A trip to the Arctic Circle archipelago of the Lofoten Islands gives travelers a tremendous range of options when it comes to accommodations, entertainment, and exploration. One of the most popular sites, however, is the Reine in Lofoten. This tiny fishing villages is one of the most famous of its type and is considered one of the most beautiful places in all of Norway.
This spot, along with other fishing villages similar to it along the coasts of the Lofoten Islands, are often referred to as the “soul of northern Norway” because they strongly link the country to its cultural and industrial origins. This area has been the center of cod fishing for over a millennium and continues to operate much as it has for hundreds of years, with families continuing the traditions of the fisheries and inhabiting the same quaint fishing villages as generations before them.
When visiting Reine in Lofoten you will immediately be struck by the physical beauty of the area. The vast majority of the natural landscape has remained untouched, with the human element being carefully integrated as to take advantage of the rich resources of the area but still honoring its beauty, integrity, and incredible age. The water here is unbelievably blue, clean, and cold, the perfect conditions for the fish that come here to spawn and the herds of killer whales that can sometimes be seen far off the coast of the Islands.
Even the light in Reine has a different feeling to it, a testament to the influences of the Artic Circle. Here you can stand in awe of the Northern Lights, find your bearings in the darkness of the 24 hour long stretches of sunless conditions during the Polar night, or stay up way past your bedtime to frolic in the incredible midnight sun during 24 hour stretches of soft, appealing sunlight during the summer.
The traditional feeling of Reine is continued through the accommodations available in this little village. Though there are more contemporary hotels in neighboring areas, many visitors to Reine prefer to stay right in the village, settling into one of the converted fishermen’s cabins known as “rorbuers”. From here you can go on long hikes, spend hours bird watching to see how many of the dozens of species of birds that call the Lofoten Islands home you can spot, or go on relaxing boat tours of the area.
There are many ways that you can get to Reine in Lofoten. The most direct route, of course, is to fly into one of the airports on the Lofoten Islands and travel there by car, bus, or ferry, but you can also extend the pleasure of the journey by taking a train from mainland Norway into the Lofoten Islands, driving there, or even boarding one of the Classic Voyages of a nearby cruise line.
Plan your trip to Reine with the weather in mind. Though the Lofoten Islands are considered to have a major temperature anomaly considering its location, the weather here is still quite cool. Summer temperatures are generally in the 50s, so pack accordingly so you can enjoy your visit to the fullest.
