Arctic Summer Route: Tromso to the Lofoten Islands

Day by day itinerary

• Day 1 » Depart for Tromso

  Fly to Tromso, the capital of Arctic Norway, where a shuttle bus transfer will take you to your hotel in the city centre. At 69 degrees north, it doesn’t get dark here during the summer months, so make the most of the endless daylight and take in the soft, golden glow of the Midnight Sun. There’s no shortage of wonderful restaurants to choose from, many of which specialise in authentic, seasonal Norwegian cuisine using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. A trip to Ølhallen, Tromso’s oldest pub, is an ideal way to round off your first evening.

  Stay: Clarion Hotel The Edge

• Day 2 » Explore Tromso

  After breakfast, you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore the city and its surroundings. Although renowned as a Northern Lights hotspot, there’s so much to see and do in Tromso in the summer. Start off with an included ride on the Fjellheisen cable car to the summit of Mount Storsteinen for terrific views overlooking Tromso from 420 metres above sea level. Be sure to make a stop at the Arctic Cathedral, or perhaps take a guided city walk to learn more about Tromso’s history. Slightly further afield, there’s also the option of hiking with huskies, taking part in a puppy training workshop, or joining an eagle safari from the island of Sommaroy. Later on, consider boarding a sunset cruise or a Midnight Sun cruise to wrap up the day. 

  Stay: Clarion Hotel The Edge

  Meals: Breakfast

• Day 3 » Tromso to Andenes

  This morning, you’ll board a bus to begin the Arctic Summer Route, crossing the island of Kvaloya before taking the ferry to Senja, Norway’s second largest island. Expect breathtaking views of jagged mountains, deep fjords, picturesque villages and windswept beaches as you meander along the island’s northern coastline, with photo stops along the way giving you time to stretch your legs and capture the resplendent scenery. At Gryllefjord, you’ll then board another ferry to Andenes, a small fishing village at the northern tip of Andoya island where you’ll check into your hotel for the night.

  Stay: Thon Hotel Andrikken

  Meals: Breakfast

• Day 4 » Whale watching & continue to Lofoten Islands

  Today, you’ll venture out on a whale watching safari from Andenes, which is renowned as one of the best places to see whales anywhere in Scandinavia. It’s very close to the edge of the continental shelf where whales are regularly seen feeding in the nutrient-rich waters, resulting in excellent chances of sightings throughout the year. You’re most likely to encounter sperm whales, while orcas and long-finned pilot whales are also a possibility. In the late afternoon, you’ll continue south on the Arctic Summer Route towards Svolvaer, the gateway to the Lofoten Islands. Here, you’ll be staying in a traditional ‘rorbu’ fishermen’s cabin on a small island connected to the main harbour by a bridge. 

  Stay: Svinoya Rorbuer, Norway

  Meals: Breakfast

• Day 5 » Optional activities in Svolvaer

  You have the whole day to enjoy Svolvaer and take your pick from the plethora of outdoor activities on offer. Head out on a hike in the nearby mountains, look out for moose and eagles on a wildlife photography tour, or take to the water on a sea kayaking adventure, a RIB safari or a boat trip to the majestic Trollfjord. A relaxing session in the hotel’s floating sauna, meanwhile, is an experience not to be missed. In the evening, enjoy a superior three-course dinner at Borsen Spiseri, a restaurant set within a quayside warehouse dating back to 1828, specialising in fresh, Lofoten ingredients. 

  Stay: Svinoya Rorbuer, Norway

  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 6 » Lofoten Islands highlights

  After breakfast, it’s time to rejoin the Arctic Summer Route for an epic full-day drive during which you’ll cover the must-see sights in the Lofoten Islands. One of the first stops is Henningsvaer, a historic fishing community scattered across several small, interconnected islands with a stunning mountain backdrop. Other highlights include the Lofotr Viking Museum, Nusfjord Arctic Resort (entrance payable locally) and the villages of Hamnoy and Reine, both of which offer postcard-worthy vistas of classic, red timber Lofoten rorbuer cabins and mountains towering above the sea. At the concisely-named village of Å, you’ll reach the end of the Arctic Summer Route and return back to Svolvaer for the final night of your trip. 

  Stay: Svinoya Rorbuer, Norway

  Meals: Breakfast

• Day 7 » Return to UK

  Enjoy one last breakfast before taking a transfer to Svolvaer Airport for your onward flight. Alternatively, you could take the Arctic Summer Route to Narvik and extend your stay in Norway, or even take the train from Narvik to Kiruna or Lulea for an adventure in Swedish Lapland. 

  Meals: Breakfast