Explore Norway's Lofoten Islands

The Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway are a magical location for any photographer. The jaw-dropping fjords, snow capped mountains, and quaint villages create a fairy tale like atmosphere. Because of the far north location, this incredible backdrop is draped in a soft, arctic glow for 4-5 hours during the winter, which grants photographers ideal conditions for shooting.

A chain of arctic islands may not be your first thought when planning a road trip (especially in the winter), but cruising the E-10 Highway from the Harstad/Narvik airport to the end of the road at the town of Å is a great way to shoot as much of the Lofoten Islands as possible under the time constraint of a visit. And although the winters here can be inhospitable, there will be far fewer crowds and the Norwegian government does a fine job of keeping the roads safe and clear of snow.

The drive from the airport to the end of the E-10 in Å is about 4 hours without bad weather and will be worth every minute as soon as you arrive in the small fishing village of Reine (just a few miles from Å). Nestled in a small bay, surrounded by huge mountains, this little town of about 300 is about as picturesque as it gets. On your way into town, stop by Anitas Sjomat for some casual but delicious local sea food and stock up on some groceries for your stay. There are also cosy cabin rental options just next door.