Nordland » Havets Helter

Lofoten is one of Europe's last sanctuaries for all those who have a taste for authentic, unbroken traditions. Fresh air and clean seas reinforce the impact. One of the great natural wonders, when the cod on migration from the Barents Sea make for Lofoten to spawn, has drawn people to the archipelago for millennia to join in the lofotfisket (the Lofoten Fishery), the greatest seasonal fishing in Norway.

In the heart of Lofoten lies Ballstad, one of the oldest fishing villages where history is manifest throughout the local society. The place is steeped in art and culture, and most of all in the coastal culture which has been – and remains -- the foundation of society! Ballstad is the home of Kræmmervika and the Havets Helter ("Heroes of the Sea") tourist centre – a unique combination of history and living coastal culture with facilities to satisfy almost every need.

Kræmmervika is a lively fishing village with a cosy harbour and fish depot where you can experience the fishing at first hand, historic fisherman's shacks (rorbu) and friendly hosts. Open all year, so you can enjoy the winter fisher or a stroll in the midnight sun in summer. The rorbu, which once provided the fishermen with their only shelter, are original, dating from the 19th century -- modernised for your comfort, but without losing their charm. We have an original "fiskebruk" (fish processing building), and the Fishermen's Home, which was the meeting point for fishing folk during the busy Lofoten Fishery, where we rent out single and double rooms, a good and reasonable alternative.

We also have everything from open small boats to high-speed cabin cruisers for hire. All are suitable for fishing and for the occasionally rough weather in Lofoten. Local fishermen also offer outings on their boats. With a fisherman as your local guide, you will have to be very unlucky not to get a catch. Havets Helter is also a natural starting point for excursions to sea, mountains or forest. There are some fine fishing lakes in the immediate vicinity. You can see sea eagles in the mountains or go "sea eagle rafting" in the ocean. After a day of activity you deserve something good to eat. The cooks at Havets Helter dish up delicious meals of seafood and local produce. We offer conference venues, sauna and outdoor hot tubs. Here you can relax in the sun in the middle of the night or under the stars and the northern lights during the cold months.

Havets Helter comprises 37 rorbu, the fiskebruk and Fishermen's Home, and two houses. In total, we have sleeping accommodation for 230. We also have a restaurant seating 90, a pub seating 60, and course/conference rooms for 30-70 persons. From the airport at Leknes it is about 15 minutes to Havets Helter. If you choose to come by sea it's 25 minutes from the Hurtigruta quay in Stamsund, and an hour from Moskenesferga. If you choose to come from the east, the distance is 320 km from Narvik and 250 km from Evenes airport.

Welcome to Havets Helter in Kræmmervika!