🛍 Shopping – Not your average mall crawl

Ready for a retail adventure with a rural twist? Lofoten's farm shops and local stores are a treat – and we mean that quite literally in some cases.

• Aalan Gård serves up some of Norway's finest cheeses (seriously – award-winning stuff), and Lofoten Gårdsysteri is also in the cheesy hall of fame. You're basically in a dairy paradise.

• At Lofoten Wool, you'll find cozy, high-quality wool products made from local sheep. That's right, these are garments with actual street cred – if sheep had streets.

• Polarhagen is out here growing vegetables in the Arctic like it's no big deal. Ambitious? Absolutely. Impressive? You bet.

• Into seaweed? Head to Lofoten Seaweed at Napp. Great for the health-conscious, curious, or just culinary adventurous.

• Need groceries? There's a local store at Ballstad, tucked away at the end of the road on Ballstadøya. A good place to grab the essentials. The store is called Joker. Not, that is not a joke.

• Henningsvær is your go-to for boutique vibes and local charm. Ceramics, hand-made clothes, kanelsnurrer (Norwegian cinnamon buns that will ruin all other cinnamon buns for you), and other treasures await. What you'll find? Who knows. That's half the fun.

If you want to go shopping or visiting local stores please check the opening times of the different places 

🌟 Attractions – More than just pretty views

You've probably already noticed Lofoten is jaw-droppingly beautiful. But there's more to discover than mountains and beaches – promise!

• The Viking Museum at Borg is the most visited museum in Northern Norway. Step into the world of Arctic Vikings and feel the urge to shout "Skål!" (Please don't actually pillage anything on your way out.)

• The fishing village of Å (yes, that's really its name. And no, you're probably not saying it right) is home to the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum, where you'll learn how tough – and charming – life used to be in these parts.

• Lofoten Food Studio in Ballstad is a gourmet hideaway known for turning local ingredients into unforgettable dishes. It's one of the best restaurants in Lofoten (some say the best), but you'll need to book in advance. This is not a "walk-in in your hiking boots" kind of place.

• Ever heard of PGI? It's like the Champions League for European food – a VIP badge reserved for the culinary elite. We're talking legends like Champagne, Serrano ham, and Feta cheese. Basically, if your food has PGI status, it's kind of a big deal.

  And guess what? Lofoten has not one, but TWO of Norway's only three PGI-certified products. That's right – our little archipelago is punching well above its culinary weight.

  So if you spot Tørrfisk (stockfish) or Lofotlam (free-range lamb from Lofoten) on the menu, don't hesitate – order it, savor it, and brag about it later. You're officially eating like a European food champion. (PS: No trophy required – just bring your appetite.)
  

• Got a car? Good – you're ready to hunt down Artscape Nordland, a landscape art project spread across the region. Each municipality has its own artwork. Finding them is part of the experience – like Pokémon Go, but for art nerds.

• Around Ballstad, you'll also find some serious street art. The biggest piece is by local artist Scott Thoe and is rumored to be the largest of its kind in Northern Europe. It's huge – you won't miss it (unless you're wearing sunglasses and looking in the wrong direction).

So whether you're into cheese, Vikings, art, or the thrill of finding a wool scarf with a backstory, Lofoten's got something for you. Just bring curiosity, an extra layer of clothing – and maybe a bit of space in your suitcase.

• Hikes – Let's get those legs moving!
  Lofoten is basically a hiker's playground, with mountains, valleys and scenic paths all over the place. We strongly recommend sticking to well-marked and well-maintained trails – both for your safety and to help protect the nature we all love.
  
  

• Here are a few of our favorite hikes.
  
  

• 🏔 Nonstind – A stairway to heaven (well, almost)

  The trailhead is just 50 meters from the conference venue. This is a short but intense hike that takes you straight up the mountain – with actual stairs! Your thighs might complain, but the view will make up for it.

  🌼 Kyllingdalen – Easy peasy and wheelchair friendly

  Looking for something a bit more relaxed? Kyllingdalen is a flat, easy-going trail that even your granny (or toddler!) can enjoy. Locals have done a great job making the path accessible, and it's just a short walk from the venue – starting near the school.

  🌊 Haukland to Uttakleiv – A classic coastal combo

  For a proper MAB-vibe (that's Man and Biosphere, not "Maybe Another Beer"), drive to Haukland Beach and walk the old coastal road to Uttakleiv. Then loop back over the small mountain for a great roundtrip. Or for the laxy one head through the tunnel (but do not forget to wear the reflective clothes the locals put in post boxes in the tunnel for you.) You'll see a community-run campsite at Uttakleiv and a brand new visitor center at Haukland, run by the locals and the municipality.

  🏞 Reinebringen – Lofoten's Instagram darling

  With 260,000 visitors last year, Reinebringen is the hike. It's steep (hello again, Sherpa stairs!), but the view will knock your wool socks off. Keep an eye out for products with the Reinebringen and "Tourism that gives back" logos – these help fund efforts to manage the crowds and preserve the area. The concept is all developed and run by local people.
  
  

  Surf's up! 🏄

  Did you know Lofoten is a surf destination? No joke – you can catch waves at Unstad Arctic Surf or Lofoten Beach Camp in Flakstad. Both offer rental gear and lessons if you're new to the surf life. It's about a 30-minute drive either way. Wetsuits are not optional unless you're part polar bear.

  Become a (temporary) fisherman 🎣

  If you want to try your luck at sea, there are several local operators offering fishing trips. We recommend checking out Sjøsiden Rorbuer or Solsiden Brygge in Ballstad. Just remember to book ahead – the fish won't wait, but the boat might.

  And hey – if fishing isn't your thing, Solsiden also offers RIB safaris. Fast boats, fresh air, and a chance to see Lofoten from a whole new angle (hint: sea level).

🎬 Home Studies – Culture, Surf & Submarines

Before you pack your wool socks and jump on the next ferry north, why not get into the Lofoten mood with a bit of cultural homework? There's more to Lofoten than just jaw-dropping mountains and fish that hang to dry – we've even made it into literature, film, and music history. Here's your pre-trip playlist:

📖 A Submarine Ride Under Lofoten?
One of Jules Verne's most famous novels, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, actually takes place in Lofoten. Well, technically, under Lofoten. In the book, the mysterious Captain Nemo sails his submarine Nautilus through the depths beneath the Lofoten Sea. So, if you thought our fjords were dramatic, just imagine what's going on below the surface...

🌊 Surf's Up (Even in Snowstorms)

On Netflix, you'll find the documentary North of the Sun (Nordfor sola). It's become a cult classic among surfers worldwide – and it's made by local director Inge Wegge. Two young men spend a winter in a remote Lofoten bay, living off washed-up trash and surfing Arctic waves. Yes, it's cold. Yes, it's brilliant.

🎸 Lofoten's Rock 'n' Roll Rebel

Did you know that Lofoten has its very own rock star? Hans Erik Huseby, better known as Hank von Hell, was the flamboyant frontman of the legendary Norwegian band Turbonegro. They rose to fame in the late '90s with their leather-clad, tongue-in-cheek punk rock. If you're curious, start with the iconic album Apocalypse Dudes. It's loud, it's wild, it's Lofoten – in leather pants.

🎶 Prefer Melancholy Over Mayhem?

If punk rock isn't your cup of cloudberry tea, then Kari Bremnes might be more your style. Born in Svolvær, she's one of Norway's most celebrated voices in the world music scene. Her songs are poetic, powerful, and often soaked in that distinctive Nordic melancholy. Think midnight sun, deep fjords, and longing gazes toward the horizon.