Drive it Yourself: The Lofoten Islands Part 1: Å to Svolvær
Learn about part one of the famous road that runs through the Lofoten Islands.
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 1,162 / 67.5 degrees north
Å i Lofoten, Norway
Located at the southern tip of the Lofoten Islands, Å is a well-preserved fishing village with the rorbuer lining the coastline and fish drying racks standing on the hills. Many of the preserved buildings have been turned into museums, so Å is a great place to add on any trip to Lofoten. It is also one end of the Lofoten Tourist Road.
Fun Facts About Å i Lofoten
Latitude: 67.5 degrees north
Population: 1162
Moskenes Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Map of Å i Lofoten
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Å i Lofoten
Norwegian Fishing Village Museum
The Norwegian Fishing Village Museum is spread over several preserved buildings in Å and tells the story of the Lofoten Fisheries over the past 200 years. The buildings have been preserved to show what things looked like between 1840 and 1960.
Lofoten Stockfish Museum
The Lofoten Stockfish Museum is devoted to explaining how the traditional stockfish is produced. After all, it is one of Norway’s oldest export commodities. The museum is inside a preserved landing station and shows the process from when the fish is brought ashore to when it is exported.
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
Road-Trips
Follow our road-trip guides for scenic trips around Å i Lofoten
The Lofoten Islands Tourist Road
In part one of the drive, we begin at Å and continue to Svolvaer.
Self-Guided Walks
Å i Lofoten on YouTube
Watch our YouTube videos featuring Å i Lofoten
The Lofoten Islands Tourist Road
In part one of the Lofoten Islands tourist road, we begin at Å and continue to Svolvaer.
Uniquely Å i Lofoten
Here are some things that you must do and try in Å i Lofoten
What's with the name?
The name Å is rather unique – not many places in the world have one letter for a name. The Å refers to a small river.
History of Å i Lofoten
Å i Lofoten was first mentioned in historic documents in 1567. Until the 1990s, Å was a small fishing village that specialised in stockfish. Unique buildings in Å have been preserved, including a cod steamer from 1850, a bakery from 1844, several fisherman’s cabins, an old trading environment and more. Several of the houses are listed.
Å i Lofoten Today
Tourism is the main industry in Å, though the traditional cod fishing still takes place here.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: No airport
Drive: Å i Lofoten is located at the end of the E10 highway that runs through the Lofoten Islands.
Train: No train access
Ferry: Ferries operate out of nearby Moskenes.
Getting Around
Everything in Å is within walking distance.
Shops
Places to Eat
Cafes & Bakeries
Bakeri is a lovely bakery in a building from 1844.
Quick Bites
Reasonable Restaurants
High End & Unique Eats
Brygga Restaurant is the best place to try fresh seafood.
Places to Stay
Camping
Moskenesstraumen Camping is a nice campground on top of a cliff just south of the village.
Cabins & B&Bs
Chains & Mid-Range
Å Feskarbrygga Rorbuer is where you can stay in one of the old fishermens cabins.
High End & Unique Properties
All Posts About Å i Lofoten