Reine at a Glance
Costs: Roughly $150-250 USD per day - expect high prices for lodging and dining - $150-250 daily in high season.
Safety: Very safe for travelers - extremely safe and well-policed; low petty crime.
Best Time: June-August (best) - midnight sun and best hiking weather in summer; shoulder seasons for photos.
Why Visit Reine?
Set deep in the Lofoten archipelago, this fishing village is known for its red rorbuer, jagged peaks and mirrorlike fjords. Hikers head for Reinebringen for panoramic views, photographers time trips for the midnight sun or northern lights, and the local stockfish tradition links the harbor to centuries of coastal commerce. Small galleries and seaside cafés highlight maritime craft and cuisine. Compact but iconic, it draws travelers who want dramatic coastal scenery and fishing-village culture.
Best Things to Do in Reine
Islands
Lofoten
Scenic Arctic archipelago of dramatic mountains and fishing villages
Island
Moskenesøya
Largest Lofoten island with dramatic mountains and fishing villages.
Island
Flakstadøya
Lofoten island noted for scenic beaches and fishing
Island
Mosken
Islet near Moskenstraumen maelstrom with strong currents
National Park
Lofotodden National Park
Arctic national park with dramatic coastal mountains
Reine Bucket List
Don't Miss
Reinebringen - Steep, rewarded hike delivering panoramic views over Reine and surrounding fjords.
Reine village harbor - Compact fishing village with colourful rorbuer, quayside views, and local seafood spots.
Reine Church (Reine kirke) - Wooden village church offering local history and community-focused services and events.
Hidden Gems
Sakrisøy - Nearby islet with photogenic red cabins and sheltered harbour for calm strolls.
Ramberg beach access - Less-crowded shoreline for quiet beach walks and watching the Arctic light.
Local art galleries - Small galleries displaying Lofoten painters and photographers inspired by coastal life.
Day Trips
Å (Lofoten) - Traditional fishing village with historic stockfish racks and the Norwegian Fisheries Museum.
Nusfjord - Historic fishing hamlet with restored rorbuer, museum exhibits, and coastal walks.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Reine
Best visited late May to August for the midnight sun, milder weather and hiking. September to April offers northern lights but colder, wetter conditions.
Winter
Cold, windy and very wet some days; northern lights visible on clear nights but expect short daylight and rough seas.
Spring
Thawing landscape, fewer tourists, unpredictable weather - still chilly but trails clear, ideal for photography and quieter fjord explorations and hikes.
Summer
Cool, damp summers with long daylight and excellent hiking; bring layers and expect sudden rain, but enjoy dramatic peaks and the midnight sun.
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -2°C to 14°C. Abundant rainfall (1890 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -1° - 3° | -5° | 215 mm | overcast | 79% | 7.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 2.8h |
| February | Poor | -2° - 2° | -6° | 179 mm | overcast | 79% | 7.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.5h |
| March | Poor | -2° - 2° | -5° | 153 mm | overcast | 78% | 6.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 11.4h |
| April | Poor | 1° - 5° | -1° | 109 mm | overcast | 80% | 5.2 m/s | 0.4 low | 15.4h |
| May | Poor | 4° - 9° | 3° | 83 mm | overcast | 82% | 5.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 19.6h |
| June | Acceptable | 7° - 12° | 7° | 74 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.7 m/s | 1.0 high | 23.9h |
| July | Acceptable | 10° - 14° | 12° | 90 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.0 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 21.6h |
| August | Acceptable | 10° - 14° | 12° | 124 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 16.8h |
| September | Poor | 7° - 11° | 6° | 189 mm | overcast | 83% | 5.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 12.9h |
| October | Poor | 4° - 8° | 2° | 240 mm | overcast | 81% | 6.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.0h |
| November | Poor | 2° - 5° | -2° | 201 mm | overcast | 80% | 6.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 4.7h |
| December | Poor | -1° - 3° | -5° | 233 mm | overcast | 79% | 7.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 0.3h |
How to Get to Reine
Reine is a fishing village in the Lofoten Islands best reached by regional flights to Lofoten airports or by train to Bodø and then ferry/road. Travel times are substantial from larger cities, and connections depend on season and ferry timetables.
Leknes Airport (LKN): Small airport in Lofoten with regional flights (mainly from Bodø or Evenes). From Leknes the drive to Reine is about 1-1.5 hours by car or taxi (≈€100-€150) depending on season; there are limited onward bus services that take longer.
Bodø Airport (BOO): Bodø is a larger transport hub with flights from Oslo (OSL). From Bodø you can take a ferry or bus + ferry into the Lofoten islands and then local buses or a car to Reine; total travel time is typically 4-6 hours depending on connections.
Train + Ferry: There is no direct rail to Reine; take the train to Bodø (from Oslo, long-distance services) and continue by ferry to Moskenes or by road across islands. Train fares to Bodø vary widely and the journey from Oslo takes most of a day.
Bus / Regional coach: Regional buses and express coaches run across Lofoten linking Leknes, Svolvær and Moskenes (the ferry/road terminus near Reine). Schedules are seasonal and subject to change; allow several hours from the nearest hubs.
How to Get Around Reine
Getting to Reine usually involves at least one ferry or short regional flight; once on Lofoten, a car or local buses handle the final leg. For flexibility and to reach remote viewpoints, renting a car or booking a transfer works best.
- Domestic flight (to Lofoten) (NOK 500-1,500) - Flights to Leknes (LKN) or Svolvær (SVJ) from Bodø or Evenes are the quickest way to reach Lofoten; services are small and can be limited in winter. Book early in high season (summer) when demand is highest.
- Ferry (NOK 100-400) - Ferries connect Bodø and some Lofoten islands (Moskenes) or link islands internally. Ferries carry vehicles and foot passengers; schedule planning is essential as crossings can add hours to the journey.
- Regional bus (NOK 80-250) - Local buses link island villages; they are affordable but slow and less frequent. Use buses to reach Reine from Moskenes or Leknes - check local timetables (seasonal) and allow for connections with ferries.
- Car (rental) (NOK 700-1,500/day) - Renting a car gives maximum freedom to explore Lofoten’s dispersed sights and makes reaching Reine straightforward - roads are scenic but narrow in places. Expect higher rental and fuel costs in northern Norway.
- Guided transfer / taxi (NOK 800-1,800) - Private transfers from airports or from Moskenes ferry terminal are available and save time, especially with luggage or groups. Prices are higher but can be reasonable split among passengers.
- Walking - Reine is a compact village and many viewpoints and short hikes are within walking distance. Trails range from short lookout walks to longer mountain hikes; bring warm, windproof clothing year-round.
Where to Stay in Reine
Budget
Reine / Hamnøy - $70-150/night
Simple fisherman cabins (rorbuer) and small guesthouses; basic facilities but unbeatable location for fjord views. Book months ahead in summer.
Eliassen Rorbuer - Traditional rorbuer on Sakrisøy, waterfront.
Mid-Range
Reine centre - $150-250/night
Comfortable waterfront cabins and small hotels offering sea views and guided activities. Expect higher prices in high season and limited off-season services.
Eliassen Rorbuer - Comfortable waterfront cabins with local character.
Luxury
Premium rorbuer / private cabins - $250+/night
Few true luxury hotels in Reine; most high-end options are upscale rorbuer with premium rates and private-location cabins. Consider larger Lofoten bases for more facilities.
Where to Eat in Reine
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Reine’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
