Discover Røst

Røst is an island municipality surrounded by 365 islands, islets and reefs. Birdlife, the sea and the stockfish tradition shape the experiences here—from boat trips along the bird cliffs to guided tours about stockfish. When planning your trip, it’s worth considering your preferred focus and travel dates: the island is especially busy during the Lofotfisket; in summer, trails, tastings and festivals are among the highlights.

Island nature and short walks

The Røstlandet nature reserve includes species-rich wetlands and was established in 1997. The Nykan nature reserve includes Ellefsnyken, Trenyken and Hernyken and was established in 2002. The Røstøyan nature reserve includes, among others, the towering bird islands of Vedøy and Storfjellet. Each of these different protected areas gives the island’s nature its own distinct character: wetlands and bird islands are part of the landscape, as is the open terrain of Røstlandet.

The highest point on Røstlandet is just over 11 metres above sea level. If you’d like to experience the landscape on foot, follow the blue-marked trail to Åndhammarn. It is about 1.5 kilometres each way and suitable for everyone. The trail passes through flat, open moorland and a groundwater area fully protected from the sea. The stated distance each way can help you fit the walk into your day’s plans.

Bird cliffs and experiences on the water

Daily boat trips along the bird cliffs are offered on Røst. When weather conditions are suitable, there is also a trip around the Skomvær lighthouse. For a different kind of excursion, Røst Rib offers a two-hour RIB tour around Røst, with its rich birdlife as the main focus. The Røst Rib boat can also approach areas of land that cannot be reached by road.

Fishing trips and boat rentals are also available. When planning, you can choose whether you’d like to join a guided boat tour, experience birds from the water or go on a fishing trip. These are different offerings; in particular, the trip around Skomvær depends on suitable weather conditions.

Stockfish, the church and festivals

Stockfish is one of Røst’s specialities. On a guided tour of the stockfish drying racks at Røst Sjømat, visitors learn about Røst stockfish. Later in the summer, several of the six fisheries on Røst show visitors that year’s stockfish production and offer tastings. For those interested in local food, this provides an insight into the fishing tradition alongside experiences on the water.

The Lundefestivalen takes place every year on the weekend around Midsummer Day in June on Røst, with music and entertainment for the whole family. The Querini Festival, with a focus on singing, stockfish and local food, is held on the first weekend in August. The Querini Opera was performed on Røst in 2012, 2014 and 2018 with a full opera and symphony orchestra. Røst Church is also a distinctive part of the area’s history: the long wooden church, with 278 seats, was built in 1899, consecrated on 26 September 1900 and restored in 1971.

Choose your travel dates and accommodation

During the Lofotfisket, from February to April, Røst’s harbour fills with boats and the island is especially busy. June and the first weekend in August bring their respective festival dates; later in the summer, stockfish production and tastings are also in focus. If you’re looking for a holiday apartment on Røst, your travel dates and preferred experiences can be a good starting point: decide whether you’d like to focus on the busy fishing season, summer festival days, island nature or experiences on the water.

Røst can be reached by plane from Bodø or Svolvær, or by ferry on the Bodø–Værøy–Røst–Moskenes route. You can also visit the page for the place of the same name: Røst. Other destinations in the same wider area include Sømna, Bindal, Alstahaug, Nesna, Leirfjord, Sørfold and Dønna.

For the wider travel overview: Nordland.