With so many breath-taking and unique landscapes all situated in one relatively small area, the Lofoten Islands are a landscape photographer’s dream – and easily one of my favourite photography destinations in the world!
Whether you’re a landscape photography beginner or you’ve been doing it for years, here are some tips from my own experience of the Lofoten Islands to help you capture the best possible photos of this very special place.
1. Plan around the seasons & conditions
The Lofoten Islands are located well above the Arctic Circle, which means that the weather and light conditions will vary pretty dramatically depending on the time of year.
During the summer, the midnight sun provides endless hours of daylight (and golden hours), allowing you to photograph the landscape in soft, golden light for hours on end!
Spring and summer also offer the best opportunities in for hiking in the mountains while the weather is warmer and the snow hasn’t arrived.
In contrast, the polar night of winter offers significantly better opportunities to capture the northern lights in one of the best places to see them in the world.
During the autumn and winter months the weather will often be unsuitable for hiking the mountains, but the snow covered landscapes and beaches make for some pretty spectacular conditions, even from sea level.
Unfortunately, this means you have a difficult choice to make depending on the types of photos you would prefer to capture – the good news is there isn’t exactly a bad option!
2. Photograph the famous red cabins
The iconic red cabins scattered throughout the Lofoten Islands are an absolute must-capture for any photographer. Also known as “rorbuer,” these cabins were historically used as fishermen’s huts and now stand out as a iconic symbol of the islands.
Their colourful exteriors offer a striking contrast against the dramatic backdrop of sea and rugged mountains, making for one of the best photo opportunities you will find.
One of the best and most popular places to capture the cabins is in village of Reine and from Hamnøy bridge, but if you’re looking for some more unique shots, you will find them almost every village in the region.
There is actually a beautiful place in Hamnøy called Reinefjord Sjøhus where you can stay the night (or a few) in the some of same red cabins that you can see photos – we would highly recommend that you do this!
With those spectacular floor to ceiling window views and a location in one of most photogenic spots in the Lofoten Islands (if not the world!), it’s easily one of the most memorable places we have ever stayed.
3. Climb above the beaches for the most unique views
I’m not sure I can think of anywhere else in the world that has beaches quite like the Lofoten islands but the best views don’t necessarily come easily.
For some of the most unique views in the Lofoten Islands, we would definitely recommend take the time and effort to hike above up to the viewpoints above the beaches.
From these vantage points, you’ll be able to capture sweeping panoramas of the almost tropical looking coastlines with a backdrop of those epic rugged mountains.
Two of the most beautiful and rewarding hikes for this kind of view would would have to be the Mannen viewpoint above Haukland Beach and the Ryten viewpoint above Kvalvika Beach.
4. Don’t miss Værøy Island
Vaeroy Island is a bit of a hidden gem in the Lofoten Islands. This lesser-known spot is a bit more difficult to reach but offers some one of the best hikes and photo spots of all!
To get there, you’ll need to take a ferry from Moskenes, which runs daily during the summer months and less frequently in winter.
Once on Vaeroy, the obvious thing to do is to hike to Måhornet, a stunning mountain viewpoint offering panoramic views of the island and easily some of the best photo spots you’re going to find.
If you’re interested in wildlife photography, Vaeroy is also home to one of Europe’s largest colonies of puffins. Head to the cliffs at Høyvika for a chance to photograph these beautiful birds, especially during the breeding season from April to August.
5. Don’t shy away from bad weather
Of course, clear skies and sunshine are usually what we hope for when it comes to landscape photography, don’t be discouraged by bad weather in the Lofoten Islands or you might find yourself disappointed!
Stormy skies and moody conditions can add a touch of drama and atmosphere to your photos that seems to suit the rugged landscapes of Lofoten particularly well.
During our time in the Lofoten Isalnds it rained more often than not but this didn’t stop us from taking some of the best images I think we’ve ever captured.
The weather seems to change so quickly that you might find yourself climbing a mountain in the rain to arrive at the summit for a beautiful sunset, which is exactly what happened to us when hiking Reinebringen.
6. Explore some of the lesser-known roads
The Lofoten Islands is such a relatively small place that you will probably find yourself capturing the same places and views as everyone else.
There’s nothing wrong with this and you there’s always a way to make a photo your own, but if you want to come away with some more unique shots, set aside time to get off the beaten track an explore some of its lesser-known roads.
Having a rental car is ideal, giving you the flexibility to stop and shoot wherever you like. Alternatively, consider joining one of the many photography tours available, which can guide you to some of the hidden spots and offer valuable local insights.
If you’re looking for more photo inspiration or tips on visiting the Lofoten Islands, be sure to check out our other related blog posts below:
👉 8 Most Instagrammable Photo Spots in the Lofoten Islands
👉 Lofoten Islands 5 Day Itinerary for the best Hikes, Views & Photo Spots
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