Lapland North Destinations

Kirkenes Region

Across Finland’s northern border lies the Kirkenes region of Norway, where the Arctic Ocean meets rugged mountains shaped by the Ice Age. Visitors can enjoy king crab safaris, riverboat trips, husky sledding, and snowmobiling. In summer, the midnight sun shines; in winter, northern lights fill the sky.

Two people in swimsuits stand in shallow water on a sandy beach with snow-covered dunes and hills in the background under a blue sky.

Travel tips for Kirkenes

Explore Norway’s Kirkenes region along the Varanger Fjord. Visit Kirkenes town, the fishing villages of Bugøynes, Neiden and Grense Jakobselv, and the wild Pasvik Valley. Enjoy king crab and the Arctic Ocean sauna in Bugøynes, discover Skolt Sámi culture in Neiden, and observe wildlife in Pasvik’s forests and wetlands.

Kolme ihmistä seisoo pienen puisen kalastusveneen kannella lähellä Kirkkoniemeä ja heittää vavojaan tyynessä sinisessä vedessä rannikon tuntumassa osittain pilvisen taivaan alla.

Our partners in Kirkenes

Varanger Brygge

Ilmari Slant Ky

A coastal village with snow-covered houses and streets, bordered by a blue sea and rugged hills under a partly cloudy sky.

Bugøynes

Bugøynes is a small fishing village about 100 km west of Kirkenes. It was spared from destruction in World War II, and many wooden houses remain intact. Finnish settlers arrived here in the late 19th century, giving rise to the nickname “Little Finland”. Today, Bugøynes is Norway’s centre for live king-crab fishing and exports.
How to get there: Drive 100 km from Kirkenes via E6 toward Tana, turn right after 80 km and continue 20 km.

The Pasvik Valley

Close to the borders of Norway, Russia, and Finland, the Pasvik Valley extends 100 km south of Kirkenes to the Three-Country Cairn. The valley features vast pine and birch forests, wetlands, and protected nature areas. It’s home to Norway’s densest brown-bear population and over 220 bird species. The Pasvik River flows along the Norwegian–Russian border through Øvre Pasvik National Park toward Lake Inari in Finland.

Laaja vihreä metsä levittäytyy sinisen taivaan alla, joka on täynnä hajanaisia valkoisia pilviä; horisontissa näkyvät kaukaiset vuoret ja Kirkkoniemen lähellä sijaitseva järvi.
Henkilö seisoo ruohoisella kukkulalla Kirkkoniemessä puuaidan vieressä, josta on näkymä leveälle siniselle joelle tai järvelle, jonka kaukaisuudessa on vuoria osittain pilvisen taivaan alla. Puut ja vihreät lehdet ympäröivät rauhallista maisemaa.

Neiden

Neiden is a small village about 40 km west of Kirkenes, close to the Finnish border. Its roots lie in Skolt Sámi culture, which still shapes local traditions. The village lies along the Neiden River and connects with its Finnish counterpart, Näätämö.
How to get there: Follow the E6 from Kirkenes toward Tana for about 40 km.

Grense Jakobselv

Grense Jakobselv is Norway’s easternmost fishing village, located about 60 km northeast of Kirkenes by the Barents Sea and the Russian border. The main sight is King Oscar II’s Chapel, built in 1869 as a border marker and still standing on the rocky shore.
How to get there: Follow road 886 from Kirkenes for about 60 km.

Kirkkoniemessä punainen puukirkko, jossa on valkoiset koristeet ja korkea torni, seisoo vihreällä nurmikolla sinisellä taivaalla, jolla on hajapilviä. Rakennusta ympäröivät puut ja pensaat.
Siluettilinnut lentävät ja istuskelevat Kirkkoniemen kalliojyrkänteen reunalla auringonlaskun aikaan, kun suuri, kirkas aurinko hehkuu kullankeltaisella taivaalla.
Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla

The Varanger Fjord area

The Varanger Fjord area is known for its open coastal landscape, authentic fishing villages, and rich birdlife. Steep bird cliffs rise directly from the sea, offering excellent opportunities for observation. The region reflects a blend of Arctic nature, fishing culture, and quiet northern communities shaped by wind and water.

Must-visit places in the Kirkenes region – Culture and history

Discover Kirkenes’ Borderland Museum and learn how the Second World War shaped life in the region. In Neiden, visit the Skolt Sámi Museum for insight into Sámi culture, and see St. George’s Chapel, dating back centuries. Nearby, Skoltefossen waterfall flows under the E6 bridge, where salmon can often be seen leaping upstream in early summer.

A woman in a blue winter jacket stands inside an ice bar, holding a drink and smiling. The room is made of ice with glowing purple lights and abstract art on the icy walls and furniture.
Kirkkoniemen lähellä sijaitsevaa hiekkarantaa reunustavat vihreä ruoho ja keltaiset luonnonkukat, ja taustalla on rauhallista turkoosia vettä ja kallioisia kukkuloita pilvisen taivaan alla.
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Must-visit places in the Kirkenes region – Nature and viewpoints

In the Pasvik Valley, Svanhovd Visitor Centre presents the area’s nature and wildlife, surrounded by old-growth forest and taiga landscapes. Climb the Height 96 observation tower for views over the valley, or explore Øvre Pasvik National Park with its trails and rare eastern species. End your day at the Barents Sea beach to watch the midnight sun or spot seabirds and whales..