Ballstad

Ballstad lies partly on Vestvågøya, below Nonstinden (469 m) and Skottinden (671 m), and partly on Ballstadøya, with Ballstad harbour between them. The Fv818 leaves the E10 at Storeid, just south-west of Leknes, and a bridge links Ballstadøya to the rest of the village. Buses run to Ballstad from Leknes.

What is there Ballstad is one of the largest fishing villages in Lofoten. It has several fish plants, cold stores and freezing plants, a slipway, a mechanical workshop and a cod liver oil works, and Visit Lofoten describes its fishing harbour as perhaps the most important in Lofoten. Accommodation is mainly in rorbuer and rorbu camping; some are run by active fishing families, and Hemmingodden Lofoten Fishing Lodge is run by working fishermen.

What is nearby From the harbour, operators offer kayaking, diving and snorkelling, and trips on fishing boats. The climb up Skottinden gives a 360-degree view, and lower walks follow the headland. Leknes, with its airport, shops and services, is the nearest town.

Who it suits Anglers, divers and travellers who want to stay beside a working harbour while keeping Leknes Airport within reach.

Things to consider Ballstad is an industrial fishing port as well as a place to stay. Many fish plants in Vestvågøy operate only during the Lofoten fishery for spawning cod, which Store norske leksikon dates to February–April and says brings large seasonal swings in employment.