By Chloe Nguyen
A photo essay. All photographs: Chloe Nguyen.
So here it is! I’m off to another adventure…
Ten months ago, I had no clue where I would be in the summer. As someone who always plans ahead, that uncertainty was a little worrisome, but it also sparked my curiosity and opened me up to whatever lay ahead. So maybe the plan is having no plan. I was flooded with questions about where I’d go next, bombarded with suggestions, and running through a mental checklist of places I wanted to visit. But then Lofoten was mentioned, catching my attention the moment it popped up in conversation with some colleagues.
And here I am, four months later, in the middle of the island, surrounded by steep, epic mountains and the vast, deep Arctic Ocean. Lofoten speaks a quiet language, often written in colourful rainbows bridging the Norwegian Sea. This summer was said to be the worst in 17 years weather-wise, but for me, nature made up for it.
This place reminded me of how massive nature is, and how essential it is to our existence. It’s so easy to ignore the starry sky, the sun, the moon, the mountains, and the ocean when we’re wrapped in the convenience of city life. But Lofoten shows you just how small you are in this universe, how tiny your problems really are, and how impermanent things are, just like the constantly shifting weather here.
All we need is a little acceptance to enjoy life, and to enjoy Lofoten.
Henningsvær, in every weather
Henningsvær: this cute little village welcomed me with a stillness I had never experienced before. It’s fascinating how on one side of the bridge lies a massive ocean with constantly moving waves, while on the other lies a perfectly calm water surface, with the famous Festvågtind rising dramatically straight out of the sea. Dotting the view are small boats docked along the harbour and charming, colourful houses.
A van, a tent and a rucksack
Campervans and tents dot the landscape all across Lofoten during the peak of summer. Sometimes, an all-inclusive resort isn’t the way to experience a place like this; instead, it’s a van, a tent, and all your survival essentials packed into a rucksack. There are no clocks, just driving from the rugged north to the south of this stunning archipelago, stopping wherever the road calls you.
Pitching your tent right beneath a magnificent peak, building a small fire, and cooking a hot meal while the crisp, chilling wind brushes against your skin. And if the weather is finally on your side? Don’t sleep. Stay awake alongside the eternal midnight sun. You’ll realise just how blessed we are by nature, how lucky we are to walk this breathtaking planet, and how rare it is to witness a view this pure.
Green, grey and blue
Lofoten wears a distinct colour palette in the summer. Some days, vibrant green wraps all around us, grass blooming everywhere, blanketing even the little houses on the hillsides, with tiny wildflowers dotting the green canvas. Other days, the landscape yields to grey: a more subdued tone, yet peacefully hypnotic as you watch locals sit completely still, lost in fishing. Is it a form of meditation for the people here? I guess so. And if you are fortunate enough to arrive in Lofoten on a crystal-clear day, blue takes over everything, its brilliant shade reflecting endlessly across the glassy, calming surface of the ocean.
Under the midnight sun
The midnight sun is the very reason Lofoten captures the hearts of so many travellers every summer. Experiencing it in real life finally made me understand why. It is surreal to watch the sun dip behind the mountains for barely twenty minutes, only to rise again over the glowing, endless ocean.
If life constantly fills our heads with chaos, Lofoten is a sanctuary to soothe our frayed nerves, locking out the relentless hustle and bustle of the world. A profound stillness lingers in every moment. Even the people, the gentle pace of life, everything moves slowly and intentionally here. Just standing there, breathing in front of that vast, wild landscape, is a therapy that costs nothing at all.
Lofoten Beach Camp is a wonderful stopover on any journey through Lofoten. Picture a warm fire crackling on the beach, pitching your tent right against the foot of the mountain, cooking a hot meal over the flames, or simply grabbing a famous fish burger at the camp. Best of all? They offer an unbeatable sunset view over the open sea.
Hamnøy and Sakrisøy
Reine is usually the name that comes to mind when people talk about Lofoten, but what about Hamnøy? It remains far quieter and less touristy than its famous neighbours, featuring gently sloping mountains and the iconic red rorbuer cabins dotted along the water.
Right next to Hamnøy lies Sakrisøy, a legendary spot for photographers. Visit on a clear day when the steep mountain stands out sharply, perfectly aligned with the roof of that iconic yellow house. Together, they create a flawless geometric triangle: a composition made for the ultimate postcard shot.
Å, the last letter
Little boats gently drift across the water as a soft mist hangs in the air and a light breeze brushes your skin. And here we are, at Å: the southernmost village of Lofoten, our final stop, the very last letter of the Norwegian alphabet, and the quietest sanctuary of all.
Often overlooked, the cinnamon buns in Northern Norway are nothing short of extraordinary. The image of bakers working quietly at dawn is a slice of Lofoten life that rarely gets featured, yet it’s unforgettable.
And just like that, Lofoten refuses to let us sleep. As the midnight sun season fades, the night sky opens its stage for the green lady to dance across the stars.
Chloe Nguyen is a student on the Master in Travel Journalism at the School of Travel Journalism. If this photo essay inspired you, discover the Master in Travel Journalism and the Master in Gastronomic Journalism and Communication, watch our students’ travel documentaries on YouTube and listen to their stories on our Spotify podcast.
This photo essay is part of the coursework completed by Chloe Nguyen on the Master in Travel Journalism at the School of Travel Journalism.