Weather forecast Day 2 shown sunny day until the cloud took over after 2pm. We hit the road close to 10am. We were going to the north to visit Nusfjord Village and several arctic beach which we can drive to. Being an archipelago island, Lofoten has some spectacular beaches. White sand and small waves of turquoise blue water wash gently across the white sand while mountain peaks rise into the blue sky above.  The water would be on the cold side, though the local kids and surfers don’t seem to mind, but the dramatic settings of most of the beaches make up for this. 

We made the first stop at Ramberg Beach

Ramberg Beach

The beach of Ramberg is located next to a small fishing village. Despite being in the remote coastal north of Norway it is surprisingly easy to get here as Ramberg is connected by the E10 road. Ramberg is a great spot to catch some extra rays from the midnight sun during the summer months. Whilst in the winter it is one of the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights.

From Ramberg we drove to Nusfjord Village because we also wanted to have lunch there before embarking another Beach hopping. From E10 we turned right and the road to Nusfjord is also equally beautiful.

Nusfjord Village

Nusfjord is often regarded as one of the oldest and best preserved fishing villages in Norway, and is situated 6.2 km from the E10. A handful of Rorbuer and old buildings make up the fishing village that today is home to a a group of locals, as well as accommodation (Nusfjord Arctic Resort), bakery (open in summer), Restaurant Karoline (open for dinner), Cafe/souvenir shops and museums.

There was a finding of traces of people living in Nusfjord from 425 BC, and with a heyday area in the beginning of the last century, Nusfjord remains a treasure chest full of history from when the cod fish hang and was laying around the rocks in the area. During these years Nusfjord was home to more than 1500 fishermen, and on the walls in the restaurants and other facilities you can glance up on images of the fjord full of boats, fish and people. Many of the old buildings related to the fishing industry have been renovated and taken care of, and today the fish oil factory, old smokery, blacksmith, boathouses and many other buildings make up the guided historical roundtrip that takes you around a glimpse of the old Lofoten life.

Too bad the Restaurant in the village was only open for dinner. But we could eat simple lunch at the Landhandleriet Cafe (open 11.00-16.00). They have sandwiches, hot soup, waffles and hot and cold drinks. I found that a lot of restaurants in Lofoten are not open for lunch even in the touristic places such as Reine, A and Nusfjord. It could be because Lofoten have not had tourists for the last 2 years (Norway’s border was only opened mid Feb) or it was a winter thing. So best to buy lunch from the supermarket for the road trip and have a lunch picnic.

Nusfjord is indeed a quaint and pretty village. It is a nice alternative if you want to stay in just one place as it is located in the middle of the island so you can explore to the North and South.

It started to get windy as we left Nusfjord and left to drive to Haukland and Uttakleiv beach.

Haukland Beach

Haukland is one of Lofoten’s most famous beaches. The white sand and crystal blue waters make Haukland a popular summer destination among tourists, many even brave enough to go for an afternoon swim. In winter, this beach can have a sublime beauty, and makes one of the best sunrise or sunset locations on Lofoten. We saw a beach cafe at the parking lot but it is closed at winter time.

Pictures of Haukland beach from above showing an incredible stretch of coastline, are taken from Mount Mannen or Veggen. You will need to hiker either of the mountain. The former is shorter, easier and accessible from both beaches, and as a result, is more popular with tourists. While Mount Veggen isn’t as busy, you can only reach it from the Uttakleiv beach. These hike can only be done in summer.

If you’ve got your walking boots on, there is a trail to hike along the coast connecting Haukland Beach and Uttakleiv beach. The trail is 4 km one way, marked well and pretty flat, making it doable for walkers of all abilities.

Uttakleiv Beach

Uttakleiv is the most photographed beach on Lofoten. The scenic rocky shoreline on the left side of the beach provides near limitless photographic possibilities, while the sandy middle section allows for even more areas to explore. In winter, it is also a good location for northern lights. While in summer it is a popular camping and midnight sun destination, with campfires spread across the beach. It was very windy when we came in March and there were only two people when we were there, so we didn’t stay long.

Uttakleiv beach is often more crowded than its neighbor and there is a fee to enter in the summer. Parking is on the left side of the beach, a short drive past the village.  This is also a popular place for camping on the grassy dunes behind the beach.

Vik Beach

Vik is a neighboring beach to Haukland. The beach is just right to the road. It is a scenic, long curving stretch of white sand. It is also a good location to photograph northern lights during winter. Parking is available on the left and right sides of the beach in the small pullouts.

If you are interested in glassblowing art, you can stop at Glasshytta (The Glass Hut) here in Vikten. You can see and buy glassblowing art pieces inspired by the Lofoten nature and its colors.

On the way back to Hamnoy we stopped by the side of the road whenever we could to take pictures of the views. There are many breathtaking view along the way but please be careful in choosing where to stop, and do not stop in the middle of the road which doesn’t have a stop space (It’s dangerous!)

View along the road

Flakstad Beach

Flakstad beach, our last beach for the day (and have the most people) is one of the beach for surfing in Lofoten. Depending on the wind you will find a good swell and many locals surfing on the weekends, even in winter! Every second year, the Surf Cup Lofoten Masters taking place in Flakstad beach. Flakstad beach is also one of the best spot in Lofoten to see the Northern Lights because the mountains around the Flakstad beach are open towards the north. The open sea also brings some wind to cause a weather change that helps to spot the Northern Lights when it might be cloudy.

There is parking space beside the beach, where you can also stay for the night. Maybe not be the most attractive wild camp spot and in the summer it is very busy. The public toilets on the parking are only open in the summer.

We came here twice when we just landed in Leknes and on the way to Hamnoy where we thought this was Ramberg Beach. And the second time today after we visited the real Ramberg beach.

This Video wrapped up our Day 2 Road Trippin.