Photo spots

Our map of the best photo locations and hidden gems, including coordinates and the best time to shoot.

Norway

Bunes Beach, Lofoten

67.9630° N · 13.0100° E

A vast, wild sandy beach at the end of the Reinefjord. The ferry from Reine plus a short walk delivers near-total solitude.

Best time: Midnight sun · June to July

Segla vom Hesten, Senja

69.5030° N · 17.5600° E

The view from Hesten across to Segla's sheer face is THE shot on Senja, about a 1.5-hour climb from Fjordgård.

Best time: Evening sun · June to September

Kvalvika Beach, Lofoten

68.1570° N · 13.5250° E

A turquoise bay walled in by steep cliffs, reachable only on foot. The finest view opens up on the climb towards Ryten.

Best time: Afternoon · June to September

Husøy, Senja

69.5340° N · 17.6650° E

An entire fishing village crammed onto a tiny island in the Øyfjord. Behind it, Senja's mountains plunge straight into the sea.

Best time: Morning light · all year

Nidarosdomen, Trondheim

63.4269° N · 10.3969° E

The impressive 11th-century stone cathedral. Its gothic spires and green copper roofs look especially monumental under overcast skies.

Best time: Daytime · overcast skies

Reinebringen Viewpoint

67.9295° N · 13.0882° E

The most famous view in the Lofoten, reached via the sherpa steps (about 1 hour up). Reine, fjords and peaks in a single frame.

Best time: Early morning · June to September

Offersøykammen, Lofoten

68.0960° N · 13.5580° E

A short, punchy climb with a big payoff. From the ridge, peaks, fjords and the Nappstraumen strait layer all the way to the horizon.

Best time: Late afternoon · May to September

Sakrisøy, Lofoten

67.9366° N · 13.0688° E

Sakrisøy's ochre-yellow rorbuer cabins beneath the pyramid of Olstind, one of the most photographed scenes in the Lofoten, right off the E10.

Best time: Morning light · all year

Storseisundet-Brücke

63.0166° N · 7.3560° E

The Atlantic Road's "bridge to nowhere". Best angle from the small hill on the south side; a telephoto compresses the curve perfectly.

Best time: Evening light · all year

Tungeneset, Senja

69.5533° N · 17.3560° E

A boardwalk right on the coast facing the jagged Okshornan peaks, dramatic in heavy seas and under winter auroras.

Best time: Sunset · aurora season

Scotland

Duncansby Stacks

58.6320° N · 3.0300° W

Jagged sea stacks in the surf at Scotland's northeastern tip. The short clifftop path from the lighthouse keeps opening new angles.

Best time: Afternoon · seabirds in early summer

Eilean Donan Castle

57.2739° N · 5.5164° W

Scotland's most photographed castle on its little tidal island. At low tide the castle and stone bridge reflect in the wet flats.

Best time: Blue hour · low tide

Glen Etive

56.6296° N · 4.9214° W

The lonely glen from "Skyfall". A single-track road winds 20 km between mountain cones and the river down to Loch Etive.

Best time: Evening light · autumn colours in October

Glenfinnan Viaduct

56.8763° N · 5.4312° W

The famous railway viaduct from the Harry Potter films. From the viewpoint hill the Jacobite steam train rolls straight through your frame.

Best time: Late morning for the steam train · May to October

Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye

57.5066° N · 6.1735° W

Skye's iconic rock pinnacle above the east coast. After roughly 45 minutes of climbing, the view opens over pinnacles, lochs and the sea.

Best time: Sunrise · all year

Finland

Myllykoski, Oulanka Nationalpark

66.2950° N · 29.3100° E

An old mill and suspension bridge above the roaring Kitkajoki rapids. In winter, deep-snowed forest frames the open channel.

Best time: Winter mornings · autumn colours in September

Riisitunturi Nationalpark

66.2280° N · 28.5060° E

Lapland's famous "tykky" trees. Spruces bent under their snow load that look like frozen sculptures at dusk.

Best time: Twilight · December to March

Sweden

Gamla Bron, Umeå

63.8240° N · 20.2740° E

The old steel arch bridge across the Ume river. From its wooden deck you catch the river panorama and skyline in soft evening light.

Best time: Evening light · summer

Stortorget, Gamla Stan

59.3251° N · 18.0711° E

Stockholm's oldest square with its iconic red and yellow gabled houses, most beautiful early in the morning before the old town wakes up.

Best time: Early morning · all year

Denmark

Nyhavn, Kopenhagen

55.6797° N · 12.5904° E

The colourful row of houses along the old harbour canal, tall ships moored in front. Copenhagen's classic, best shot from across the canal.

Best time: Late afternoon · all year