Stokmarknes is the administrative centre of Hadsel municipality in Vesterålen. The area has been inhabited for about 7,000 years, but the town's claim to fame is more recent. In 1893, Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskab was founded here, and the first Hurtigruten coastal express sailed from Trondheim to Hammerfest. This makes Stokmarknes the birthplace of the Hurtigruten.
The Hurtigrutemuseet is the main reason to stop here. It houses the M/S Finnmarken from 1956 inside a purpose-built shelter, making it the largest museum artefact inside a building in the world. The museum is next to the Hurtigruten port. Passengers on the southbound ship, which arrives around midday, have time to visit. The northbound ship passes in the middle of the night.
Stokmarknes also has a small airport with regional connections. The town sits on the main road between Sortland and the bridge to Lofoten, making it a natural stopping point.
The Hurtigrutemuseet is the main reason to stop here. It houses the M/S Finnmarken from 1956 inside a purpose-built shelter, making it the largest museum artefact inside a building in the world. The museum is next to the Hurtigruten port. Passengers on the southbound ship, which arrives around midday, have time to visit. The northbound ship passes in the middle of the night.
Stokmarknes also has a small airport with regional connections. The town sits on the main road between Sortland and the bridge to Lofoten, making it a natural stopping point.