TRAVEL GUIDES
Our Guide To Lofoten
This was a surprise trip for Nils’ 30th birthday, always been his dream.
Lofoten is in the arctic circle, islands connected by bridges, in the summer sun doesn’t really set so you can go on midnight sun hikes, the water colour is more beautiful than the caribeans, the mountain shapes in the water incredible and the colour of nature too.
Everyone told us before going: lofoten is always packed in july, it’s not even pleasant. but i guess those were comments from nordics. to us it felt so remote and quiet. yes its true the good hotels get fully booked months in advance (and we had our bookings since february/march for july) but appart from that, driving around not so busy roads, many beaches we were alone. When you are used to the mediteranean in the summer, your idea of ‘very busy’ is different from that. Or maybe, the reason why we didnt see it crowded is because we didnt do backpacking. Lofoten is very famous destination for backpackers and it brought so many that in recent years, they’ve put in some rules where you can’t park your tent anywhere, you must go into a camping site. and those places and the beaches near camping sites are indeed super packed now in the summer . but if you are not a backpacker like us, you’l be ok.
nils’ parents went in the winter, they visited some friends who have a house there and they said it was also very special and magical and cosy (we got many tips from them for our trip)
getting there is a treck: fly to oslo, then from oslo to bodo and finally from bodo little plane to svolvaer, though you could also take a ferry from bodo to moskenes (the southern tip of lofoten)
Where to Stay
NUSFJORD VILLAGE & RESORT
Ourika Valley, Morocco
From 200€ per night
We had a super relaxing stay here. The rooms open up to beautiful mountain views, some even have private plunge pools that look out over the valley. The restaurant has panoramic views too and some of the best tagines we had on the trip. And breakfast was a highlight! It’s not a fancy five-star resort, but comfortable, well-designed, and the quality-to-price ratio is great if you’re looking for a quiet escape in nature.
TREVAREFABRIKKEN
Ouirgane, Morocco
From 950€ per night
Olinto is relatively new, it quietly opened its doors in 2022.I f you’re looking for a more high-end kind of retreat, this is one to know. Created by Prince Fabrizio Ruspoli, it’s a real passion project (He’s the same person behind the iconic La Maison Arabe in Marrakech). The retreat has nine private pavilions, each designed and surrounded by gardens and the prince’s own collection of antiques and art.
MANSHAUSEN ISLAND
Oumnass, Morocco
From 200€ per night
Our original plan was to spend the day at Berber Lodge (it’s about an hour’s drive from Ourika), but in the end… we got lazy and decided to just stay put. That said, friends who’ve stayed there absolutely loved it. It’s known for its beautiful, minimalist Berber-inspired design, earthy tones, raw textures, very serene. The restaurant is supposed to be excellent too. Definitely one to bookmark!
HOLMEN
Ouirgane, Morocco
From 1500€ per night
This one is a little bit further away between the High Atlas and Ouarzazate, and on the higher end of the budget, but it’s a dream-scape in the middle of the desert. There are no menus, no schedule, everything is created just for you. This ‘House of Dreams’ does not allocate rooms in advance but all are spacious and decorated individually. It’s intimate and cinematic.
KJEØYA
Ouirgane, Morocco
From 1500€ per night
Kjeøya is a small, exclusive private island retreat located just off the village of Ballstad in the Lofoten archipelago
What to do
RENT A CAR
Imlil is a small mountain village that is the gateway to Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak. It’s a popular base for hikers and trekkers, but even if you're not climbing anything, it's worth the visit.The scenery is stunning and it’s also one of the best places to get a feel for traditional Berber life, with stone houses, friendly locals, and a slower rhythm. Fun fact: parts of the film Seven Years in Tibet were shot here, thanks to the dramatic landscapes that looks almost Himalayan.
Imlil, Morocco
HENNINGSVAER VILLAGE
If you’re thinking of buying a rug, the Atlas is definitely the place: this is where they’re made, and prices are much better than in Marrakech! We went to a few places but didn’t find anything first. The next day we tried The Carpet Source (you can find it on Google), and it was great. Hamid totally got what we were after. Just remember, you will still need to bargain a lot! We ended up getting three rugs for the price he initially gave for one, but that after hours of theatrical negotiation…
Ourika Valley, Morocco
GO ON HIKES
MIDNIGHT SUN HIKING
Ourika Valley, Morocco
KAVIARFACTORY
A Berber tea ceremony is much more than just drinking tea, it’s a warm, welcoming ritual that brings people together. Traditionally, it involves brewing strong green tea with fresh mint and plenty of sugar, served in small glasses with a careful pouring technique that creates a frothy top. It’s a symbol of hospitality and friendship, often shared multiple times during a visit.
Ourika Valley, Morocco
RAMBERG BEACH
In addition to easy walks and picnics locally, you can explore the region on longer treks including the remote and unspoiled Salt National Park. You can experience a taste of Berber village life as you pass through the many local villages. Kasbah Bab Ourika can provide an experienced English-speaking or French-speaking Mountain Guide who can tell you more about the valley, the Berber way of life, the countryside and botany surrounding you.
Ourika Valley, Morocco
HAUKLAND BEACH
The Monday local Berber market near Ourika is a great spot to see villagers trading fresh produce, textiles, and handmade goods. Then there’s the Saturday Asni market, about an hour from Ourika, which is a bit bigger and livelier. On the way, you can often stop in smaller villages to discover even more local color. Most hotels and lodges offer guided tours to these markets, making it easy to get there and learn about the traditions behind them.
Ourika Valley, Morocco
NUSFJORD VILLAGE
The Monday local Berber market near Ourika is a great spot to see villagers trading fresh produce, textiles, and handmade goods. Then there’s the Saturday Asni market, about an hour from Ourika, which is a bit bigger and livelier. On the way, you can often stop in smaller villages to discover even more local color. Most hotels and lodges offer guided tours to these markets, making it easy to get there and learn about the traditions behind them.
Ourika Valley, Morocco
GO KAYAKING
The Monday local Berber market near Ourika is a great spot to see villagers trading fresh produce, textiles, and handmade goods. Then there’s the Saturday Asni market, about an hour from Ourika, which is a bit bigger and livelier. On the way, you can often stop in smaller villages to discover even more local color. Most hotels and lodges offer guided tours to these markets, making it easy to get there and learn about the traditions behind them.
Ourika Valley, Morocco
A REAL NORWEGIAN SAUNA
The Monday local Berber market near Ourika is a great spot to see villagers trading fresh produce, textiles, and handmade goods. Then there’s the Saturday Asni market, about an hour from Ourika, which is a bit bigger and livelier. On the way, you can often stop in smaller villages to discover even more local color. Most hotels and lodges offer guided tours to these markets, making it easy to get there and learn about the traditions behind them.
Ourika Valley, Morocco
TROLLFJORDEN
The Monday local Berber market near Ourika is a great spot to see villagers trading fresh produce, textiles, and handmade goods. Then there’s the Saturday Asni market, about an hour from Ourika, which is a bit bigger and livelier. On the way, you can often stop in smaller villages to discover even more local color. Most hotels and lodges offer guided tours to these markets, making it easy to get there and learn about the traditions behind them.
Ourika Valley, Morocco
HOV GARD HORSE FARM
The Monday local Berber market near Ourika is a great spot to see villagers trading fresh produce, textiles, and handmade goods. Then there’s the Saturday Asni market, about an hour from Ourika, which is a bit bigger and livelier. On the way, you can often stop in smaller villages to discover even more local color. Most hotels and lodges offer guided tours to these markets, making it easy to get there and learn about the traditions behind them.
Ourika Valley, Morocco
SKROVA ISLAND
The Monday local Berber market near Ourika is a great spot to see villagers trading fresh produce, textiles, and handmade goods. Then there’s the Saturday Asni market, about an hour from Ourika, which is a bit bigger and livelier. On the way, you can often stop in smaller villages to discover even more local color. Most hotels and lodges offer guided tours to these markets, making it easy to get there and learn about the traditions behind them.
Ourika Valley, Morocco
What to Taste
KAROLINE RESTAURANT
Ourika Valley, Morocco
€€
If you’re in the area but not staying at Kasbah Bab Ourika, it’s definitely worth stopping by for lunch. The views are absolutely stunning, and the food is really good, especially the tagines! You can come a bit earlier to enjoy a drink around the garden beforehand and soak it all in. The restaurant has an à la carte menu and special dishes for each day. And don’t miss the pastillas for dessert, they were seriously delicious!
KITCHEN ON THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
Imlil, Morocco
€
If you’re heading to Imlil and looking for a spot to stop for lunch, Kasbah du Toubkal is a great choice. The food is simple, traditional Moroccan: warming soup, hearty tagines, and a set menu (€15 for lunch, €20 for dinner). In line with Berber tradition, no alcohol is served on-site, but you’re welcome to bring your own and serve yourselves. It’s all very relaxed and down-to-earth, and if you happen to stay for dinner, it really looks magical with the soft candlelight.
ORIANA TAVERN
Medina, Marrakech
€€
Some good friends of ours went to Sels d’Ailleurs on their honeymoon just before us and highly recommended us to stop by! Sadly we couldn’t make it there ourselves, it was a bit far from our hotel, but it looks like a lovely spot for lunch if you’re in the area. The setting is beautiful, and the food seems very homey and generous, perfect for a long, relaxed meal in the countryside.
UNSTAD ARCTIC SURF
Medina, Marrakech
€€
Some good friends of ours went to Sels d’Ailleurs on their honeymoon just before us and highly recommended us to stop by! Sadly we couldn’t make it there ourselves, it was a bit far from our hotel, but it looks like a lovely spot for lunch if you’re in the area. The setting is beautiful, and the food seems very homey and generous, perfect for a long, relaxed meal in the countryside.
ANITA SJOMAT
Imlil, Morocco
€
If you’re heading to Imlil and looking for a spot to stop for lunch, Kasbah du Toubkal is a great choice. The food is simple, traditional Moroccan: warming soup, hearty tagines, and a set menu (€15 for lunch, €20 for dinner). In line with Berber tradition, no alcohol is served on-site, but you’re welcome to bring your own and serve yourselves. It’s all very relaxed and down-to-earth, and if you happen to stay for dinner, it really looks magical with the soft candlelight.
GAMMELBUA
Imlil, Morocco
€
If you’re heading to Imlil and looking for a spot to stop for lunch, Kasbah du Toubkal is a great choice. The food is simple, traditional Moroccan: warming soup, hearty tagines, and a set menu (€15 for lunch, €20 for dinner). In line with Berber tradition, no alcohol is served on-site, but you’re welcome to bring your own and serve yourselves. It’s all very relaxed and down-to-earth, and if you happen to stay for dinner, it really looks magical with the soft candlelight.
MAREN ANNA
Medina, Marrakech
€€
Some good friends of ours went to Sels d’Ailleurs on their honeymoon just before us and highly recommended us to stop by! Sadly we couldn’t make it there ourselves, it was a bit far from our hotel, but it looks like a lovely spot for lunch if you’re in the area. The setting is beautiful, and the food seems very homey and generous, perfect for a long, relaxed meal in the countryside.
Å BAKERY
Medina, Marrakech
€€
Some good friends of ours went to Sels d’Ailleurs on their honeymoon just before us and highly recommended us to stop by! Sadly we couldn’t make it there ourselves, it was a bit far from our hotel, but it looks like a lovely spot for lunch if you’re in the area. The setting is beautiful, and the food seems very homey and generous, perfect for a long, relaxed meal in the countryside.
HEIM BRYGGA
Medina, Marrakech
€€
Some good friends of ours went to Sels d’Ailleurs on their honeymoon just before us and highly recommended us to stop by! Sadly we couldn’t make it there ourselves, it was a bit far from our hotel, but it looks like a lovely spot for lunch if you’re in the area. The setting is beautiful, and the food seems very homey and generous, perfect for a long, relaxed meal in the countryside.
POLARHAGGEN
Medina, Marrakech
€€
Some good friends of ours went to Sels d’Ailleurs on their honeymoon just before us and highly recommended us to stop by! Sadly we couldn’t make it there ourselves, it was a bit far from our hotel, but it looks like a lovely spot for lunch if you’re in the area. The setting is beautiful, and the food seems very homey and generous, perfect for a long, relaxed meal in the countryside.
AIMEE’S
Oumnass, Morocco
€€
The restaurant at Berber Lodge is said to be just as lovely as the hotel itself. The cuisine is simple but full of flavor, with a French-Moroccan twist that feels both refined and down-to-earth. Most ingredients are organic and locally sourced, and we’ve heard great reviews from friends who went. It’s a set menu only, but you can let them know in advance about any dietary restrictions or preferences. Definitely one to keep in mind, even just for a lunch stop.