This Norwegian fishing port in the Lofoten Islands sits between rocky peaks and deep fjords. Local fishermen bring in fresh cod daily to the harbor lined with red wooden houses.
Svolvær, a town of 4,700 people in Norway's Lofoten archipelago, sits above the Arctic Circle at 68°N. From the harbor, you'll see the twin peaks of Svolværgeita mountain rising 150 meters above the town. Red fishermen's cabins (rorbuer) line the waterfront, while the North Norwegian Art Centre and War Memorial Museum document life in this Arctic community. In winter, you can join boat tours to spot orcas or watch the Northern Lights, while summer brings 24-hour daylight and climbing expeditions.
Getting to Svolvær
Svolvær Airport connects the town with daily flights to Bodø and seasonal routes to Oslo. The Hurtigruten coastal ship stops here twice daily, while the E10 highway links Svolvær to mainland Norway. During summer, ferries run between Svolvær and Skutvik, crossing the Vestfjorden. The airport lies 6 kilometers east of the town center, with taxis making the journey in 8 minutes.
Mountain Activities Around Town
The Svolværgeita mountain's twin granite peaks reach 150 meters high, resembling goat horns above the town center. Certified guides lead climbing trips from June through September, with equipment rental available. The peaks of Fløya (590m) and Tjeldbergtinden (367m) have marked trails starting from the town center. Each trailhead displays a map with elevation profiles and estimated hiking times.
Fishing and Local Food Scene
Cod fishing drives the local economy from January to April when Arctic cod migrate into the Vestfjorden. Restaurants like Børsen Spiseri and Bacalao serve the day's catch, including fresh cod, haddock, and halibut. You can join 4-hour fishing trips departing daily from the harbor at 9:00 and 14:00. The World Championship in Cod Fishing brings 600+ participants to Svolvær each March.
Art and Museums
The North Norwegian Art Centre changes its exhibitions every 6-8 weeks, focusing on contemporary Nordic artists. The War Memorial Museum displays 2,000+ artifacts from World War II, including rare items from the German battleship Tirpitz. At Galleri Stig Tobiassen, you can see paintings and photographs capturing the Arctic light and local maritime life.
Winter Experiences
The Northern Lights appear from late August to mid-April, with peak visibility between 18:00 and 01:00. Orca-watching tours run from November to January, when the whales follow herring schools into the fjords. At Kongstind Alpine Center, a 400-meter ski lift serves five slopes of varying difficulty. The center opens from 10:00 to 16:00 during winter, depending on snow conditions.
Boat Excursions
Electric-hybrid boats take you through Trollfjord, where cliffs rise 1,000 meters straight from the water. These 3-hour trips run four times daily in summer and twice daily in winter. Boats to the island of Skrova depart three times daily, giving you 4 hours to explore its lighthouse and sandy beaches. Both journeys include guided commentary in English and Norwegian.
Where to Stay
The Svinøya district, connected by a 100-meter bridge to central Svolvær, has 30 restored rorbu cabins along the water. Each cabin sleeps 4-6 people and comes with a fully equipped kitchen and fiber-optic Wi-Fi. In the town center, you'll find eight hotels within a 5-minute walk of the harbor, ranging from budget hostels to 4-star accommodations.
