Haukland Beach
Haukland Beach is located approximately in the middle of Lofoten and is among the most well-known beaches. Previously, the beach has been voted as Norway’s best beach. It is situated about a 10-minute drive away from Leknes, on the north side of Vestvågøy.
Haukland Beach Visitor Centre
Haukland Beach is one of Lofoten’s most iconic and beloved spots, located on the outer coast of Vestvågøy. Just a short detour from the Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten, it offers a perfect blend of dramatic mountain scenery and white sandy shoreline.
To meet the growing number of visitors while protecting the stunning coastal landscape, Haukland Beach has been carefully upgraded with new facilities. A modern service building now houses a cozy café, clean sanitary facilities, and storage for local activity equipment.
Outside, you’ll find well-marked walking paths that make it easy to explore the area on foot, along with an expanded car park designed to accommodate about 100 cars. There are also four accessible parking spaces, nine dedicated motorhome spots, and bays for two buses.
All of these improvements have been thoughtfully integrated into the landscape to preserve Haukland’s unique natural beauty. The project is a collaborative effort between Nordland County Council, Vestvågøy Municipality, and the Norwegian Scenic Routes program.
The Beach Café
Need a little boost between swimming (or dipping your toe), sunbathing, and taking photos? Haukland Beach Café is here to make your visit even more relaxing, serving coffee, smoothies, homemade lunches, and delicious pastries—right by the sand.
Opening hours:
June 1st – June 19th | 10:00 – 19:00
June 20th – August 15th | 9:00 – 21:00
August 16th – May 31st | 10:00 – 19:00
Activities you can book
When at the beach, why not book activities provided by the Visitor Centre? Book activities here.
- Hike to mannen: One of the most iconic peaks in Lofoten, offering a breathtaking view over the famous Haukland Beach!
- Sit-on-top kayak (single): Easy kayaking for beginners and experts
- Sit-on-top kayak (2 persons): Fun and easy kayaking for two — perfect for beginners and pairs
Practical Information
Here, you can easily park your car at the newly renovated parking area. The parking fee is used to conserve, maintain and protect this beautiful spot.
Parking fee: 20 NOK hour*
Methods of payment: EasyPark (app), parking meter, or pay inside the café during opening hours
*20 first minutes is free. NOTE: Payment and/or registration must be completed immediately after parking. Maximum parking time is 16 hours. Example: You arrive at 6 pm, you have to leave at 10:20 am the following day.
Parking reservation (B2B): To secure parking for your bus at Haukland Beach, advance booking is required. Read more here.
Tenting: Haukland Beach is not a camping site, but a public recreational are and you are welcome to put up your tent! Keep in mind that there is certain areas you are NOT allowed to tent. Read more here.
A fantastic cultural landscape
In the Uttakleiv/Haukland/Vik area, the grazing animals work hard for both residents and tourists. This region is characterized by a limestone-rich soil, which provides an excellent natural grazing pasture where the animals thrive. Their efforts ensure the preservation of this natural habitat, and on the mountainsides, the grazing animals play a crucial role in preventing overgrowth of the grass-covered slopes.
The farm Haukland, which has given its name to the beach, has been written in various ways throughout history: Hawkland, Haukland, Huckland, Huchland, Hochland, Nedrehougland, and Øwherhougland. According to “Rygh,” the name partly derives from the bird name Haukr and the river name Hauka. The farm is situated in a sheltered location, with mountains on three sides providing protection from wind and weather. The fertile soil ensures abundant harvests year after year. (Source: Eldar S. Andersen, Uttakleiv)
In the area around Haukland Beach, you will find beautiful hiking trails leading up to both Mannen and Himmeltinden. Not far away to the northwest lies Uttakleiv, and to the south, you have Offersøykammen, both of which are fantastic locations on the outer side of Vestvågøy.
