By 
Standing on the edge of a small, rocky islet in Norway’s Lofoten Islands, the historic, red and white-striped Skrova Lighthouse is a classic Norwegian lighthouse in a beautiful, remote and pristine natural area. Now a protected national cultural heritage site, this lighthouse has been guiding mariners to safety through the archipelago for over a century.
Let’s learn more about the history of Skrova Lighthouse, where exactly it is, how you can get there, top tips for your visit and all the brilliant things you can see and do nearby in our complete guide to Norway’s Skrova Lighthouse.
Skrova Lighthouse
Skrova is the name of an archipelago, fishing village and lighthouse, all in the Lofoten Islands in northern Norway. The archipelago of Skrova consists of two main islands, Storskrova and Heimskrova, and many smaller islets. Skrova Lighthouse sits on a small islet called Saltværholmen.
First designed in 1920, Skrova Lighthouse was built by a team of carpenters from the village of Volda in southern Norway, becoming fully operational in 1922. Skrova Lighthouse stands 24.5 meters (80 feet) tall and sits 41 meters (135 feet) above sea level.
Every 45 seconds, Skrova Lighthouse emits two white flashes, guiding ships to safety around the rocky islets of the Lofoten archipelago. Skrova Lighthouse was the last fully manned lighthouse in Norway’s county of Nordland, before it became automated in 2005.
The classic red and white-striped lighthouse building was listed as a protected site under the Norwegian Cultural Heritage Act in 1999, along with its surrounding buildings and natural area. On the lighthouse site, there’s the red and white lighthouse building, two engine sheds, three keepers’ cottages, an oil storage shed and several outbuildings.
Where is Skrova Lighthouse?
As a lighthouse in the Lofoten Islands, Skrova Lighthouse sits on a small skerry (a tiny rocky island or islet) out to sea, just south of the village of Skrova. Skrova Lighthouse can be found to the south of the larger island of Austvagoya, where the town of Svolvær sits.
Located in Vagan municipality in Nordland county, Skrova Lighthouse lies on the northwestern edge of mainland Norway. Its location off the coast of North Norway means Skrova Lighthouse sits above the Arctic Circle.
How to Get to Skrova Lighthouse
Reaching Skrova Lighthouse isn’t an easy or quick journey from most places in Norway due to its remote location. From the town of Svolvær in the Lofoten Islands, you’ll need to take a ferry to Skrova, which takes around half an hour.
To reach the ferry port at Svolvær, you’ll need to fly from any of Norway’s major cities in the south, including Bergen, Trondheim and the capital of Oslo, unless you want to take an epic, extended road trip throughout almost the whole of Norway! Flights usually stop at Bodø Airport, where you’ll need to change to reach Svolvær.
From the city of Tromsø that lies to the north, the journey to Svolvær takes around 6 hours by car via the E6 and E10, then you can take the ferry to get to Skrova.
Things to Do Near Skrova Lighthouse
While you’re visiting Skrova Lighthouse, you might want to take some time to explore some of the gorgeous natural surroundings and cultural heritage sites. Here are some of the top things you can do in Skrova:
Hike up Skrova mountain – A fairly easy hike that most travelers can manage well, this hike will allow you to see incredible panoramas of the sea, mountains and surrounding islands.
Visit Skrova’s beaches – The perfect place to stop and admire the view, Skrova’s beaches are well-worth a visit during your time in the area.
Enjoy outdoor activities and water sports – Skrova is a popular place for fishing, kayaking, swimming and cycling.
Join a guided tour – You can choose to go on a guided Skrova kayaking adventure to see Skrova Lighthouse up close, or take a guided walking tour of Skrova to see the sights and learn from a local guide.
Explore wartime ruins – At Skrova, you can visit an old coastal fortress with cannons that the Germans built during the war, as well as old house ruins.
Take part in local cultural events – With a whole range of music and cultural events, plus the world’s smallest Christmas street during December, Skrova has a lot to offer for those wanting to experience a taste of authentic Norwegian village life.
Top Tips For Visiting Skrova Lighthouse
When visiting Skrova Lighthouse, here are some top travel tips to keep in mind to ensure you have the best possible time.
Bring your camera with an extra battery or portable charger – The views at Skrova are absolutely breathtaking, especially in winter when the majestic, snow-covered mountains known as the Lofoten Wall can be seen towering behind the lighthouse. You’ll definitely want to bring your camera to capture this unique scenery! Bringing a waterproof case is also a good idea to protect your valuable electronics.
Check the weather and road conditions regularly – As Norway’s weather can be changeable, especially by the coast, we recommend checking the up-to-date Norway road conditions and weather forecast in Norway before setting out on your journey.
Wear thermal layers, waterproofs and hiking boots – Keep warm and cozy during your trip to Skrova by layering your clothes with thermal base layers and waterproofs on top. Hiking boots are also a must, especially if you want to walk in the mountains.
Plan Your Own Unique Norway Adventure
Inspired to visit Norway for yourself? Dreaming of touring fjords, islands, forests and mountains? You can do just that and more during your very own Norway vacation. First of all, you’ll need to sort out your accommodation and transport, or you could do both in one go by hiring a campervan in Norway!
The best way by far to see Norway, traveling by campervan gives you the ultimate freedom and flexibility to explore our beautiful country on your own schedule, traveling to wherever your heart desires. Got any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be happy to help. We look forward to welcoming you to Norway very soon!
