text: The seaside fishing town of Henningsvaer holds special place in our heart, forming the first stop on an amazing Lofoten Islands road trip. Nestled at the base of the mountains and right on the water, this tiny town is a definite must visit when you head to this part of Norway. The Lofoten Islands are full of fishing villages perched on the rocky shorelines, and your camera roll will be full by the end of the trip such is their beauty. What makes Henningsvaer so special is that not only is it one of the most picturesque places in Lofoten Islands, it also has more ‘substance’ than many of the surrounding towns. We will delve into this a little further and give you some of our top recommendations for your visit to Henningsvaer below. Read on to see why we loved our short stay so much!
  A little bit about Henningsvaer
  Henningsvaers fishing roots trace back to its humble beginnings – initially as a quaint fishing village that soon boomed to enable the exportation of fish around the world. And while fishing still remains an important part of Henningsvaer’s identidy (numerous multistory wooden racks used to dry cod can still be seen strewn across the island today), it has developed its own subculture amongst Lofoten. It is on Henningsvaer that you’ll find excellent coffee, a humming central bar, and for the insta savvy among us, Henningsvaer Footbanen or the Henningsvaer Football pitch which one could argue is one of the most aesthetic football fields in the world. Pair this with some incredible nearby hikes and crystal clear artic waters. This place is one of those gems that we occasionally come across on our travels with both style AND substance.
  Things to do in Henningsvaer
  There are a good amount of things to do around Henningsvaer.. but keep in mind that the town is tiny! We have detailed some of the things we loved from our visit below.
  Hike the impressive Festvågtind
  This mountain towers above Hennsingvaer, and is the most popular hike in the region. In summer peak season the trail will be busy and the car parks full. Pending weather, head there early to beat the crowds (ideally before 9am) and get great views. The hike is rated as ‘moderate’ online, and it is every bit of that.. or maybe even harder! Be prepared for a lot of elevation (over 500m), rock scrambles, uneven trails and not a lot of places to hold on. Hiking shoes are a must. It will likely take you between 3-4 hours up and back pending rest breaks and how much time you spend at the top. We advise you pack some snacks, battle the incline and trail up, then enjoy the view at the top. We were blessed with incredible weather during our stay, however we imagine if it was raining the trail would be significantly harder. Despite these challenges, we feel it’s a definite must do when in Henningsvaer (fitness dependent).
  Yoga at Trevarefabrikken
  The cultural hub of Trevarefabrikken is a must visit, whether for your accommodation, for a coffee in the morning, a drink in the afternoon, or to try the yoga in the incredibly picturesque studio looking out over the water. Tess completed a morning class and absolutely loved the experience. The classes are typically at an easy-moderate level, run 1-2 x per day, and run for 90 minutes with a cost of 200NOK.
  Enjoy the coffee & food in Henningsvaer
  Coffee at Lysstoperi and Café: This was our favourite spot to grab a coffee. Offering excellent atmosphere, terrific cinnamon buns, and a good coffee, it’s a must when in Henningsvaer.
  Drink by the water at Trevarefabrikken: There are rows of tables right by the water where you can have a wine, order wood fired pizza, and enjoy the Scandi summer vibes. It’s a big yes from us!
  There are a number of popular seafood restaurants in the town, however be prepared for high prices. We enjoyed the café and restaurants detailed above, but didn’t sample the others during our visit.
  Visit Henningsvaer soccer stadium
  Another must do when in Henningsvaer is visit the iconic soccer stadium, perched at the end of the town right by the water. You may have seen images or videos online of this isolated little stadium, however as many of these were taken by a drone (like ours), don’t expect it to look like ‘that’. Despite this, we think it’s a must visit, and a really unique location. If you’ve got a ball, bring it along for a kick.. then you can tell people you’ve played soccer on one of the most remote soccer stadiums in the world!
  Day trips to nearby towns
  Henningsvaer is located nearby other cute towns like Kabelvag and Svolvaer. We found it a good location in the ‘east’ of the archipelago to base yourself, however day trips from Henningsvaer to the western locations like Ryten, Reine and more would likely be a little but far (in our opinion). We’d urge you to stay a few nights at one end of the islands, and another few at the other end to better experience all of the archipelago.
  Swim in arctic waters at Rorvikstranda beach
  Located at the eage of Henningsvaer (around 5-10 minutes drive) is the picturesque Rorvikstranda beach. It’s a great spot to stop on the drive in/out of Henningsvaer town, and we recommend taking a dip to experience swimming in the arctic circle. Be prepare, it’ll be cold.. but we think the experience is worth it!
  Sauna at Trevarefabrikken
  You’ve probably realized now, Trevarefabrikken is a hub in Henningsvaer. They have a little sauna perched by the water. We really enjoyed the Nordic sauna culture during our visit to Norway, and this sauna is another good one to add to the list. You need to book in advance to avoid disappointment in peak season.
  Check out the KaviarFactory art gallery in Henningsvaer
  There is an internationally renowned art gallery, KavierFactory, located on the road into the town. The whitewashed building is aesthetic, and inside you will find contemporary art galleries. Great for a rainy day (which happens more than you’d like in Lofoten).
  How long should I stay in Henningsvaer?
  If you are wondering should you stay in Henningsvaer or just visit for a day trip.. we definitely think it’s a good place to stay the night! We would recommend a stay of 1-2 nights if you’re road tripping through, however if you are staying in Lofoten for an extended period of time, Henningsvaer would make a great base.
  Where to stay in Henningsvaer?
  We recommend staying in the heart of the town. The accommodation isn’t cheap (welcome to Lofoten prices) but we think it’s worth it, even if for just one night. See a few excellent options below:
  - Trevarefabbriken – Stay in the cultural hub in the heart of Henningsvaer. Our top pick for those looking to be close to town and have a good vibe.
  - Villa Bryggekanten – Stay in a classic Lofoten housing with great views.
  - Henningsvaer Lofoten New Apartment – Beautiful Nordic designed apartments.
  - Rorbu Suite Henningsvaer – Stay in a traditional fishing house in town!
  Alternatively, you can check out accommodation options on the map below:
  Keen to travel more around Norway? See a few of our guides below..
  - Our guide to the colourful seaside town of Bergen
  - Our guide to Oslo, a great Scandi city break!
  - Our road trip from Bergen to Odda and Aurland through Vestland fjord country!
  - See why the Woodnest in Odda is one of the best accommodation stays in the world!
  - Our road trip stop at the picturesque Stalheim!
  - Enjoy the natural beauty of Odda.. here’s what to do and why you should visit!
  - A road trip stop in Norheimsund – why you should visit!
  - See impressive drone shots from our visit to the Woodnest in Odda
  - Aurland is one of the best fjord towns in the region – see our guide here!
  - See our road trip stop in Gudvangen here.
  - Laerdal is a cute spot for a coffee on your road trip in Norway!
  - Want to watch the Midnight Sun in Lofoten? See our guide and experience!
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