We had been looking forward to visiting the Lofoten Islands for a while, so I was excited to finally be able to cross it off my bucket list. Our stay there was unfortunately only for one night, but we tried to make the most of it. We headed straight to the parking lot to begin our hike of Svolvaer Fløya and Djevelporten, which is a moderate 4.5 km hike that takes about 3-4 hours. The hike involves some climbing, and there are sections where we had to use our hands to push ourselves up steeper parts of the path. The first part was the most challenging, and it’s important to have good shoes since the rocks can get slippery in some sections. However, the view was stunning, and we were already accustomed to the spectacular scenery in Norway. When we arrived at Djevelporten, we took some photos, and even though they may look a bit scary, it wasn’t as dangerous as it seems. The part where everyone poses for photos is wide enough to feel safe, and some climbers even jumped on the rock for better photos. Just below the top, it started to rain, so we found shelter under the rock and shared a beer while waiting for the rain to stop. Soon enough, it cleared up, and we continued our way up and were rewarded with even more breathtaking views.
After the hike, we checked into the Fast Hotel Lofoten, which we chose because it was the cheapest option with free parking and a private bathroom. The bathroom was a bit dirty, but everything else was fine. While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, I also wouldn’t say I wouldn’t stay there again. The location was convenient, and it was affordable. We only needed the room for sleeping since we spent the whole day exploring and left early in the morning. After freshening up, we headed to the Lofoten War Museum. The entry fee was 100 kr/10 EUR, and the museum was very interesting. We then looked for a quick bite to eat before continuing on to Magic Ice Lofoten, the world’s first permanent ice gallery and bar, filled with incredible ice sculptures. The temperature in the bar is kept below zero, so before entering, we received warm ponchos and gloves. The entry fee was 30 EUR, and we decided to go with the “Bring on the Cold” package, which included a welcome drink served in an ice glass and one optional drink from the Magic Ice menu. We enjoyed our stay there, and my husband even brought out his inner child by trying out their ice slide, which is usually meant for small children. After leaving the ice bar, the night felt warm, warmer than in the bar. Although it was already getting late, we still didn’t feel like going back to the hotel, so we stopped at Telegrafen Pub Og Bar for two more beers. The pub is open until 1 a.m., and the service was fast and friendly.
