Questions & Answers

Two privately owned holiday homes in Lofoten, Norway – one in Reine, one in Lyngvær, about 15 minutes by car from Henningsvær. Andi and Michi own both and host them directly. You always rent the whole house, never a room.

Very. You always rent the whole house – every room, the sauna, the grounds. The Reine house stands alone on its own plot with an unobstructed view over Reinefjord. Lyngvær is part of a small holiday-home settlement, sits on the best plot in it and feels very private all the same.

Very. It stands alone on its own plot with an unobstructed view over Reinefjord, and you rent the whole house – outdoor sauna hut included. Next door are a disc golf course and a playground, so on a summer afternoon you might hear a frisbee. At night, mostly the sea.

No. Both are modern houses with three bedrooms and a sauna. A rorbu is a traditional fisherman's cabin on the quay. If you want one for a night, the harbours have them; we compare both in our rorbu guide.

Yes, directly. The houses belong to Andi and Michi, and they host them themselves – no agency in between. Your booking goes straight to them.

Bed linen is part of the house equipment. For towels and final cleaning, we confirm the details for your dates when you book.

The house in Reine is pet-free and non-smoking. For Lyngvær, please ask before you book: write to us with your dates and a word about your dog, and we will tell you what is possible.

Both houses have 3 bedrooms. Reine takes up to 9 guests, with a box-spring double bed in each bedroom plus a sofa bed and an extra bed, and 1 bathroom. Lyngvær takes up to 6 guests: two bedrooms with a double bed, one with two single beds, and 2 bathrooms.

In Reine the sauna is a small separate hut right next to the house – a real outdoor sauna with a big window looking out over Reinefjord and the mountains around it, and nobody can see in. In Lyngvær it is a Finnish Harvia sauna in the house. Cool off in the Arctic air – or in the sea, if you are feeling brave.

Yes. Both houses have fibre broadband; in Lyngvær it measured 172 Mbit/s. Good enough for video calls – whether you take them is up to you.

Check-in from 4 pm (16:00), check-out by 11 am. Lyngvær has self check-in; everything you need arrives by email before your trip.

Yes, right at both houses. In Lofoten you will want a car anyway.

Yes. Three bedrooms in each house, so everyone gets some space. In Reine there is a playground and a 9-hole disc golf course right next to the house.

Reine puts you in the dramatic west of Lofoten, with the famous peaks, Reinebringen and the beaches of Moskenesøya on your doorstep. Lyngvær sits on the water in the middle of the islands, close to Henningsvær and Svolvær – a calmer base with short drives in every direction. With a week or more, split your stay between both.

Directly on this site. Each house page shows live availability: pick your dates, see the price and book securely through our booking system. For a long stay of two weeks or more, send a long-stay enquiry instead. Both houses are also listed on Airbnb.

A stay of two weeks or more in one of the houses, arranged personally rather than booked online – for a career break or sabbatical, remote work, a winter of northern lights or simply living in Lofoten for a while. Send your dates and plans through the long-stay enquiry and you get a personal reply with availability and terms.

From two weeks to about three months per stay. Long stays are holiday stays: you keep your home elsewhere, and the details – cleaning during the stay, electricity, the agreement – are confirmed in writing before you arrive.

Yes. Long stays in Reine are possible from 2 weeks and are arranged individually. Tell us when and how long, and we will tell you what is possible. For a shorter holiday, simply book Reine online.

You deal with the owners from the first message. Every question about the house or the area gets a straight answer, and help with planning your days is included.

For June to August and the aurora months around Christmas, New Year and February/March: the earlier the better. Shorter notice can work in spring and autumn. Ask.

Yes, and with a week or more it is the best way to see Lofoten: a few nights in the west around Reine, a few in the middle of the islands near Henningsvær. Book each house for its part of the trip – both are on the booking page.

Depends on what you are after. Northern lights: roughly late August to mid-April, when nights are dark. Midnight sun: around late May to mid-July. Snow and winter light: January to March. Hiking: June to September. No season is a bad one – each is a different trip.

On a clear night with aurora activity, yes – both houses face open sky over the water, away from city lights. Nobody can guarantee the aurora. The northern lights guide explains how to improve your odds.

The aurora is active all year, but you need darkness to see it. In Lofoten that means roughly late August to mid-April. Clear skies matter more than the month.

The sun stays above the horizon around the clock from roughly late May to mid-July (Visit Lofoten gives 28 May to 14 July; exact dates depend on where you are on the islands).

Not quite. Around Reine the sun stays below the horizon for a few weeks around the winter solstice (roughly mid-December to early January), but there are still several hours of soft blue and pink twilight every day. From January the light returns fast.

Milder than you would expect above the Arctic Circle – the Gulf Stream keeps the coast relatively mild, and winter temperatures often hover around freezing. The wind is what makes it feel cold, so pack a windproof layer.

For Reine, the closest airport is Leknes (LKN), via Bodø; or take the ferry from Bodø to Moskenes. For Lyngvær, Svolvær (SVJ) and Leknes are closest; Harstad/Narvik Evenes (EVE) has more flights and a longer drive. See Getting there.

Yes, realistically. Buses run along the main road, but not often, and the best places are spread out. Rent at the airport or in Bodø before the ferry.

Fly to Oslo (direct or via a European hub), then a domestic flight to Bodø and on to Leknes or Svolvær – or fly to Evenes. Plan at least one travel day each way on the Norwegian side.

There are no direct flights from Australia to Norway. Most routes connect via the Middle East or Asia to Oslo or another European hub, then on to Bodø, Leknes, Svolvær or Evenes. A night in Oslo or Bodø breaks the journey nicely.

Yes, with care. Rental cars in Norway come with winter tyres in season. Roads can be icy and narrow: drive slowly, keep your distance, and check road conditions and the forecast before longer drives.

Yes, the trail starts within walking distance. It is a steep stairway of close to 2,000 steps. The municipality closes it in winter conditions – check before you go.

Yes, a small supermarket is under 5 minutes by car, and a bus stop is a few minutes' walk away. Restaurants in Reine are within walking distance.

About 15 minutes by car.