"In Svolvær, you can go hiking, kayaking, open sea fishing, on a RIB boat tour, see sea eagles up close and take a selfie under a fish drying rack. In other words, you’re almost guaranteed to have memorable experiences here," says Erik Taraldsen.
He is the hotel director at Thon Hotel Lofoten and Thon Hotel Svolvær. The latter opened its doors in July and both are centrally located on the quayside in the centre of Lofoten’s capital, with activities and experiences right outside the hotel door.
Here are his best tips for things to experience after checking in in Svolvær:
Experience a Lofoten fish plant
For many, fishing is the very symbol of Lofoten and if you want a genuine Lofoten experience, you should head to sea. Our new hotel, Thon Hotel Svolvær, has its own 'fish plant' where guests can start the day on an authentic fishing boat in the sea around Lofoten. After fishing, you can help bring the fish ashore and receive it personally at the 'plant' before you and one of our chefs together gut and fillet the catch of the day. The day ends with a meal prepared with your self-caught fish and a 'taste of Lofoten' at the hotel restaurant. A real delicacy, which perhaps tastes even better when you've caught it yourself? The 'fish plant' also offers experiences like 'Lofoten Seafood Theatre' and caviar courses.
Local food
Lofoten is home to a wide range of culinary delights and fantastic food experiences await in the 'world’s smallest city'. Svolvær has a number of great restaurants that serve delicious dishes prepared with local ingredients. Paleo Arctic on the 1st floor of Thon Hotel Lofoten offers an à la carte menu, while Brasseriet at Thon Hotel Svolvær has sharing menus with local flavours, as well as a separate lunch menu and outdoor dining area menu.
Mountain hikes
If you want to get to higher ground, there are several nice hiking options within walking distance of the hotel. A popular hike for both locals and tourists is to Tjeldbergtind, at 367 m above sea level. It’s not very high, but the views of the Vestfjord, Svolvær, Kabelvåg and mountains surrounding city are spectacular. Another popular hike is to take the Sherpa steps that wind up the mountainside of Svolværgeita. They were completed in 2019 and the views are amazing. If you want to hike further, you can continue on the trail towards Djevelporten and the mountain Fløya. Once you reach the top of the mountain ridge, at 590 m above sea level, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views - which are worth the hike alone.
Skrova
A short ferry ride of around 30 minutes takes you from Svolvær to the island of Skrova in the Vestfjord. And with the most hours of sunshine in all of Lofoten and little rain, the island has earned itself the exotic nickname of 'Lofoten’s Hawaii'. A charming community, beautiful white sand beaches, turquoise water and a nice hike up Skrovafjellet await. A visit to the island is definitely recommended.
Art
If you’re looking for a cultural experience, you can visit the North Norwegian Art Centre, located right next to Thon Hotel Lofoten. Here you will find both an art shop and a gallery with a variety of art exhibitions featuring work by both local and international artists. The Lofoten International Art Festival is also organised every two years.
Kayaking
Lofoten is known for its beautiful nature and although it’s nice to enjoy it from a mountaintop, it’s perhaps best discovered from the sea. Kayaking lets you get close to both nature and wildlife, while enjoying fresh sea air surrounded by spectacular mountains. XXLofoten organises guided kayak tours The tour starts at the quay promenade in the Svolvær city centre, only a short walk from both Thon hotels.
Sea eagle tour in a RIB boat
Another essential experience is a sea eagle tour in a RIB boat, especially if you love speed and excitement. During the tour, you get to see sea eagles up close and navigate to the very end of the majestic Trollfjord. It's a fun experience with sea spray in the face and impressive highlights.