Unlike other late-night ports Hurtigruten‘s northbound Coastal Express visits, the stop at Lofoten, Norway is lengthy enough to allow passengers to disembark and explore the city. Though the city is fairly large, approximately 25,000 residents, not much was happening at 10pm: a couple of bars and restaurants still taking orders, a loud party in an apartment block, but not much more.
The only notable attraction appears to be the Lofoten Krigsminne Museum which contains a variety of artifacts from the German occupation of the Lofoten archipelago during World War II.
The museum was created by William Hakvaag to tell the story of World War II and German occupation of this archipelago of Norway. According to William, the vast majority of artifacts are those he purchased over the years, though donations are occasionally made. Most artifacts are appropriate to the war in northern Norway and are a mix of German, British, and Norwegian military-related, though most are German.
Do not expect a professionally-curated museum: this is a large, personal collection displayed somewhat haphazardly in four small-ish rooms: display cases chock-a-block, lots of mannequins to display uniforms, larger items just sitting out. After the initial shock upon arriving, you begin to understand how to navigate the impressive collection and take it in. Many displays have English-language descriptions, saving me the hassle of Google Translate.
Final Thoughts
A surprising, unexpected discovery in this unassuming town. The time required to truly explore the collection is more than the cruise stopped allowed, even if you walked to the museum directly upon docking (which I did not). Also, the small size of the museum prevents any form of natural flow through the museum, meaning that even twelve people make it crowded.
The museum’s English-language translations make it much more accessible than if it was Norwegian only. Its small size makes navigating the collection difficult, as even a dozen people can make if seem extremely busy.
Overall, I enjoyed my short visit and hope for a return visit when I am not time constrained.
Logistics
Web Site: https://www.lofotenkrigmus.no/
Address: Fiskergata 3, 8300 Svolvær, Norway
Hours:
- Mondays through Fridays: 11:00am – 4:00pm
- Saturdays: 11:00am – 3:00pm
- Sunday: 12:00pm – 3:00pm
- Evenings: 6:30pm – 10:00pm
Entrance Fee: 120NKR (approximately $12)
English: most placards were both Norwegian and English.
Recommended Visit Length: approximately 1.5 hours, depending on your interest.
Appropriate for Children: No interactive exhibits, lots of clutter that is difficult to navigate, lots of small items that children can’t tough or play with.
Image Credits
All images © 2025 Scott C Sosna.
