Kabelvåg

Kabelvåg lies on the south side of Austvågøya in Vågan, 5–6 km south-west of Svolvær, and the E10 runs through it. Store norske leksikon describes it as Lofoten's oldest fishing village and, in the past, its largest. The sagas record that King Øystein, who reigned from 1103 to 1128, built rorbuer and a church here, and the medieval town of Vágar, the first town in Northern Norway, stood nearby.

What is there Vågan Church, known as the Lofoten Cathedral, is a timber cruciform church from 1898 with about 1,200 seats. At Storvågan, just west of the centre, SKREI brings together the Lofoten Museum, the Lofoten Aquarium and the Espolin Gallery. The Lofoten Museum occupies a manor house completed in 1815 on the site of Vágar, with rorbuer and boathouses beside it. Kabelvåg is also home to Lofoten Folk High School and a film school.

Getting around Visit Lofoten puts Svolvær Airport about fifteen minutes away. Buses run between Svolvær, Kabelvåg and Henningsvær, and a dedicated walking and cycling path links Kabelvåg with Svolvær.

Where to stay Options include rorbuer and sea houses by the water, a campsite and a hostel.

Who it suits Families and travellers who want a smaller place than Svolvær with museums within walking distance, and those planning trips to both Svolvær and Henningsvær.

Things to consider Most houses in the old wooden centre are private homes. Visit Lofoten asks visitors not to photograph through windows and to drive slowly, as children cycle and play in the streets.