Lofoten's de facto capital and main entry point — population around 4,500, a sheltered harbour ringed by 1,000-metre granite peaks, and the busiest hub for ferry, express boat, and air arrivals. The town centre is compact and walkable: a couple of quays, a string of restaurants and gear shops, and the cube-shaped Magic Ice ice bar / art gallery on the waterfront for those who like that sort of thing.
The harbour is the launching point for boat tours into the Trollfjord and to the sea-eagle viewing grounds in Raftsundet. The famous Svolværgeita (Goat) — a twin-summited rock spire above the town — is one of the great Norwegian climbing classics; the jump between the goat's two horns is locally famous and locally fatal.