Kirkenes

Norway's most remote and northern town to visit in winter

The small town of Kirkenes in Norway’s Finnmark region has a rich history.  It’s also home to the SnowHotel, a unique winter accommodation.

As Kirkenes lies just a few kilometres from both the Russian and Finnish borders, the Russian Revolution, Finnish immigration and World War II have all left permanent marks here.

To learn more about these fascinating periods in Kirkenes’ history, visit the Borderland Museum (“Grenselandsmuseet”), which tells the story of war and peace along the border. The Andersgrotta Cave, a vast underground bunker that sheltered the town's residents during WWII, is also well worth a visit.

Surrounded by fjords, mountains, forests and lakes, the area is a haven for nature lovers. Guided snowmobile tours into the Pasvik Valley – where Norway, Russia and Finland meet – and king crab safaris on the Barents Sea are among some of the most popular activities here.

Kirkenes is also an incredible place to try to experience the northern lights in wintertime as it’s located in the middle of the “aurora zone”, boosting the chances of the spectacular natural light show appearing.