 15 BEST Things to Do in Tromsø in Winter for First-Timers
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