Plan a CruiseLeknes Cruise Port Guide
Leknes, located in the heart of the Lofoten Islands, is often a tendered port for larger cruise ships. Tendering takes approximately six minutes to a dedicated pier situated between Gravdal and Leknes. During the approach, your ship will pass near Moskenesstraumen, a strong tide that has been famously described in literature.
At the Leknes pier, a convenient shop offers various services including internet access (3.50 euro for 20 minutes), general information, currency exchange, fishing gear rentals, souvenirs, postcards, stamps, and post office services. While the views from both the ship and the pier are delightful, Leknes town itself is about 4 km from the pier. This is a scenic walk, and taxis are also available. Leknes is notable as the first port above the Arctic Circle, making it a common location for Midnight Sun celebrations.
Unlike many traditional Lofoten villages, Leknes is not primarily a fishing town, and its center is not directly by the sea. Due to recent growth, it features more modern architecture rather than the traditional wooden structures found elsewhere in the Lofoten. However, the natural surroundings are renowned as some of Norway's most stunning, with dramatic mountains, peaks, cliffs, and white sandy beaches. The town has a population of less than 3,000. The Midnight Sun is visible from May 26 to July 17, while in winter, the sun does not rise from December 9 to January 4. Leknes Havn is a significant and frequently visited cruise ship harbor in Norway.
Getting Around from the Port
From the tender pier, Leknes town center is approximately 4 km away. This is a scenic walk, and taxis are available. For getting around the Lofoten Islands, renting a car in advance is highly recommended due to the limited public transport. Keep in mind there's only one main road, so you'll often return the same way you came.
Shuttles are offered directly from the pier to Ballstad, an active fishing village, for 15 Euro. Bike rentals are also available at the pier for 21 euro per day, offering a way to explore the immediate surroundings. If using local buses, note that they depart from Leknes town, not directly from the pier, requiring you to reach the town first.
Attractions and Activities
Exploring the Lofoten Islands independently can be challenging, so booking a cruise line excursion is a practical option. If planning your own trip, consider these destinations:
- Ballstad: This is one of the largest and most picturesque fishing villages in Lofoten. It's accessible via a 15 Euro shuttle from the pier or approximately a 30-minute bus ride from Leknes town.
- Mortsund: Another typical Lofoten village where a fish factory operates, buying cod during the winter season for drying for the Italian market, and producing cod-liver oil and salted fish for Spain and Portugal.
- Scenic Drives: Given the stunning natural surroundings of mountains, peaks, cliffs, and white sandy beaches, even a drive along the single main road offers spectacular views.
Due to Norway's unpredictable weather, always check cancellation policies when booking excursions, especially if the experience is weather-dependent (e.g., cloud cover can obscure mountain views).
Dining & Shopping
At the Leknes pier, a dedicated shop offers souvenirs, postcards, and other services. In Leknes town, you'll find a large mall that, while somewhat out of place among the smaller structures, houses a good supermarket. Shops typically accept Euros and sometimes US Dollars, but be aware that they may use their own exchange rates. For connectivity, free WiFi is available at Pepe’s Pizza in town.
Regarding shopping hours, many smaller stores close early on Saturdays (typically 1 PM or 3 PM), and almost everything is closed on Sundays. Weekday opening hours are often 9 AM to 9 PM, with Saturdays from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Currency and Language
The local currency is the Norwegian Krone (NOK), abbreviated as kr. Approximately 1.00 EUR equals 8 NOK. ATMs, known as "Minibank," are available. Major credit cards like Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted in nearly all stores; however, be prepared to show identification (passport or driver's license) when using a credit card.