Reine
Date: September 2019
Route: Drove from Henningsvær
This village was our base to explore the peninsula and one of the most beautiful places we have ever been to; it deserves a place in our Top 3 if not the top place. It has also earned a reputation as “the most beautiful place in the world” on many magazines and contests. Set on the shores of a fjord with spectacular mountain backdrops, the town paints a colorful, cartoon-like tapestry of yellow, red and white houses set in amidst azure-blue waters. The best view is right as you turn off the E10 to go to the village and is also a scenic viewpoint with parking. No matter how many times you stand here, the panorama will take your breath away. Framed by the majestic peaks of the soaring Reinefjorden in the background, the colorful houses and boats set in a calm bay is a sight you will never forget. Both sunrise and sunset present a stunning array of colors that can be watched every day with wonder. Photographers will run out of battery here as there are just too many pictures to be had. Another fantastic spot for pictures is at the bridge below the Coop store as you come into town. The massive mountain throws just enough of a shadow in late evening to bring out the emerald colors of the waters. What makes the view stunning is that the colors are only seen in the shadow and nowhere else (see picture below). The town has a few nice restaurants and coffee shops but everything is very expensive as is normal for all of the Lofoten Islands. You really can just take a glass of wine and watch the undulating waters and clouds roll across the mountains. We walked down the E10 just to soak in the scenery and also explore some of the fishing houses. One of the hikes we did not do (but will next time) is to the Reinebringen view point which is reached via 1600 stone steps and another 500 meters of steep climbing. But the views are supposed to be spectacular, but we cheated and got the same with our drone 😊 If there is one place you should visit in your life, this should be it. The entire Lofoten peninsula is stunning and the crown jewel on top is Reine.
Two towns, closer to Reine that really stood out were Nusfjord and Ramberg.
Nusfjord
This out-of-the-way fishing village has to be one of our favorites that we found a bit by accident. We took the road off the E10 as somebody had told us that a lake there was beautiful. We drove to the lake and it is indeed beautiful and right off the road. Since we were there anyway, we decided to go see Nusfjord and so glad we did. Tucked away among rocky fingers of mountain, this village is like a living museum to Norwegian fishing and life by the relentless sea. All along the natural harbor are the quintessential yellow and red fisherman cabins called rorbuers. The town boasts an old-fashioned village store and a cozy café attached. Also present are a workshop that makes cod-liver oil, a huge sawmill and an antique forge. All of these are working businesses, and one feels like you have stepped back to a simpler time before technology and the Internet. The smell of drying cod is in the air and there are many places with racks of cod hanging out to dry. We had lunch and a beer at the amazing Karoline restaurant with stunning views overlooking the bay. We spent the very sunny afternoon walking around the harbor and also to a small beach on the far side of the village. This is a place we plan to come back and stay a few nights in a rorbuer.
Ramberg
One of the larger towns in this area, Ramberg is best known for its stunning Rambergstranda white-sand beach with azure-emerald waters. If it weren’t for the temperature and the soaring mountains in the background, you could mistake it for a beach in some tropical country. There is also a promenade with a few shops and restaurants. There is a large parking lot just above the beach so access is easy. A few miles before the beach, there is the beautiful Flakstad Church which is worth seeing.
