Stamsund

This charming fishing village is located on the south side of the island of Vestvågøy in the Lofoten archipelago, along the Vestfjord. It's at the foot of the mountain Steinstinden and was built directly into the mountainside. If nothing else, it's visually striking - so make sure to have your camera handy. 

With a population of 1,000, Stamsund is an important fishing port and the largest base for Lofoten trawl fishing. Once upon a time, Stamsund was the home of one of Norway's largest dried cod exporters, which was the biggest employer in the region through the 1980s. More and more tourists are discovering Lofoten, with its marvelous scenery, enhanced by the midnight sun in the summer and the northern lights in the winter. Lofoten’s legendary seasonal fishery takes place from January to April, with bustling activity on land and sea. The waters off Stamsund offer excellent opportunities for fishing, especially in March. The surrounding mountains offer ample opportunities for hiking.

Lofotr Viking Museum is situated close to Stamsund. It is built around an archeological site that was sensation when it was discovered in 1983. The excavation slowly but surely uncovered the largest house found anywhere in the Viking world. The farm is now rebuilt to its former glory. Meet the Vikings and marvel at the intriguing finds from the excavation.

History

J.M. Johansen initiated the construction of the village during the first half of the 1900's. Stamsund’s main products became dried cod and guano. It's now one of Lofoten’s largest fishing villages with excellent quay facilities, one of Lofoten's largest fish processing plants, a cod-liver oil refinery, and its own shipping company with 7 trawlers.