beach
Haukland Beach
A curve of white sand and turquoise Arctic water ringed by snow-streaked peaks on Vestvagoy.
6 km · about 10 min drive
EuropeNorwayNordland
Leknes
Nordland, Norway · Europe
About Leknes
Leknes works well as a base: 10 minutes from Gravdal, 6km from E10 Lofoten (King Olav's Road).
Leknes is in Nordland, Norway, with about 3,600 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Gravdal, about 4 km away.
Leknes () is a town in Vestvågøy Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. The town is also the administrative centre of Vestvågøy Municipality (with 11,619 inhabitants, it is the most populous municipality in Lofoten and Vesterålen). Leknes was designated a "town" (Norwegian: by) in 2002. The 2.7-square-kilometreRead more
(670-acre) town has a population (2023) of 3,763 and a population density of 1,394 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,610/sq mi).
The town is situated in the geographical middle of the Lofoten archipelago on the island of Vestvågøya. It is approximately 68 kilometres (42 mi) west of the town of Svolvær and 65 kilometres (40 mi) east of the village of Å in Moskenes Municipality. Leknes is one of the few towns in Lofoten that does not depend on fisheries and does not have its town centre by the sea. Because of this, and because of its rapid growth in recent years, it does not have the same traditional wooden architecture as most fishing villages in Lofoten. However, the natural surroundings are among the most stunning in Norway, with mountains, peaks, cliffs, and white sandy beaches.
The town's harbour Leknes Havn is one of Norway's most important and visited harbours for cruise ships. The old school in the Fygle neighborhood has been converted into a museum. Hol Church is located on the eastern edge of the town. Leknes and the neighboring villages of Fygle and Gravdal have grown together over the years through conurbation. One branch of the Nordland Hospital is located in Gravdal, which is located about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) southwest of the centre of Leknes. In Leknes, the sun (midnight sun) is above the horizon from May 26 to July 17, and in the winter, the sun does not rise in Leknes from December 9 to January 4.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Leknes?
Within an hour or so of Leknes: Haukland Beach (6 km), E10 Lofoten (King Olav's Road) (6 km), Uttakleiv Beach (8 km), Nusfjord, Lofoten (17 km).
Are there any good drives near Leknes?
The nearest famous roads are E10 Lofoten (King Olav's Road).
Where is Leknes?
Leknes is in Nordland, Norway, about 4 km from Gravdal.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 3,556
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Norway
- Region
- Nordland
- Timezone
- Europe/Oslo
- Coordinates
- 68.1475, 13.6115
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Norway
Many toll roads use automatic plate recognition (AutoPASS). Headlights required at all times.
Full driving guide for NorwayTags
Worth the detour from Leknes
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
famous road
E10 Lofoten (King Olav's Road)
The island-hopping artery of bridges and tunnels linking every Lofoten village to a string of sea views.
6 km · about 10 min drive
photogenic
Uttakleiv Beach
Lofoten's most photographed beach: boulder-strewn arctic shore under a mountain amphitheatre, reached through a one-lane tunnel past Haukland. A magnet for aurora and midnight-sun photographers; parking is billed by plate recognition.
8 km · about 15 min drive
landmark
Nusfjord, Lofoten
One of Norway's oldest and best-preserved fishing villages, tucked into a sheltered cove in the Lofoten Islands.
17 km · about 20 min drive
bridge
Fredvang Bridges
Two slender cantilever bridges curving over turquoise shallows to link the village of Fredvang to Moskenesøya: one of Lofoten's most photographed road scenes.
19 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Henningsvaer
A cluster of islets dubbed the 'Venice of Lofoten', famed for its football pitch perched on the rocks.
25 km · about 30 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Hamnøy, Lofoten
A cluster of red fishing cabins on stilts backed by dramatic mountain walls, one of the most photographed scenes in all of Norway.
30 km · about 35 min drive
restaurant
Anita's Sjømat, Sakrisøy
Seafood shack on the tiny yellow-housed islet of Sakrisøy between Reine and Hamnøy, famous for its haddock-and-cod fish burger and stockfish snacks. A near-obligatory lunch stop on the E10 through Lofoten.
31 km · about 35 min drive
Driving roads near Leknes
- Right hereE10 Lofoten (King Olav's Road)The island-hopping artery of bridges and tunnels linking every Lofoten village to a string of sea views.
- 19 kmFredvang BridgesTwo slender cantilever bridges curving over turquoise shallows to link the village of Fredvang to Moskenesøya: one of Lofoten's most photographed road scenes.
- 30 kmHamnøy, LofotenA cluster of red fishing cabins on stilts backed by dramatic mountain walls, one of the most photographed scenes in all of Norway.
- 32 kmReine, LofotenA tiny fishing village beneath jagged peaks on the Lofoten Islands, frequently called the most beautiful village in Norway.
- 33 kmReinebringen ViewpointA steep climb rewards with one of Norway's most photographed panoramas: the fishing village of Reine surrounded by jagged peaks and turquoise waters.
When to drive here
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
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