SVOLVAER, NORWAY

Svolvaer, Norway is located on the island of Austvågøya in the Lofoten archipelago, along the Vestfjorden. 

 

The town of Svolvaer is named after the old Svolvær farm since the town grew up on the site of the historic farm. In 1567, historical records show the name as "Suoluer". The first element of the name comes from the word svalr which means "cool" or "chilly". The last element is vær which means "fishing village".  

 

The small town of Svolvaer has a 2023 population of just under 5,000 but even with such a relatively small population, is the biggest city on the archipelago and the de facto capital of the Lofoten Islands. 

 

The town of Svolvaer is certainly small enough to cover on foot and has a shopping mall, clothing stores, supermarkets, a cinema, a range of hotels, high-class restaurants, and art galleries.   The region thrives thanks to the plentiful supply of cod in the deep waters around Lofoten, and the fishing villages spread along the coastline. In fact, you can't go far without seeing cod hanging on racks to dry. 

 

Cod drying racks with cruise ship in background

The cod fishing is so important that the World Cod Fishing Championships are held in Svolvær every March. Over 600 participants from 8 countries take part and thousands of onlookers gather on the Quay to greet and cheer the returning boats.

Cod Champion 2022                   Photo: Public Domain

 

Svolvær is also the main starting point for tours to Trollfjord, one of Norway’s lesser known yet most dramatic fjords.  While the western fjords are known for their size, Trollfjord is only 1.2 miles long and extremely narrow, especially as the entrance.  Large cruise ships seem to almost touch the sides as they enter the fjord. 

Hurtigruten entering Trollfjord Narrows         Photo: Public Domain

Trollfjord Narrows                                 Photo: Public Domain

 

My arrival into the waters just off Svolvaer was aboard the Norwegian Star on Saturday June 10, 2023 at 7am.  This stop would be a tender port. We dropped anchor at 7am and received our clearance to start the tendering process at 8am.  The weather forecast for the day was 51 degrees and sunny. 

 

Svolvær is a rather small city so you can easily walk to all the city’s attractions, restaurants, and hotels. There is no need for a car if you plan to just stay in Svolvær city and I was unable to find any local city buses, only regional ones.  

 

I focused my attention for the day on 2 places.  One was the Magic Ice Bar and the second was the Lofotpils Brewery. 

 

The Magic Ice Bar at Svolvaer Lofotin is home to an amazing range of ice sculptures. Entry fees vary depending on the package you select. 

 

BRING ON THE COLD (Best Value)

Includes Entry to the Ice bar & gallery, Gloves, Winter Poncho and our signature drink of Arctic Crowberry and one optional drink from the Magic Ice menu.
Adult: NOK 350/ISK 5490
Little Trolls ages 4–17: NOK 145 /ISK 2000

 

MOMENT OF FROST

Includes Entry to the Ice bar & gallery, Gloves, Winter Poncho and our signature drink of Arctic Crowberry.
Adult: NOK 300/ISK 4990
Student: NOK 220/ISK 4490
Little Trolls ages 4–17: NOK 145 /ISK 2000

 

FAMILY PACK (2 ADULTS AND 2 CHILDREN)

Includes Entry to the Ice bar & gallery, Gloves, Winter Poncho and our signature drink (Non-alcoholic for kids).
Family: NOK 630 /ISK 10000

 

ICE, LOVE & BUBBLES (VIP)

Includes Entry to the Ice bar & gallery, for 2 adults, Gloves, Winter Poncho and a bottle of prosecco to share with your favorite person.
Two People: NOK 899/ISK 12000

 

I selected the Moment of Frost package which included my entry to the ice bar and gallery, gloves, a winter poncho and a signature drink of Arctic Crowberry.  

 

Once you select your package and pay your entry fee, you are provided with your Winter Poncho before entering what is essentially a giant walk-in freezer.  This innovative space was formerly a fish-freezing plant and provides a unique sub-zero experience. 

L-R: Sharon Sparlin, Marci Inman

The ice sculptures showcase the regions past and tell of life in the town during winter.   

Ice Slide

Ice Thrown

 The bar and gallery are all made with crystal clear ice.  Even the glasses at the bar are made of glass and drinks are served in the ice glasses.

 

My second stop was at the Lofotpils Brewery and is conveniently located next door to the Magic Ice Bar.  Lofotpils Brewery is the first and only microbrewery in Lofotpils.   This is a privately owned family business and I was fortunate to meet the owner, Thorvador, on my arrival.  He provided Marci and I with a private tour of the facility.

Owner Thorvador

In 2006, in the centre of Svolvær, Thorvador repurposed an old fish landing facility from 1937, turning it into the site for Lofoten’s first brewery.  The first beer production was 2014.

 

During our tour Thorvador talked about his focus of creating quality beer that presents the "taste" of Lofoten. He believes that the flavor is best presented when brewed in the German tradition using the distinctive waters from the Lofoten mountains that lend themselves particularly well to the production of beer. In addition to the wonderfully pure Lofoten water, Thorvador also talks about the use of only raw materials, malt, hops and yeast sourced from renowned producers who share a passion for quality.

Brewmaster work station

 

The brewery is equipped with original Kaspar Schulz (Bamberg, Germany), who have over 343 years of experience as manufacturers of brewing equipment. 

The bottling and canning line is delivered by FRAMAX in Italy and includes, bottle, can and barrel (KeyKeg).

Thorvador and his Lofotpils Brewery seem to have found its niche and produces beer using the tasty mountain waters of Lofoten, voted the world's best tasting water three times in competition with 120 countries.

Tasting

Time was getting away from me so I quickly walked to the church but unfortunately it was not open.  What I found along the way was some interesting art. 

 

 

On my way back to the tender I made an unscheduled stop at the Telegrafen Pub Bar for, yes - you guessed it, more local beer.  

 

Finally I made it back to the tender boarding area and was back aboard the Norwegian Star at 4:30pm.  My steps app had registered 10,100 steps for 4.3 miles.