road trip nordkapp

Nordkapp (North Cape): The Ultimate Travel Guide

Nordkapp or North Cape is considered the northernmost point in Europe and one of the most legendary destinations in the world. The journey to the North Cape ( Nordkapp in Norwegian) is one of the most beautiful road trips to take at least once in a lifetime , and passes through breathtaking landscapes and remote fishing villages to reach the iconic globe overlooking the Barents Sea.

What you will find in this travel guide to Nordkapp:

Nordkapp and Northern Norway: Where is the North Cape located?

How to get to the north cape by car or motorcycle, how to get to the north cape by bus, how to get to the north cape by plane, how to get to the north cape by ship, how to get to the north cape by bicycle, hotels and accommodations in nordkapp, nordkapp camping: is it possible to camp in north cape, things to do and see in nordkapp, visit nordkapp in the winter, visit nordkapp in the summer, nordkapp daylight hours: sunrise and sunset calendar, how much time do you need to visit nordkapp, nordkapp prices and opening hours, hiking in knivskjellodden: the real (unexplored) north cape.

Nordkapp (North Cape) is located in Norway , in Finnmark County , the far north of Norway. What is called Nordkapp is a 307m-high cliff rising above the Barents Sea , known as the northernmost point in continental Europe .

It is located on a large and wild island called Magerøya , connected to the mainland by a subsea road tunnel, but it has not always been so easy to reach this extreme place, located closer to the North Pole than to Oslo . The North Cape was named by Steven Borough , captain of the Edward Bonaventure , which sailed past in 1553 in search of the Northeast Passage , the fascinating shipping route to China, along the Arctic coasts of Norway and Russia.

The first tourist on the North Cape Plateau was the Italian priest Francesco Negri , who visited in 1664. In the following centuries, mainly around 800, the North Cape became an extreme travel destination for noblemen. It was then visited by the King Oscar II of Norway and Sweden and by the German Kaiser Wilhelm II .

North Cape became popular with wealthy travelers in the late 1800s after Thomas Cook & Son began arranging tours to the destination. In the mid-1950s the road to the North Cape was built, which involved crossing the Magerøysundet strait by ferry. In the 1990s the tunnel was built, which facilitated the success of the North Cape myth.

Is the North Cape really the northernmost point in Europe?

North Cape (Nordkapp) is the northernmost point in Europe that can be reached by car , while the true northernmost point in Europe is the neighboring Knivskjellodden Cape , which actually extends 1,450 m further north.

But both of these points are located on an island , which makes it inaccurate to say that they are the northernmost points of mainland Europe. So, what is the true northernmost point of mainland Europe?

The true northernmost point of mainland Europe is Cape Nordkinn (Kinnarodden) which lies about 5.7 km further south and about 70 km to the east of Nordkapp. And poor Cape Nordkinn is a desolate and unknown place. Reaching it is difficult: it is a rough, impressively beautiful, extreme place.

You can get there with a 24 km-long hike (one way) , and it takes more than two days to get there and back. There is no actual trail, only erected poles and cairns at rather long distances apart. The terrain is rocky, challenging and with frequent fog it is hard to find your way around. Cape Nordkinn (GPS: 71.13308, 27.65417 ) is a lonely but impressive place that can only be visited following at least a full-day hike from Mehamn and one day back.

The trail starts right from the parking lot of the small Mehamn airport , on the left side of the building. Consider that you should arrive in Mehamn at least the day before and leave at least the day after the hike. There are a couple of good (and rather quaint) hotels in Mehamn: the Mehamn Arctic Hotel and the Adventure Camp Mehamn .

While the northernmost point of Europe including islands, is hundreds of kilometers further north, on Franz Josef Land (Russia) and then on the Svalbard Islands (Norway).

Nordkapp is easily accessible by driving along the E6 from Alta (or Karasjok if you are coming from Finland ) to Olderfjord , from here you will take the E69 which will take you straight to Nordkapp (the road ends there).

From Olderfjord to Nordkapp it is 129 km, and the road is in good condition. In summer it is easy to drive and the road is very scenic, through the dramatic landscape of the Magerøya island, without trees and characteristic of the lands of the far north. You will drive through 5 tunnels , including the Nordkapptunnelen (North Cape Tunnel) , one of the longest and the northernmost of the subsea road tunnels in Norway, which is 6.875 meters long and reaches a depth of 212 meters below sea level . Since 2012, there is no longer a toll for passing through the tunnel. The road in the tunnel has a gradient of 9%, both downhill and uphill, so reduce your speed and drive carefully.

Driving towards Nordkapp in winter will be an experience in itself, because the weather conditions can be very harsh, with lots of snow, very strong winds, ice and zero visibility. The road to North Cape is officially closed in winter, you cannot drive on your own in these rough lands. But you can still get to the North Cape, because during the winter the road is operated by convoy driving . Trust me, it’s a crazy experience! I drove to the North Cape in February, and it’s an adventure worth doing!

Driving in a convoy means that a snow plow drives in front of a convoy of cars, and at the end of the convoy there is generally another snow plow or safety car. The convoy departs at scheduled times , from Skarsvåg intersection to North Cape: at 11:00 (private cars and buses) and 12:00 (Hurtigruten buses and the public bus). So, you should be in time to drive with the 11 am convoy . There is an additional convoy called Aurora Convoy which leaves at 7:30 pm . The return from North Cape is at 13:00 , 13:45 and 21:45 (Aurora Convoy).

Make sure you have enough fuel as the only petrol station is in Honningsvåg . Drive carefully and never leave the convoy. Sometimes the weather could be very bad, and the only thing you can do is wait for it to get better. So take it easy, it’s the far north. The road is very exposed to bad weather and for safety reasons the road may be closed for the whole day, so it is preferable to have a couple of extra days when traveling in these areas.

Getting to Nordkapp by bus is a long but feasible journey. From Alta you can get to Honningsvåg , there are two two daily buses. There are also buses from Karasjok and connections from Rovaniemi operated by Eskelisen Lapinlinjat.

To get to Nordkapp from Tromsø you have to take a bus to Alta , stay overnight and then take the bus to Honningsvåg the next morning. There are no direct connections.

From Honningsvåg there is a bus called North Cape Express and marked Line 406 , which departs daily near the Tourist Information at 11:30 (11:45 in summer) and arrives at 12:15 in North Cape. The return is at 13:45 and arrives in Honningsvåg at 14:30. The ticket can be done on the bus and the price is quite expensive, starting from 750 NOK per person.

Nordkapp can be reached from Tromsø by plane, flying to Honningsvåg Airport (30km from North Cape) or the more popular Lakselv Airport (193km from North Cape) or Alta Airport .

Alta Airport is the most convenient solution, as it is an international airport, with frequent and cheaper connections to Oslo and Tromsø . If you want to fly and drive to the North Cape , your best bet is to fly to Alta and rent a car there. But remember to book your car online well in advance. You can check prices and availability on Rentalcars or Discovercars .

Many tourists visit Nordkapp on a cruise. The famous coastal cruise Hurtigruten calls Honningsvåg , as well as many cruise ships. Some Hurtigruten ships also carry cars, but not RVs or caravans. From Honningsvåg you can take the bus to the North Cape.

Getting to Nordkapp by bike is an epic experience, but it requires the right preparation and training. Keep in mind that the weather conditions can get harsh already from Smørfjord , about 130 km from the North Cape. The last stretch, from Honningsvåg to the North Cape may be tougher than you think. Winds could be very strong, also expect something like strong gale 7-9 Bft with much stronger gusts.

The tunnel is downhill for the first 3 km, watch out for the ice and moderate your speed. Obviously remember good equipment, thermal clothing, and enjoy the trip, it will be unforgettable! Cyclists or those arriving on foot get free access to the North Cape – don’t forget to sign the cyclists’ guest book in the visitor center!

To visit Nordkapp you will need to stay in the surrounding area, the scenic Magerøya Island . Here the main town is Honningsvåg which boasts some good hotels, such as Arctic Hotel Nordkapp , The View and the famous Scandic Bryggen , all of which offer comfortable accommodation with great breakfast included in the price.

Also very distinctive is Nordkapp Camping , which offers affordable accommodation in beautiful cottages with a view and the picturesque Sarnes Seaside Cabins , located in typical fishermen’s cottages , with unbeatable views of the fjord.

It is worth making your way to the old and remote fishing village of Gjesvær , where colonies of seals, puffins and other water birds can often be seen, to stay at Nygård Apartments , which offers great accommodation in a perfect spot for spotting the Northern Lights .

No, it is not possible to camp freely in Nordkapp.

If you are traveling with a camper or caravan, then you can camp in your vehicle for free in the Nordkapp car park . It is not possible to camp with tents or other solutions, so the best solution is to stay overnight in the nearby campsites or hotels , such as Nordkapp Camping or Nordkapp Caravan og Camping , or Arctic Hotel Nordkapp in Honningsvåg .

Sleeping in a car in the North Cape in winter is impossible and dangerous, while in summer it is very difficult due to the midnight sun and the noise of the many tourists who crowd the parking lot at any time of day or night.

Getting to the North Cape is an experience in itself. You cannot describe the emotion you feel once you reach the iconic globe, you have to live it!

The North Cape Globe is one of the most iconic places in the world. In winter, waiting for the Northern Lights in the North Cape or in the nearby villages of Honningsvåg , Skarsvåg or Gjesvær is one of the most memorable things to do at least once in a lifetime.

While in the summer you can enjoy the magic of the midnight sun , with the wild waves crashing against the cliff, in the blue ocean hundreds of meters below. You will feel the pure wind from the North in your hair, the calls of sea birds, and you will be mesmerized by the endless horizon.

This is North Cape .

For the rest, nothing special. Once in the North Cape you will find a huge parking lot, a radar station (the big house with a kind of golf ball on the roof) and right next to it, the Nordkapphallen .

Nordkapphallen (The North Cape Hall) is Nordkapp’s visitor center , and here you can see an exhibit on the history of Nordkapp and that of the famous Battle of the North Cape , a massive naval battle that took place on December 26, 1943, during WWII, between the German battleship Scharnhorst and the British Royal Navy battleship HMS Duke of York , escorted by British and Norwegian cruisers and destroyers. It was the last naval battle between Germany and the United Kingdom, which ended with the sinking of the German battleship.

After the history binge, you can go to the Nordkapphallen cinema , where you can see a film about the four seasons at the North Cape, made with the spectacular Supervideograph wide-screen system. You can also see St. Johannes Kapell , which is the world’s northernmost ecumenical chapel (which seems to be quite popular for weddings), a post office (where you can send postcards with the iconic NORDKAPP  71°10′21″N stamp), a restaurant and a café with a view and a large souvenir shop.

Near the Nordkapphallen you can see the famous sculptures called “Children of the World” , made between 1988 and 1989 by the artist Simon Flem Devold and based on drawings made by 7 randomly selected children from 7 countries around the world. Right next to it is the “Mother and Child” monument by sculptor Eva Rybakken. On the opposite side is a granite column celebrating the visit of King Oscar II of Norway and Sweden , which took place in 1873. Also nearby is a memorial of the visit of German Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1891.

If you have enough time, are fit enough, and with the right equipment, I recommend that you take the hike to Knivskjellodden rather than come to the North Cape car park. That’s really wow! Read on and you will find all the information you need about it.

Nordkapp in winter looks like a wild, desolate land, lashed by icy and powerful winds. If you love the polar lands, the true north, then you must go! It will always be dark, as winter is the polar night time, so you won’t see much of the view. But except for December and January, you’ll have enough twilight hours in the morning to enjoy the view and take great photos.

In winter you will be able to see the Northern Lights in Nordkapp, usually after 7pm and until 3am, these are the best times. However, the visibility from Nordkapp could be bad, because the weather there is quite harsh. Better to spot the Northern Lights near your accommodation, towards Gjesvær, Honningsvåg or Skarsvåg, where you will have clearer skies.

Visiting Nordkapp in the summer allows you to make the most of the wonderful landscape , the view of the Barents Sea and the possibility of hiking towards Knivskjellodden . This season is the most popular, so expect to find many tourists who come here with cruises, buses, campers and lots of motorbikes!

The weather is good, you can drive easily, but remember to bring warm clothing – it could be colder than you think, and it could be very windy.

If you are wondering how many hours of daylight there will be in the month you visit Nordkapp , then these notes will be super useful:

Nordkapp in January

• 01/01: The sun is always down
• 1/15: The sun is always down

Nordkapp in February

• 01/02: 09:18 – 13:42
• 02/15: 07:57 – 15:04

Nordkapp in March

• 01/03: 06:45 – 16:12
• 03/15: 05:35 – 17:15

Nordkapp in April

• 01/04: 05:11 – 19:29
• 15/04: 03:58 – 20:35

Nordkapp in May

• 01/05: 02:20 – 22:07
• 15/05: The sun is up all day

Nordkapp in June

• 01/06: The sun is up all day
• 15/06: The sun is up all day

Nordkapp in July

• 01/07: The sun is up all day
• 15/07: The sun is up all day

Nordkapp in August

• 01/08: 00:56 – 23:49
• 08/15: 03:01 – 21:41

Nordkapp in September

• 01/09: 04:28 – 20:05
• 09/15: 05:29 – 18:54

Nordkapp in October

• 01/10: 06:37 – 17:35
• 15/10: 07:39 – 16:25

Nordkapp in November

• 01/11: 08:05 – 13:55
• 11/15: 09:44 – 12:18

Nordkapp in December

• 01/12: The sun is always down
• 12/15: The sun is always down

The midnight sun in Nordkapp can be seen essentially from mid-May to early August.

The cold, dark polar night starts from early December until the end of January. In February and November you can experience the so-called Polar Twilight , so there is then no true daylight at the solar culmination, but may still be enough light for most normal outdoor activities because of light scattering and refraction.

The months from November to the end of March are the best to see the Northern Lights in Nordkapp.

The beauty of getting to Nordkapp is the journey . So take your time, consider the endless photo stops along the way, and keep in mind that the weather may not be the best. If you travel to Nordkapp in the winter you will have few (or no) hours of daylight, and it can be quite tricky to drive to the North Cape, which takes a few hours longer than what Google Maps indicates.

So my advice is to arrive in the area (on Magerøya Island ) the day before, stay overnight there, and then go early in the morning to the North Cape. If you only visit the North Cape (i.e. the famous area with the Globe and the parking lot) then in a couple of hours you could have done it, also because it could be very windy. At that point you could get back on the road and continue exploring the island, such as the quaint old fishing village of Gjesvær and Honningsvåg , and stay overnight in the area and then set off for Alta the next morning.

If you want to walk around the area, enjoy the midnight sun or wait for the Northern Lights , then you could stay there for hours.

Entrance to Nordkapp is free .

Yes, you got it right. You can get to the North Cape and park in the large free car park. This has been going on since the beginning of 2021, because the Municipality of Nordkapp has won a long and gripping lawsuit against the company that owns Nordkapphallen. As a result of the decision of the Norwegian Court it is now possible to enter and park for free in Nordkapp . While admission to Nordkapphallen and its services is subject to a fee.

The ticket prices for the Nordkapphallen are:

• Adult: NOK 260
• Children 7 – 15 years: NOK 80
• Family (2 adults + 2 children): NOK 600
• Students: NOK 180

Nordkapp is accessible 24/7 . You can arrive at the car park and visit the North Cape at any time you want, provided the road is open. In winter, traffic may be limited and you will have to respect the timetables of the convoys.

Nordkapphallen opening hours are:

• 01 January – 17 May: 11:00 – 15:00
• 18 May – 15 August: 11:00 – 01:00
• 16 August – 31 August: 11:00 – 22:00
• 01 September – 30 September: 11:00 – 17:00
• 01 October – 31 December: 11:00 – 15:30

The real northernmost point of Europe is not Nordkapp, but Knivskjellodden , located about 3 km west of Nordkapp, on a rather inaccessible cliff. This spot is 1457m further north than Nordkapp, but it is almost a secret as it is much less known. And unlike Nordkapp it is not touristy.

But it takes some effort to get there, as it is inaccessible to vehicles and the only way to get there is to hike along a 9km trail . The trail starts from a parking lot located about 6km south of Nordkapp (GPS: 71.12201, 25.70815 ).

You can leave your car there (for free) and follow the path to the tip of the promontory. The trail is waymarked by stones and red T’s. It will take you between 2.5 and 3 hours to get to Knivskjellodden , and at least as long to return. The hike is not particularly difficult, but you need to have good hiking boots and bring warm clothing, and maybe something waterproof to wear in case (not so uncommon) of rain.

Once you arrive at the Knivskjellodden you will see a tall beehive-shaped obelisk, which announces that you have reached the latitude 71°11’08” N . Open the box, inside you will find a guest book on which you can write your name. Note down your reference number from the book, so if you want you can go to Nordkapp Camping where you can request a certificate attesting your achievement (for a fee of 50 NOK).

Since the weather is unstable at this high latitude , it may take longer than expected, you may encounter fog or storm. It may be a good idea to leave a message detailing where you were going and what time you left in your car. The trail is accessible only in summer , and is usually snowbound (and hence impassable) from October (sometimes from mid-September) to May.

ROAD TRIP IDEAS & HIKING INSPIRATION FOR OUTDOORSY TRAVELERS

7 Awesome Things to Do When You Visit Nordkapp in Norway & Where to Stay

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Who likes visiting unique places? Nordkapp is Norway’s (almost) most northern point and is one of the country’s most popular places. We don’t count how many times we have traveled to Norway, but I know for sure we visited Nordkapp on the first Northern Norway road trip as a family. A couple of years earlier, Karol had an opportunity to explore the unique Mageroya Island, where the North Cape of Norway is located. Norway is a huge country, and every time we are hesitant, which part of it should we revisit or look for new hidden gems. Hiking in Lofoten was a bucket list item, so I hiked to the Preikestolen rock with our family . Actually, it is tough to select a place you wouldn’t like. The fjords are magnificent, whether they are deep in the south or shallow in the north. The mountains allow for short hikes or multi-day trips, while the settlements are full of cute wooden houses and stave churches. But let’s get back to one of the most visited places in Norway: Nordkapp!

We put together this guide for you to help you make the best out of your Nordkapp Trip!

Disclaimer: The post may contain affiliate links .

Nordkapp Norway – The North Cape of Norway

.Nordkapp is a municipality of Tromso and Finnmark county in Northern Norway with only 3000 people . Although the locals are barely a handful, during the summer month, over 200 000 tourists travel to Nordkapp – which is a huge number! We have noticed that despite the travel restrictions everywhere, there were tons of cars and RVs from the Nordic countries (luckily it was allowed to travel) during the evenings.

The meaning of Nordkapp

Nordkapp is a Norwegian spelling of the English  North Cape . The municipality originally was named after a fishing village, Kjelvik, but as it was destroyed in the second WW, the name change was inevitable. Since 1950, the place is called Nordkapp.

Not the Northernmost Point of Norway

The famous point of Nordkapp is the 307 meters (1,007 ft) high cliff, which is mistakenly, often called as the northernmost point of Europe.

The real northernmost point of Europe, on the mainland, is Cape Nordkinn (Kinnarodden in Norwegian, 71° 08′ 02″ N ) as it is about 20 km more north than Nordkapp and is actually on the mainland. Nordkapp is on an island. Mageroya Island. So it is definitely not a correct record.

And how about the most northern point of Europe on the islands?

There are two candidates for that too. If you count Franz Jozed Land to Europe, then the Russian Cape Fligely on Rudolf Island at 81° 48′ 24″ N is your answer.

If not, then it’s on the Spitsbergen. Europe’s northernmost point is the northern point of the island of  Rossøya is an islet in Svalbard  at 80° 49′ 44.41″ N.

Nonetheless, Nordkapp is an amazing place to visit, so it shouldn’t deter you from your plan of traveling there.

Nordkapp Latitude and Longitude are the followings: Latitude 71.164932 Longitude 25.786972 Nordkapp coordinates in other format: 71° 9′ 53.7552” N 25° 47′ 13.0992” E Mageroya Island Norway

Travel Resources

There is nothing better than a relaxed holiday. To ensure your rest, make sure you reserve and book your accommodation and transportation in advance of your trip.

• Don’t forget to insure yourself during your travels: SafetyWing . Check out their policies HERE . It also covers several virus-related expenses.
• Look for the best prices on flight tickets, hotels, and car rentals: Expedia
• Car rental: SIXt
• Accommodation: Booking.com , Agoda or Hostelworld if you travel on a budget. Don’t forget that you can search for Apartments also on Booking.
• Activities: GetYourGuide
• Opinions on hotels and restaurants: TripAdvisor
• Was your flight canceled or delayed? Get up to 600€ back with the help of Compansair!

Travel to Nordkapp

There are different ways how to travel to Nordkapp. We will list you different options below.

Travel to Nordkapp By Car

Probably one of the most spectacular ways is to travel to Nordkapp by car or by motorcycle. If you don’t mind driving a lot and find pleasure passing even thousands of kilometers, then a Norway road trip or a Scandinavian road trip are your best choices.

Although the Nordkapp tunnel fee is demolished for a long time when you drive in Norway, remember that there are paid tunnels, roads, and ferries to calculate the costs. Luckily Nordkapp is almost free.

Rent a Car from Here!

Travel to Nordkapp from Finland

One option is to travel to Nordkapp from Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi is the home to Santa Claus in Finnish Lapland. It is a rather long but doable way (we drove from Rovaniemi to Norway with two small kids). We added about a thousand extra kilometers and made detours to Kirkenes and its surroundings too.

By bus, you can take a bus from Rovaniemi to Tromso and then change to Nordkapp. It is rather expensive as public transport prices are high in both countries, so if you travel with a companion or family, you are probably better off financially to rent a car.

Nordkapp from Oslo

If you start your trip in the Norwegian capital, you can either fly or drive. There is an airport in Honningsvag , less than an hour from the Nordkapp Visitor Center. You can fly there.

Another option is an epic road trip. This would allow you to explore Southern Norway , the Lofoten Archipelago, and Northern Norway as well. If you have at least two weeks (better having a month, though), choose this!

When is the best time to visit Nordkapp?

There is no straight answer, which is the best month to visit Nordkapp. Don’t forget, it will be windy almost the whole year-round, which means terribly cold in winter or rainy weather. My suggestion would be June or July, but wintertime is special too. Let’s check what factors you need to consider when you pick a time for your visit.

Nordkapp Daylight Hours

As Nordkapp is far north, the daylight hours vary a lot during the year. And when I saw a lot, I mean that in winter, the sun doesn’t rise, and it never sets in summer.

Nordkapp in Winter

Winter in Nordkapp is the time of the polar nights. The sun doesn’t rise above the horizon between 20 November and 21 January.

It’s dark, humid, windy, and probably snowy. Personally, we postponed our trip last April because some of the roads were still snowed in, and the temperature was around zero degrees celsius.

Nordkapp in Summer

The best winter month to visit Nordkapp are June and July. This is perfect timing for admiring the midnight sun in Nordkapp.

The summer is magical in the Arctic. Nordkapp weather in June and July is the best, not to mention it’s during the midnight sun’s time. The midnight sun is one of the miracles in Lapland . During our last visit in June, everyone set up their picnic tables next to the cars and RVs, pour some wine or pop a beer can, and waited for midnight to come while enjoying the warm rays of the sun.

Please note, it is often rainy, windy, and cold in summer too. The average daily max is around 12°C. I hope for a nice warm day but be prepared if it looks and feels like this in the photo.

Nordkapp midnight sun time: 12 May – 2 August (2021)

Weather forecast

For the Nordkapp weather forecast for the upcoming days, browser the Norwegian meteorological website .

Nordkapp Map

Nordkapp parking.

Time to discuss money. Nordkapp parking fee is quite high if you consider you most likely to spend there only a couple of hours.

In 2020, the parking fee to Nordkapp was 350 NOK.

The other thing you can pay at the parking booth is your entrance ticket to the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center’s fee is 250 NOK per person.

How to save money?

The parking fee is only collected during the opening hours, which is in summer from 10 am to 1 am (yes, after midnight), so if you want to save on parking, arrive between 1 am and 10 am. We planned to overnight there, so we didn’t mind the parking fee.

Nordkapp Visitor Center

The Visitor Center stands on the cliff of Nordkapp, and it features restaurants, a souvenir shop, toilets, and a couple of other things. You can watch a documentary movie or pose with the little troll statues or simply warm up after the cold or windy weather outside.

Nordkapp Entrance Fee

The entrance fee to the visitor center is 250 NOK per person.

How much time do you need to visit Nordkapp?

In my opinion, 2 to 3 hours is enough to see the place, especially in not so pleasant weather. When we arrived there with the kids, the wind was 40 km/h, and rain showers were coming and going, so in 20 minutes, we did a bit of walk and took the compulsory photos. If you want to spend time inside, a couple of more hours is okay. Luckily, when the weather became better by the evening, we could still be outside for hours, play under the midnight sun and check some of the cliffs further away.

The Cliff Outside

Besides the indoor activities, you can walk along the cliffs near or further from the Visitor Center, and of course, make sure you took a pic with the famous globe statue.

Other Spectacular Things to Do in Nordkapp

What to do in Nordkapp, you wonder. Most of the visitors only stop by the Visitor Center and do a quick stop there. That’s not all that you can do on Nordkapp.

Watch the Northern Lights

If you visit Nordkapp between October and March, you have a perfect chance to see not only this popular place but the magical aurora borealis. You can try it on your own or join some organized tours where the guide will take you to a perfect spot for that night.

What to do at Nordkapp: AURORA TOURS & other fun activities

Nordkapp Hike to Knivskjellodden

Knivkjellodden is the real northern point of the Nordkapp island. It is possible to hike there too. You can see the peninsula in this photo too.

The hike itself about 19 kilometers long and has an elevation difference of 400 meters. The trailhead starts a few kilometers from the Visitor Center. There is a parking place for about 10-20 cars, depending on the weather conditions. The trail itself is demanding due to its length and often leads through exposed sections. IT is for experienced hikers only. It requires about 6 hours of walking time.

Knivskjellodden HIKE info

Distance: 19 kilometers Elevation gain : 400 m Time : 6-8 hours

Hike to Kirkeporten in Skarsvåg

The hike to the Kirkeporten arch was our favorite outdoor activity in Nordkapp. The hike starts from the small village of Skarvag, and it’s a rather short hike. About 3 kilometers and an elevation gain of about 50 meters. You first need to climb up the hill next to the village on the left side (arriving from Nordkapp) then descend on the other side.

The arch itself not giant but quite sizeable. It reminded me a bit of Malta and the famous arch that I saw as a kid and its collapse a couple of years ago. Besides the arch, I loved listening to the seagulls and observing the spectacular form of the rocks. The kids loved exploring the seaside as well.

Kirkeporten hike info

Distance: 3 kilometers Elevation gain: 50 m Time : 1-2 hours

Fishing Village: Gjesvær

Gjesvaer is a quiet fishing village on the northern side of the island. You can have a drive there and a short walk if you have an hour or two extra.

Honningsvåg

Honningsvag is the biggest settlement in Nordkapp, and it has the island’s only airport. If you arrive by plane, you will likely arrive here (unless you want to take a long drive from some of the more southern airports.

The settlement itself doesn’t seem immensely interesting with it’s narrow and busy streets. However, there is a shop and fuel station, and as both are scarce resources in Northern Norway, you will probably take at least a short detour there. Anyway, you come to Nordkapp for the views, the midnight sun and the northern lights, not for city sightseeing.

Nordkapp Accommodation

There are a couple of options for accommodation in Nordkapp. The most spectacular hotel in Nordkapp is the Scandic Nordkapp , which is located near the curvy serpentines that take you up to the fell. It’s also a great place to watch the northern lights from.

In Honningsvag, you can choose between AirBnbs, hostels, and hotels.

If you want to stay on budget , check Nordkapp Vandrerhjem Hoste l or The View . About hotels, Scandic Bryggen , or the previously mentioned Scandic Nordkapp (outside of the town) is definitely worth checking.

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About the Author

Katalin Katalin is a Lapland-based outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking, road-tripping, and traveling with her family. She spends her free time far away from civilization in one of the national parks around the world, explores off-the-beaten-path places, or hops on a road trip with her kids in an RV. Read more about her adventures and the blog .

3 thoughts on “7 Awesome Things to Do When You Visit Nordkapp in Norway & Where to Stay”

Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing, currently figuring out all the what to do’s for our Northern Norway wild camping trip 🙂

Awesome and so helpful! Thank you for sharing x

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Stunning Outdoors

Nordkapp in Norway – our experience at the northernmost tip of Europe

Hiking · Norway

When planning our 2 months trip to Norway, we didn’t even dream we will reach as far as North Cape! But then it actually happened and we were over the moon to have arrived to the northernmost tip of Europe!

Being in such an iconic location we felt very lucky, hence we ensured to get to know Nordkapp Norway area as much as possible and explore its hikes. Also, we spoke to the locals, eager to find out about life in such a remote region.

During the Nordkapp road trip we found out, for instance, that the northernmost place in Europe isn’t really the famous Nordkapp Point, but the tip of nearby peninsula, Knivskjelodden. Did you know that?!

Find out important Nordkapp facts, to ensure a memorable visit to Europe’s most remote corner!

Nordkapp and Knivskjelodden – exploring the northernmost tip of Europe

1. How to get to Nordkapp 2. Knivskjelodden – the real northernmost point of Europe vs Nordkapp Point 3. How much is Nordkapp charge (and how we visited ‘the globe’ for free) 4. Our experience at Nordkapp and Mageroya island  – exploring the area & meeting Sami, the reindeer herders of the North 5. Hikes near Nordkapp 6. Wild camping and campsites near Nordkapp

Driving to Nordkapp

1. How to get to Nordkapp

North Cape (Norwegian: Nordkapp) is a part of Mageroya island in Finnmark, Northern Norway.

It can be accessed either by road E69 from Porsanger Peninsula (Porsanger-halvoya) or by ferry from Kjollefjord on Nordkinn Peninsula (Nordkinn-halvoya), operated by Hurtingruten .

Driving to Nordkapp from nearest towns : from Alta 240 km, time 3.5 hours; from Lakselv 192 km, approximately 3 hours.

If you’re already on Mageroya island and fancy a short trip, you can book a bus trip from Honningsvåg to North Cape, click here for timetable.

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Nordkapp Point seen from Knivskjelodden

2. Knivskjelodden – the real northernmost point of Europe versus Nordkapp Point

The controversy starts here! Is Nordkapp Point the northernmost place in Europe? What is Knivskjelodden? Learn some surprising Nordkapp facts!

Let’s start with the obvious: Nordkapp Point (or North Cape) is the northernmost location in Europe, right? Surprisingly – wrong!

Cliffs of North Cape are located at 71°1 0′21″N   25°47′04″E making it the most northerly point reachable by car , however the true most northerly point of Europe is nearby  Knivskjelodden peninsula . It reaches 1.5 km further north than Nordkapp, at 71°11 ′ 08°N 25.71°E. That, clearly, makes Knivskjelodden the northernmost point of Europe (excluding Svalbard). 

Knivskjelodden peninsula seen from Nordkapp Point

Hmm… you may wonder why you heard about Nordkapp Point but not about Knivskjelodden? For very typical Norwegian reasons: practical reasons!

To understand it, you have to get to know the area; once at Nordkapp, it will seem obvious why Knivskjelodden is lesser known.

Knivskjelodden versus Nordkapp

Knivskjelodden is a remote peninsula, its tip (THE point) can ONLY be reached by a 9 km hike across tundra, there is no tourist infrastructure apart from a small path. For an average John Smith, an 18 km hike (there and back) over rough path (and then slippery boulders) would be a challenge; very likely it would discourage our John Smith from venturing to the real northernmost point in Europe . For many others it would simply be inaccessible.

On the contrary, Nordkapp is located almost just as far north and easily accessible by car; hence it appeals to wider public. A visitor to Nordkapp will only have to walk 300 metres to the ‘globe’, over flat and paved ground. There is another reason for choosing Nordkapp as a ‘tourist northernmost point in Europe’ – it’s located on a plateau large enough to have typical tourist infrastructure – massive car park, restaurant and visitors centre. Knowing how many travellers visit Nordkapp every year, having a charged ‘tourist dedicated facility’ is also a good business.

Our main destination was Knivskjelodden rather than crowded tourist spot, therefore we enjoyed the thought of half-day hike to the peninsula (approximately 5-6 hours, find detailed information in ‘hikes near Nordkapp’ section).

Read further to learn about Nordkapp charges (and how possibly avoid them)

At Nordkapp

3. How much is Nordkapp charge (and how we visited ‘the globe’ for free)

When planning your trip to Nordkapp, ensure to budget for admission fee!

I called it ‘admission fee’, but officially it’s a ‘parking charge’ applicable to motor vehicles, therefore if you have a slightest chance to visit Nordkapp by bike or by foot, you should definitely consider it! I appreciate that the nearest village, Skarsvag, is located 15 km away, however to visit Nordkapp on foot, you can leave your car at a small car park (free), roughly 5 km before Nordkapp Point (directions).

Why should you bother?

Have a look at Nordkapp ‘parking charge’ for 2020 *. Interesting how parking fee is calculated ‘per person’ rather than ‘per car’.

Opening Hours 2020

* source: official Nordkapp website

OK, so now when you already know how much a visit to Nordkapp is going to cost you (and you’re shocked!), find out how we managed to visit Nordkapp globe without paying a krone !

Parking charge can only be enforced when there are means to collect it, right?

Charges at Nordkapp are collected at the entrance to car park by a person, rather than ‘pay and display’ system. Hence, visiting Nordkapp Point outside of opening hours means avoiding fees! Stay assured that there is no barrier at the car park therefore you’ll be able to drive in and out as you please (and park for free),  just ensure to arrive to Nordkapp outside of opening hours (see above). Keep in mind, however, that all facilities will be closed (most importantly – you won’t be able to use toilet).

Such high admission fee may be a bitter pill to swallow for tourists who already find Norway an expensive country to visit; especially when travelling long term (like ourselves) one has to spend their money wisely. To put it in perspective: 570 NOK (per couple) spent on parking charges (at tourist attraction which takes 1-2 hours to visit) pays for more than 2 nights at the campsite, more than two ferry crossings along Helgeland scenic route…

Therefore before driving to Nordkapp you should ask yourself what is important to you, what would you like to do at the northernmost point in Europe? If you only want to wander around a little and take a photo with the globe, you should definitely think about visiting it when the facilities are closed. If, however, you’re keen on visiting the restaurant and exhibition or watch the midnight sun, you’ll have to pay the charge. We can’t comment whether the exhibition is worth the money as we skipped it.

In our case; after visiting Knivskjelodden we only wanted to top off the day by having photo with the globe, hence visiting outside of opening hours worked very well for us.

Along the road, Mageroya island

4. Our experience at Nordkapp and Mageroya island

The day we arrived to Mageroya island was miserable. It was madly pouring it down. Having heard of the high charge at Nordkapp Point, we thought it would be a waste to drive there in such weather, pay the extortionate fee only to get soaked and leave the place within maximum 15 minutes, without even seeing anything as the clouds were very low… Instead, we decided it would be wiser to spend the rest of the day somewhere nice, warm and dry; and visit Nordkapp Point next day.

Hence we called at 3 campsites passed along the way, they were all closed for winter (mid-September)! Only when we arrived to Skarsvag village, we found an open campsite and lodges! Yay!

A warm welcome in Skarsvag campsite

We checked in at Skarsvag campsite (‘ Base Camp North Cape ‘) despite being terribly early; oh, you can only imagine how grateful we were for warm welcome! It turned out that on that very campsite, at the end of the world we were greeted by a Polish receptionist! You know that feeling, when you unexpectedly bump into your fellow countryman in the middle of nowhere, in a far-away country!? That happens to us quite often, I must say! And it’s awesome!

Having met a ‘local’ Pole we chatted a lot; then how we found out that it’s possible to avoid steep parking charges at Nordkapp (see section 3).

Typical Mageroya island scenery

Despite rain and heavy skies, we somehow felt uplifted. We made ourselves comfortable in campsite’s kitchen and canteen; our Swiss companion, Linnea, baked fresh rolls and the sitting area smelled heavenly! When looking thru the window, couple of times we spotted reindeer casually wandering to the camping grounds, roaming amongst lodges and on nearby hill. Happy and warm, we planned destinations and attractions for next couple of days. That was the first day at the northernmost location in Europe.

Knivskjelodden and Nordkapp

We got up early next morning to hike to the real northernmost point in Europe, Knivskjelodden. The hike was 18 km and we really enjoyed it. We also timed it well, so directly after the hike we drove to Nordkapp Point, already outside of opening hours and therefore visited the place free of charge!

Along the trail to Knivskjelodden we encountered even more reindeer, I actually joked that they’re our guides! We both really liked it – read all about hiking to the most northerly peninsula in Europe, in section 5 ‘Hikes near Nordkapp’ (below).

Along the way, Mageroya island

Upon our return to car park we were met by Linnea; together we set to explore the ‘touristy’ northernmost point on the continent. It was  quite surprising to see so many cars and camper vans at car park at this time of the year (mid-September)! We were in no hurry and decided to wait a bit, as we believed that most visitors will be gone by evening and the place will be much quieter in a couple of hours time; we wanted to spend the night at Nordkapp anyway, we had all the time in the world.

Nordkapp celebrations!

At Nordkapp Point

As predicted, it didn’t take long before day-trip visitors left the area and number of people wandering around the globe dramatically thinned.

That was our time to finally have a closer look at the globe, the rocky cliffs of Nordkapp and never-ending ocean to the north.

Reaching such a unique and important landmark required proper celebrations! Linnea kept a bottle of champagne for that very occasion, she kindly shared with us!  So there we were, three of us very happy and having the globe just to ourselves!

Of course we didn’t have any champagne glasses in the van; nope, we definitely won’t surprise you in this respect! Again, Linnea came to the rescue with three, fancy, bowl-shaped tealight holders! I assure you, champagne never tasted as good as at Nordkapp! Cheers!

Next morning we set off early again; we thought it would be decent of us to disappear from car park before the facilities open.

Meeting Sami, the legendary reindeer herders of the North

Having left the most northerly place on European continent, we headed in the only possible direction – south. Very soon we came across Sami homes and shop , just before Skarsvag.

Sami are indigenous folk of the Far North; they’re mostly met in northern Norway as well as Swedish and Finnish Lapland. Sami are the legendary reindeer herders of the North; even nowadays many of them still live semi-nomadic life and work with reindeer, and of reindeer. Travelling in Finnmark, we came across many Sami settlements, lodges and cultural centres. Curious as we are, we took the opportunity to find out more about Sami and their close relationship with reindeer.

Sami of Nordkapp, Norway

We entered the Matkemuittut Somby Sami Souvenir Shop and were warmly greeted by a young guy wearing traditional Sami outfit. He was very friendly and happy to tell us more about Sami life and culture.

Sami have always been a nomadic folk, they followed their reindeer thru tundra, looking for richest pastures. Today, they still live of reindeer – selling meat, skins and traditional souvenirs made of antlers, wood & leather.

During a chat at Matkemuittut Somby we learned many interesting facts about Sami, reindeer and living near Nordkapp. Did you know that:

• reindeer shed their antlers and grow new ones every year! Hence you shouldn’t hesitate when buying souvenirs made of reindeer antlers – animals were not hurt, it all happens naturally!
• male reindeer shed antlers in the beginning of December, female reindeer keep them longer (till spring), therefore, surprisingly Rudolf the reindeer must be a female!
• Sami folk don’t own the land, but they have special arrangements with Norwegian government to use the land for reindeer herding. The whole of Mageroya island is divided between 3 Sami families, hence the animals we spotted near Nordkapp and Knivskjelodden must have belonged to ‘our’ guy’s family!
• winters at Nordkapp are too harsh for reindeer! Ground covered by thick snow freezes due to high winds and reindeer find it impossible to dig thru the frozen shell to find food. Therefore, every year Sami from Nordkapp (and other ‘far north’ lands) gather their reindeer and relocate them further south for winter, often near Karasjok. Yes, you remember well, Nordkapp is on an island; reindeer have to swim the 2 km distance to across from Mageroya to mainland!
• although you may think that reindeer roam totally freely and uncontrolled over vast spaces, Sami know exactly where their herds are.
• herding reindeer is a full time job, whole year!
• before winter comes, Sami gather their herds to mark young reindeer, check their health and keep an eye on them during severe winter cold. The event is called ‘reindeer roundup’, families work together for several weeks to prepare for winter.
• Sami language is widely spoken in northern Norway and Lapland (northern Sweden and Finland), for many it’s the first language
• different dialects of Sami language are spoken by different Sami tribes (yes, there are several Sami tribes!), also their cultural heritage and traditional outfits differ.

Hiking to Knivskjelodden

5 Hikes near Nordkapp

Hiking always is a highlight of any trip we do! Visiting Nordkapp (and Mageroya island) was no exception, we spent some time studying map to find hiking trails to bring us closer to unique nature of the area. Below, we’re presenting 4 ideas for shorter (and longer) hikes recommended during your visit to Nordkapp. Enjoy!

5.1 Kirkeporten

Kirkeporten is a rock arch located near Skarsvag village, some 15 km from Nordkapp. It’s a very short hike, total distance of a circular walk is approximately 1.5 km, however to reach the arch you’ll have to climb a small hill. Several paths lead to the unique rock formation, all of them are well defined and easy to find. The paths are also marked with small wooden posts.

We hiked to Kirkeporten from Skarsvag campsite, left the car at a small parking area just past campsite’s gate. Alternatively you can leave the car along main road, a bit further towards the village as there are some parking spaces available. Allow approximately 1-2 hours for visit to the arch and nearby quirky rocks. Keep in mind that trail becomes slippery in places as you descend lower, towards the rocky coast. This shouldn’t stop you from exploring thou; if you’re a geology enthusiast (like myself) you’ll find Kirkeporten of great interest.

Kirkeporten arch near Skarsvag

At Kirkeporten

Kirkeporten circular hike from Skarsvag village, near Nordkapp. Map copyright Norgeskart.

5.2 Visiting Nordkapp by foot

In a section above, I mentioned the high parking fees at Nordkapp Point. Therefore, to avoid the charges I recommend dropping your car at a free, small car park 5 km before Nordkapp (directions) and walking to the globe, rather than driving (walking time approximately 1 hour each way). Follow a faint path running along main road. It will take you thru typical northern landscape – gentle bumps (too low to be called a ‘hill’!), and overgrown wetlands. Have a closer look at the ground – you’ll be walking on a beautiful tundra carpet. Try to spot the ‘laces’ of dwarfed birch ‘trees’ entwining rough rocks; looking at them I realised how tough conditions must be in this remote corner of earth.

If you’re lucky, you may encounter some friendly locals!

Friendly locals at Nordkapp peninsula & tundra  – dwarfed birch.

5.3 Tip of Knivskjelodden peninsula, the real northernmost point in Europe

We strongly recommend walking to the real northernmost point in Europe, Knivskjelodden peninsula. It can only be reached by a 9 km hike thru tundra, please allow 5-6 hours for the total of 18 km hike.

Knivskjelodden hiking trail starts at a small, free car park (directions) and is marked with standard Norwegian red ‘Ts’ painted on rocks along the way.

At first, path is very rough – rocks stick from the ground like randomly pitched cobblestones and walking over them is a bit awkward. However, very soon the trail becomes smoother, albeit wetter.

Local guides met along trail to Knivskjelodden

Ensure to take in the views around you; as much as some can consider them little exciting, others can appreciate the rough beauty. Before your eyes are gentle hills covered by finest tundra. Look at the ground and spot dwarfed birch ‘trees’. I know, I mentioned them already; don’t take it against me, but I absolutely fell in love with them. They created ‘laces’ of tiny, entangles branches; their fine yellow leaves like amber drops. Oh, autumn & tundra go together very well!

You’re very likely to come across numerous herds of reindeer; during our visit to Knivskjelodden we spotted them every couple of minutes, literary everywhere. Sometimes we only noticed antlers sticking out from behind the rocks or over the hill, other times they casually crossed our path. I’ll be honest, despite seeing reindeer couple of times every day (while travelling in Finnmark and later in Lapland, Finland) we never took them for granted, and every sight was special and exciting!

Nordkapp Point seen from Knivskjelodden hike

At the beach and further, along the rugged path to the tip of Knivskjelodden

About 5 km into the hike, you’ll note that now you’re mostly descending the gentle hills, towards a small bay with a pebble beach. Once at the beach, continue along the shore, to the left.

This is where ‘the fun’ starts – you’ll have to cross some large boulders. Take care – some are very slippery! It’s the last section before reaching Knivskjelodden, but it seem to be dragging forever.

Then, when you think you’ll never get there, you suddenly arrive to Knivskjelodden trig point!

At Knivskjelodden, the northernmost point of Europe!

Make sure to put your name in a ‘guest book’; look for our names under 14/9/18. If you’re lucky, you may find a bottle of whisky at the ‘guest book’ box 🙂

Well warmed up, we sat at the rocks and admired the view before our eyes – endless ocean! How did it feel to have reached the northernmost tip of Europe? It felt amazing! We were both really happy to have been able to travel that far and enjoy so many great experiences while exploring Norway!

At Knivskjelodden Norway

It won’t be to anyone’s surprise that we felt reluctant to return. Also, as the weather improved, we both wanted to spend more time at Knivskjelodden and just enjoy the warm sun.

Eventually, we retraced our steps to the car park.

Nordkapp hiking trails. BLUE – foot path to Nordkapp. RED – Knivskjelodden hiking trail. GREEN -alternative trail to shores of Kjerkeneset. Map copyright Norgeskart.

5.4 Skipsfjord to Torvhamna

Skipsfjord is located approximately 4 km north-west from Mageroya’s largest settlement, Honnigsvag. You’ll easily find it – look out for a large campsite and red hotel complex, just alongside the main road (near the only hairpin bend on Mareroya island). Walk from the campsite to Torvhamna coast takes about 20 minutes, distance is approximately 1 km (one way).

Leave your car in the campsite’s parking area (just at the gate) and walk towards the end of camping zone. Once you reach two small buildings, take a rough track towards small bumps (too small to be called ‘hills’). The track will take you thru moon-like landscape. We found it a weird place; by ‘weird’ I mean that it didn’t match the rest of tundra on Mageroya island; barren rocks made a rather out of this world impression and the landscape was kind of ‘volcanic’.

Rough track from Skipsfjord to Torvhamna

About 500 metres further, the views suddenly changed and we ‘returned’ to tundra; gentle green-yellow bumps. There were numerous paths cutting across the hills and we set to explore some of them – we’re always looking for higher viewpoints over the area.

Another funny fact about the track was the amount of fish bones laying around! Wherever we looked, we saw white fish bones – along the track, on the hills, virtually everywhere. We didn’t spot any predators thou, but surely there were some fish hunters in the area!

Moon-like Skipsfjord

After about 30 minutes from setting off we reached picturesque shores of Torvhamna; rugged coast with some small islands. On the other side of the fjord was Honningsvag village. Having explored the area a bit further, we retraced our steps to the campsite.

Picturesque shores of Torvhamna

Hiking to Torvhamna. Map copyright Norgeskart.

6. Nordkapp camping (including wild camping)

Wild camping  is allowed and widely accepted in Norway. By law, everyone is allowed to stay overnight at any spot at least 150 metres from nearby buildings.

It’s not very easy to find a suitable wild camping spot for a camper van nor a tent near Nordkapp, as there aren’t many parking bays nor viewpoints along the road. The best spot for wild camping near Nordkapp is a small car park 5 km before the ‘globe’ (directions) . Alternatively, you can stay overnight in a campervan at Nordkapp Point car park; please note that there is only limited space suitable for pitching tents. During our visit, there were dozens of camper vans and only a handful of tents staying for the night at Nordkapp Point.

Another idea; why not take your camping gear and stay overnight along the trail to Knivskjelodden , or actually at the northernmost point of Europe? That would be something special!

Nordkapp camping. There are several campsites on Mageroya island, two of them relatively close to Nordkapp. Skarsvag campsite & ‘Base Camp North Cape’ offered good facilities at a reasonable price; most importantly its ‘kitchen-canteen’ was large, warm and clean. We thoroughly appreciated it during our visit – on the day we arrived to Nordkapp area weather was wild and we greatly enjoyed the afternoon spent at Skarsvag campsite, working on laptops and planning further adventures.

Another two large campsites are located near Honningsvag.

If the weather is wild during your visit to Nordkapp and you prefer to find a reasonably priced accommodation, why not try lodges (hytter)? Finding hytters is very easy – there are numerous hytter-sites along main road between Honningsvag and Skarsvag.

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Out of Your Comfort Zone

The art of backpacking & adventures to get out of your comfort zone – tips and advice, svolvaer to nordkapp perfect road trip itinerary – norway.

Last Updated on February 21, 2024 by Talita

Although I have been to the country a couple of times in the past, it wasn’t until taking a road trip from Svolvaer to Nordkapp that I came across its real beauty. Driving through different terrains and localities provided me with memories like nothing else.

When I came back home, I had friends asking about my experience. So, I decided to pen down this guide for them and everyone else interested. Let’s begin then!

Table of Contents

• 1 Travel map from Svolvaer to Nordkapp: Discover the best of Norway by car!
• 2.1 What Else Can You Do In Svolvaer?
• 2.2 Where To Stay In Svolvaer?
• 4.1 What Else Can You Do Andenes?
• 4.2 Where To Stay In Andenes?
• 6 Welcome to Senja
• 8.2 What Else Can You Do In Sommaroy?
• 10.1 What Else Can You Do In Tromsø?
• 12.1 What Else Can You Do In Alta?
• 12.3 Where To Stay In Alta?
• 14.2 What Else Can You Do In Nordkapp?
• 14.4 Where To Stay In Nordkapp?
• 16 FAQs – Driving In Norway
• 17 Summing up…
• 18 Final Words
• 19 Planning your next trip?

Travel map from Svolvaer to Nordkapp: Discover the best of Norway by car!

Below you will find a complete road trip planner from Svolvaer to Nordkapp. Enjoy tips on things to do and where to stay during your adventure, as well as driving recommendations in Norway.

To help you plan and visualize your itinerary, I also made a map with all the places mentioned in this article so that you can make the most of all my tips. (just click on the map below to zoom in).

Start: Svolvaer

Before you embark on the rest of the journey to Nordkapp, take out some time to explore Svolvaer. And what can be better than starting off by watching the mesmerizing Northern lights from the strategically placed Lofoten group of islands? 

You can easily catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis from practically any direction. Moreover, the islands are located very close to one another, meaning you can quickly move around to follow the light trail. 

And while at it, don’t forget to choose the guided photography trips to capture this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Or go for the complete sailing, hiking, and fishing tour to the unpopulated island of Litlmolla and Skrova.

If you have enough time in hand, then I’d also suggest opting for a cruise trip to Trollfjord to get up-close and personal with the local wildlife and landscape of the region. It’s the best way to watch the regal sea eagles and experience the enchanting beauty of the majestic mountain tops and mysterious ocean depths.

What Else Can You Do In Svolvaer?

After you’re done satiating the nature lover in you, it’s time to unwind in the much-popular ice bars of Svolvaer. 

My favorite was the Magic Ice Bar located at Fiskergata 36, which has different sculptures, glasses, and even tables and chairs made of ice! And the friendly staff was nothing less than a bonus.

On that note, I should also suggest taking a Lofoten brewery tour, which will introduce you to the Lofotpils brewery – the only craft beer brewery in the region. Its owner, Andreas Thorvardarson, is an entrepreneur who has successfully fulfilled his family dream of operating a brewery in this part of the world. 

Despite employing only a handful of people most of the time, it produces some of the finest stouts, amber ales, and pilsners that leave you craving for more. Interestingly, he has also started the Hollafaest music festival in Svolvaer that takes place every year in July.

Where To Stay In Svolvaer?

Some of my top recommendations for staying in Svolvaer are:

• Anker Brygge Fishermen’s Lodge
• Vestfjord Hotel (best for budget accommodation)
• Svinoya Rorbuer
• Hammerstad Camping

Next stop: Andenes 

The next destination on this trip was Andenes, which is located at a distance of about 133 miles from Svolvaer (taking approximately 3 hours to drive). 

However, I’d strongly recommend keeping extra time handy- not because the roads are difficult to drive on but because it’s virtually impossible not to stop and admire mother nature along the way! And keep an eye for spotting local wildlife like sea eagles, plants like golden cloudberries, and the natural peat bogs formation. 

Andenes is a small town cum fishing port that’s situated at the northernmost tip of the Andoya island. Inhabited by about 2,000 fishermen, it houses one of the largest fishing communities on the island. And this can be credited to the land’s unhindered access to the rich continental shelf water on three sides, which also makes for great ocean viewing anytime, anywhere. 

Since I was pretty tired on the day of my arrival to Andenes, I spent the rest of my time exploring the shops, cafes, and the church here. But before heading back to the hotel, I made it a point to visit the tourist service center that provides vital information about the land and its weather conditions.

What Else Can You Do Andenes?

Among other things, you can definitely go whale watching (sperm whales if you visit Andemes in summer and humpbacks if you’re here in winter). I’d advise doing some research beforehand so that you can book an experienced guide for a fulfilling trip. And before you hit the waters, you will be taken to the Whale Museum, which can also be visited on its own.

If you’re feeling less adventurous (and more seasick), then the Sea Safari Andenes trip may be a better alternative for you. It lasts for only a couple of hours while ensuring optimum proximity to the sea and its inhabitants. Once you’re back on shore, visit the lighthouse and polar museum. 

Other than that, you wouldn’t want to miss out on visiting Spaceship Aurora, the lone operational space center of the country. It saw the first rocket launch in the early 1960s, which kickstarted the Norwegian space era. 

Where To Stay In Andenes?

Although there aren’t a lot of places offering tourist accommodation , here are some hotels and apartments that you can try:

• Hotel Marena
• Heggelund-huset
• Kristina Apartments
• Jangaard Apartment

Welcome to Senja

Getting to Senja from Andenes was perhaps one of the best parts of this trip for me, thanks to the transportation system between these two islands. 

Although they are situated relatively close to each other (the distance between them is about 43 miles), I’d strongly suggest opting for the car ferry service, which is operated three times a day during summer. It connects Andenes to Gryllefjord (situated north of the Senja island). But make sure you reach the port well in advance, as the tickets can’t be pre-booked.

Lasting for about an hour and 40 minutes, this on-sea trip will give you the opportunity to get close to the water and even spot whales without paying extra. 

Once you set foot on Senja, you will invariably be intrigued by the rising peaks culminating into the sea and the white sand beaches adorned by turquoise waters. What I liked the most about this place is that tourists are free to stop anywhere and start walking in any direction to find out more about the place.

Talking about the main tourist attractions , my first recommendation will be the Ersfjordstranda. Not only is it one of the most picturesque beaches on Sanja, but it’s also home to a popular, gold-plated toilet facility designed by a very skilled architect. Plus, the surrounding area makes the perfect spot for camping.

Another location worth mentioning is the Tungeneset wooden walkway, overlooking the Oksen mountain and waves of the Northern Sea. When the weather is calm, the still water acts as a mirror to reflect the mountain peaks. 

But I couldn’t get enough of the scenic landscape, which led me to the 44-meter long Bergston viewing platform. You can stop at its car park to catch a glimpse of the enchanting scenery below. 

What Else Can You Do In Senja?

Senja is undoubtedly an adventurer’s paradise, as there are numerous hiking trails that one can go on. While the Husfjellet hike takes you through a forest to watch the mountain peaks on the other side, the Russehula hike along the coast concludes at the historic Russehula cave. But don’t worry, you won’t miss seeing the mountains on this route as well.

If you’re a novice and still want to experience hiking, then the short and easy Sukkertoppen hike will come to your rescue. Starting from the Hamn i Senja holiday resort car park and extending up to the mountains on the other side (or vice versa), it offers a full panoramic view of the Bergsoyan archipelago. 

Besides, the Hamn i Senja is itself a place of tourist attraction due to its location and the views on offer.

You can also visit the Ånderdalen National Park for its pine forests, lakes, and the Senja Troll Park while on the island.

Where To Stay In Senja?

With its spacious accommodations, local cuisine, and gateway to local activities , Hamn i Senja is my top choice for staying here. Some other popular stay destinations are:

• Norwegian Wild
• Senja Fjordhotell
• Skagi Senja hotel & lodge
• Northern Light Hotel/Camp Steinfjord

The White Beaches of Sommaroy

A nearly 4-hour drive from Senja will take you to Sommaroy, which is basically a fisherman village-getaway from Tromso. For me, this place served as the ideal stop on the coast to rejuvenate my senses. And I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that despite having a population of 300, it’s one of the busiest fishing villages in the area.

Coming to its landscape, the first thing that caught my eye was the white beaches – complemented well by the green waters. Most of the beaches here only have birds, so you can hone on your birdwatching skills. 

Aside from that, there are a lot of shallow coves, which will tempt you to take a dip later in the day when the water gets a little warm. Those long strolls along the waterline, collecting shells will always remain close to my heart.

After taking a full night’s rest, I started the next day with a trip to Haja island, which is the highest one among its peers in Tromso county, located north of Sommaroy. It stands at a staggering 486-meter above the water.

On the west is the Storhavet range, and if you can be here at midnight during the peak of the summer season, you may well see the midnight sun shining on the horizon. 

I happened to know about a little hiking trip on my way to Tromso via the main highway, which takes visitors to a beautiful viewpoint on the Ornfloya hilltop. The trek is merely 2 kilometers long (round-trip) and has an elevation of about 150 meters. But the view from above is absolutely magical.

What Else Can You Do In Sommaroy?

There are local tour facilities for participating in extreme adventures like sea kayaking and RIB (rigid inflatable boat) tours that will definitely give you an adrenaline rush. Alternatively, if you want to go for something serene, choose the cruise tours with fishing activities on board.

Furthermore, there are boat services up to the Tussoy island, facilitating same-day pickup and return.

Where To Stay In Sommaroy?

The best accommodations in and around Sommaroy are:

• Sommaroy Arctic Hotel Tromso
• Buvik Sea Lodge
• Sjotunbrygge

Nature & Wildlife in Tromsø

Following a hearty breakfast, you can proceed to Tromsø, which is about an hour’s drive from Sommoroy. From watching the Northern lights to whale watching and partying till you drop – Tromsø has got your back. In fact, this city, popularly known as the “Paris of the North,” has more pubs than anywhere else in the country.

If you’re here for the Northern lights in winter, then I’d definitely suggest opting for dog sledding with huskies for a never-before experience of traveling through the snow-capped landscape. What’s more, you can choose between self-driven, half-day, or full-day options according to your convenience. 

Likewise, you can book reindeer sledding and feeding trips to “meet-and-feed” the animals from a safe vicinity. It was during this activity that I got the opportunity to interact with the indigenous Sami population and learn more about their predominant cultures and traditions.

The Tromsø fjord cruise trips are also quite versatile. Whether you want to go on a dedicated fishing trip or are eager to know more about marine life, these trips cover it all. Moreover, visitors can choose between sailboats or rib-boats according to their comfort.

Summer in Tromsø is all about gazing at the midnight sun to your heart’s content and indulging in outdoor activities like hiking and fishing. Overall, this town is surrounded by the wild beauty of fjords and rising mountains.

What Else Can You Do In Tromsø?

If you want to spend some leisurely time in the town, then consider visiting the Arctic Cathedral, Polar Museum, and the top of the Floya mountain with a cable car ride. I was particularly fond of Downtown Tromsø, as it plays home to some of the most popular restaurants and pubs in the city. 

Where To Stay In Tromsø?

There are quite a few apartments and homestays in different parts of Tromsø, which include:

• Red Old House Tromsø Apartment
• Homestay In Tromsø
• BraMy Apartments The Penthouse

And if you’re looking for hotel stays, then my top suggestions are:

• Clarion Hotel The Edge
• Enter Amalie Hotel
• Enter City Hotel
• Scandic Ishavshotel

Stay In The Igloo Room In Alta

The penultimate stop on this trip, Alta, is located about 188 miles away from Tromsø. This means that driving non-stop here will take approximately 6 hours. I took some refreshment breaks in between and got here in a little less than 7 and ½ hours.

Although you may know this city as one of the most famous spots for viewing the Northern lights, there’s way more that you will find here. It has a rich history, starting right from the stone age when people from different cultures and traditions made this region their home.

Today, Alta has emerged as one of the premium tourist destinations in all of Europe, providing a fantastic mix of modern activities that take you close to the ethnicity of the land. 

On my first day here, I wasted no time booking an igloo room to spend the night. And contrary to what I had heard, the experience turned out to be quite comfortable and memorable. Just carry enough warm clothes and a good sleeping bag for the purpose. There’s also a hotel in the nearby fjords that remains operational from December to March, before the ice starts melting. 

What also made my sleep more sound was the snowmobile trip I had taken at night, which allowed me to explore the region under the twinkling stars. I took one again the following day to get a clear view of the Arctic landscapes nearby.

Aside from that, keep some time to visit the Alta canon, which is the largest of its kind in Northern Europe. Visitors can travel here via boating, hiking, canoeing, or buses with guides. And if you’re a history lover like me, then the Tirpitz Museum will satisfy your curiosity with its artifacts and displays about Nazi Germany and the World War.

What Else Can You Do In Alta?

The Northern lights cathedral is an iconic monument in the city and is adorned with architectural features that are hard to find in other regions of the country. You will also get the chance to interact with the local Sami population and taste their cuisine. 

Additionally, many visitors prefer taking a day trip to the northern cape, which is the furthermost point of Europe. It will take about 4 hours to drive from Alta to the cape. 

Lastly, there are whale watching facilities in Alta fjord, which has humpback and orcas as well.

Where To Stay In Alta?

Some of the popular stays among first-time visitors are:

• Rica Hotel Alta
• Thon Hotel Alta
• Bjornfjell Mountain Lodge
• Trasti & Trine

Final Destination: Nordkapp!

The drive from Alta to Nordkapp took almost 3 hours and 45 minutes, and I enjoyed every bit of it, soaking in the beauty of Norway to the fullest. Instead of visiting any point right off the bat, I dumped my luggage in the room and started with a leisurely stroll on the roads.

During my walk, a local told me about the Nordkapp Visitor Center, which is located at the Nordkapp Cliff. It has a couple of restaurants, souvenir shops, and some little statues to complete your stroll the right way.

On the next day, I decided to take on a relatively challenging hike to Knivskjellodden, which takes about 6 hours of walking (ascending and descending). Besides seeing the arch and the natural rock formation here, I could also spot seagulls and nod my head to their humming.

On the northern side of the island is the quiet village of Gjesvaer, famous for its landscape. And then there’s the Honningsvag, which has the only airport of Nordkapp. 

What Else Can You Do In Nordkapp?

Nordkapp is also a quite popular destination for watching the Northern lights and the midnight Sun. There are fishing trips and art galleries for art lovers in Kamoyver and Honningsvag. A day trip from Nordkapp to Rovaniemi will take you to the meeting spot of the cold waters of the Arctic and Atlantic.

Wildlife lovers will also enjoy the husky safari, reindeer farm, and animal day tours offered in this region.

Where To Stay In Nordkapp?

My top hotels in Nordkapp are:

• Scandic Nordkapp (best for viewing Northern lights)
• Nordkapp Vandrerhjem Hostel 
• Scandic Bryggen

FAQs – Driving In Norway

• Is Your Driving License Valid In Norway?

If you have a valid EU or EEA (European Economic Area) license, then you’re legally free to drive in Norway. For people from other countries, their license is valid in Norway for 3 months provided it’s also valid in the originating country.

• Are Norwegian Road Tolls Compulsory For All?

Yes, all Norwegian road tolls are compulsory for drivers, and most of them are automatic.

• What Are Some Road Rules For Tourists?
• Always drive on the right
• Wearing seatbelts and switching on headlights all the time are compulsory
• No mobile phone while driving
• Speed limits are in kilometers/hour and should be followed strictly, unless specified otherwise

Summing up…

The perfect travel itinerary for a road trip from Svolvaer to Nordkapp in Norway includes:

• Tromsø

Final Words

With that, I have reached the end of this road trip guide.

Hopefully, you’re now better acquainted with the Norwegian roads and set out for that memorable trip with friends or family. But before you do that, make sure to get the weather forecast. After all, the last thing you’d want is to drive on those icy roads with little to no experience.

Beyond that, get familiar with the petrol stations on your route beforehand and set aside a significant budget for refueling purposes. Fuel prices in Norway are pretty steep due to the nature of the terrain.

Wishing you a happy and safe journey!

Planning your next trip?

 Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, our article with The 6 Best and Cheapest Websites to Find & Reserve Accommodation can help you out. You’ll also find some promotions and discount codes .

 Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at our page with 16 Tips to Save on Flights where you’ll also find the 4 best websites to buy your plane tickets. 

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then surely our page with The 5 Best and Cheapest Websites to Compare and Rent Cars Around the World will help you choose the best rental car and find a good deal.

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Visiting Nordkapp Norway: Best Time to Visit and Travel Guide

Known as the Norwegian Lapland, the captivating region of Finnmark hides such inspiring surprises that can easily amaze any traveler’s curious eyes.

One of these fascinating spots is the Nordkapp, a place with special powers for the Sami people, and a top travel destination in Norway. Nordkapp is impacting people from all over the world with its mesmerizing landscapes.  

Promoted as the northernmost points of Europe, Nordkapp, or North Cape, is a great vacation spot for adventurers who are looking forward to exploring Norway’s natural beauty.

If you are ready to get closer to the end of the world, you must begin planning the ultimate trip to the spectacular North Cape. Keep reading our guide to ensure you have a memorable trip.

Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet Norway (Travel Guide)

How to Get There and Where to Stay

Table of Contents

Before finding the best things to do and see in North Cape, you must go over the logistics of your vacation. How do you get there? Where are you going to stay? Some like to book everything through a travel agent others like to travel independently. Since nobody knows you better than you do, why not do it yourself?

The first thing on your checklist is how to get to Nordkapp. It might be in the far north of Europe, but there are several options to get there. First of all, your starting point will be Oslo.

To get to Nordkapp from there, you can drive, take a cruise, a train, or a bus, and you can also fly to Alta or Hammerstad. Choosing one of these options depends on your time and budget. 

Having done it ourselves, we are big believers in seeing Norway on a cruise . Our particular cruise itinerary started in Tromsø and sailed up to the Northernmost point in Europe, Nordkapp, before turning around and heading all the way south to Bergen.

Along the way, we stopped off at infamous fishing villages, small off the beaten path islands, explored many of Norway’s understated natural wonders and of course, some of the most famous too.

Ready to plan your own adventure in Norway? Have a look at the exact itinerary we did on our 11 days Cruising the Norwegian Fjords in Depth tour

Next up is to find comfortable accommodation to enjoy your stay. Since you are going to one of the most visited sites in Norway, there are many accommodation options available. Again, your choice strictly depends on your standards and budget.

Many travelers stay in Honningsvag, a charming, quiet town offering the tranquillity some people need. One of the best-rated places in this town is the Honningsvag-Sarnes holiday home , pampering visitors with beautifully arranged rooms, a well-equipped kitchen, and useful barbecue facilities.  

Book your stay at the Honningsvag-Sarnes Holiday home with Booking.com today.

Another amazing holiday home is The North Cape Experience , located in Skarsvag. It is only eight kilometers from The North Cape and it spoils its guests with lovely water views and comfortable rooms. In addition, you can enjoy a daily mouth-watering breakfast and fun activities like fishing, hiking, and cycling.

Book your stay at The North Cape Experience with Booking.com today. ** This is as far north as you can stay ** 

Other hotels, hostels or campsites you should check out:

• Scandic Bryggen  
• Nordkapp Camping Lodges  
• Nordkapp Caravan Og Camping  

Popular Things to Do in Nordkapp

North Cape is a destination for adventurous travelers who are always excited to engage in outdoor activities. However, though it offers great hikes, boat trips, and thrilling excursions, this is also a quiet area welcoming those who are into unwinding while admiring idyllic landscapes.

Let’s check out some of the most popular things to do in Nordkapp.

The North Cape is a Memorable Experience in Itself

Its imposing natural beauty is what makes this spot a Norwegian top destination. The main reason why so many travelers have this destination on their wish list is their common dream about standing on the North Cape cliff.

For many, having the chance to admire the stunning views from the 307-meter-high cliff is the only thing they’ve come for. And it’s perfectly understandable! You only need suitable clothes and a good camera to have one of the best experiences in the area. 

Wander Around and Let the Laid-Back Atmosphere Inspire You

Though this is a famous touristic destination, the overall atmosphere is relaxed, giving visitors the chance to admire the captivating landscapes while enjoying the tranquility do many are longing for.

Life inside the borders of the big, busy cities can be overwhelming sometimes. And North Cape is a place where the encounter with the imposing nature can make many people find themselves. Walking the area might be a natural healing process many need.  

Get Closer to History at The North Cape Museum

Though gazing at the endless sea from the top of a famous cliff is a mesmerizing thing to do, if you plan to spend a few days in this small piece of heaven, you must add a few other activities on our must-see list.

Having an encounter with history at the small, but interesting North Cape Museum is a great choice. Located in charming Honningsvag, the history museum is full of fascinating information and captivating exhibits.

Expect to learn about the fishing industry in the area, the German occupation, and the impact World War II had here.

Have a Noteworthy Bird Watching Experience

Not far from the captivating Nodkapp, you can find a collection of grass-covered islands known as the Gjesvaerstappan. Their green appearance creates a spectacular contrast with the rest of the region, but this is not the reason why the islands should be on your must-visit list.

Whether you are passionate about bird watching or not, the seabird colony on these islands is worth going to see. Check out the biggest islands – Bukkstappen, Kjerkestappen, and Storstappen in order to have the best bird watching experience in Nordkapp.

Joining an organized bird safari will give you the chance to seek the beauty of the Atlantic birds while learning more about their largest and most accessible nesting place in Europe.

Enjoy an Entertaining Theatre Performance at the Perleporten Kulturhus

If you visit the North Cape area in the summer, you should check out the Perleporten Kulturhus. The charming cultural venue and café promise to offer visitors a memorable experience.

Located in beautiful Honningsvag, the former Christian meeting place is now hosting great theatre performances. To see the shows and buy tickets visit their website.

In case you don’t feel like watching a performance, relax and indulge in their tasty café menu while sitting on the terrace and admiring the beautiful view of the harbor. In addition, you can buy lovely souvenirs from the small gallery and gift shop located in the basement.

Stop at an Arctic Sami camp 

As you twist and wind through the hills of Nordkapp keep your eyes out for reindeer. These are not wild reindeer. All of the reindeer belong to natives called the Sami. The reindeer and the Sami have been living and working on this land for centuries and it’s an honor to be able to interact with this dying culture.

Along the road to the most northern point, you will find little sheds with traditional camps built around them. If you are lucky, the native Sami family will have returned to their summer camp and they will be outside with one or two reminders.

They have built these camps to capitalize on tourists, however, this is not commercialized. They still live their lives just like they have for years.

They know little to no English so talking to them is pretty hard, however they do love showing off their reindeer and selling their handmade gifts for tourists to buy. These are not gifts you will find elsewhere throughout Norway they are handmade from the Sami villager who is standing behind her makeshift cash register.

Chase the Spectacular Northern Lights or Enjoy the Midnight Sun

If you are looking forward to enjoying the fascinating midnight sun phenomena, you must plan your trip between the middle of May to the end of July. If you do do this, prepare to witness one of the most fascinating images in the world: the midnight sun reflecting in the endless waters around Nordkapp.

Travelers who choose to visit this area in the winter months mostly come for a whole different experience. Winter is the period of the year for hunting the hypnotizing Aurora Borealis.

If you are lucky enough to have a clear night to witness the Northern Lights, especially from the 307-meter-high cliff of the North Cape, you will never forget it.

Adventure into Hiking to Cape Knivskjellodden

As already mentioned, North Cape is promoted as the northernmost point of Continental Europe, but Knivskjellodden extends further north, offering adventurers the chance to enjoy a memorable hike with a fantastic reward at the end: the opportunity to admire North Cape cliff’s seaside face.

It is a thrilling adventure but if you want something less challenging, you can enjoy hiking to the natural arch of Kirkeporten instead. The finishing point of this hike offers travelers the chance to admire the North Cape Plateau too.

If you are looking for more information on activities offered in the area or if you have any questions check out the Visit Nordkapp official tourism board website .

Don’t leave home without your Lonely Planet Norway (Travel Guide)

Indulge in the Delicious Local Food

Exploring the natural beauty, adventuring in the exciting activities available, and getting in touch with history are great ways to understand the culture of a new place, but no vacation is complete without proper culinary experience, is it?

The best way to indulge in the local food is by eating in good restaurants. Here is a shortlist of the restaurants you should not miss in Nordkapp.

• Corner Spiseri: Located in the center of Honningsvag, Corner Spiseri is a great restaurant where you can taste the modern arctic diet. If you want to enjoy the sea delicacies, order the delicious bacalao (dried cod) or try the tasty deep-fried cod tongue. In case a fish dinner is not your ideal meal, discover the less adventurous, but equally delicious local steaks. Since they serve great-sized portions, this is a great place for when you feel very hungry!
• King Crab House: If you are a traveling foodie, you might know that people living on Norway’s northern coast really love crabs. No wonder they are present in so many of their dishes! If you want to indulge in the freshly caught king crabs from the Barents Sea, visit the charming King Crab House. Do you want more fresh food from the sea? Ask for other recommended fish dishes. The locals advise you to taste their fish soup and, if you are in a wild mood, you must order the reindeer meat!
• Artico Ice Bar: After enjoying a delicious dinner, why not enjoy a couple of drinks at the Artico Ice Bar . Located in Honningsvag, this interesting bar opens its doors every spring, welcoming curious travelers from all over the world. Make sure you don’t leave without stepping into their souvenir shops. They sell all kinds of amazing products to remind you of your trip to Nordkapp, Norway.

Plan Your Own Norway Adventure That Includes Nordkapp

Some people call it the end of the earth and some call it the most northern point of Europe. Nordkapp is a highlight you simply can not miss when visiting Norway.

Its winds are endless but its landscape is breathtaking. The rugged unforgiven land of Nordkapp varies so much from the waterfall filled fjords down south. You simply have not experienced Norway until you have experienced Nordkapp.

We explored Norway’s coastline on an expedition cruise . What is an expedition cruise? It is a cruise that has an outlined itinerary but it can get adjusted based on weather, wildlife or just plain exploring.

This is huge in Norway since the weather is very temperamental and there are so many small off the beaten path villages. It allowed us to explore sleepy fishing villages that still had fish drying on the racks next to the seaside, small off the beaten path islands that don’t see other cruise ships and many of Norway’s natural wonders that those other cruise ships only stop at.

This kind of itinerary was made possible by choosing to cruise on a small ship versus a mega-ship. We were able to get into places where few other travelers visit, let alone other cruise ships.

Many of the places we visited are not possible to visit unless you are on a small ship. Places like Nordkapp can get busy with many cruise ships passengers but the cruise we were on explores Nordkapp just before those larger cruise ships start their seasons. Thus we had it to ourselves. We even got lucky and had a clear day.

Ready to plan your own adventure in Norway? Have a look at the exact itinerary we did on our 11 days Cruising the Norwegian Fjords in Depth tour with G Adventures. Note, we spent several extra days in Bergen after the cruise and also planned our hike to Trolltunga separate from the cruise.

Check prices for a Norway Cruise with G Adventures

The full line of g adventures cruises that include norway, more on norway:.

• Visitor’s Guide to Trondheim, Norway
• Epic Guide of Things to Do in Tromsø, Norway  
• Practical Norway Cruise Guide
• Hiking in Norway – A Introduction Guide
• 10 Reasons to Take a Norway Fjords Cruise with G Adventures
• 35 Epic Norway Photos to Inspire Your Next Trip

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Lina is an award-winning photographer and writer that has been exploring the world since 2001. She has traveled to 100 countries on all 7 continents. Member: SATW, NATJA, ATTA, ITWA

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Nordkapp – the North Cape – is the end of the world

In the same way as points such as the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn, the North Cape is a place that every authentic traveller simply has to visit. The outermost reach of Europe marks a celebratory finish to any journey to the north.

You cannot get further north in Norway than the North Cape, or Nordkapp. Since the 16th c., the North Cape, or Nordkapp, as been among the premier sailing marks of the world.Since 1664 people come here to look out into the sea and feel that they have completed something.

A true voyager must go to Nordkapp, the North Cape, at some point in his life.  These days, it is easier than before, but the end of the world feeling is still there.

This is where you turn around

At 71 degrees north, the North Cape forms the northern extremity of Europe. The 307 metre high cliff, diving directly down into the Arctic Ocean, has  for centuries been a point of reference for seafarers. Along with the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Farewell, Cape Horn and Cape Comorin, it a milestone for sailors and world travellers alike.

The North Cape is Europe’s most northerly point

The gallery east of the sun represents the boldness of nature around the north cape, knivskjelodden is the northernmost north in norway, knyskanes is the old name.

Of course, Nordkapp has never been a secret to the locals. People lived here for thousands of years, and the Sami culture emerged at least 2000 years ago. From the 14 th C. onwards, there were several small communities of Norse speaking fishermen on the island of Magerøya, and they called the cape Knyskanes. Although dried cod was sold in Bergen to the international market, Europeans had vague ideas about the far north.

The North Cape is discovered and named

In 1553 a British expedition searching for the North East passage to the Far East passed the unmissable promontory, and the navigator Richard Chancellor named it the North Cape. He had noted that the coast towards the east turned slightly south. The Norwegian word Nordkapp is a mere translation of North Cape. They never found an alternative sea route to the Indies but opened trade with the Russian port city of Arkhangelsk (Archangel) instead.

Noordkap becomes a point of reference to the seafarers of the world

The name North Cape then started to turn up on sea charts and world maps, frequently named Noordkap by Dutch cartographers. Whale hunters from the Netherlands, England and France as well as traders heading for Russia meticulously chartered their passing of that milestone in this age of discoveries. Every sailor knew about it.

The first tourist gets to Nordkapp in 1664

In 1664, the Italian priest Francesco Negri reached the North Cape on foot. His summed his experience up like this: “My curiosity is now satisfied, and I can return to Denmark, and God willing my homeland”. He is the first known real tourist to reach this extremity of the world. In 1795, the French prince Louis Philippe d’Orléans was escaping French revolutionary assassins by going to places far away, among them Le Cap Nord, Nordkapp. As he also impregnated the daughter of a nearby vicar, his DNA still flows in local veins.

Modern tourism started in 1873

Oscar II of Sweden-Norway made an epic journey to the north in 1873. His ship anchored at Hornvika bay, and the young and fit king climbed the thousand steps up to the plateau itself. This kickstarted tourism, and exclusive cruise ships sailed up and had champagne in a wooden pavilion up there, before it was blown away by a storm. Another early guest was King Rama of Siam (Thailand) in 1907. The North Cape established itself as a must-see for well-heeled travellers. In 1956, the road was extended all the way to the cape, and since then most people have arrived there by car or bus.  

3 fun activities at the North Cape

Gjesværstappan by the north cape is one of norway’s biggest birdcliffs, follow the snowplow towards the north cape, search for the northern lights with an atv, knivskjelodden is actually further north.

We have to reveal a secret. Nordkapp really isn’t the end of Europe. There is a cape next to Nordkapp that is some 1400 metres (..almost a mile..) further north. This point is, however, a rather unimpressive place, and was never any point of reference for sailors. The hike to this point is not particularly strenuous, but you need good windproof clothing. We strongly recommend it, though, because of the view south east to the North Cape cliff. And the feeling of beating the North Cape.

Magerøya is the North Cape Island

Nordkapp isn’t found on the mainland, instead it has its own island, Magerøya. The island has a steep coast, but the top of the island is a flattish, rolling expanse. The vegetation is sparse, although low-grown birch and willow grows on south-facing hillsides. Honningsvåg, the main settlement, is on the protected inside, or southern side, of the island, and a further 3 fishing villages are found in sheltered places along the coast.

Going to the North Cape in winter

For many years, Nordkapp was totally inaccessible in winter. The road was opened at some point in spring by heavy snowploughs, and remained opened to the first snowfall. Now, it is actually possible to go there in the middle of winter. A snow plough drives first one or two times per day, and the tourist bus can follow. You then get to see the Cape rough and cold weather, really giving an end-of-the-world feel. If a Polar low suddenly strikes, the road is closed without notice, and you have to stay in Honningsvåg instead.

If you’re lucky, you can see the Northern Lights on Nordkapp

Visitors in winter often choose the tour going to the North Cape in the evening. With a bit of luck with the weather, one can be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights, the aurora borealis, on the cape itself. This is far from guaranteed, though. We strongly recommend winter guests to try their luck, but then combine with the inland location of Alta. Here the climate is more stable, and you stand far better chances of seeing the green lady.

Magerøya is summer grazing land for the reindeer

Sometimes in April, landgang vessels from the navy land, and thousands of furry invaders run on land. Reindeer, owned by Sami families from the inland community of Karasjok, graze on the island all summer. In June, they look a bit scruffy as they shed their hairs, by August the new winter fur has grown. Then Rudolph has also gained weight ahead of the upcoming winter. After the hard work of moving the reindeer, the Sami can enjoy life and look at the tourists visiting their souvenir stalls. Sometimes in September-October, the reindeer swim their way back to the mainland, and start the long walk towards the Finnish border.

Gjesvær is protected by skerries and islands

The western end of the island looks different from the rest of the island. Instead of the steep cliffs, Gjesvær is surrounded by islands and skerries, most notably the Gjesværstappan. This is one of Norway’s biggest bird colonies, with hundreds of thousands of puffins, guillemots, gannets and cormorants. In spring and summer, bird safaris go out here to see the birds.

Skarsvåg is the world’s northernmost fishing village

The little village of Skarsvåg calls itself the word’s northernmost fishing village. Today, only some 60 people live here, mainly from fishing and tourism. From here, you can walk to the natural arch in the hillside called Kirkeporten (“the church gate”), and through the gate, you can see Nordkapp, easily recognised by its horn-shaped cliff.  Shoppers also stock up at Julehuset (“the Christmas shop”), but going for a walk along the dockside costs nothing at all.

Kamøyvær is a little fjord by itself

Kamøyvær is not to far away from Honningsvåg, and looks very picturesque with big boulders and rocky islands offshore, with colourful houses. Come here for the Gallery East of the Sun, with fun, colourful collage pictures from the island. The artist herself, Eva Schmutterer from Nuremberg, is usually there to explain her very special technique.  

Honningsvåg used to be Little Chicago

Honningsvåg is the main centre, a mere half hour away from the cape. This is a compact little town, with shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels. In the 1950ies and 60ies, Honningsvåg got frequent visits from Norwegian and international trawlers, delivering their catch to the busy fish factories lining the dockside. Young and rough fishermen on leave visited the taverns in town, and things could get heated with the unfavourable boy/girl ratio. Black eyes and tooth loss were to be counted in when calling at Honningsvåg, earning it the nickname little Chicago. Much to the chagrin of some, things are a lot quieter these days. The decline in the fish industry has meant that the town is a bit smaller, with tourism being as important as fishing. However, at the popular watering hole “Nøden”, the best aspects of Little Chicago are kept alive, a place where you feel alone.

Facts about visiting Nordkapp – the North Cape

Where is the north cape.

The North Cape is a cliff on 71 degrees northern latitude, constituting the northern end of Europe. It is found in the municipality of Nordkapp, where Honningsvåg is the centre. The nearest bigger airport is in Alta.

Nordkapp or North Cape? What is correct?

The term “North Cape” is the original term, coined by English navigator Richard Chancellor in 1553. This name has been used by sailors for centuries, and it would be too bad to give it up. North Cape has then later been translated into Norwegian as Nordkapp, replacing the old term Knyskanes, which today is never used. Nobody is offended if you say North Cape in English, but keep in mind that all signs point to Nordkapp. Terms like Cap Nord (French), Cabo Norte (Spanish), Caponord (Italian), Nordkap (German and Swedish) and Noordkap (Dutch) are also in use. These translations are never wrong or offensive, but are not found on maps and signs anymore.

When should you come to Nordkapp?

The North Cape area used to have a hectic 6-8 weeks of tourism in summer, when the small community was overran. Then there would hardly be a tourist in sight the rest of the year. Mid May to the end of July is the midnight sun period. During this time, hotels tend to fill up, and it feels busy. However, most of the tourists come from cruise ships, being transported directly to the Cape with hardly a stop elsewhere. You can thus walk around Honningsvåg, do hikes, participate in guided tours and excursions, without feeling the weight of tourism. There is absolutely no need to avoid the island of Magerøya at this time. However, on the Cape itself, it can be pretty full around Midnight. August is still tourist season, but less busy. In September , most tourists have left. That is a shame, as the hiking is really good at this time. The Northern Lights start appearing in late August, and by mid September they appear frequently. October and November are definite low season, but the locals are busy with their daily lives. This is really the time for a deep dive into living the local life, and the Northern Lights make frequent apparitions. In December and January , the sun is below the horizon, and it’s dark almost all day. Far from depressing, this is a time for snowmobiling and Northern Lights watching. From February on, the days are longer. Then you can do longer treks on skis and snowmobiles, notably to the North Cape. March is a month when you can have it all, as the days are long, but the Northern Lights are still very much around at night. The Northern Lights are on the wane from early April , but snow is guaranteed. At the end of winter, well into May , the white expanses invite you to outdoor activities. Remember you suncream!

Where should we stay in Nordkapp?

Honningsvåg has two proper hotels open all year. In addition, another two open in the busy summer season. There is a youth hostel open in the summer, and there is one camping site. Smaller fish camps and holiday villages are found in the smaller villages on the island. Prebooking is essential in June-July. The rest of the year, it’s not full at all.

How do you get to the North Cape?

There are buses all year from Honningsvåg to the North Cape plateau. The bus is frequently cancelled in winter due to weather, though. Honningsvåg has a little airport with frequent connections to Hammerfest and Tromsø, from where there are flights to Oslo. A cheaper option might be to fly to Alta, because of the numerous discount tickets available. From Alta there is a daily bus, and Honningsvåg should be combined with nearby destinations like Alta and Hammerfest anyway. From Alta you can also take a catamaran to Hammerfest, a very comfortable ride, and from Hammerfest you can take the Hurtigruten to Honningsvåg. You can drive from anywhere in Norway to Honningvåg all year.  

Nordkyn is the next peninsula

Honningsvåg and the Cape is bustling with life in summer. However, if you take the Hurtigruten 2 hours to the next peninsula, is a different story. The Nordkyn peninsula is Europe’s northernmost mainland, and some 2300 people live her, chiefly in Kjøllefjord and Mehamn, but also in smaller hamlets. This is an area of lovely, easy hikes, small museums and tight-knit communities, and has an away from it all – feel.

Finnkirka stands proud on Europe’s most northern headland

Foldalbruket rose from the ashes of world war two, hike across the hilltops to skjøtningberg, gamvik museum tells the story of the nordkyn peninsula, slettnes lighthouse is a beacon on europe’s most northerly headland, walk to the sea cliffs above the famous finnkirka.

Visit Nordkapp

Assisting you to adventure in and around Nordkapp, the North Cape, is Visit Nordkapp

Visiting North Cape/Nordkapp (Top Of Europe & Norway)

Want to visit Nordkapp but you’re not sure how and when to go? Then you’re definitely in the right place because this detailed guide to visiting the North Cape has all the information you need to plan your trip!

The North Cape is the northernmost point in Europe that’s connected to the mainland by road. It’s a magical place offering spectacular views of the Barents Sea, and it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in northern Norway. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the North Cape – when to visit, how you can get there, and everything else you need to see while you’re in the area!

How To Get To The North Cape

The North Cape is the northernmost point in Europe that can be accessed by road, so driving there makes the most sense. The closest airport to the North Cape is Honningsvåg Airport. It’s about 33 kilometers away by road, but it’s important to note that this is not an international airport.

The closest international airport is the one in Tromsø and it has several flights a day to Honningsvåg Airport. It’s best to fly all the way to Honningsvåg, where you can rent a car and be at the North Cape in about 30 minutes.

Driving from Tromsø is also possible and it’s a good option if you’re looking to do a road trip in Norway. The city is 592 kilometers away from the North Cape by road and it takes about 9 hours to cover that distance in a car.

The road to the North Cape is route E69 and it’s important to note that it’s not always possible to drive all the way to Nordkapp. The northernmost part of the road (Skarsvåg-North Cape) is closed in the winter – driving is only allowed for convoys at certain times, and that’s if the weather allows it.

Weather conditions can make driving on this road quite dangerous, and it’s not recommended to attempt this drive in cold weather.

If you want to visit the North Cape and explore this beautiful part of Norway, you should plan a trip in the summer. That’s when the weather conditions are the best and driving on Europe’s northernmost road is actually enjoyable.

In addition to that, the North Cape is also accessible by boat trips from other towns in northern Norway. If you’re not up for a road trip, you can always visit the far north area by boat.

When To Visit The North Cape

As with most other attractions in northern Norway, the best time to visit the North Cape is in the summer. That’s when the weather is mild enough to make your time in the area actually enjoyable and allow you to do some exploring. You should be able to explore the hiking trails in the area, and you’ll get to experience the midnight sun!

It’s important to note that it’s pretty cold in the area even during the summer – the average daily highs are between 10 and 15°C, so you can imagine just how cold it gets during the other seasons.

It’s not recommended to visit during the fall, spring, and winter for several reasons. The cold weather that makes the roads inaccessible and unsafe is the main one. But also, the polar night lasts for about two months at the North Cape and you can’t really enjoy the panoramic views if it’s completely dark outside.

History Of The North Cape

The North Cape was named by Steven Borough, an English navigator and early explorer of the Arctic. He passed by the cape in search of the North East Passage in 1553, while acting as the captain of Edward Bonaventure’s ship.

The steep cliff is one of the most popular tourist destinations in northern Norway. But it hasn’t always been quite so famous – it only became popular with international visitors in the late 19th century, after the 1873 visit of King Oscar II.

After this visit, boat tours from Germany and other nearby countries started to become more common. There wasn’t a road in the area back then, so the visitors would follow a path from Hornviken which was equipped with wired ropes. This was the only way to climb the North Cape and experience the magnificent views of the midnight sun and the lack of roads didn’t stop the people from exploring.

The first road to the North Cape was built in 1956, and since then the area’s popularity among international visitors has only grown.

Things To Do In Nordkapp

What is there to do at the end of the northernmost road connected to continental Europe? Not much honestly, other than take in the majestic views and marvel at the fact that only the Svalbard archipelago is between you and the North Pole!

Enjoy The Views

Nordkapp is world famous for the spectacular views, so the most important thing to do there when you finally arrive is to enjoy everything and take lots of photos. That is certainly what we did when we were there last week. Lots of pictures, taking in the end of the world and heading to the visitors center of course! More on what we found in the North Cape Hall below.

Take lots of photos, see all the different monuments on the plateau, and make the most of your time in this unique place. The best thing about visiting the North Cape during the summer is that there’s always daylight, so it doesn’t matter too much when during the day you visit – it will be bright enough that you can enjoy the views any time of day.

Here are some of the monuments we saw while on the Nordkapp!

The main monument you will want to visit, and where you will find most of the people (like we did) is The Globe. It has come to symbolize the North Cape and everyone wants a selfie there.

So, be sure to get there during a lull in the crowds. Often the cruise ships come in waves, even late at night. We found the quietest time was mid-afternoon, surprisingly. Even early morning can be crazy, if there are ships in town. Otherwise, it is a great time to get a photo alone, as you can see above.

King Oscar Monument

Norway’s King Oscar II was famous for having visited the Nordkapp on 2nd July back in 1873. This obelisk is a monument to him as well as a waymarker.

The king actually came by ship to the area and had to climb up the cliff path to get to the cape, unlike the easy road we had to get there.

His visit to the Cape actually inspired the first tourists to come to the area only 2 years later. It is now a crazy busy spot as a result. Something we were not quite prepared for at the top of Europe!

Children of the Earth

This monument is a series of circles or discs located outside the North Cape Hall. They were made by seven children from all parts of the world and are meant to signify friendship, hope, joy and cooperation. 

Midnight Sun & The Weather

Visiting the North Cape during the busy summer season means you’ll get to experience the midnight sun, a fascinating phenomenon common in the Arctic Circle.

That’s also the major downside of visiting the place in the shoulder seasons. The area can be quite foggy even during the summer and there’s always a possibility that you won’t get to see much because of the fog. So, be prepared for that scenario, and check the weather forecast regularly before you finally decide to head to the North Cape!

We had some cool fog out in the water, but most of the land and scenery were visible. Well, at least most of the time.

North Cape Hall Visitors Center

The North Cape Hall Visitors Center is the only building on the North Cape plateau and it’s open year-round. The tourist center offers a variety of facilities, including a cinema, a restaurant, a museum, a gift shop, a cafe, and a post office.

Definitely stop by the visitors center to learn more about the history and importance of the North Cape. This is also a good place to shop for souvenirs, especially if you want to get something that will help you remember the experience forever.

Restaurant & Cafe

The restaurant in the tourist center is also pretty good. It’s a great place to try some local cuisine while admiring the stunning views of the North Cape cliff and the Arctic Ocean.

Nordkapp History & Wildlife

There is also a fascinating history behind the development of the North Cape, the people who have come there as well as some of the wildlife you will find while on the island.

The various halls leading to these things show you all this history, so be sure to explore every corner of the visitors center before you leave.

Cave of Lights

This room at the bottom of the visitors center is a fun mixture of sound and light show with a small movie. 

Thai Museum

One of the many famous people who came to the North Cape was King Chulalongkorn of Siam in 1907. As one of the most illustrious people to visit first, he has a room dedicated to him and Thailand inside the Hall.

Entrance Fee & Parking

One thing to note is that the North Cape Hall Visitors Center has an entrance fee. It’s about 31 Euros for adults, and it includes entrance to all the facilities at the visitors center, as well as multiple entrances to the North Cape plateau. The fee doesn’t cover parking – that’s free. Even if you just sleep there the night in your camper as we did. 

This wasn’t always the case and it’s possible that it won’t stay free for too long.

Kirkeporten And Knivskjellodden Hikes

Touring the visitors center and admiring the panoramic views from the plateau doesn’t take too much time. Since you’ve already made it all the way to the end of Europe’s northernmost road, it makes perfect sense to explore as much of the region as possible.

Kirkeporten is a popular hiking area near Skarsvåg. It’s a stone cliff with a natural arch, and it’s considered a geological wonder. The entire area is very beautiful, plus it offers a fabulous view of the North Cape cliffs. Kirkeporten is easily accessible from the Skarsvåg village – it’s about 2.5 kilometers away from the village via a well-marked path.

Knivskjellodden is another popular hiking destination in the area and the better option for all hikers who want a proper challenge. This is the actual northernmost point of Europe, and it’s definitely worth checking out if you want to experience a magnificent view. However, you need to know that the trail to Knivskjellodden is very challenging, and it’s recommended only for experienced hikers.

The trailhead is near a car park off the E69 road, and it takes about 6-7 hours to hike to Knivskjellodden and back. The terrain is steep, rocky, and includes a lot of scrambling and climbing. It’s tough on the ankles and it’s not recommended for people who aren’t in good shape. Older people might also struggle with this hike because it’s quite strenuous on the joints.

But if you’re fit enough and you’ve got experience climbing steep rocks, you might just like this hike. When you finally reach the northernmost point in Europe, you’re rewarded with a stunning view of the North Cape.

Long Distance Hiking And Racing

If you’re up for an adventure of a lifetime, you should know that the North Cape marks the starting/ending point for several long-distance hikes and races in mainland Europe. It’s the beginning point of the E1 European long-distance path, which traverses through six different countries for a total length of some 7,000 kilometers.

If hiking for thousands of kilometers is too extreme for you, then how about cycling? NorthCape 4000 is a bike race that takes place annually. The exact route changes every year but the main goal is to cycle to the North Cape from somewhere in Europe. The total length of the route is around 4,000 kilometers, and only those who can arrive at the finish line in a set time period are classified as finishers.

Bird-Watching

The cliffs in the North Cape area are full of seabird colonies, so you can do some bird-watching during your visit. Gjesværstappan is one of the largest bird cliffs in this part of Norway and it’s just west of Nordkapp. If you are an avid bird watcher, a trip to the North Cape is definitely an excellent opportunity to see some unique bird species.

The Gjesværstappan bird reserve is home to Norway’s second largest colony of puffins, as well as kittiwakes, razorbills, cormorants, gannets, and guillemots. The bird-watching island can only be accessed by boat, so it’s best to join one of the many tours and cruises in the area.

Most depart from the Gjesvær village, which is on the northwestern coast of Magerøya Island. This village is very popular for birding and fishing, and they’ve even got tourist agencies entirely centered around the bird safari opportunities in the area.

Gjesvær can be easily accessed by road, so if you’ve decided to drive to the North Cape, you can very easily see the seabird colonies on a quick detour.

Can You See The Northern Lights?

Nordkapp has polar day and night, so you can definitely see the Northern Lights here if you visit at the right time. However, it can be tricky to travel to Nordkapp in the winter because of the cold weather conditions. The road to the North Cape is closed in the winter months, so you can’t drive there alone.

The weather conditions make it challenging to access other viewpoints in the area as well, so you generally won’t have the best time if you attempt to chase the Aurora Borealis over Magerøya Island on your own.

Your best bet for seeing the Northern Lights at or near the North Cape is to join a guided expedition. These are led by people who make a living by chasing the dancing lights, and they’re familiar with the local weather conditions.

It’s worth noting that you can’t see the Aurora Borealis unless the weather conditions are optimal. This is something you learn the hard way if you go chasing the dancing lights on your own, and you’ll kind of become an expert at reading weather forecasts and searching for signs that it’s ideal Aurora weather.

Where To Stay

Booking.com

The city of Honningsvåg is the best place to stay in the area if you’re looking for a proper hotel. This is the biggest city in the Nordkapp municipality and it’s got all the amenities you could need even during a longer stay. Honningsvåg is only about 30 kilometers away from the North Cape, so you can easily access the famous tourist attraction even without a vehicle.

If you’re RVing to the North Cape or you just really enjoy camping, you’ll be glad to know that there are several campsites near Skarsvåg, the world’s northernmost fishing village. It’s also possible to rent cabins in the village, and this is a good option if you want to see what life is like for the locals in the area.

About the Author Roger Timbrook

Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!

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13,000km road trip to Nordkapp - Europe's Northernmost point

Norway Sweden Finland Denmark Germany Czechia Slovakia Hungary Romania Road Trip Stories 05 Aug, 2022 | 7 mins read | Diana Neculai

Until today, the road trip we did to Nordkapp (The North Cape) is still the longest road trip we ever did. It was an epic journey with a lot of remarkable experiences. It’s always a pleasure to think and talk about it.

A lot of planning went into this trip, and it is impossible to cover it all in a single article. We want to share with you some stats about the road trip and the top 8 most outstanding experiences we had.

9 countries

Our goal was to reach Europe’s Northernmost point, and to see as much as possible on the way there and back. We left from Romania, our home country, with our own car and stopped in each country on the way.

Ferries are a big thing in the Norwegian fiords. There’s no other way to see the fiords than taking the ferries. You could find an alternative route if you really want to, but it usually takes waaaaay longer for nothing.

In this entire road trip, we took a total of 18 ferries, including 2 overnight ferries. The first overnight ferry was from Kiel, Germany to Oslo, Norway. The plan was to get back through Sweden and Denmark, but since plans change, we ended up taking another overnight ferry from Bergen, Norway to Hirtshals, Denmark.

We left home on July 1, 2019, and got back on August 25, same year of course.

30 accommodations

There’s no way to reach a point that is so far away and see stuff along the way without chaging a lot of accommodations. This can be a source of great experiences, each day having something new, but it is also a sure way to get tired. 30 accmmodations in 56 days means on average less than 2 nights at one accommodation. Studies have shown that in the first night you sleep in a new place only half of your brain will rest, while the other half will be on alert. This means that the sleep you get in the first night at a new accommodation is less restfull than a normal night of sleep.

13,000km (8000 miles)

This number seems crazy for a small continent like Europe. Even by American standards (where distances are huge compared to Europe) this is for sure a very long road trip.

200+ hours in the car

Yes, it’s a lot, but luckily we had a very comfortable car, and we didn’t feel tired while driving at all. In case you wondered, we had a 2019 Volvo XC90. It did a very good job back then, but, unfortunately, it got floded in 2021, just 5 days before leaving in another European road trip.

World’s longest road tunnel

Yes, that’s in Norway, and it has 24.5km (15.2 miles). Sounds like a bucket list thing to do, but in reality it is the most boring thing you can do. You have the same image and blue light over and over again. Feels like you entered some sort of infinite loop. At a point it even gets hards to focus your eyes straight.

Outstanding experiences

We’ve seen a lot of amazing places in each country, but the most outstanding for us was Norway.

Hike a glacier

This is truly a bucket list experience, although not recommended for everyone. If you have height vertigo, then you’re in a bit of trouble. I have a mild height vertigo, there usually are places where I’m fine even though others don’t feel well. However, exposed areas where you don’t have much to hold onto are extremely difficult for me.

The glacier is full of crevases, and you can only go on a glacier with an authorised guide and proper equipment. We were all tied to each other for safety reasons. Even so, there were places where we walked on ridges between crevases where you couldn’t see the bottom of the way down. My adrenaline was up so high at times that I hit my hand nuckles and my knees on the ice very hard without noticing. At the end I ended up with some swollen fingers and bruised knees.

I’m not 100% sure I would go climbing on this particular glacier again, but I would try others. We’ve been on Svartisen, Norway’s second largest glacier. We’ve heard that hikes on the Norway’s largest glacier, Jostedalsbreen, are more like walks, so I would try that one out.

We’ve also been on another glacier in Iceland, and it was an amazing experience. It was not a hike, but rather a walk, but it was breathtaking.

16m rappel on a glacier

I never rappeled, and I never thought of doing it before. It felt crazy, but the alternative was to go down the glacier between the same crevases and steep inclines I had a hard time coming up. Since going down is usualy harder for people with height vertigo than going up, rappeling seemed like a good alternative. It proved to be easier than what I was expecting, and I would love to do it again.

Observe the rapid pace of the glacier melting

While we were on the glacier we heard some loud noises in the distance. We were not sure what it could have been, but when we got down from the glacier it was obvious. A huge piece of the glacier tip cracked felt over melting away. It might not seem like much in our photos, but that’s because we were far away from it.

Broken car rear window

Shit happens. We got into a parking with some weird low beams that were painted white, making them hard to see in the mirrors. We hit the rear window wiper in that beam and the rear window cracked. This happened in Trondheim. We went to a service to get it checked and see what parts have to be replaced in order to fix it. The spare parts were not in stock, and it would take days to order and receive them. We haven’t had enough time for it in Trondheim. So we made an appointment and ordered the spare parts at a different service in Tromsø that matched with our plans 3 weeks later. Until then we traveled thousands of kilometers and tens of days with a duck-taped rear window.

19km hike to the actual northernmost point

Geographically speaking, the northernmost point of Europe is Knivskjelodden, and can only be reached by foot. The path is out-and-back and it is 19km long. The weather is not friendly or welcoming, but the 24 hours long day gives you enough energy and excitement to keep going.

Kayaks with sails are a thing

We haven’t seen kayaks with sails until we got to Sommarøy. It’s a pleasent experience, especially if you get enough wind.

Lots of reindeer

Stay in a fisherman’s cabin on Lofoten

We had a great time and we only regret not being able to spend more than 1 night here. Lofoten is an outstanding place and you could easily plan a few days holiday just for this amazing place.

Our planning was even longer than this. We skipped the southern part of Norway, the southern part of Sweden, and most of Denmark. Once we got to Bergen, we took a ferry to Denmark.

What do you think happened in Denmark? It rained! And the forecast for the next week was not looking good either. We were extremely tired, and the bad weather that we had in the last few days got to us. Wheater in Norway in August, especially in the second half of August is very unpredictable, and rainier. That year it rained a lot. We decided to leave and head back home because even if we stayed longer, we were not sure if we would’ve been able to see or do anything. We loved Norway and we were sure we will go back to finish our plan.

2 years later, in 2021, we finished our Denmark plans in another long road trip we did in Europe. We also covered a lot of Sweden, but we still have some things we want to see in this huge country.

3 years later, we are now planning to go back and finish our plans. It’s August, but the weather this year seems different. I also believe that we got better at enduring rain and bad weather while travelling (Iceland was our training ground). Of course, we’re not going just in Norway, we’re also making plans for Sweden, Denmark, and Netherlands. Although, with the eruption in Iceland starting again , we might add Iceland on the list. Stay tuned!

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Norway Road Trip – Three Unmissable Routes

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Norway Road Trips Planner

Norway is a wonderful country for a road trip. Starkly beautiful, with glistening deep blue fjords, rugged mountains, and waterfalls at every turn, this is a country to meander through as you gasp at each new landscape.

With dramatic landscapes, fantastic outdoor activities, Viking history, and pretty water-side towns, Norway has something for everyone.

We’ve spent months road tripping Norway and our top Norway road trip routes, itineraries and tips will help you hit the highlights as you go, making sure to visit all the iconic sights on these three diverse trips, taking in the best that Norway has to offer.

Getting There

Fly into Oslo, Berg en, Tromsø , Kristiansand or Stavanger airports to start your Norwegian road trip. All of these locations are great start points for the road trip itineraries we have curated. We recommend booking through Skyscanner for live deals and the best prices.

Why not take your own car, motorbike, or camper to Norway from Europe by ferry? Use Ferryhopper to compare and book the best crossings to Norway from Germany , Denmark, and the Netherlands.

RELATED POST: Driving to Norway from UK – Routes & Tips

Are you planning to rent a car in Norway? As one of the largest car hire aggregator companies in the world, we recommend Rentalcars.com because they have massive purchasing power which enables them to secure the best rental car prices, which benefits you when you’re planning your Wild Atlantic Way drive.

For a real adventure, hire a motorhome or campervan in Norway. We recommend Motorhome Republic , an aggregate booking site who pull together all the best deals from a number of rental agencies, to offer you a wide choice of options alongside an excellent English speaking expert motorhome Concierge Team.

Use the Park4Night app to find overnight spots and campsites, and wild camp on the edge of a fjord or with incredible sea views. Find out all you need to know in our guide to campervanning in Norway .

Best Time for Road Trips in Norway

October – april.

Can you take a road trip in Norway during winter? Absolutely you can but it will be cold even in southern Norway, and there’s likely to be snow …possibly quite a lot of snow (although the Scandinavians are really good at managing it, so most Norwegian roads do stay open).

November, December, and January are dark months in northern Norway and the days are very short but if you’re traveling to Norway for winter sports, or to see the Northern Lights, then this is the perfect time – just make sure you and your vehicle are well prepared.

May – September

The weather starts to warm up, with July and August being the warmest months. A summer road trip is the best time for hiking, fjord swimming, and paddling, and you’ll be comfortable during the day in shorts and a t-shirt.

It can still be chilly in the evenings for Arctic circle road trippers, where the weather is also more unpredictable. Between (roughly) 14th May and 29th July, you’ll experience the midnight sun phenomenon in the far north of Norway.

Is this your first time visiting Norway? Get all the information you need in our Norway Travel Guide , including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there, and practical tips to help you have the best trip!

Drive the West Coast from Bottom to Top

• Get the Travel Guides
• Lonely Planet Norway
• The Rough Guide to Norway
• DK Eyewitness Norway
• Norway Road Trip Itinerary

Bergen – Loen – Geiranger – Trollstigen – Kristiansund – Trondheim – Jektvik – Bodo – Tromso

• Distance 2120km
• Duration 2-3 weeks
• Drive Time 30 hours

This Norway itinerary is for those that love the journey more than the destination – it’s  all  about the road.

Taking in iconic sights as you drive, this Norway west coast road trip will take you through some of the longest road tunnels in the world, over fjords, along the Atlantic Ocean Road, and up the snaking Trollstigen Mountain Road.

Start in Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city which is surrounded by seven fjords and seven hills. There is a lot to do and see here, including visiting the lively Vagen harbor in Bergen’s old quarter, Bryggen, which is one of Norway’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

From Bergen, take the E39 motorway north to Loen where you’ll find the amazing Loen Skylift which takes you to the top of Mount Hoven for spectacular views of the blue-white Jostedal glacier.

If you prefer to get to the top under your own steam, take the via Ferrata up and the zip-line down.

If sea-level activity is more your thing then head for the very Instagrammable, but glacial, Lake Lovatnet for swimming and kayaking in the summer months.

Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when visiting Norway . We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices, and excellent service.

At Hellesylt, take the ferry through the stunning Geirangerfjord to the town of Geiranger itself. Expect the town and ferry to be busy, this area is one of the top road trip destinations in Norway.

As you leave Geiranger for Eidsdal and wind your way up the steepest section of route 63, along its eleven switchbacks hanging 600m above the fjord below, you’ll understand why it’s called “the Eagle Road”.

At the highest bend is the most breathtaking view over the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, and the location of the (must watch before you go) movie, The Wave.

From here, pick up the RV63, the Trollstigen Mountain Road. Incredibly beautiful, this road was opened in 1936 and includes eleven hairpin bends and a 9% incline. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best roads in Norway.

Stop at the Ornesvingen viewing point for incredible vistas, and again at the top to admire the Stigfossen waterfall.

Once you reach Andalsnes, head west and then north on the E39 to Vevang, and the start of the Atlantic Ocean Road or Atlanterhavsvegen, which runs across eight bridges and follows the islands between them like a silver ribbon.

If you want to visit picture-perfect Alesund on the way, take a slight detour and head south on the E39 instead of north – if you have a few extra days, you won’t regret it!

Next up is Trondheim, Norway’s original capital city. Trondheim has become a real foodie destination and is known as the “home of Nordic flavors”. Spend a day wandering the cobbled streets in the Bakklandet area or rent a bike, the locals’ favorite way to get around.

Onwards to Jektvik, you can either take the E6 Arctic Highway all the way or around 80km north of Trondheim, just after Steinkjer, pick up the FV17 and take in the glorious landscape and coastal views from the magnificent Kystriksveien Coastal Route, one of Norway’s most scenic road trips and one of the official Norwegian scenic routes .

Taking this Atlantic road route will add quite a few kilometers, two days, and six fjord ferries to your journey, but the detour will be so worth it! You’ll cross into the Arctic Circle at 66 degrees, on the boat between Kilborghavn and Jektvik.

At Bodo, you can get a ferry out to the Lofoten Islands if you are making this a longer trip. Ideal for hikers and nature lovers, Lofoten has become Norway’s go-to place for adventure. You’ll also enjoy perfect lighting for moody shots of big skies and dramatic landscapes, and watching the Northern Lights from Lofoten is a real bucket list experience.

Otherwise, keep on driving to Tromso, one of Scandinavia’s most beautiful cities known for its love of a party! Tromso is another great place to catch the aurora borealis as it ripples across the northern sky. You can also go whale watching from Tromso , try your hand at reindeer and dog sledding, and explore the local mountains and fjords, which make a dramatic backdrop to the city.

From Tromso, you could take a ferry to Svalbard to see polar bears, catch the Hurtigruten ferry back to Bergen, take a longer northern Norway road trip, or catch a flight to pretty much anywhere in the world.

Or, if you have time, head north to Nordkapp where the sun doesn’t drop below the horizon from mid-May to the end of July. Hauntingly beautiful but surprisingly busy, you may prefer the true northernmost point of continental Europe at Knivskjelodden, an 18km hike away and inaccessible to vehicles.

• Driving the exciting and impressive Trollstigen Road from Geiranger to Andalasnes.
• Crossing the Arctic Circle into the land of the Northern Lights.
• Following the Kystriksveien Coastal Route to experience the real coastal Norway of fishing villages and subsistence agriculture.
• Standing at the northernmost point of Europe to watch the midnight sun.
• Having to slow down for reindeer crossing the road!

Where to Stay

Bergen >>   Det Hanseatiske Hotel  for its harbourside location, dining options, and cozy decor.

Loen >> Visnes Hotel Stryn for its waterside location, traditional Norwegian food, and fabulous reviews.

Alesund >> Hotel 1904 for its perfect position in the center of town and iconic Scandi decor.

Trondheim >> Britannia Hotel because by this point you deserve a spa!

Narvik >>   Narvik Mountain Lodge  for its truly spectacular location, traditional log cabin decor, and amazing coastal views.

Tromso >>   Scandic Ishavshotel  for its harbour location, fabulous breakfasts, and excellent customer service.

Camping in Norway

If you’re traveling Norway in a campervan, on a touring bike with a backpack, or you’re on a budget, there is a great network of campsites where you can stay in a campervan or car, or bike with a tent.

No tent? Most Norwegian campsites have huts and rooms for rent and often provide a communal kitchen area for people road tripping and backpacking around the country.

If you prefer to be in the wilds, the  allemannsrett  (all men’s rights) law means you can practice free or wild camping in Norway where the land is not owned or cultivated or where there is no signage forbidding it.  

Follow the usual free and  wild camping  good practice and don’t overstay your welcome. If you’re in a motorhome or campervan use  Park4Night  to find the best free overnight parking and wild camping spots.

However you wild camp, always follow the “leave no trace” principle, take your rubbish and waste with you and dispose of it in the proper place. 

Find Adventure in the Western Fjords

Stavanger – preikestolen – kjeragbolten – trolltunga – flam – bergen.

• Distance 687km
• Duration 7-10 days
• Drive Time 14 hours

This seven to ten day Norway itinerary is for adventure lovers and those who want to hike, swim and paddle in the Norwegian great outdoors.

If you’ve ever looked at those amazing images of people perched on tongues of rock, practicing yoga on sheer cliffs, or star-jumping off precipitously balanced boulders whilst gazing out over sparkling blue fjords, then this Norwegian fjord road trip is perfect for you.

Start in the pretty and typically Norwegian city of Stavanger. Stroll Gamle Stavanger, the oldest part of the city, and enjoy the galleries and local craft boutiques before admiring the colorful wharf houses at the harbor.

There’s also a handful of great museums, lots of cool street art, and fantastic fresh seafood on offer.

RELATED POST – Adventurous Road Trip – 26 of The World’s Most Exciting Routes

Once you’ve spent a day in Stavanger, you’ll be heading off to hike Pulpit Rock or Preikestolen. This is an easy 7.6km hike and can be done in half a day with an early start, or you can take a guided hike if you’re new to hiking and Norway.

Begin the hike at the trailhead in Preikestolenhytta, where you can park easily. There are zero facilities on the Pulpit Rock hike, so make sure to go prepared and take additional clothing as the weather in the fjords can be unpredictable.

With an elevation gain of 334 meters, you don’t need any special skills to get to the top of one of Norway’s most incredible bits of rock – and there are a few in the country!

The views of Lysefjorden are breathtaking, but in July and August it will be busy at the top and you may have to wait your turn to get out to the tip of the rock for that must-have photo.

From Preikestolen, you’ll take the Lysebotn-Forsand car ferry along the Lysefjorden to your next stop, the Kjeragbolten hike. Kjeragbolten is a giant boulder wedged in a crevasse at 1084m on Mount Kjerag, the highest peak in the Lysefjorden. You can also base jump and climb here.

The starting point is at the parking lot at Oygardstol – just getting there involves a pretty spectacular top Norway road with hairpin bends aplenty. 

The hike to Kjeragbolten is around 11km long with 800m of altitude gain, and the round trip takes about seven to ten hours depending on your fitness and experience. You need to be in good physical shape and have some hiking experience before attempting this route.

In some places, you have to pull yourself up and slide down with the help of wires, which can be demanding and daunting if you haven’t experienced it before. Make sure you’re well prepared and allow a full day with an early start.

Don’t forget your road trip essentials! Our free road trip checklists help you remember everything, including road trip snacks , podcasts , and road trip songs for the journey!

Everywhere you drive in Norway, you are surrounded by mountains, fjords, and waterfalls. The scenery in Norway is simply spectacular, with new thrills around each bend in the road.

Route 13 from Stavanger to Odda is known as the Ryfylke National Scenic Route, one of eighteen official national tourist routes in Norway designated for their stunning scenery and tourist-friendly infrastructure.

Pick up the RV13 just before Ardal as you head north (make sure to add Ardal to your sat nav or you’ll be routed east from Kjeragbolten).

On this road, you will drive through incredible tunnels and cross fjords on a car ferry. Allow several hours longer than Google Maps suggests – this is a full days drive and you should start early.

Your next stop is Odda, for the infamous Trolltunga in the glorious Folgefonna National Park. The most challenging of these three famous Norway hikes, the route is 20km across mostly flat terrain, but the path can be tricky underfoot and the weather changeable. 

Hiking Trolltunga  is not for the faint-hearted or unprepared but is an absolute must-do on your road trip of Norway. Read our post to find out everything you need to know, from where to stay, how to get there, and the hike itself.

RELATED POST – Trolltunga Hike – Plan it Like a Pro

Norway Travel Ideas

Atlantic Road Norway: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know!

Campervanning in Norway – Tips, Routes & Destinations 2024

Best One Day Oslo Itinerary + Map, Guide & Tips

Driving to Norway from UK – Routes & Tips

Driving in Norway – All You Need to Know

Trolltunga Hike – Plan it Like a Pro

Flåm Norway: Visitor Guide & Tips

Skirt north along the border of the Hardangervidda National Park and take a few days downtime in picturesque  Flam , a small village right at the top of the beautiful Aurlandsfjord.

Surrounded by towering mountains, waterfalls, fjords, and rushing rivers, this is a playground for hikers, water sports enthusiasts, and mountain bikers.

From Flam, you can drive to Bergen or take the spectacular Flamsbana railway there, considered one of the most scenic train rides in the world.

Or, if you have a little longer to spend in Norway, follow the magnificent Sognefjord east to the stunning Jotunheimen National Park.

A four hour drive from Flam will take you into the “Giant’s Home”, a fitting name for this vast and soaring place where there are over 250 mountains of almost 2000m high and some of Norway’s very best scenery.

RELATED POST – How to Visit Flåm in the Summer

• Taking the incredibly scenic Flam Railway to Myrdal and cycling back on the Rallar Road.
• Standing on the edge of the Troll’s Tongue with the world at your feet.
• Discovering the imposing western Norway fjord of  Lysefjorden on a fjord cruise.
• Paddling the Aurlandsfjord for unrivaled views of the surrounding landscape.
• Watching the sun come up from the edge of Pulpit Rock.

Stavanger >>  Sola Strand Hotel  for the breathtaking beachfront location and a modern spa.

Preikestolen & Kjeragbolten >> Preikestolen BaseCamp because it’s perfect for the nights before and after your hike.

Odda >>  Vikinghaug Apartments  for their amazing fjord views and the post-Trolltunga bath!

Flam >>  Flåmsbrygga Hotel   for its superb central position, cozy traditional decor, and microbrewery.

Want to plan your own road tri p? Get our step-by-step road trip planning guide to help you organize the perfect trip or check out our favourite Europe road trips for ideas and inspiration!

Slow Down in Southern Norway

Romsviga – lindesnes – lista – egersund – bore – stavanger.

• Distance 500km
• Duration one week
• Drive Time 9 hours

If fjords and drama aren’t your thing, head for the gentler landscape of southern Norway, known as Sorlandet in Norwegian. This seven day Norway road trip itinerary is also perfect if you’re arriving in Oslo and hiring a rental car for your road trip.

The beaches along the southwest coast are simply stunning, with clear waters lapping against fine sandy shores. You’ll also find fantastic lighthouses, World War Two history, and a slower pace of life as the agricultural business of the area supersedes tourist traffic.

If you get the ferry from Denmark to Kristiansand, you might be tempted to stop in the town for a day, although for most it’s a gateway to the rest of the coast.

Turn left and head west for Romsviga, a traditional coastal settlement that dates back to the 17th century. Now a protected area which is owned by the local community, it’s an interesting place to visit and there are marked trails between here and Helleviga, either along the shore or through the forest.

Lindesnes, the southernmost tip of the country’s long coastline, is home to the oldest lighthouse in Norway ( where you can actually stay !). The small hamlet is quintessentially Norwegian and there is good coastal walking from here.

RELATED POST – One Day Oslo Itinerary – Map, Guide & Tips

Looking for the best SIM card deals in Europe for your trip? Check out our guide to the best data SIMs in Europe and get the best deal for your trip to Norway.

Just under a few hours inland is one of the largest waterfalls in southern Norway, Kvasfossen, with a drop of 36m. When the Lynga river is low, numerous potholes appear which make fabulous hot tubs on a sunny day, so be sure to take your swimmers and a towel!

From here, head northwest for forty minutes to Rafossen waterfall. Take a picnic and sit on the flat granite slabs close to the drop and marvel at the thundering power of this feat of nature.

Lista is next up, with its 34m high lighthouse, Nordberg Fort, and a trio of sandy beaches backed by dunes.

Havikstrand beach is the best known and is popular with kite surfers. Kviljosanden beach is perfect for families, with a gradual shelf and shallow water and Haeustranda beach is on a small peninsula south of Farsund and makes a perfect stop for a day.

Don’t miss the fully restored Nordberg Fort and museum, a German bunker that was once part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall and represents a dark period of Norwegian history.

Follow the 444 coast road to Egersund, which is within the fascinating Magma Geopark . To the east is the weird and wonderful rock formation of Trollpikken (troll’s penis), created by glacial influences thousands of years ago.

To the east is the Eigeroy lighthouse and the glorious beach of Skadbergsanden.

As you continue along the coast road to Bore, make sure to stop at Ogna for more fabulous beaches and the beautiful Kvassheim lighthouse.

Once you arrive in Bore, you’ll soon realize that the village is sandwiched between the river Figgjoelva, the lake Orrevatnet, and the seashore, and is surrounded by water!

Your final stop on this Norway road trip route is Stavanger, where you can continue on to another road trip, catch a flight home or get a ferry to northern Norway to continue your Scandinavian adventure.

• Spending a day soaking up the sun on one of the many magnificent beaches.
• Getting away from it all and experiencing off-the-beaten-path Norway.
• Climbing onto Trollpikken for that must-have image!
• Enjoying lunch in the midst of one of Norway’s most spectacular waterfalls.
• Getting lucky and enjoying a natural hot tub!

Lindesnes >>  Lindesnes Havhotel for its waterfront location, modern decor, and hot tub!

Lista >>  Rederiet Hotel  for their amazing views and welcoming staff.

Egersund >>  Grand Hotel Egersund  for its simple Scandi decor and a great restaurant.

Norway Road Trip Essentials

Here are the websites and services we personally use and recommend for traveling in Norway.

• Search for affordable flights to Norway with Skyscanner
• Search for availability and book hotels and accommodation in Norway with Booking.com
• Find and book the best campsites in Norway with Eurocampings
• Book the cheapest and most reliable hire cars in Norway with Rentalcars.com
• Find and book ferry crossings with Ferryhopper
• Find and hire your perfect motorhome or campervan with Motorhome Republic and Arctic Campers
• Get highly rated, reliable, and trustworthy travel insurance with True Traveller
• Check if you need a visa and arrange your documents with Visagov

Are you looking for more road trip inspiration? Check out these top posts…

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Nordkapp Road Trip

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Nordkapp Road Trip Itinerary

Start helsinki.

• Fast - The infrastructure and traffic allow an average speed of >80 km/h (or 50 mi/h) on this stage. This means a speedy and smooth ride for you without any unplanned delays.
• Modest - The infrastructure and traffic allow an average speed of >50 km/h (or 30 mi/h) on this stage. This means a reasonably smooth ride for you without unplanned delays.
• Slow - The infrastructure and traffic allow an average speed of well below 50 km/h (or 30 mi/h) on this leg. This means a slow ride for you. Unplanned delays are to be expected at any time.
• HEL - Helsinki Vantaa Airport

1 Helsinki - Kuopio

2 kuopio - rovaniemi, 3 rovaniemi - inari, 4 inari - honningsvåg, 5 honningsvåg - north cape, 6 north cape - hammerfest, 7 hammerfest - alta, 8 alta - tromsø, 9 tromsø - svolvær, 10 svolvær - reine, 11 reine - bodø, 12 bodø - mosjøen, 13 mosjøen - trondheim, 14 trondheim - geiranger, 15 geiranger - lom, 16 lom - oslo,   oslo, nordkapp road trip at a glance.

• Start : Helsinki
• Distance : 4,414 km
• Stay : 20 days
• Getting there : Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL)
• When to drive : June, July, August, September
• More info : More info you can find in the "Itinerary" section at each stage.

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Planning a European Road Trip to Nordkapp in the Arctic Circle

When my husband and I first met we bonded over our love of travel. I had just returned from nine months backpacking and he was saving up for a road trip to Morocco.  When I started this blog it was never my intention to write about our travel experiences. However I have realised that we have plenty to share about trips we’ve taken together and individually, as well as many more plans. Next up for Steve is a road trip to Nordkapp in the Arctic Circle, the very top of Norway.

I have decided to write about this for two reasons. Firstly, it sounds fantastic and Norway looks stunning.  Driving in Europe, although relatively easy, needs some extra planning, especially at the moment. So I am provide some hints and tips for planning a road trip to Norway. 

Secondly he has organised the trip specifically to raise money for the charity Combat Stress .  Being ex-forces he has seen first-hand the effects of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) on his old colleagues. Through this post I would like to help increase awareness of the charity he is supporting.  

Facts about Nordkapp

Nordkapp or North Cape is at 71 degrees north (that’s 5 degrees into the Arctic Circle). It is the furthest point in Europe that you can drive to on a public road (the E69). The cape includes a 307-metre-high cliff (1,007 ft) with a large flat plateau on top, where visitors, can admire views of the Barents Sea to the north with the backdrop of the globe sculpture.  

North Cape has a visitor centre with facilities (open seasonally).

The nearest town is Honningsvåg, 20 miles away, where there are a number of hotels and facilities. In the summer months many cruise ships stop here.

Combat Stress Driving Challenge

Steve started planning this trip nearly two years ago – he loves the planning!  The reason being was that he wanted to take a new group of people on an adventure.  It was as simple as putting an advert in our local paper. Various owners of 4×4 vehicles got in touch with him to talk about the plan.  A couple of months later 6 pairs of drivers had signed up to the challenge.  Each funding their own trip,  Steve’s only criteria was that they should all raise £100 towards the charity.

The challenge he has set the team is to drive to Nordkapp within 75 hours. That means driving pretty much non-stop for 3 days. Drivers and co-drivers will be taking it in turn to drive and sleep.  They have booked a night in a hotel in Honningsvåg for Thursday 18th April so they really hope to make it.

Setting off in April, there will still be snow in much of Arctic Norway so 4×4 vehicles and snow chains are essential. One of them is a Series 2 Land Rover,  so despite the time challenge they will not be travelling over about 55 miles per hour so they can stay as a team.

You can see what it looks like on this live webcam link .

How to Get To Nordkapp

Start with the ferry or Euro Tunnel to France or Harwich to the Hook of Holland.  There used to be a ferry that crossed the North Sea into Norway (Newcastle to Stavanger) but that no longer runs.  The team will take the Euro Tunnel, hoping to make it to the front of the queue so that they are first off and on their way.

The total journey is roughly 3500 km (2200 miles) from Calais.  Through northern France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Then into Denmark and across the sea again on the Puttgarden to Rodby ferry and then the spectacular Copenhagen to Malmo toll road.  This road is on a cable bridge, then onto a man-made island which disappears under the sea into a tunnel. 

Their chosen route,  which should be the fastest,  is then through Sweeden via Stockholm, briefly into Finland and only entering Norway for the last few hundred miles. Once they have reached Nordkapp they will have a day to rest before setting off in slow time for the scenic route home.

That will be another blog post and the part that I am most jealous of missing out on – no I’m not part of the team – someone has to stay home with the children and the dog. Maybe another other time.

Planning an Overland Trip to Europe

Like any holiday abroad some planning is required. The uncertainty of leaving the EU has added to the requirements. It’s taken the insurance company 4 attempts to get the right details on the Green Card – we can only assume they are over-whelmed.

Essential Items Check list:

Passport (valid for 6 months)

International Driving Permit, this depends on the Brexit outcome. Check which one you need for the countries you are driving in, Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and Spain are different. They are available from the Post Office (larger branches) and require a passport photo. It costs £5.50

Proof of Valid Insurance and a Green Card  –  a document provided by your insurer to prove that you have adequate insurance cover for driving abroad.

Assuming you are driving into France you will need to have on you:

Full and valid driver’s licence A copy of your V5C (vehicle registration docs) Two NF certified breathalysers Reflective jackets for all passengers Warning triangles Headlamp beam deflectors GB sticker (non GB-euro symbol plates only) No speed camera detectors or sat-navs with camera locations

Supporting Combat Stress

2019 is the 100th anniversary year of the Combat Stress charity. After the 1st World war they called it shell shock. These days PTSD affects not just soldiers and military personnel but also individuals who have gone through traumatic events or extremely stressful situations.

It may have taken 100 years but at least now we are talking about this and recognising it as a real issue. Although on average, after leaving Service, it takes a veteran 12 years to ask for help. Demand for it’s services has nearly doubled in the past ten years. 

You can support Steve and his team of drivers by donating via the Just Giving page “Charity Drive to Norkapp” which we have set up – they have already raised over £2000. By using the Just Giving link you know the money goes direct to Combat Stress and Steve is not involved in it.

I am hoping that the team members will add photos to the Facebook page here during the trip so we can see their progress. i’ll also be checking out the live web cam at Nordkapp,  Steve will hopefully to call me when they get there so we can see them all!  I will share their progress on my Facebook page.

I am really proud of my husband for making this a trip a fund raising challenge. Please support this important charity supporting veteran’s mental health if you can.  Thank you

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Whether you are on holiday, recently moved to the region or like me live here and realise that there are great places a just few miles away that seem to have passed you by, then I hope you enjoy reading this.

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OOh i’ll be taking some of those tips on board for next year. We’re hoping to do a European adventure of our own. Good luck to your husband x

Sounds like a great adventure and fab of you to write all about it and raise awareness for an important cause. #MondayEscapes

This is an awesome and very inspiring adventure 🙂 Good luck! #MondayEscapes

Wow, what an amazing adventure for a great cause! I love that people were so responsive to the ad in the paper, and that all the advanced planning paid off. Thanks for linking up to the last #MondayEscapes

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05 may 5:06 pm 5:06 pm Dorset Art Week

Event Details

Dorset Art Weeks returns for 2024 Visitors to this year’s Dorset Art Week, now 2 weeks (25 May - 9th June 2024) can look forward to re-discovering an exciting variety of

Dorset Art Weeks returns for 2024

Visitors to this year’s Dorset Art Week, now 2 weeks (25 May – 9th June 2024) can look forward to re-discovering an exciting variety of artist studios and exhibitions in unique locations and beautiful settings, and finding out what the county’s creatives have been up to during such an extraordinary time.

With over 250 venues and 500 artists taking part and more ways than ever to engage with the event, including open studios, public art trails and group shows from a vibrant community of artists, galleries and public spaces there is lots to discover.

Artist and venue information can also be found on the Dorset Art Weeks website from April where audiences can browse full details to help plan venue visits and days out. The Dorset Art Weeks App allows visitors to create a list of favourite venues, curate their own art trails and view venue details on a mobile phone, and is available for iPhone and Android. Also in print, an Art Weeks Directory will be distributed to libraries, galleries, museums and other cultural centres across Wessex in April.

From individual studios to galleries, workshops to collectives, pop-ups to projects, the event caters for all tastes and interests in the visual arts, covering a wide variety of art forms- ceramics, jewellery, film, installation, painting, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, woodwork and more. It’s a great opportunity to see artists’ ideas at their source, as well as ambitious group shows, and to appreciate the breadth and depth of creative talent in the county.

Look out for the Dorset Art Weeks signs that pop up across the county and pointing towards a great day out. With so much to see and do, it’s the perfect blend of art, food and travel, with some venues offering refreshments, along with headline sponsor Hall & Woodhouse offering warm hospitality at their stunning pubs around the county.

All venues will continue to take measures to ensure continued safety at this time. After a challenging couple of years, artists will look forward to welcoming audiences and sharing their work with you this May.

Follow Dorset Art Weeks on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook for more information.

https://www.dorsetartweeks.co.uk/

(Sunday) 5:06 pm - 5:06 pm

Calendar GoogleCal

06 may 10:00 am 5:30 pm STEM Somerscience Festival Free Family STEM events

STEM Somerscience Festival The Somerscience Festival in Castle Cary and Bruton (in South Somerset)  is back bigger and better for 2024. The area's rural science festival (STEM) and will

STEM Somerscience Festival

The Somerscience Festival in Castle Cary and Bruton (in South Somerset)  is back bigger and better for 2024. The area’s rural science festival (STEM) and will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2024 across 12 venues in the two towns.

With 70 organisations bringing 90 different science-orientated activities to the area, open to all for free. Programme HERE

The programme includes Science Circus, shows, robot wars, workshops, a health science hub with the chance to try out and understand many medical technologies. There will be exhibitions, demonstrations and an interactive science fair.

Explore the worlds of oceanography, robotics, aerospace, evolution, health science, Earth science, sustainable

Somerset has a thriving Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics scene and is at the forefront of many technologies in e.g. the aerospace sector, nuclear energy, agri-tech and more. Somerscience brings the people of South Somerset face to face with those exciting developments and career opportunities.

Contributors include the Met Office, Hinkley Point C, Leonardo, Bristol Airport, Dyson, RSPCA, Incredible Oceans and Bath, Bristol, Plymouth, Exeter, UWE, Bath Spa and Royal Agricultural Universities as well as the show providers from Circus 250 – an all-woman science circus team , Braintastic Science and Exeter Science Centre.

For further information: /somerscience.co.uk

(Monday) 10:00 am - 5:30 pm

12 may 1:00 pm 4:00 am Lyme Regis May Fete Lyme Regis Carnival and Regatta

Lyme Regis May Fete Lyme Regis May Fete will be held on Saturday 12th May 2024. Enjoy traditional fete fun and games with lots of stalls and attractions FREE Entry to this

Lyme Regis May Fete

Lyme Regis May Fete will be held on Saturday 12th May 2024. Enjoy traditional fete fun and games with lots of stalls and attractions

FREE Entry to this Great Fundraising Family Fun afternoon in Lyme Regis at Anning Road Recreation Ground, DT7 3EB

Details TBC

Lyme Regis May Fete offers lots of fun things to do for all the family including entertainment and displays, bouncy castle and other activities for kids, stalls from local groups and organisations plus plenty of food and drink to tempt your taste buds.

Entertainment & displays A host of entertainment in the arena will be provided by local organisations including displays from Lyme Regis Majorettes.

Fun for the kids Lots of things to keep the kids happy including bouncy castle, bungee trampolines, face painting, henna tattoos and hair braiding.

Local groups & organisations

Lots of stalls from local clubs, groups and charitable organisations to raise awareness and showcase their talents.

Food & drink A varied mix of food and drink including tasty wraps, gourmet burgers, ice cream, waffles, doughnuts and cocktails and much more.

Have a stall If you’re interested in having a stall at the May Fete, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you if you’re a local group or a business wanting to have a stall. Please email [email protected]

Lyme Regis carnival website

(Sunday) 1:00 pm - 4:00 am

Anning Road Recreation Ground

Lyme Regis, DT7 3EB

27 may 10:00 am 4:00 pm Axminster Gate to Plate Food Festival Fabulous Food from eat Festivals

Gate to Plate Axminster Food Festival Back for another Food Festival  - lots of producers, partners and

Gate to Plate Axminster Food Festival

Back for another Food Festival  – lots of producers, partners and entertainers along Church Street, Silver Street and around the Minster. Starts at 10am

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1622379181179405

(Monday) 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Eat Festivals [email protected]

27 may 1:30 pm 4:30 pm Stockland Fair Traditional Country Village Fair

Stockland Fair Stockland Fair is an afternoon of family fun featuring traditional games and entertainments, rural crafts and displays, food, stalls and music.  A traditional village country fair in the Blackdown

Stockland Fair

Stockland Fair is an afternoon of family fun featuring traditional games and entertainments, rural crafts and displays, food, stalls and music.  A traditional village country fair in the Blackdown Hills.

All sorts of fun and games, craft and food stalls, games of chance and entertainment – take a look at their leaflets.

The Famous Stockland Eggathon

The star attraction is always the Eggathon which is eagerly awaited every year. Get your tickets for this early – competition will be fierce and messy. Once seen never forgotten and a side splitting entertainment.

This traditional village country fair in the Blackdown Hills is nearly always held on the second May Bank Holiday Monday.

Detail here https://www.facebook.com/StocklandFair

Stockland Fair 2023

(Monday) 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Stockland Victory Hall

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Wayford Woods

Skiing bansko, go ape haldon forest.

Canoeing with Tamar Trails

The big sheep day out.

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Road trip norway – lofoten to north cape..

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Love a good road trip? Norway is for you! This country is one of the most popular destinations for many reasons. Nature, wildlife, culture and food are just a few of the reasons why people love the northern experience so much.

While a lot of tourists and visitors imagine that they’ll do most of their getting around by taxi, train or bus, it’s not the only way to get around.

If you want to get to see more of this beautiful country, consider a road trip of Norway!

A road trip gives you access to roads, attractions and sights that you wouldn’t have seen as a tourist moving through Norway on a bus – and it can mean an unforgettable connection with Norway that you’ll think back to for the rest of your life!

Here’s how to prepare for a road trip in Norway, including why to choose Norway in the first place, what you should know about your license and what route to take for the best possible Norwegian road trip you’ll ever take.

Table of Contents

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Guest Post By Niels Thomas

The road trip guy, why norway.

A Norway holiday is great.

Internationally, you’ll often find Norway mentioned in the same name as some of the best bands in the world, and some of the most picturesque nature attractions. Norway holidays always get mentioned whenever people talk about oceans, snow and whale-watching – but the first thing you should know as a potential or first-time visitor to Norway is that it’s about a lot more than this!

Are you ready? Norway also has great people, great food, great restaurants, great museums – and well, like the opening sentence says, Norway is great overall.

Choose the home country of Thor for an unforgettable experience and choose the Lofoten islands for your next trip out on the road!

Vehicle Licenses in Norway

The first thing you should know about vehicle licenses in Norway is that you can drive here if you have a valid driver’s license anywhere else in the world – and you don’t have to take an additional driving test like many other countries require to do it.

Driving licenses from most parts of the world either (1) are valid in their current state for people who want to drive in Norway, or (2) can be exchanged for a valid license that lasts for three months.

Cars work exactly the same in Norway as they do anywhere else.

If you’re used to driving anywhere else, you’ll be fine (and allowed!) to drive in Norway.

Driving in Norway

Here’s something that you might want to write down somewhere important, especially if the part of the world you originate from isn’t used to doing things this way: People in Norway drive on the right side of the road!

Keep this in mind for any driving or turning that you intend to do for the safety of the people in the car and everyone around it. This might take some repetition if you’re used to doing anything else most of the time, but for your own safety, remember it!

Remember to also look for any signs that indicate the road is a potential double-lane or “one-way” where the right of way goes only in one direction. If it’s a one way, there’s no left or right, and you could end up facing the wrong side of traffic if you missed the sign.

The Basics of a Road Trip - Norway

There are several different routes you could potentially use to plan your trip, but one of the best suggested routes for a road trip through Norway starts at Bodø.

This is where we’d recommend you find your vehicle rental : There are plenty of car rental companies here who can provide you with an affordable four-wheeled horse to take on the road!

From here, you can find a ferry to Lofoten Island (which you’ll find on Google Maps as Moskenes Ferryport).

Why a ferry? It allows you to take your car with you from one end to the other. (It’s easier this way – trust me.)

From there, your official road trip kicks off – and you can drive right from there all the way up to the North Cape.

(Yes, Norway has a Cape as well: Just like Cape Canaveral or Cape Town, South Africa. You’ll really want to see it, and a combination of car rental (or campervan rental ), ferry and road trip is the best way for you to get there – guaranteed!)

Book a Campervan or Car for Norway HERE

Check out the availability and prices of campervans or motorhomes in Norway –  HERE  or if you prefer check out car hire –  HERE !

Lofoten to North Cape: The Route and More

Once you’re off the ferry from Bodø, it’s the official start of your road trip – and you’re ready to hit the road.  Lofoten to North Cape  is the most direct route with the most to see along the way, which makes it deal for anyone who wants to get to see the great Norwegian North Cape and everything else in-between.

• Use Google Maps to look up “ Lofoten to North Cape ” to see a bird’s eye-view of your estimated route, see more detailed directions and find nearby attractions for your Lofoten road trip itinerary.
• How to get to the North Cape?  On a Lofoten road trip, you’ll pass areas called Reine Henningsvær, Svolvær, Tromsø, Alta – and then you’ll get to the end-destination of your trip: The gorgeous North Cape.
• Confused? Nordkapp is another word used to refer to North Cape once you’re in Norway: Type it into Google instead and you’ll find that your results are far more local!

Remember to pack essentials like your first-aid kit, your power-bank for extra battery life and extra memory cards for more memories of the trip! An extra jerrycan with gas is also wise. 😉

How to Get to North Cape: Stop at Every Town!

How to get to the North Cape isn’t a simple straight journey: There are so many cool things to do and see that you’ll be tempted to stop at every town I have mentioned!

Here’s a quick look at some of what you’ll see while making your way to the North Cape via Lofoten:

LOFOTEN: The Lofotor Viking Museum & Kvalvika Beach

The lofotr viking museum.

One of the first (and possibly coolest) things i recommend for most visitors to Norway as a must-see attraction is the Lofotr (or Lofoten) Viking Museum, located exactly where you would guess from the name. Here, you’ll find everything you wanted to know about vikings – including artifacts that you can’t get to see anywhere else in the world.

Kvalvika Beach

Kvalvika Beach is one of many beaches in Norway, and the perfect place to go if you’re passing through Lofoten and looking for a scenic place to stop, breathe or stretch.

REINE: Reinefjorden & Aqua Lofoten Coast Adventure

Reinefjorden.

You’ll see a lot of fjords – also called fjorden in local languages! – when visiting Norway. When passing through Reine, there’s the Reinefjorden: It’s a perfect place to stop for kayaking with some more activities for nature lovers while you’re there.

Aqua Lofoten Coast Adventure

Look up the Aqua Lofoten Coast Adventure if you’re a nature lover of any fitness level. Here you’ll find a great tour with several actives that includes hiking.

HENNNINGSVÆR: KaviarFactory & Gallery Lofoten

Kaviarfactory.

Henningsvær is where you go for art, and KaviarFactory is one of many great, famed art galleries that any visitor to the area should stop at just to take in the beauty that you’ll find here.

Gallery Lofoten

Gallery Lofoten is another art gallery to stop at for the sights. It’s on the same route as the KaviarFactory, so you’ll pass it while making your way through on the road.

Interested in other ROAD TRIPS around the world? CHECK OUT: 

EUROPE: – The Best 5 EUROPEAN Road Trips – ICELAND Road Trip from Akureyri to Reykjavik – ICELAND in a Campervan – Luxury on a Budget – 5 Day Road Trip Tour of NORWAY incl. the Fjords – SPAIN: Road Trip – 5 Days in Asturias – UK Road Trip Tips OCEANIA: – AUSTRALIA – Adelaide to Melbourne Road Trip with Great Ocean Road Itinerary – Comparing the Best Motorhome & Campervan Hire – NEW ZEALAND – Kiwi Campers & Happy Campers NEW ZEALAND – Review of a Maui Campervan – NEW ZEALAND SOUTH AMERICA: – Why You Should Motorhome CHILE – A Unique Way to see Chile

SVOLVÆR: The Lofoten War Memorial Museum & Svinøya

The lofoten war memorial museum.

When going through Svolvær, you should make a stop at the Lofoten War Memorial Museum: A great part of local history and culture can be found over here and there are tours that have something for everyone.

Another thing to see when driving through this area on your road trip is Svinøya: You can book a tour here for hiking and other nature-based sight-seeing, which provides plenty of photo opportunities you won’t see anywhere else in the world.

TROMSØ: Whale Watching & Polaria

Whale watching.

Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in Norway and one of the most popular thing to do in Tromso . Tromso is one of the best places in the world to see orcas and it is a must do. 

Polaria is one of the world’s most unique aquarium spaces: It blends together the beauty of ice and snow together with the creatures that live in it for a gorgeous experience you can’t possibly forget (or skip out on when you’re visiting).

ALTA: Altafjord & Cathedral of the Northern Lights

As far as fjords go, there’s also Altafjord: Great for hiking, walking, picnics, photos and any other things you can possibly think of to do nearing the fjords. It’s gorgeous: Don’t miss it!

Cathedral of the Northern Lights

The appearance of the Northern Lights is one of the attractions Norway is famous for at the right time of the year. Near the end-destination of your road trip, you’ll get to the Cathedral of the Northern Lights, one of the best places in Norway to get to see it.

NORTH CAPE: You Have Arrived!

Firstly, ENJOY it! Secondly if you are there in summer witness the midnight sun, where the sun doesn’t go below the horizon. Such a great an unique experience and one you won’t forget. 

Book a Campervan or Car for your Norway Road Trip HERE

About the author.

Niels Thomas is a fanatic traveller and wildlife expert, He enjoys educating his readers about the importance of the conservation of endangered wildlife species and how eco-friendly business can support this idea.

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