Hamnoy

Hamnoy is said to be the oldest fishing village in Lofoten, a cluster of red-painted rorbuer built on rock at the water's edge under the peak of Festhaeltinden, and the view from the E10 bridge crossing to it is one of the most reproduced images of Norway: cabins in the foreground, water between, mountains behind. The hamlet is small, essentially a handful of buildings and a quay, most of them now let as accommodation. It sits within a few minutes of Reine and functions as part of the same cluster of villages at the end of the Lofoten chain. In winter the northern lights appear over the same view, and photographers gather on the bridge.

What you actually see

• The bridge view - the classic Lofoten composition of cabins and peaks.
• The red rorbuer - traditional fishermen's cabins built on the rock.
• Festhaeltinden - the peak rising directly behind the hamlet.
• The winter skies - the aurora over the same view in the dark months.

When to go

June to August for the midnight sun; September to March for the aurora, when the bridge is crowded with tripods on clear nights. February to May shows the cod drying racks in use.

Honest expectations

The village is tiny and there is nothing to do beyond looking and staying. Stopping on the bridge is not permitted and the small parking areas fill quickly. Camper vans and traffic congest the E10 here in summer.

Nearby

Reine is minutes away; Å, Sakrisoy and the end of the E10 lie south.