Discover the history of stockfish and fishing in Lofoten at the Stockfish Museum. See how cod and other fish are dried on wooden racks to make stockfish. This method was used in northern Norway as early as the 9th century to preserve fish and allow for several years storage. The museum was previously a fish warehouse and features artifacts and exhibits relating to the region’s stockfish heritage.
Learn the process of making stockfish, where fresh fish are dried by cold air and wind. The dried fish are then transported to the stockfish loft and stored. Taste stockfish or enjoy coffee or waffles at the facility. The Stockfish Museum is a small, yet historically significant feature of Lofoten and the county of Nordland.
Watch a short film and discover how the fish are caught, processed and delivered. Italy is considered the most important destination for stockfish, with the product being used in a number of traditional Italian dishes throughout history. Take a guided tour of the museum and learn how drying stockfish each year takes up an area in Lofoten spanning about 100 acres (40 hectares).
Walk to the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum and discover a historic preserved fishing village. This museum features a boathouse with a collection of old Nordland rowboats and fishing tackle. Visit the facility’s stone oven bakery, dating back about 150 years and still producing delicious sweet pastries and bread.
Moskenes Shipping AS is just a short walk from the Stockfish Museum. Book a charter and admire some of Norway’s breathtaking steep fjords. Boat charters are an excellent opportunity to spot some of the region’s striking natural beauty and marine life, such as spermaceti whales.
The Stockfish Museum is located in Sørvågen about 27 miles (44 kilometers) from Lofoten or about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from Leknes. The museum is open June to August each year. Check the official website for information on exhibits.
The museum is an important part of Lofoten’s fishing history and aims to educate visitors on the world’s oldest food preservation method.