Staying at Nusfjord Village and Resort means sleeping inside one of the best-preserved fishing villages in Norway rather than driving to it. The accommodation is spread through the village in rorbuer and restored harbour buildings, so your doorstep is the quay and your window faces the bay. Day visitors are the village's main traffic in summer, but they leave in the evening, and the place is at its most atmospheric then, with lamps on and the water still. It is a small, remote setting in Flakstad on the west of the islands, a good base for Reine, Ramberg beach, Kvalvika and Unstad. In winter, services are reduced, so confirm what is open, including food, and ask about arrival in the dark. It suits travellers who prefer atmosphere and quiet over a large hotel's facilities.
Location and getting around
The village lies at the end of a short side road off the E10, about an hour from Reine and a little less from Leknes. You park outside the village and walk in, so be ready to carry bags a short distance on paths that can be icy in winter.
There are few services within walking distance beyond the village itself, so plan on driving for most meals and day trips. The village is private, and a small entrance fee may apply to day visitors in the main season, though guests staying overnight are normally treated differently, so ask when booking.
The rooms and the feel
Expect traditional cabins and old buildings with modern comforts added, many with kitchens or kitchenettes, and some with views across the bay. Rooms vary widely in size and position, so check the details of the one you book, including heating, bedding and bathroom arrangements, and ask whether breakfast and a restaurant are open in November. Because the village is small and old, noise carries on the boards, so ask for a quiet position if that matters.
Who it suits
Couples, photographers and anyone who wants to feel the heritage of Lofoten rather than just see it. It is less convenient for those who want large hotel services or a short walk to a shop. Good to know: check the winter opening of the village's businesses, bring groceries if you plan to cook, and carry a head torch for the path in the dark. The reward is the village to yourself in the evening and, on a clear night, the aurora above the harbour.
Why stay here
- ✓Rorbu cabins inside the heritage village
- ✓Harbour and bay views
- ✓Quiet evenings after day visitors leave
- ✓Many cabins with kitchens
- ✓Base for Ramberg and Unstad
- ✓Walk the protected quays
- ✓Dark skies for the aurora
- ✓Short drive from Leknes
Good questions
Where is Nusfjord Village and Resort?+
Inside the fishing village of Nusfjord in Flakstad, at the end of a side road off the E10. It is about an hour from Reine and a little less from Leknes.
Is it open in winter?+
Often with reduced services, so check the dates and what food is available before you book. Bring supplies if you plan to cook.
Do overnight guests pay the village entrance fee?+
Arrangements can vary, so ask the property when you book. The fee for day visitors is small and applies in the main season.
