Warm, light summers and white-clad winters on the Finnmark plateau. Wild nature, small towns and big cities. Finnmark has it all!
The northern Norwegian landscape offers a wide range of experiences – no matter the season. One thing is for sure: You'll be rewarded by setting aside plenty of time to explore the very top of Norway. Here you'll find several destinations that are well worth a visit.
You can travel directly to Finnmark by plane from Oslo and Tromsø and several of the airports have car rental services, so you can easily get around on four wheels. And even though the distances here are longer than elsewhere in the country, you’ll be travelling on good roads with fantastic views just outside the window, so the drive itself is part of the experience.
Among the many places worth visiting in Finnmark are the border town of Kirkenes, Kautokeino with its strong Sami culture, the northern lights city of Alta and Hammerfest, an urban city in the heart of nature.
It is for good reason that Thon hotels can be found at these locations. Below, we share with you our best tips on how to get the most out of 'Finnmark’s Big Four'.
Kirkenes
Memorable nature experiences
Kirkenes is probably best known for its close proximity to Russia and as the point where the Hurtigruten turns around and starts sailing south again. But if you take the time to visit the city, we guarantee you will remember it for entirely different reasons.
Kirkenes has plenty of action-packed nature experiences that are sure to impress even the most adventurous of travellers. It is also a popular destination for history buffs, as Kirkenes was one of the most strategic locations in Europe during World War II.
Thon Hotel Kirkenes is the city’s largest conference hotel, with bright and attractive rooms with views of the fjord. Located by the quay in the city centre, the hotel is the perfect base for exploring the city.
Essential experiences in Kirkenes
King crab tour
Whether you're visiting Kirkenes in the summer or winter, you can go on a king crab tour. In the winter, Barentssafari helps you bring in king crab from traps and while a chef prepares them, you go snowmobiling on the Langfjord and Siberian Taiga woods in the Pasvik valley. Afterwards, dinner is enjoyed in a lavvo (Sami tent) and the freshly caught king crab is served with bread, mayonnaise and white wine.
In the summer, you can join Kirkenes Snowhotel and professional fishermen in their fast RIB boat on the Varangerfjord. Here you can fish for crab, hold them and take pictures. Afterwards, you're taken to a boathouse by the fjord where the crabs are prepared in true northern Norwegian style.
Visit a real snow hotel
If there isn't any snow on the ground when you visit Kirkenes, there’s still a place where you’re guaranteed an icy white experience: Snowhotel Kirkenes. The hotel is made entirely of snow and ice and you can enjoy a 'winter wonderland' all year round. The hotel is open 365 days a year and offers guided tours of the park, dinner, accommodation and various activities.
ATV border tour
Barentssafari organises excursions to the Barents Sea by ATV, where you can visit the official border crossing at Storskog. From there, the tour continues eastwards, past Jarfjorden and over the high mountain plateau, before arriving in the lush valley of Grense Jakobselv. The town has been vacated and you are very close to the Russian border, where you can experience Norwegian and Russian border guards. Located by the beach facing the Barents Sea is the King Oscar II Chapel, built from stone in 1869 as border protection against Russia. Enjoy coffee and a bit to eat by the sea before heading back.
World War II history
If you are interested in history, make sure to visit the Borderland Museum and Andersgrotta. The museum is around a 20-minute walk from Thon Hotel Kirkenes. It has both permanent and temporary exhibitions about the border area, local culture and World War II. Andersgrotta was the largest bomb shelter in Kirkenes during the war and the exhibit includes a short film on Kirkenes during the years 1941-1944.
Try your luck at fishing
In Kirkenes, you can fish both summer and winter. During the summer, Snowhotel Kirkenes organises RIB boat trips to the Barents Sea, where you can catch fish and experience animals like eagles and seals. Winter brings ice fishing and the opportunity to catch char, trout and perch.
Kautokeino
Learn about Sami culture
Kautokeino is the municipality in Norway with the highest number of Sami-speaking residents and where reindeer herding has been the main livelihood for hundreds of years. The traditional way of life is still strong, so you have a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about Sami culture.
Located in a sparsely populated area south of Finnmarksvidda, the city boasts the country’s lowest winter temperatures (as low as -50 degrees Celsius). A dry winter climate with plenty of clear skies ensures a good chance to see the Northern Lights and if you’re lucky, you'll see the magical lights dancing in the sky.
Thon Hotel Kautokeino is located close to all there is to experience on Finnmarksvidda and you can hop on a snowmobile right outside the main entrance. After a long day outdoors, you can enjoy the perfect end to the day: a dip in the hot tub and relaxing in the hotel’s barrel sauna. This video from Kautokeino shows you some of what you can expect.
Essential experiences in Kautokeino
'Sami competition', lassoing and reindeer sledding
This experience has it all: excitement, fun and history. You are picked up by snowmobile at Thon Hotel Kautokeino and driven to reindeer herder Aslak Sokki and his family. Here you learn about the Sami way of life before it’s time for lassoing and reindeer sledding. In the lavvo, you enjoy freshly cooked reindeer broth, joik and stories. Aslak is happy to arrange a 'viddekamp', where you compete in various Sami activities. Let us know if you are interested in this when you book.
ATV tour across the Finnmarksvidda plateau
Kautokeino is not just a winter destination - summers are mild and beautiful. If you visit between June and September, a must-do experience is an ATV tour across Finnmarksvidda - a unique adventure that includes traditional Sami food, joik, lassoing and fishing for char or trout. And if the berries are ripe, picking the 'gold of the plateau' - delicious cloudberries.
Riverboat tour
Another favourite activity in Kautokeino during the summer and autumn is a river boat tour. This is a guided tour up the beautiful Alta River, complete with food, joik and a lavvo visit. It is also possible to fish during the tour. Before boarding the riverboat, you visit Juhls Silver Gallery, Finnmark’s oldest silversmith, and a must-visit when in Kautokeino.
Snowmobile tours
In winter, the snowmobile is one of Kautokeino’s most important means of transport. With the largest trail network on the mainland, residents use a snowmobile both to drive to the grocery shop and to their reindeer herds in the open landscape. So, an absolute must when visiting Kautokeino is to ride a snowmobile - whether you just want to cruise around or enjoy a cultural experience along the way. Thon Hotel Kautokeino rents snowmobiles with and without a guide. You can also book a snowmobile tour to Finnmark’s first silversmith, Juhls Silver Gallery. Or you can go on a snowmobile tour to a reindeer herd, where you have the opportunity to take close-up pictures of the reindeer and enjoy a break in a lavvo.
Northern lights tour
The climate in Kautokeino means there is a good chance of experiencing the Northern Lights in winter and between December and May, you can join Hættas opplevelser on a snowmobile tour to see the mysterious lights. The tour starts outside Thon Hotel Kautokeino, where you are given warm clothing before you ride your snowmobile into the open landscape.
Alta
City and country in one
Alta is often referred to as the gateway to Finnmark and is the largest city in the region. This means you can enjoy an urban setting close to nature and plenty of opportunities for those who enjoy being active.
Only a few minutes away from the city centre, you can experience complete silence and because the city is located at the intersection of city and countryside, nature is never far away. Experiencing the midnight sun alone is worth the trip itself. Sitting on a bench at night and looking out over the Altafjord with the sun shining on the water is a sight you’ll never forget.
Thon Hotel Alta is located in the city centre on top of the AMFI Alta shopping centre, making it a great base for exploring the city. The hotel is modern and family-friendly and if you're travelling with children, they stay for free.
Essential experiences in Alta
Go on a dog sled tour
Dog sledding is something for absolutely everyone - whether you're 3 or 93 years old. They say that if you can stand on your feet, you can stand on a dog sled. In Alta, you can join both day tours and overnight tours. Horisont Husky offers tours that are so enjoyable you are sure to forget the time, feel a sense of peace and be fully present in the moment, while Holmen Husky Lodge has the dogs pull you through pine forests and along the beautiful Alta River. The latter also offers unique overnight stays in a lavvo, dome or barn - together with the option of both a hot tub and sauna.
The joy of cycling
Alta is a well-established cycling city, so you should definitely consider taking a ride on two wheels. In the summer, you can enjoy excellent trails for mountain biking in the rolling open landscape. The trails are close to the city centre and offer considerable variety and beautiful views. But it’s also possible to go for a bike ride in the winter - on a fatbike. Alta Event is a tour operator that offers fatbike tours along spectacular trails.
See the Northern Lights outside or inside
It is for good reason that Alta is called the City of the Northern Lights and there are several operators that offer different types of Northern Lights tours. You can chase the Northern Lights from a bus, horse and sleigh, fatbike or snowmobile, so there's something for everyone. If you want to experience the Northern Lights without going out into the dark, you can visit Borealis Alta, an interactive science centre built under the Northern Lights Cathedral. Here you can learn more about the phenomenon, see pictures of the Northern Lights and tour the Northern Lights Cathedral.
Fantastic trails
Surrounded by mountain peaks and beautiful nature, Alta is a favourite destination for hiking in the great outdoors. There are lots of nice trails that are well marked, whether you want to walk on a simple trail that is easily accessible from the city centre or go on a long hike in more demanding terrain. Several of the mountain peaks near Alta take less than an hour to walk to and are the perfect destination for enjoying the midnight sun.
Climbing and downhill skiing at SarvesAlta
SarvesAlta offers speed and excitement for the entire family both summer and winter: During the summer, you can enjoy the world’s northernmost climbing park - with ziplines and obstacle courses. In the winter, the ski resort is open and you can race down the slopes while enjoying views of fjords, mountains and valleys.
Hammerfest
World’s northernmost city
Hammerfest is not only Norway’s but also the world’s northernmost city and despite its modest size, there are plenty of experiences here for nature lovers, culture enthusiasts and the adventurous.
Surrounded by mountains, sandy beaches and a rugged coastline, the city is the perfect starting point for an active and urban holiday, despite being located between wide open spaces.
In the centre is Thon Hotel Hammerfest, where you stay in an attractive room with views of the harbour. The hotel also has four meeting rooms. Children stay for free in the family and superior rooms!
Essential experiences in Hammerfest
Join the Polar Bear Club
Learn about the history of Hammerfest and be designated a member of the Polar Bear Club! The polar bear features on Hammerfest’s coat of arms and represents the strong willpower and perseverance needed to survive in the Arctic. In the exhibition, you can listen to skilled guides talking about life in the north in the old days, when almost everything revolved around fishing, hunting and polar expeditions, before ending your visit with a membership in the Polar Bear Club, which comes with a certificate, polar bear pin and membership card. A lasting memory of a visit to the world’s northernmost city! The Polar Bear Club is centrally located in the harbour, a short walk from Thon Hotel Hammerfest.
From the Stone Age to reconstruction
At the Museum of Reconstruction for Finnmark and Northern Troms, you can learn about the dramatic events that took place in the area during World War II, when Finnmark and Northern Troms were burned to the ground by the German occupiers and the population was forced to evacuate. The exhibition starts all the way back in the Stone Age, to provide a better understanding of the strong sense of belonging in the region, and shows the hard times, optimism and determination during the reconstruction. The museum is located in the centre of Hammerfest, only a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. Also make sure to check out Struve’s Geodetric Arc at Fuglenes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The best views in town
Hammerfest has walking and hiking trails for everyone! A hike that is definitely worth the effort is to the Salen lookout. The trail up the winding road takes less than 15 minutes to walk and once you’re at the top, you enjoy fantastic views of the city, Sørøysundet and surrounding islands. From the lookout, you can continue on other picturesque trails, such as the old pathway Gammelveien, or hike to the top of Salenfjellet, at 176 m above sea level, which takes an additional 20 minutes from the lookout. Another hike worth taking is to the top of the mountain Tyven, at 418 metres above sea level, where you can visit the stylish tourist cabin of the same name.
Cultural top-up
Bad weather forecasted? At the Arctic Cultural Centre, located approximately 200 metres from Thon Hotel Hammerfest, the programme is packed with everything from concerts, theatre, revues to exhibitions and films in what is known as the cultural heart and meeting place of both the city and region, Hammerfest also has a nice bowling alley with several bowling lanes, pizza and shuffleboard, which is perfect for fun with the family or friends.
Happy fishing!
Enjoy cod, halibut or pollock? Then it’s worth noting that there’s a good chance to catch one of these in Hammerfest and neighbouring islands of Sørøya and Seiland. The area has a long tradition of fishing and the excellent fishing possibilities in both saltwater and freshwater attract residents and tourists alike. The area is also known for the possibility of large catches – world records have been set here! Why not challenge each other to a fishing competition? If you want to try open sea fishing, you can rent a boat with equipment from Bato, for example.
