Perched on the southern shore of Austvågøya, Kabelvåg is a picturesque coastal village in the Lofoten archipelago. It was founded in the early 12th century by King Øystein Magnusson, although there are traces of settlements dating from the Stone Age. Kabelvåg is home to an engaging history museum and a 1,200-seat church.
One of Kabelvåg’s most striking architectural landmarks is the Vågan Church, which has been watching over the village since 1898. Designed by the Trondheim-based architect Carl Julius Bergstrøm in a Gothic Revival style, it is the largest wooden building in Northern Norway and has been nicknamed the “Lofoten Cathedral”.
You can learn about the archipelago’s rich history at the Lofoten Museum, which occupies an early 19th-century building, several fishermen’s cabins and a traditional Nordland boathouse. It’s a short stroll from the Lofoten Aquarium where you can see local fish species up close, as well as crustaceans, otters and seals.
Getting there
Kabelvåg is a 10-minute drive from Svolvær and 15 minutes from Svolvær Airport, which has flights to destinations across Norway. Buses connect Kabelvåg to towns and villages across the Lofoten Islands while the village centre is compact enough to explore on foot.