The Honest Guide to Camping Around Reine

camping in lofoten_lofoten beach camp-03

Norway is marketed as a camping paradise. Thanks to the right to roam (allemannsretten), you can still sleep outside of designated campsites, which is pretty amazing. People come here with dreams of fjords, freedom, and falling asleep under the midnight sun. 

Lofoten takes that dream and cranks it up to eleven. It’s stunningly beautiful—almost offensively so—and it’s no surprise that a lot of people want to camp here. 

But here’s the thing: camping in Lofoten isn’t always as easy or idyllic as it sounds.

Trollstigen (Troll Road) Opening and Closing Dates 2025

Driving in Norway: Trollstigen road

Trollstigen, also known as the Troll Road or Troll’s Ladder, is on almost everyone’s Norway bucket list. With its eleven hairpin bends, dramatic mountain drops, and epic views, it’s easy to see why.

That’s why so many people were disappointed when the road stayed closed for the entire summer season of 2024 following a series of rockfalls.

It turned out that Trollstigen needs major safety upgrades, especially rockfall protection — and those don’t happen overnight.

Winter Closed Roads in Norway

winter closed roads in norway: Hardangervidda

Norway’s mountain roads don’t follow your calendar. Some of the most scenic routes in the country — the ones you see in postcards and on Instagram — are closed for half the year due to snow, avalanches, or rockfall risk. And yet, every spring, travellers show up expecting to drive them… and end up rerouting their trip at the last minute.

In this guide, you’ll learn which roads are closed in winter, when they typically reopen, and how to check if they’re open when you’re here.

Brutally Honest Guide for Cruise Ships Passengers Arriving to Gravdal

"Best of Lofoten" Sightseeing tour from Svolvær to Reine

Lofoten is, hands down, one of the most stunning places you’ll ever visit on a cruise—dramatic peaks, white-sand beaches, and charming fishing villages. But here’s the catch: You won’t see any of that when you dock in Leknes (Gravdal Port).

Gravdal is an industrial harbor in one of the least exciting parts of Lofoten.

If you want to actually experience what makes Lofoten special, this is one place where you absolutely need to book a shore excursion—either through your cruise line or with a local tour company.
Why? Because if you don’t book a tour or rent a car, you’ll be stuck in the port with nothing to do within walking distance, while all the jaw-dropping scenery is just a short drive away—but impossible to reach without transport.

Would You Want a Cable Car Up to Reinebringen?

Reinebringen Lofoten how to get there by public bus

Reinebringen is one of Lofoten’s crown jewels, offering breathtaking views of Reine and Reinefjorden that attract around 250,000 visitors every year. If you’ve hiked up those famous Sherpa stairs, you know it’s not an easy feat, but the reward at the top is unforgettable.

Now, there’s a proposal to make that view more accessible—a cable car.

The gondola and expanded infrastructure are being planned for visitors like you—to make Reinebringen more accessible. But is this really what you want?

How Difficult is Driving in Lofoten in Winter?

winter roads in Lofoten

Driving in Lofoten during winter can range from relatively easy to highly challenging, depending on the weather. Icy roads, heavy snowfall, and strong winds are common, and you’ll often encounter narrow, winding roads. The key is to prepare thoroughly and adjust your driving to the conditions.

How to Get to Tromso in Winter

How to get to Tromso in winter - direct flights from European cities

Following a record-breaking winter season 2023/2024, European airlines are doubling down on Tromsø as a key Arctic destination. Instead of routing through Oslo, they’re offering direct flights from major international cities straight to Tromsø. In the winter of 2024/2025, there will be more than 30 direct routes per week from cities like London, Paris, Berlin, and Copenhagen, making it easier than ever to visit Tromso in winter. In this guide, you’ll find all the information you need about getting to Tromsø—from Norway, the Nordic regions, Europe, or the US.

Where to Watch the Northern Lights in Tromso

Every single day, people in our FB group focused on the northern lights in Tromso ask if the aurora will be visible tonight and where the best places are to see the northern lights in Tromsø—ideally places reachable on foot or by bus. To cut to the chase, the best places to see the northern lights in Tromso (or anywhere else) change daily based on the weather.

Renting a Car or Campervan in Lofoten

While it’s totally possible to explore Lofoten using public transport, on foot, by hitchhiking, or joining guided tours, renting a car is still the most popular way to get around. It gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and reach trailheads to hiking trails. So, now that we established that renting a car in Lofoten is almost a must, the next most common question is, “What’s the most budget-friendly car rental in Lofoten?”

Honestly, the answer is—it depends.

Christmas in Tromso 2024: Honest Guide & Opening Times

reindeer in Tromso

I could start by painting a picture-perfect scene of snowy landscapes, cozy Christmas markets, the smell of freshly roasted almonds, and gluhwein, with Christmas carols playing in the background while the Northern Lights dance above your head. That’s what most people imagine when they think of Christmas in Tromsø.
I’ve checked out a few articles that pop up when you search for “Christmas in Tromsø,” and they all promise exactly that. But let’s be honest from the start.