Norway
Svolvær
Lofoten's main town and base for Henningsvær and Kabelvåg; 2 nights. Below: 4 sights, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café, plus how Svolvær fits into a longer trip.
- Places
- 8
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Late Nov – Mar
- Warmest month
- July
- Coolest month
- February
- Wettest month
- December
4 See · 2 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Stay
Lofoten & Tromsø
from our route notes
15°C / 58°F avg high
1°C / 34°F avg high
about 145 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Svolvær
8 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
The landmarks we would not skip in Svolvær across Svolvær sentrum, Kabelvåg and Henningsvær. 3 of them are free.
Photo: Wolfmann · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeLofoten War Memorial Museum
Private collection in a 1923 post-office building covering the German occupation of Lofoten and the 1941 commando raids.
Photo: Siri Wolland · CC BY-SA 3.0 noSeeVågan Church
The 1898 'Lofoten Cathedral' in Kabelvåg, a wooden church built for the fishermen who crowded in each winter.
Photo: Christoph Strässler · CC BY-SA 2.0SeeHenningsvær
Fishing village spread over skerries south of Svolvær, with galleries, cafes and a harbour of working boats.
Tip Allow a half day; the 20 km road along the Gimsøystraumen is well cleared.
Photo: Patrice78500 · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeHenningsvær Stadion
Football pitch laid out on a flat rock skerry at the tip of Henningsvær, surrounded by sea.
Tip Walk out past the harbour; winter snow often covers the pitch.
Eat
2 places to eat across Svinøya and Henningsvær, picked for groups who care about the food.
- Eat
Børsen Spiseri
Restaurant in an 1828 fish-trading house on Svinøya, serving stockfish, cod and lamb by candlelight.
Tip Reserve ahead in December; it is small.
- Eat
Fiskekrogen
Long-running seafood restaurant on the Henningsvær quay, known for fish soup and the catch of the day.
Tip Opening days vary in winter; call ahead.
Drink
1 bar or café in Svolvær sentrum for coffee, a round or a nightcap.
- Drink
Magic Ice Lofoten
Ice bar and gallery in a harbour warehouse, with sculptures of Lofoten fishing life carved from ice.
Tip Capes and gloves are provided; a drink in an ice glass is included.
Stay
Places to stay in Svolvær in Svinøya.
Photo: Christoph Strässler · CC BY-SA 2.0StaySvinøya Rorbuer
Restored fishermen's cabins on the island of Svinøya, linked to central Svolvær by a short bridge.
Tip Book a waterfront cabin; the fish racks next door are full in late winter.
How to fit Svolvær into a trip
Svolvær is stop 2 of 3 on our Lofoten & Tromsø route. Follow it as-is or lift Svolvær into your own plan.
Stop 2 of 3
Lofoten & Tromsø
Fishing villages, polar night, northern lights
- Trip length
- 8 days
- Best season
- Late Nov – Mar
- Pace
- moderate
Getting here and onward
- Reine to SvolværReine is about 70 km / 43 mi away in a straight line
- Svolvær to TromsøTromsø is about 236 km / 146 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Svolvær month by month
Average daily highs run from 1°C / 34°F in February to 15°C / 58°F in July. December is the wettest month, with about 145 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan2° / 35°F average high, in our recommended season
- Feb1° / 34°F average high, in our recommended season
- Mar2° / 35°F average high, in our recommended season
- Apr5° / 40°F average high
- May8° / 46°F average high
- Jun11° / 53°F average high
- Jul15° / 58°F average high
- Aug14° / 58°F average high
- Sep12° / 53°F average high
- Oct8° / 46°F average high
- Nov5° / 41°F average high, in our recommended season
- Dec3° / 38°F average high, in our recommended season
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Svolvær weather and the best time to visit →
Near Svolvær
2 other destinations from our guides within about 250 km (155 mi), measured in a straight line.
Svolvær questions, answered
How many days do you need in Svolvær?
Our route notes suggest 2 nights in Svolvær. On our Lofoten & Tromsø route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 8-day trip. The listed visit times for our 8 places add up to roughly 9 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Svolvær best known for?
Lofoten's main town and base for Henningsvær and Kabelvåg; 2 nights. Standouts on our list: Lofoten War Memorial Museum (Private collection in a 1923 post-office building covering the German occupation of Lofoten and the 1941 commando raids); Vågan Church (The 1898 'Lofoten Cathedral' in Kabelvåg, a wooden church built for the fishermen who crowded in each winter); Henningsvær (Fishing village spread over skerries south of Svolvær, with galleries, cafes and a harbour of working boats).
When is the best time to visit Svolvær?
Our Lofoten & Tromsø route is best Late Nov – Mar. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (15°C / 58°F), the coolest in February (1°C / 34°F) and the most rain in December (about 145 mm).
What are the best things to do in Svolvær?
Start with Lofoten War Memorial Museum, Vågan Church, Henningsvær and Henningsvær Stadion. Our guide lists 8 places in all, from 4 sights, 2 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 place to stay.
Where should a group eat in Svolvær?
Our picks: Børsen Spiseri (Svinøya); Fiskekrogen (Henningsvær). Reserve ahead in December; it is small (Børsen Spiseri).
What is near Svolvær?
The closest destinations in our guides are Reine (about 70 km / 43 mi) and Tromsø (about 236 km / 146 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Svolvær with your crew
Open the Lofoten & Tromsø route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 8 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.