Experience the historic capital and natural wonders of Norway's Barents region – welcome to Kirkenes!
Bordered by the deep blue Barents Sea and its ruggedly beautiful rocky shores, Kirkenes is a hidden gem in northern Norway waiting to be discovered. Here, in the land of the night sun, the day shines non-stop from mid-May to the end of July. Experience the purity of Arctic nature, the northern lights and diverse adventures in historical sites. These tips will make your trip to Kirkenes unforgettable.
Hike in landscapes shaped by the Ice Age
Known for its protected primaeval forests and beautiful wetlands, the Pasvik Valley, Pasvikdalen, stretches like a green ribbon from the south side of Kirkenes to the border of the Three Kingdoms, Treriksrøysa. When you hike the five-kilometre nature trail to the top of Muotkavaara, you will find yourself at the Norwegian, Finnish, and Russian border meeting point. The destination is special because it is the only place in Europe where three time zones meet: Central European, Eastern European, and Moscow Time.
During winter, you can hop on a dog sled and let the huskies take you to the Arctic wilderness. On the fells of Øvre Pasvik National Park, you can sense the proximity of the ancient Barents Sea and its fresh breezes.
It is worth spending at least one night in a snow hotel built of snow and ice. Kirkenes' unique accommodation experience is open all year round, and the indoor temperature always remains at minus four degrees Celsius. But don't worry – soft reindeer hides and warm sleeping bags will keep you warm. Do you dare to try?
Take these day trips to the surrounding areas of Kirkenes
The history of Kirkenes stretches back to the dramatic events of the Second World War. The Andersgrotta bunker, which was built to protect against air raids and now serves as a museum, is a great place to visit for those interested in history.
At the Øvre Pasvik Visitor Centre, located just over 40 kilometres from Kirkenes, you can learn more about the unique environment and culture of the Pasvik Valley, as well as the fauna of the area, which is distinguished by the region's bear population.
The nearby Svanhovd Botanical Garden is the only one of its kind in the whole of Finnmark – here you can admire flowers brought from the Himalayas, Siberia, China, Canada, Alaska and Kamchatka. One of the most interesting areas of the garden presents plants and herbs that were used in folk medicine in the Barents region in the past. As the growing season in the north is short, the best time to visit the garden is between July and August.
Just six kilometres from the botanical garden rises 96-Høyden, a Cold War border observation tower built in 1952. From its top, you can admire the magnificent scenery of the Pasvik Valley, and if you are lucky, you will spot bears crawling in the open swamps. History is strongly present, and the scenery stretches all the way to the "white gold" city of Nikel on the Russian side. In the summer, there is a small café where you can buy souvenirs and delicacies during a day trip.
The trip to Norway is crowned by a day trip to the country's easternmost fishing village, Grense Jacobsel. Rent a car or hop on a tourist bus and wander off to admire the stone church of King Oscar II, built in 1869. On the nearby beaches, you can enjoy the silence, which is only broken by the screams of seagulls from time to time.
Experience the Arctic Ocean sauna and hear the Kven language in Bugøynes
Bugøynes, located only an hour and a half northwest of Kirkenes, is the most beloved destination in the surrounding area. Lentohamina – airport, fiskus – fishing, potato gold – potato chips. Here you can hear Kven, an ancient dialect of Finnish that was granted the status of a minority language in Norway in 2005. The charming fishing village spreads out on a narrow piece of land surrounded by the picturesque Varanger Fjord. The village's fine-sand seashore makes you wonder whether you have arrived in the farthest corner of Norway or under the Central European sun.
Climb the Ranvika bird mountain to admire the scenery and spot birds, as a whopping 220 species of them have been found on these plains. And if you book Barents Sauna in time, you can enjoy the best steam in Finnmark at the end of the trip.
The magic of the northern lights over the seascapes
You will most likely to see the northern lights blazing in the sky from September to March. If you stay in Kirkenes for a longer time, you can take a northern lights cruise along the coast of northern Norway. Kirkenes is the last stop on the Hurtigruten and Havila coastal routes, from where you can take part in a shorter or longer sea voyage, during which you can also see handsome white-tailed eagles and seals.
Whether you're an adventurer, a nature lover or a history buff, Kirkenes offers unforgettable experiences.
Finnair starts flying directly from Helsinki to Kirkenes from 7 May 2025.