Stamsund is a well-preserved fishing village on the southern coast of Vestvagoy, with the kind of jumble of red-painted rorbu (fishermen's cabins), wooden quays, and drying racks that defines the Lofoten aesthetic. The Hurtigruten coastal express calls here daily, which makes it a good arrival point for those coming by sea from the south — the approach by boat, with the mountains rising steeply above the village, is one of the better arrivals in Norway.
The village has a hostel in a converted rorbu complex right on the waterfront, making it a popular base for independent travellers. From Stamsund you can hire a small boat, rent a bicycle, or simply walk the harbour road and watch the fishing boats come and go. In winter, the dried stockfish hanging on the racks gives the whole harbour a distinctive smell and a timeless quality.