Things to do in Svolvær: Activities & Excursions to Book
Svolvær is the capital in the Lofoten Islands and is the place you are most likely to stay at or at least pass through. It has the main airport for Lofoten (with daily flights to Bodø), important bus connections, and fast ferries to the mainland. The coastal ferry also stops in Svolvær every day.
Despite the fact that Svolvær is described as a big city, it is still a small town with a great feel about it. It is close to some of the Lofoten Island’s most popular hikes, it has some of the nicest restaurants and hotels in the Lofoten Islands, and of course it is a great place to base yourself for tours and excursions.
So, what exactly can you do there? Well, a lot! It can seem overwhelming trying to figure out which excursions to do and how to distinguish between the different companies, so I’ve put together a useful list summarising what you can do in Svolvær. It’s also based off my experiences and what I’ve done when I visit Svolvær.
Please note that the links to the tours are affiliate links, meaning that if you book through the link I provide, I get a small commission. However, I only recommend tours that I would personally do!
Table of Contents
Trollfjord Cruise / Sea Eagle Safari
The Trollfjord Cruise and the Sea Eagle Safari is more or less one and the same. Trollfjord is one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway and is only accessible by guided boat tour. The fjord is enclosed by steep mountains and feels almost like entering a cave. Here the mountains reach peaks of around 1000 metres above sea level.
On each cruise, there is an almost-guarantee that you will see sea eagles along the way. The sea eagles can be seen on the rocks and cliffs along the Raftsundet, and the tours will try and bring the sea eagles close to you by feeding them.
There are a few different ways to visit Trollfjord:
Silent Electric Ship
The Brim Explorer is a new, modern and comfortable ship with indoor and outdoor seating areas. When the ship enters the Trollfjord, it switches to electricity so the experience is totally silent. The decks allow for a 360-degree view. The guides on board talk along the way, pointing out sea eagles and discussing the marine life. They even put cameras underwater so you can see what’s going on beneath the surface. On board is a café and bar with meals, snacks and drinks.
RIB/Zodiac Boat Tour
The RIB boat is my favourite way to see Trollfjord! It is super fast and is a thrilling adventure. You are given proper suits to make sure you stay warm, but since it is an open air experience be prepared to get a little wet on rainy days.
The guides/drivers on board do stop to explain things along the way, and are fantastic at what they do.
If you want to take photos, it’s best to go on the electric ship.
I have used the company XXLofoten before and only have good things to say about them, so this is the company I recommend booking through.
Sailing Boat/Catamaran
On this trip, you sail from Svolvær to Trollfjord on a modern and comfortable catamaran. The tour guide tells you what you see along the trip. Included in the tour is homemade fish soup, coffee and tea. You can even do fishing along the way if you want.
Fishing Tour
Lofoten is the land of cod and fishing traditions going back thousands of years, so there’s nothing better to do than experience fishing on your own trip! The famous cod (known as ‘skrei’ – the North-East Atlantic Sea Cod) travels from the Barents Sea to the Norwegian coast to breed in January. About 40% of all cod in the Norwegian sea breed in Lofoten, making it a haven for cod fishing. The main season for cod is from January to April, but it’s possible to fish all year. You can also catch pollock, catfish, cusk, halibut, plaice, haddock, herring, mackerel, and ling. If you want to try fishing, it’s possible to join a trip.
Tours take you on a traditional fishing boat, known as a ‘Sjark’. You are provided with a fishing kit, safety equipment, a guide, and everything you need!
Northern Lights Tours
It’s possible to observe the northern lights from the end of August until the beginning of April. I’ll be honest, Lofoten isn’t the best place to see the northern lights – it’s coastal and prone to lots of bad storms. However, it is possible to book a trip to try and see the northern lights.
There are several tours that go out searching for the northern lights, and it’s always wise to book a tour rather than navigate the dark, icy roads by yourself. Which tour you want to do comes down to your interests. here are some tours I recommend.
Northern Lights by Van
Vans ensure small group sizes and the ability to park in places minibuses and full-size buses can’t.
Northern Lights with a Photographer
It is a lot harder to photograph the northern lights than people expect, do it is worth booking a tour with a photographer. Not only will you learn how to take wonderful photos of the lights, but the photographer will also capture some high-quality images of the show.
The main company offering this tour is Lofoten Lights, which has very good reviews.
Midnight Sun Tours
If you are staying in Svolvær for the midnight sun, prepare to be a little disappointed. While the sun never sets in Svolvær in summer, the mountains block the sun from the town in the evenings, making it feel like the sun has set. If you want to see the midnight sun, you need to head to the west coast of the islands. If you are in Svolvær without a vehicle, or want to trust a local to take you to the best spot, it’s worthwhile booking a tour.
Midnight Sun with a Photographer
This tour is offered by Lofoten Lights, the same company doing Northern Lights tours. This is a great tour if you want to follow a local photographer to the best spots to capture the midnight sun.
Midnight Sun Cruise from Svolvær
Lofoten is most beautiful from the water, so why not join a sailing tour to head over to the west coast of Lofoten and observe the midnight sun?
Explore the Lofoten Islands
Svolvær is lovely, but it’s not the most beautiful part of the Lofoten Islands. If you are only visiting Svolvær and don’t have access to a vehicle, consider booking a guided tour to somewhere else in Lofoten. A number of tours to different locations are offered, so book depending on your interests.
Lofoten Five Hour Tour
On this bus tour, you’ll visit the island of Gimsoy and the towns of Kabelvåg and Henningsvær. Henningsvær is one of the major highlights of Lofoten, so if you don’t have much time to explore the islands, this is a great tour!
Lofoten Seven Hour Photography Tour
On this photography-focused tour, you’ll head to southern Lofoten, which many regard as the most beautiful part of the Lofoten Islands. You will visit the famous village Reine (the one used in all the promotional material for Lofoten) as well as Flakstad and Ramberg.
If you have the time, I highly recommend this tour. Especially if you aren’t getting down to southern Lofoten independently.
Things to do in Svolvær!
As you can see, there are many things to do in Svolvær. I hope this guide has been useful! If you have any questions, please ask away in the comments section of this article.
You can find more information about Svolvær on our dedicated travel guide page.