KIRKENES

Arctic adventure in the far northeast

Kirkenes in Northern Norway .
Photo: Monika Raab

It is known as the capital of the Barents Region...

... and the small town, located in the far northeast of Northern Norway, is full of life and adventure!

Kirkenes in Northern Norway .
Photo: Monika Raab

Imagine waking up in a frozen world, where everything around you is made of ice and snow.

Snowhotel Kirkenes .
Photo: NevraArts

...you can experience it in real life at Kirkenes Snowhotel!

The hotel is open year around, and the temperature inside is a constant minus four degrees Celsius. But don't worry – the reindeer hides will keep you warm and comfortable.

Kirkenes Snow hotel in Finnmark .
Photo: Terje Rakke / Nordic Life / Visitnorway.com

Do you dare to take the plunge?

Kirkenes is one of the most important ports for harvesting king crabs in the Barents Sea.

Join a safari!

King crab safari in Northern Norway .
Photo: Siv Nærø – Visitnorway.com

Visit historic Oscar II’s Chapel Stone church, located in the small village Grense Jacobselv.

The stone church was erected by the Russian border in 1869 as a means of defending the Norwegian bank of the river.

Oscar II’s Chapel Stone church .
Photo: Visit Kirkenes

Hop aboard a dog sled, and let your new four-legged friends take you on an Arctic adventure through the wilderness!

Husky tour in Kirkenes .
Photo: Snowhotel Kirkenes / Book Finnmark

The 100 km-long valley, Pasvikdalen, has large pine and birch forests, protected primeval forests, and wetland areas with rich and diverse flora and fauna.

It's also the home of Norway's largest brown bear population!

Autumn in the Pasvik Valley .
Photo: Visit Kirkenes

You can learn more about the wildlife, as well as the culture and history of the Pasvik Valley, at the Øvre Pasvik National Park visitor centre.

You can also hike on your own and explore beautiful and remote areas. You might even spot some exciting animal tracks!

Pasvik Valley .
Photo: Visit Kirkenes

Kirkenes is the last stop on the Hurtigruten and Havila coastal routes, but you can also start your cruise adventure here and sail the opposite way down Norway's coast. If you are lucky and the season is right, you can experience the northern lights.

If you want to explore more in the Finnmark area, a good tip is to book a round trip with public transport!

Spotting the Northern Lights from Hurtigruten .
Photo: Agurtxane Concellon

Kirkenes is certified as a Sustainable Destination.

Although this does not mean that the destination is sustainable, it does mean that it has made a commitment to work systematically to reduce the negative effects of tourism.

Puffin in Kirkenes .
Photo: Roy Mangersnes / wildphoto.no / nordnorge.com

A snow hotel, dramatic World War II history, and king crab safaris are among the many exciting attractions awaiting visitors in Kirkenes.

Although Kirkenes is a small town, it has a multicultural population thanks to its location close to the borders of Finland and Russia. That's why you can find signs on different languages all around town.

Kirkenes offers lots of activities all year around. Among the most popular summer activities are boat trips, hiking, diving, fishing, hunting, climbing, and bird watching. During winter, activities include dog sledding trips, snowmobile tours, ice fishing, and king crab safaris.

The area is also a fascinating destination for history buffs. WWII definitely left its mark on Kirkenes, with the town experiencing more than 320 air raids. Andersgrotta, an underground bunker that was used as a shelter during the war, is now a museum.

There are several options for getting to Kirkenes. Find more inspiration on Northern Norway's official website.

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Top things to do in Kirkenes

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Top attractions in Kirkenes

Snowhotel Kirkenes - Homevisit

Meet the locals - in their homes! Read more

Snowhotel Kirkenes - Homevisit

Snowmobile safari Kirkenes with Barents Safari

15 min transfer by bus from Kirkenes to our basecamp. Snowmobile tour with local guide and interesting information along the way. The trip goes in a… Read more

Snowmobile safari Kirkenes with Barents Safari

Thon Hotel Kirkenes

Thon Hotel Kirkenes opened May 3rd 2010, and is located at the wharf in the centre of the town. The hotel has 144 rooms, a restaurant and bar with an… Read more

Thon Hotel Kirkenes

Guided walk Kirkenes town

Get to know Kirkenes in 1 hour. A local guide will take you on an interesting tour of the city. In winter we can offer the trip with kicksledge, our… Read more

Guided walk Kirkenes town

Kirkenes sightseeing and Russian border - private tour

Tour with local guide (Norwegian, English or German speaking) through the town and surroundings incl visit at two viewpoints, the Russian bordern en… Read more

Kirkenes sightseeing and Russian border - private tour

Pasvikturist Minibus - Transport and private sightseeing in Kirkenes and Finnmark

We offer transport with high comfort in our new Mercedes Sprinter minibuses. In addition, we also arrange transport in buses up to 50 seats and taxi… Read more

Pasvikturist Minibus - Transport and private sightseeing in Kirkenes and Finnmark

Ritz Ribago Kirkenes

Welcome to our restaurant in the heart of Kirkenes. Try our delicious pizza from our own bakery, or choose from our ala carte menu where you will find… Read more

Ritz Ribago Kirkenes

Amundsen Bakery in Kirkenes

Welcome to our bakery and patisserie in the middle of Kirkenes (in the pedestrian zone). On nice summer days we also have outdoor seating. We have a… Read more

Amundsen Bakery in Kirkenes

Kirkenes Taxi

We offer transport in Kirkenes and the whole region. Read more

Kirkenes Taxi

Snowhotel Kirkenes - Snowmobilesafari 4 hours

We pick you up from your hotel and transport you to Snowhotel Kirkenes, where our snowmobiles are ready. Read more

Snowhotel Kirkenes - Snowmobilesafari 4 hours

Destinations in Northern Norway

Read more about Northern Norway

Tromsø

From local food and mountains soaring above deep blue fjords to the midnight sun and the northern lights – discover the Arctic capital,… Read more

Tromsø

The Vega Islands

The UNESCO-listed Vega Islands have been named one of the world’s top undiscovered island gems. Read more

The Vega Islands

The Lofoten Islands

Lofoten is known for excellent fishing, nature attractions such as the northern lights and the midnight sun, and small villages off the beaten track.… Read more

The Lofoten Islands

The North Cape

Far above the Arctic Circle, the North Cape offers arctic adventures like dog sledding under the northern lights, and never-ending daylight in the… Read more

The North Cape

Silhouette of person inside Sorrisniva igloo hotel

Alta

In the city of Alta you can experience Sami culture up close, see UNESCO protected rock carvings, sleep in a ice hotel or hunt for the northern light. Read more

Alta

Bodø

Bodø is home to the world’s strongest maelstrom Saltstraumen. The largest city in Nordland is also just a boat ride away from the old… Read more

Bodø

People in hammocks in front of the Svartisen glacier in Helgeland, Northern Norway

Salten

Experience the cultural hub of Bodø as well as untouched nature, the world’s strongest tidal current, and remarkable, windswept… Read more

Salten

Vesterålen

Get ready for an Arctic adventure with whale watching, cool museums, hiking and snowshoeing. In Vesterålen, you can combine wow experiences with… Read more

Vesterålen

Harstad

Go hiking in the mountains, explore the archipelago in a kayak or RIB, and join exciting cultural events. Harstad is the perfect base for a holiday in… Read more

Harstad

Walrus on the beach of Svalbard, Northern Norway

The Svalbard Islands

The Svalbard Islands are located in the Arctic Ocean, halfway between Norway and the North Pole. Here, you will find untouched arctic wilderness and… Read more

The Svalbard Islands

Helgeland

In Helgeland, you can paddle around the UNESCO-protected Vega islands and climb mountains like Torghatteen and The Seven Sisters. Or try the… Read more

Helgeland

A couple in a sleigh pulled by a reindeer, held by a Sami man

Land of the Sami

Join a dogsled expedition, learn to throw a lasso, and experience the Sami culture first hand in Karasjok and Kautokeino. Read more

Land of the Sami

Narvik

Discover Narvik, a town above the Arctic Circle where nature is your playground. Go hiking, skiing or climbing and experience the midnight sun in… Read more

Narvik

Senja and Central Troms

Go hiking and kayaking under the midnight sun, or skiing and dog sledding under the northern lights. Or simply kick back and enjoy some of the most… Read more

Senja and Central Troms

Hammerfest

An urban gem on a barren, mostly uninhabited coast, Hammerfest is an Arctic city full of life and outdoor adventure. Read more

Hammerfest

Nordkyn

In Nordkyn, the northernmost region on the European mainland, you can enjoy beautiful scenery, world class fishing, Arctic adventures and… Read more

Nordkyn

Two people in front of the Lyngenfjord Alps

The Lyngenfjord region

Lyngenfjord and the Lyngsalpene mountain range are an Arctic area full of exotic and family-friendly outdoor activities that offer pure,… Read more

The Lyngenfjord region

A bridge connecting Herøy to another island in Helegeland, Northern Norway. In the background, the mountain range The seven sisters.

Kystriksveien – the coastal route

Kystriksveien is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Along the road you can climb the mountains Torghatten and De syv søstre,… Read more

Kystriksveien – the coastal route

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Statens Kartverk, Geovekst og kommuner - Geodata AS

By road

Roads have a high standard, and are for the most part open all year, except for some mountain passes serving small fishing villages on the coast, which may occasionally be closed in winter. Read more about driving in Northern Norway.

Long-distance express buses connect the region to points beyond, but departures are not frequent, so research and planning are required.

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By boat

Hurtigruten and Havila both call at harbours in Varanger: Berlevåg, Båtsfjord, Vardø and Vadsø.

The ships begin their return journey to Bergen in Fjord Norway in Kirkenes, calling at the same ports on the way back, with the exception of Vadsø.

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By plane

Kirkenes Airport is the nearest of the regional airports, offering several daily connections to Oslo, and connecting flights to many smaller communities such as Vadsø, Vardø, Båtsfjord, Berlevåg and Mehamn, as well as connections to Alta and Tromsø, among other destinations. You can also fly from Helsinki to Ivalo in Finland and rent a car to drive to Varanger from there.

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Seasons and climate

Kirkenes and Eastern Finnmark has a humid subarctic continental climate with cool summers and no dry season.

The midnight sun shines from May 17 to July 21.

The winter darkness extends from November 21 to January 21. During winter, you can sometimes experience the northern lights in Kirkenes and Eastern Finnmark.

The winter climate in Kirkenes and Eastern Finnmark is cold and dry, with a mean winter temperature of approximately minus 8-10 degrees Celsius.

July is the warmest month, with an average temperature of 14.8 degrees Celsius.

Get the latest weather forecast on yr.no.

Learn more about the northern lights.

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KIRKENES

Arctic adventure in the far northeast

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Things to do | Where to stay | Food and drink | Getting here and around