Making the most of Svolvaer
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
At Svolvaer harbor, a 123mtr quay with a 10mtr draft can berth ships up to 200mtr long.
Passengers from larger ships are brought ashore by tender after the vessels anchor.
Town is within walking distance of the dock.
A printable map to take with you.
Svolvaer, Nordland County, Norway, is Lofoten’s unofficial capital and Vågan Municipality’s administrative center (9200 inh). This small town, with a population on 1 January 2005 of 4,197, is a favourite starting point for island visitors. Township privileges were granted in 1918, discontinued after a 1964 merger with neighbouring municipalities, then declared again in 1996. Around 200,000 tourists visit each year. A small airport is near town, and Svolvaer is a Hurtigruten Cruise Port.
Getting around
Magic Ice Bar is a unique attraction of ice sculptures and a bar made wholly from ice; guests receive warm clothing for the experience.
Money
Norway uses the Norwegian crown (norske krone), abbreviated kr; its 1/100th is an øre. 1.00 EUR = about 8 NOK.
Norwegian ATMs are known as Minibank.
Major credit cards, including Mastercard and Visa, are accepted by nearly all stores (bring your passport/driver's license because credit-card use requires identification).
Staying connected
Norwegian is Norway’s official language, closely related to and mutually intelligible with the two other Scandinavian languages; English is widely spoken.
Because most Norwegian households have some form of internet connection, often broadband, Cybercafés are hard to find outside major cities in this relatively small market. Most public libraries offer free public internet access. WiFi is available in many places, but not free.
Opening Hours and
Norway’s opening hours have improved, although many smaller shops still shut early on Saturday, typically at 1 PM or 3 PM, and nearly everything closes on Sundays. Door signs often show "9-21 (9-18)", meaning 9 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturday.