Nusfjord in the Lofoten Islands – a fishing village you should not miss!
The Culture Map
A quick google of Nusfjord yields little results. I wouldn’t exactly call this place a secret, but it’s not as popular as some places on the Lofoten Islands. However, if you ask anyone who’s been, they will tell you to go. Myself included.
The tucked-away little fishing village of Nusfjord is the perfect place to stay for a couple of nights while exploring this pristine archipelago.
Itinerary suggestion
If you’re planning a trip I would recommend two nights in Svolvær, which is considered the ‘capital’ of the Lofoten Islands, combined with a two nights in Nusfjord, and a further two nights in Reine, located in the southernwestern point of Lofoten. If you have more time to spare, even better. I love hiking and could easily spend two weeks exploring the Lofoten Islands by foot.
These areas combined are like the Holy Trinity of Mother Nature. You seriously can’t beat the views of nature on offer in these places. They each have something different to offer to ensure a well-rounded experience of island life in the Arctic.
Nusfjord is ideally located almost halfway between Svolvær and Reine, making it a well-positioned based for exploring the length and breadth of this beautiful archipelago.
Besides its immediate charm and beauty, Nusfjord is of historical importance too. Nusfjord (along with Røros and Stavanger) was one of three selected locations in Norway for UNESCO’s 1975 traditional architecture preservation pilots. However, this does not mean that Nusfjord is a UNESCO world heritage site…. at least, not yet.
The landscape
After taking the detour off the E10 between Napp and Ramberg, you travel down a gorgeous winding road that leads to the tucked-away harbour of Nusfjord. Upon entering, yellow and red fisherman cabins scattered between wooden boardwalks and mountains and the fjord come into view.
If you’re looking for a retreat, this is it.
With its protected status and quintessential appearance, Nusfjord is like an open-air museum. It boasts an old-fashioned village store painted in jade green with a cosy cafe attached, as well as a workshop making cod-liver oil, a sawmill, and a forge.
Everything is wonderfully preserved. Everything you see presents a snapshot of how the village might have looked 50 years ago or longer.
As you walk around the wooden boardwalks, the scent of cod drifts ocassionally through the air. This natural aroma reminds you that this is still a working village where you can spot cod hanging out on the racks to dry along with a few boats in the harbour.
Accommodation & food
At Nusfjord you’ll also find accommodation in original fisherman cabins, and a gorgeous restaurant called Karoline that serves freshly served catch-of-the-day, both offering panoramic views of the fjords and mountains. For snacks, such as waffles and cake, you can head to Landhandleriet Café (located inside the village store).
The morning after our stay, we woke up early and the sun was shining as though on a summer’s day (it was the beginning of April). We could hardly believe our luck as we raced onto our balcony and prayed to Apollo it would stay that way.
Alas, it did not. In no less than an hour the sun recoiled and the heaven’s opened. But the change in weather wasn’t so bad after all, adding a bit of drama to the landscape. As I saw the clouds move closer together and lace the mountain peaks I realised Nusfjord looked more majestic now than ever.
That ability to look beautiful whatever the weather is important in Norway, a country where rain, wind, snow and sun come and go many times between night and day.
The rorbuers / fisherman cabins
As soon as I stepped inside the rorbu (fisherman’s cabin), I knew I didn’t want to leave. It’s the kind of place a writer goes if they want to finish the last chapter of their novel, or where two lovers go to lock themselves up for a week of romance in front of a roaring fire.
Modern cabins
We stayed in one of the modern cabins. They are ideal for people who enjoy all the modern comforts like central heating to make being in the Arctic as cosy as possible. They are also super spacious, making them a great option for families too.
Traditional rorbuers
However, guests also have the choice to stay in more traditional rorbuer which maintain authentic features, some with bunk beds and original wooden paneling. Even though these are older, it’s arguably more of an experience to stay in a more authentic cabin.
Breakfast at Nusfjord Rorbuer is located by the main reception. The buffet is imaginatively spread across an old boat and offers all the delights you would expect from a traditional Scandi breakfast including herring and waffles with jam.
The dining area is in keeping with the cabins with exposed woodwork and large windows letting in beams of sunlight overlooking the fjord and mountains. Heavenly.
‘Protected’ status
There are also five protected rorbuer on the Lofoten Islands and all five are located in Nusfjord. We got the chance to look inside two of them which gave us a good impression of how fishermen used to work and how they’d sleep.
Guests have the opportunity to sleep in these protected cabins during the summer. I thought a night in these protected cabins might be more expensive, but they’re not equipped with bathrooms or modern heating, making them less comfortable for sleeping. If you’re on a budget, it would be worth looking into staying in one of these cabins.
Additional information
Where to stay: Nusfjord Arctic Resort
Best time to go: Although Nusfjord is less popular than many villages, it’s also smaller and more contained so you might want to avoid peak summer season.
Extra costs: In summer, there is a 75 NOK fee to get enter the village. This is to avoid overcrowding and contributes to the preservation of the site.
Want more tips and inspiration? See my earlier post about the Lofoten Islands.
Are you planning a trip to the Lofoten Islands?
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