My husband has dreamed of taking a road trip through Scandinavia for years, and we recently made that dream come true. Though we started and ended the trip in Stockholm, Lofoten, Norway, was our prime destination. In 2020, we had planned to visit Lofoten after my husband’s deployment, but we all know what happened then.

Fast-forward to 2026, and we finally made the trek to this stunning archipelago in Northern Norway with our two children, ages three and five, and a friend from the States. Since our visit was in late May and early June, our goal was to enjoy as many hikes and other outdoor activities as our children and the weather would allow. With its location above the Arctic Circle, good weather is never guaranteed, so we scheduled seven days and six nights in Lofoten proper, hoping to have a few days without inclement weather to enjoy our planned outings.

*Views of Reine walking back from the Reinebringen hike*

Ramberg

Our first two nights were spent in an old red fisherman’s cabin in Ramberg. Ramberg is located on the western end of the island and is a great base for exploring the nearby towns of Nusfjord, Hamnøy, Reine, and Å. While in Ramberg, we booked a family-friendly, easy kayaking tour through Lofoten Arctic Adventures. Our scheduled time was moved up due to incoming high winds later in the day, but after starting the day shrouded in clouds, the sun came out, making for a perfect morning on the water.

We had a leisurely paddle through the fjord, learning about the ecosystem, trying fresh seaweed pulled from the water, and sampling a Norwegian staple, dried stockfish (cod). Our children had the best seats in the house, strapped into the middle seats between two adults, especially designed for small children. My son was so relaxed that he passed out on the way back to the dock. Our fomo-laden three-year-old was wide awake, lest she miss any excitement or opportunities to ask for snacks.

After our kayaking tour, we set out on what we thought would be an “easy” 90-minute out-and-back hike at Yttersandheia-Røren. After an hour of scrambling with the kids over small boulders on a not-very-well-marked trail, we decided to turn back to the parking area and call that one a draw. Despite the scrambling, the views of the beach below were outstanding.

Though we cooked most of our breakfasts and dinners at our accommodations throughout our trip, that afternoon we drove over to Hamnøy to see the famous fishing village and have a late lunch/early dinner at Anita’s. While the kids enjoyed playing outside on the wooden play boat and swings, we devoured a fish burger topped with fresh shrimp. I have never had a fish burger before, so I was a little dubious of how it would taste, but it was fantastic.

The next morning, we woke up, excited to take on the Reinebringen hike. We were a little nervous about such a big hike with our children, given the steep drop-offs I had read about online in various reviews. We decided we would go as far as we could, then turn around if needed. We parked at Lofoten Visitor’s Center in Reine (paid parking) and started our walk to the trailhead. From the parking lot, it’s about 1000 meters to where the steps begin. This hike is 1978 sherpa steps straight up, with an altitude gain of 484 meters (1588 feet).

The hike is rated medium to hard, and as a casual hiker, I would say it’s medium. There are several places to stop and rest on the way up, should you need, and if you take your time, it’s not bad. If you want to kick up your hike a notch, you can strap a 3-year-old on your back and climb. Spicy.

*Views from the top of the Reinebringen hike*

The views at the top are spectacular, and our 5-year-old handled the steps very well. There is limited space at the top of the viewing point, so we kept our children at the top of the steps where they end, then took turns going to the scenic lookout, which was a short scramble up. I recommend this hike with children if you are comfortable hiking with them and they understand the importance of trail safety. I would not recommend this hike in the rain; the steps would become very dangerous.

The best reward after this hike is the meal and beer at Tapperiet Bistro. I did not come up for air until every morsel of my fish and chips had been consumed. Watch out Ireland, Lofoten’s fish and chips can hold their own. They offer a variety of other items on the menu, like pizza and burgers, but the fish and chips just called to me that day. Since we were nearby, we ended the day by exploring Å before heading to our next accommodation.

Storfjord/Leknes

The next two evenings, we moved up the road 45 minutes to Storfjord, which is located right around Leknes. The first morning, we visited Haukland Beach for an easy three-mile stroll around the beach. Though the kids did phenomenally on the hike the day before, they really made this simple, flat hike extremely enjoyable for us (no, no, they did not). That afternoon, we took it easy, following our children’s cues, and grilled steaks at our campground, Lofoten Campsite Storfjord, while the kids played.

The following day, we had initially planned to do the Offersøykammen hike, but we could sense the kids needed a break from hiking. Instead, we backtracked thirty minutes to visit Nusfjord, one of the best-preserved fishing villages in Lofoten. There is a 150 NOK entry fee (children are free), and you can roam inside any building with an open door. Plan to spend 1-2 hours exploring, with several small museums, two cafes, a few restaurants, and endless photo opportunities around. After wandering for a while, we enjoyed a latte and a piece of carrot cake from Nusfjord Landhandel.

*Nusfjord. 150 NOK to enter this idyllic fishing village*

Our next stop was the Lofotr Viking Museum, a must-visit for families (265 NOK per adult; free for ages 6 and under). With opportunities to don Viking apparel, hands-on activities with Viking reenactors, Viking artifacts on display, farm animals roaming the fields outside, and a real-life Viking ship in the harbor, plan to spend 1-2 hours enjoying everything they offer. We spent the most time at the wild boar pen, watching the mom with her five babies.

Henningssvær

As it was our last two evenings on Lofoten, we booked a newer, modern apartment on the water. We made dinner at the apartment that evening, and I took a stroll around the village, camera in hand. I instantly fell in love with the village.

Both mornings, we enjoyed coffee and pastries from Henningssvær Lysstøperi & Café. It was our favorite, though there are a few cafes throughout the village. With several shops and restaurants, Henningssvær is a charming village where you can slow down and enjoy an unhurried pace. You can take several water tours from here, including eagle-watching, midnight sun tours, and kayaking. If you still have the urge to hike, you can tackle the nearby Festvågtind trail.

Our enjoyable day included lunch at Fiskekrogen and a lovely dinner at Vind Brasseri, situated within the Henningssvær Bryggehotell. After exploring an empty cabin post-dinner, I would gladly return to stay at this hotel, as it appeared excellent. Besides the water tours and shops, there is the Henningssvær Football Stadium, an amateur soccer field on a small nearby island. As one of the northernmost pitches in the world, it offers views of the Norwegian Sea and distant jagged mountains. The stadium is accessible by car or bus.

Although I would have liked to fit in a few more hikes, our trip to Lofoten was truly unforgettable. Visiting from late May to early June, we enjoyed some of the best weather for outdoor fun. If you love the outdoors, fresh seafood, charming fishing villages, and waters that gleam in unbelievable aquamarine hues, Lofoten is the perfect destination.

Before You Go to Lofoten, Norway:

Pack a sleeping mask
Dining out is expensive; stretch your budget by preparing meals at your accommodation
Download the Easy Park app to pay for parking (works in Sweden too)
Pack in layers, and be prepared for cold, rainy days and high winds, even in the summer
Utilize the AllTrails app for finding nearby hikes and trailheads
There are not many, if any, public playgrounds around Lofoten; nature is their playground

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Lofoten, Norway with kids: 7-day family itinerary

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