Å, pronounced "Oh", is the southernmost town on the island of Moskenesøya in the Lofoten archipelago of Norway. The name means simply "river" or "stream", and the town is also known as Å i Lofoten to distinguish it from other places called Å.
Get in
By ferry
Several ferries a day from the mainland (Bodø) arrive at Moskenes. From Moskenes, one can either walk following the road (4.8 kilometers, an hour) or take a bus (several times a day, 40 NOK).
By bus
Several buses a day from Moskenes, Reine, Svolvær and Leknes. Further destinations (e.g., Narvik) are available by connecting in Leknes.
Get around
By foot, definitely.
See
A ferry to the Moskenesoya maelstrom (a swirling circular current off the coast of the island), and the fishing museum are arguably the two main attractions of the village. The village sits between a picturesque lake and the North Sea, with many of the wooden buildings being built over water on stilts.
- 1 Fishing village. Picturesque traditional wooden houses. free.
Do
There are bikes for hire at the Youth Hostel and at Lofoten Bed and Boat (150 kr a day) and some hiking paths are dotted around the surrounding area.
Nice walks include going around the Ågvatnet lake, crossing the island towards the North-West and the Stokkvikvatnet lake, or going further on the main road (e.g., to Reine).
Buy
- 1 Tiny supermarket. 9h-19h daily. A tiny supermarket, selling 5 oranges, 3 lemons and a few chips. Not terribly expensive, but choice and quantity are strongly limited. Also a souvenir shop.
- 2 Bakery. morning only. Sells home-made bread. Better come in the morning, as the shop closes early.
- There is no ATM in Å. However, major credit cards are accepted virtually anywhere (including on the bus).
Eat
Drink
Sleep
There is plenty of accommodation in Å. This said, better book well ahead of your travel, as everything may be fully booked during the peak season.
- Lofoten Hostel Å (Lofoten Vandrerhjem Å), ☏ +47 76 09 12 11, a@hihostels.no. From 250 NOK.
- 1 Brygga hotel and restaurant. Serve breakfast, lunch and dinner for both guests and non-guests.
- 2 Lofoten bed and boat (right in front of the Å Nord bus stop), ☏ +47 957 26 729. Four rooms (from 1 to 4 persons) with a common bathroom and a common kitchen. Rooms have no view, but a nice terrace has a view towards the sea. Free Wi-Fi. From 450 kr to 1250 kr.
- 3 Moskenesstraumen camping (at the South-most end of Å).
Connect
Go next
- Værøy and Røst, two small islands further South West
- Svolvær, further North East in the Lofoten archipelago
- Bodø, on the mainland