Reine: Fishing Village Between Fjord and Mountains

Reine is an active fishing village on a chain of islands connected by bridges and winding roads. Between Vestfjord and Reinefjord, tall mountains on the Reinefjord side shape the landscape.

Discover Lofotodden National Park

The visitor centre for Lofotodden National Park is centrally located in Reine. Its exhibition is spread across three rooms: it covers the flora and fauna of Lofotodden, the origins of the national park and current environmental issues. These include the health of the seas and pollution from marine plastics. Natural history, the story of the park’s creation and current ecological issues are presented side by side.

The visitor centre also features a virtual VR bird’s-eye view of Lofotodden National Park and a café. It serves freshly baked waffles with locally made jam, as well as ice cream produced in Lofoten. The centre also houses the tourist information office for Moskenes, which provides information about accommodation, restaurants, tours and experiences.

The route to Reinefjord and Vinstad, a gateway to the national park, begins just a short walk from the visitor centre. If you are interested in this route, you can combine it with a visit to the exhibition; the starting point is close to the central information centre.

Fjord, Islands and Trails

You can also experience Reine from the water: a guided kayaking tour takes you through the harbour, to the surrounding islands or into the entrance of Reinefjord. Reine Paddling also offers a three-hour guided kayaking activity on Reinefjord. These water-based experiences complement the impressions you can take in around the village and at the visitor centre.

Another way to experience nature is to hike up Reinebringen. The trail starts at Ramsviktunnelen in Reine. The ascent follows Sherpa steps and includes very steep, sometimes challenging sections. From Reinebringen, you can look out over the village, as well as wild fjords and mountains. For safety reasons, hiking here in winter is explicitly not recommended. If you are considering this hike, take the steep sections and seasonal guidance into account when planning your trip.

Fishing Village and Local Life

Fishing plays a particularly important role in Reine; fish reception and processing are among the major industries. Its character as an active fishing village is as much a part of the place as its fjord landscape. Stockfish is also part of the local scene: visitors may photograph it, but should not touch it.

The Reine Church, a wooden church dating from 1891, is part of the area’s cultural history. Beside it stands a copper relief commemorating all those who have lost their lives in the Lofoten Sea over the past 100 years. The church and relief offer a quiet contrast to the natural and fishing themes that define Reine.

Getting Around During Your Stay

Reine’s centre has small, narrow streets, and public parking is available for cars. Visitors are asked to use public campsites and not to camp elsewhere. Fast boat services run to roadless settlements in the fjords west and north of the village. These connections add to the picture of Reine as an island community shaped by roads and bridges as well as by links across the water.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Reine, the kind of stay you want can help you decide: would you mainly like to explore the national park, village history and fishing, or are kayaking and the fjord your priority? The experiences described offer different ways to plan your visit, without requiring you to commit to a single itinerary.

More destinations to consider when planning your trip: Tind, Å in Lofoten, Sørvågen, Moskenes.

Back to the main travel overview: Moskenes.