It is somewhere above the Arctic Circle, where a chain of islands juts out from the Norwegian Sea, right here, summer is experienced differently.

It's perhaps the most popular accommodation in Lofoten, and I understand why. Eliassen Rorbuer is located on the small island of Hamnøy, right on the waters of the Reinefjord.

It's known for being inspired by the islands' oldest and most traditional fishermen's cottages.

The original cottages date back to 1890 and were built to house Norwegian fishermen during the annual cod fishing season. Today, they operate as a resort with over 100 renovated cottages and apartments.

The best part? It boasts the Nordic Swan Ecolabel—Scandinavia's official environmental certification. This distinction reflects the establishment's genuine commitment to sustainability, from energy-efficient water heating to responsible waste management.

Staying here allows you to connect directly with the local culture, something no hotel chain could ever match.

The cabins are painted in the iconic red of Norwegian fishing villages and decorated in a minimalist Scandinavian style. Each one features a full kitchen, living room, and a view that puts you just inches from the fjord.

Here, you wake up to the mountains reflected in the calm water, enjoy a coffee, and sit on the terrace for two hours without feeling like you've wasted any time.

Eliassen Rorbuer's own Gadus restaurant is the best choice. It fuses traditional Italian techniques with the finest local ingredients from Lofoten.

A union with historical roots: in 1432, the Venetian Pietro Querini was shipwrecked off Røst and returned to Italy with stories (and dried cod) that helped establish the cod tradition in the Veneto region. Gadus pays homage to this centuries-old exchange.

The menu features local cod, seafood, and seasonal Norwegian produce. All in a warm and informal atmosphere in Hamnøy's most iconic building. Booking is recommended during peak summer weeks.

Rarely in life do you experience such a disorienting feeling—in the best sense of the word. Paddling through a Norwegian fjord at midnight with the sun shining brightly overhead is one of those moments.

Kayaking on a summer night in Lofoten is, without a doubt, the one activity you absolutely cannot miss when visiting the islands.

Most guided tours cost between 900 and 1200 Norwegian kroner (US$92 to US$124) for a 3-hour experience with all equipment included. No prior experience is necessary for guided tours.

If you want to kayak on your own, you can rent kayaks through the operators mentioned above. They may require a boating license or verifiable experience/equivalent to paddling in open water without assistance.

The midnight sun is visible in Lofoten from approximately May 25 to July 15.

To enjoy the sunlight, when it's low and bathes the fjords in amber, the ideal time to go is between 10:00 PM and 1:00 AM.

The water is calmer at sunset, and the mountains are bathed in a horizontal glow unlike any other time.

South-facing villages like Reine and Hamnøy are tucked behind the peaks, so head to the north coast (Eggum, Unstad) for unobstructed views of the midnight sun.

Lofoten is surprisingly one of Europe's most authentic surf destinations. This is almost entirely thanks to one beach: Unstad. A cove on the northwest coast of Vestvågøy Island, where Atlantic waves envelop rocky platforms and form consistent lefts beneath snow-capped peaks.

Cod fishing in Lofoten isn't just a historical exhibit, but a living industry that has shaped the history of every fishing village, every wooden boat, and every red barge on the islands.

For over 1,000 years, northeastern Arctic cod (skrei) have migrated from the Barents Sea to spawn in the warm waters surrounding Lofoten. From January to April, as an annual event, the Lofotfiske attracts thousands of fishermen from all over Norway. Now, as ever, it remains fundamental to the local economy.

The midnight sun season in Lofoten runs from approximately May 25 to July 15 each year. During this period, the sun never fully dips below the horizon, meaning continuous daylight for around seven weeks. The peak experience is around the summer solstice (June 21), when the sun's arc is at its highest, and the golden light is most intense throughout the entire night.

In Norway, the midnight sun varies by region. In Lofoten (68°N), it runs from late May through mid-July. Further north — in Tromsø (69°N) or Svalbard (78°N) — the season begins earlier and lasts longer. June is the peak month across all Arctic Norwegian destinations. If you can only choose one month, June offers the longest days, mildest temperatures, and the most dramatic midnight light displays.

During the midnight sun window (late May – mid-July), the sun does not set below the horizon, so there is no true darkness. However, it does get dimmer around midnight in areas where mountains block the low sun angle — particularly in south-facing villages like Reine and Hamnøy.

Outside the midnight sun period, Lofoten has very long days in April–May and August–September, with genuine twilight but still significant light. The flip side: from late November to mid-January, Lofoten experiences the polar night, with the sun staying below the horizon entirely. Blackout curtains at Eliassen Rorbuer are your friend in summer.

Lofoten delivers a combination of elements almost impossible to find elsewhere:

The result is a destination that appeals equally to hardcore adventurers, nature photographers, design-minded travelers, and anyone simply looking for somewhere profoundly unlike anywhere they've been before.