OUR 2025 TRIP
TO LOFOTEN

This trip was filled with unforgettable moments, stunning scenery, and wonderful company! Below is a day-to-day summary with highlights from each day.

DAY 1 - 26 SEPTEMBER

Our journey began at Tromsø airport, where the ESN Bergen participants were picked up by a bus that had travelled all the way from Rovaniemi, Finland. The international students from ESN Lapland had already been on the road for about nine hours! After a quick grocery stop in Tromsø, we set off towards Lofoten Islands. The drive took around eight hours, and we finally arrived in Stamsund at about 2:00 a.m. – a tired but excited group, ready for the adventures ahead.

DAY 2 - 27 SEPTEMBER

After a well-deserved rest, we started the day with a trip to Henningsvær, home of the world-famous “soccer field on an island”. The weather was perfect – 14°C and clear skies. It couldn’t have been better!

Next, we hiked up “Mannen”, while some chose to enjoy a scenic beach walk around the mountain. The view from the summit was breathtaking, especially as the sun dipped below the horizon. After taking plenty of photos, we headed down to Haukland Beach – one of Norway’s most beautiful beaches, once even awarded the title of the country’s best. Some brave souls went for a swim in the chilly Arctic Ocean!

We ended the evening with a cozy bonfire, roasting marshmallows under the magical Northern Lights.

DAY 3 - 28 SEPTEMBER

The day started early with another beautiful hike – this time to Kvalvika beach and Ryten. The round trip was about 5-6 km, depending on whether you continued up to Ryten’s peak. The views were absolutely stunning, and the beaches below (Kvalvika Beach and Lofotodden Beach) were picture-perfect.

After the hike, we enjoyed some free time at Skagsanden beach and the nearby Lofoten Beach Bar, where we could warm up with a drink or grab some lunch. Back in Stamsund, some of us went swimming in the Arctic Ocean and relaxed in the sauna, before the evening finished with some dancing Northern Lights.

DAY 4 - 29 SEPTEMBER

We spent the day exploring the southern part of Lofoten, visiting Reine and Å. Our first stop was Å, the southernmost village reachable by car and home to the famous Bakeriet på Å, known for its delicious cinnamon rolls.

Afterwards, we hiked Reinebringen – the most iconic trail in Lofoten, offering panoramic views over Reine and the surrounding fjords. We also had time to wander through the picturesque village of Reine, often described as one of the prettiest places in Norway.

Back in Stamsund, we enjoyed one last evening together with sauna sessions, cold dips in the Arctic Ocean, and – just when we thought the trip couldn’t get any better – an incredible display of bright, dancing Northern lights that filled the sky.

DAY 5 - 30 SEPTEMBER

It was time to start the journey back to Tromsø, but not without a stop in Svolvær. Some of us went sea kayaking in the Lofoten Islands, before we did a fjord cruise to the majestic Trollfjord – home to around 100 sea eagles.


We were lucky with the weather once again and managed to spot around 30 sea eagles swooping overhead as they were fed fish from the boat. We also got to feed herring gulls (gråmåke in Norwegian) and capture stunning photos of the dramatic fjord landscapes before continuing our drive to Tromsø.

DAY 6 - 1 OCTOBER

Our final day began with a guided tour of Tromsø, including visits to the famous Arctic Cathedral and the city center. After some free time to explore on our own, it was time to say goodbye – ESN Bergen participants flew home, while the ESN Lapland group began their long bus journey back to Rovaniemi.


This was truly an unforgettable trip – filled with breathtaking views, good weather, three nights of Northern Lights, beautiful beaches, and fantastic company.