{"id":1640,"date":"2019-10-25T10:33:21","date_gmt":"2019-10-25T08:33:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/?post_type=destination&#038;p=2123"},"modified":"2026-03-20T13:58:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T13:58:20","slug":"kirkenes","status":"publish","type":"destination","link":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/","title":{"rendered":"Kirkenes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-vnn-ingress\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vnn__ingress\">\n\t\t\t\tKirkenes is the border town with Russia, found between the Arctic Ocean and the great forests. Come her for King Crabs, wilderness and dramatic WWII history. \n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Kirkenes and the municipality of S\u00f8r-Varanger form a sliver between Russia and Finland, right on the Varanger fjord. This is a borderland both geographically and culturally, and everything here has a hint of east.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-vnn-gallery gallery-count-4\">\n\t\t<ul><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/GrenseJakobselv_foto_bernt_nilsen_kirkenes-11.jpg\" data-size=\"1208x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">01<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/GrenseJakobselv_foto_bernt_nilsen_kirkenes-11.jpg\" alt=\"The steeple of the King Oscar II chapel from 1869 \u00a9 Bernt Nilsen, Kirkenes\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/GrenseJakobselv_foto_bernt_nilsen_kirkenes-11.jpg\" data-caption=\"The steeple of the King Oscar II chapel from 1869 \u00a9 Bernt Nilsen, Kirkenes\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20190607_011156_resized_20190821_125804869.jpg\" data-size=\"1419x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">02<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20190607_011156_resized_20190821_125804869-768x433.jpg\" alt=\"The fabulous view of the Midnight Sun is shared by Norway and Russia \u00a9 Monika Raab\/Pasvik Turist\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20190607_011156_resized_20190821_125804869.jpg\" data-caption=\"The fabulous view of the Midnight Sun is shared by Norway and Russia \u00a9 Monika Raab\/Pasvik Turist\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/003565_Baard-Loeken_www.nordnorge.com_Soer-Varanger.jpg\" data-size=\"1203x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">03<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/003565_Baard-Loeken_www.nordnorge.com_Soer-Varanger-768x511.jpg\" alt=\"Oscar II chapel at Grense Jakobselv, where the border meets the Arctic Ocean \u00a9 B\u00e5rdf L\u00f8ken\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/003565_Baard-Loeken_www.nordnorge.com_Soer-Varanger.jpg\" data-caption=\"Oscar II chapel at Grense Jakobselv, where the border meets the Arctic Ocean \u00a9 B\u00e5rdf L\u00f8ken\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20190606_213646_resized_20190821_125803405.jpg\" data-size=\"1419x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">04<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20190606_213646_resized_20190821_125803405-768x433.jpg\" alt=\"Temperatures can approach the 30 degrees mark at Grense Jakobselv, but the ocean is always refreshing (...or numbing..) \u00a9 Monika Raab\/Pasvik Turist\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_20190606_213646_resized_20190821_125803405.jpg\" data-caption=\"Temperatures can approach the 30 degrees mark at Grense Jakobselv, but the ocean is always refreshing (...or numbing..) \u00a9 Monika Raab\/Pasvik Turist\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"vnn-gallery-figcaptions\"><figcaption>01: The steeple of the King Oscar II chapel from 1869 \u00a9 Bernt Nilsen, Kirkenes<\/figcaption><figcaption>02: The fabulous view of the Midnight Sun is shared by Norway and Russia \u00a9 Monika Raab\/Pasvik Turist<\/figcaption><figcaption>03: Oscar II chapel at Grense Jakobselv, where the border meets the Arctic Ocean \u00a9 B\u00e5rdf L\u00f8ken<\/figcaption><figcaption>04: Temperatures can approach the 30 degrees mark at Grense Jakobselv, but the ocean is always refreshing (&#8230;or numbing..) \u00a9 Monika Raab\/Pasvik Turist<\/figcaption><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kirkenes-is-the-centre-of-sor-varanger\">Kirkenes is  the centre of S\u00f8r-Varanger<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>S\u00f8r-Varanger is the name of the huge municipality were Kirkenes is the centre. The northern coast is barren, with hardly any population, except the King Crab village of Bug\u00f8ynes. Once you leave the wind-swept coast, however, the scenery changes. Deep forest, birch closest to the coast, pine inland, grow unobstructed from here to the Bering Strait and beyond. This is the landscape the Russians call taiga, deep conifer forests with lakes, bogs and rivers interspersed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-grid wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9649a0d9 wp-block-group-is-layout-grid\"><div class=\"t2-featured-single-post t2-featured-content is-post-type-artikler todo-culture-and-history todo-worldwar2 facilities-groups season-autumn season-spring season-summer season-winter region-kirkenes malgrupper-culture-specialist malgrupper-heritage-explorer wp-block-t2-featured-single-post\">\n\t\t<div class=\"default-card wp-block-t2-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/artikkel\/the-borderland-museum-in-kirkenes-reflects-on-the-towns-time-under-occupation\/\">\n<div class=\"t2-post-dynamic-part is-source-filter filter-default_card wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\">\n\t\t<figure style=\"--t2-focal-point: 50% 50%;\" class=\"t2-post-featured-image has-image-ratio-16-9 wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"514\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/004228_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_-1-768x514.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\t\t<div class=\"card-content\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-region\">\n\t\t\t\tKirkenes\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<h2>The Borderland Museum in Kirkenes reflects on the town&#8217;s time under occupation<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-activities\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-activites\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M625.941 293.823L421.823 497.941c-18.746 18.746-49.138 18.745-67.882 0l-.36-.36L592 259.882 331.397 0h48.721a48 48 0 0 1 33.941 14.059l211.882 211.882c18.745 18.745 18.745 49.137 0 67.882zm-128 0L293.823 497.941C284.451 507.314 272.166 512 259.882 512c-12.284 0-24.569-4.686-33.941-14.059L14.059 286.059A48 48 0 0 1 0 252.118V48C0 21.49 21.49 0 48 0h204.118a47.998 47.998 0 0 1 33.941 14.059l211.882 211.882c18.745 18.745 18.745 49.137 0 67.882zM464 259.882L252.118 48H48v204.118l211.886 211.878L464 259.882zM144 96c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48-21.49-48-48-48z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tCulture and history\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"t2-featured-single-post t2-featured-content is-post-type-artikler todo-art todo-culture-and-history todo-sapmi-culture facilities-sami season-autumn season-spring season-summer season-winter region-kirkenes malgrupper-culture-lover wp-block-t2-featured-single-post\">\n\t\t<div class=\"default-card wp-block-t2-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/artikkel\/john-savio-is-a-pioneer-within-sapmi-art\/\">\n<div class=\"t2-post-dynamic-part is-source-filter filter-default_card wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\">\n\t\t<figure style=\"--t2-focal-point: 50% 53.676470588235%;\" class=\"t2-post-featured-image has-image-ratio-16-9 wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"645\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Ganda-ja-nieida-h\u00e5ndkolorert-tresnitt-del-av-museets-vandreutstilling-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\t\t<div class=\"card-content\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-region\">\n\t\t\t\tKirkenes\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<h2>John Savio is a pioneer within Sapmi art<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-activities\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-activites\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M625.941 293.823L421.823 497.941c-18.746 18.746-49.138 18.745-67.882 0l-.36-.36L592 259.882 331.397 0h48.721a48 48 0 0 1 33.941 14.059l211.882 211.882c18.745 18.745 18.745 49.137 0 67.882zm-128 0L293.823 497.941C284.451 507.314 272.166 512 259.882 512c-12.284 0-24.569-4.686-33.941-14.059L14.059 286.059A48 48 0 0 1 0 252.118V48C0 21.49 21.49 0 48 0h204.118a47.998 47.998 0 0 1 33.941 14.059l211.882 211.882c18.745 18.745 18.745 49.137 0 67.882zM464 259.882L252.118 48H48v204.118l211.886 211.878L464 259.882zM144 96c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48-21.49-48-48-48z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tCulture and history\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"t2-featured-single-post t2-featured-content is-post-type-artikler todo-architecture todo-attractions todo-culture-and-history season-autumn season-spring season-summer season-winter region-kirkenes malgrupper-culture-lover malgrupper-culture-specialist wp-block-t2-featured-single-post\">\n\t\t<div class=\"default-card wp-block-t2-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/artikkel\/oscar-chapel-a-spiritual-beacon\/\">\n<div class=\"t2-post-dynamic-part is-source-filter filter-default_card wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\">\n\t\t<figure style=\"--t2-focal-point: 41.5% 53.195488721805%;\" class=\"t2-post-featured-image has-image-ratio-16-9 wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/003518_Baard-Loeken_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\t\t<div class=\"card-content\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-region\">\n\t\t\t\tKirkenes\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<h2>Oscar II chapel marks the border between Norway and Russia<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-activities\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-activites\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M625.941 293.823L421.823 497.941c-18.746 18.746-49.138 18.745-67.882 0l-.36-.36L592 259.882 331.397 0h48.721a48 48 0 0 1 33.941 14.059l211.882 211.882c18.745 18.745 18.745 49.137 0 67.882zm-128 0L293.823 497.941C284.451 507.314 272.166 512 259.882 512c-12.284 0-24.569-4.686-33.941-14.059L14.059 286.059A48 48 0 0 1 0 252.118V48C0 21.49 21.49 0 48 0h204.118a47.998 47.998 0 0 1 33.941 14.059l211.882 211.882c18.745 18.745 18.745 49.137 0 67.882zM464 259.882L252.118 48H48v204.118l211.886 211.878L464 259.882zM144 96c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48-21.49-48-48-48z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tArchitecture\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-for-2000-years-this-was-the-area-of-the-eastern-sami\">For 2000 years, this was the area of the Eastern Sami<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Eastern Sami, sometimes called the Skolt Sami, speak their own Sami language. In the centuries before the birth of Christ, their culture emerged in this area. They lived in siidas, small groups, that moved up and down the Neiden or Pasvik River, depending on fishing and reindeer hunting seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-area-became-a-borderland\">The area became a borderland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1307, Norway establishes itself with a fortress in nearby Vard\u00f8. The Norwegian king claimed the whole of the Kola peninsula, or Russian . The Russian approach was more subtle, they sent missionaries. The monk Trifon converted the Eastern Sami to Russian Orthodoxy in the 16<sup>th<\/sup> c., and the St. George chapel in Neiden dates from 1565.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-grid wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9649a0d9 wp-block-group-is-layout-grid\"><div class=\"t2-featured-single-post t2-featured-content is-post-type-artikler todo-culture-and-history todo-worldwar2 facilities-groups season-autumn season-spring season-summer season-winter region-kirkenes malgrupper-culture-lover malgrupper-culture-specialist wp-block-t2-featured-single-post\">\n\t\t<div class=\"default-card wp-block-t2-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/artikkel\/kirkenes-a-flashpoint-in-world-war-two\/\">\n<div class=\"t2-post-dynamic-part is-source-filter filter-default_card wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\">\n\t\t<figure style=\"--t2-focal-point: 60% 47.014925373134%;\" class=\"t2-post-featured-image has-image-ratio-16-9 wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"514\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/004228_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\t\t<div class=\"card-content\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-region\">\n\t\t\t\tKirkenes\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<h2>Kirkenes was a battleground in World War Two<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-activities\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-activites\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M625.941 293.823L421.823 497.941c-18.746 18.746-49.138 18.745-67.882 0l-.36-.36L592 259.882 331.397 0h48.721a48 48 0 0 1 33.941 14.059l211.882 211.882c18.745 18.745 18.745 49.137 0 67.882zm-128 0L293.823 497.941C284.451 507.314 272.166 512 259.882 512c-12.284 0-24.569-4.686-33.941-14.059L14.059 286.059A48 48 0 0 1 0 252.118V48C0 21.49 21.49 0 48 0h204.118a47.998 47.998 0 0 1 33.941 14.059l211.882 211.882c18.745 18.745 18.745 49.137 0 67.882zM464 259.882L252.118 48H48v204.118l211.886 211.878L464 259.882zM144 96c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48-21.49-48-48-48z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tWorld War II\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"t2-featured-single-post t2-featured-content is-post-type-artikler facilities-sustainable-travel season-winter region-kirkenes region-nordkyn region-varanger malgrupper-local-insider wp-block-t2-featured-single-post\">\n\t\t<div class=\"default-card wp-block-t2-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/artikkel\/buses-ships-and-planes-around-norways-far-northeast-in-winter\/\">\n<div class=\"t2-post-dynamic-part is-source-filter filter-default_card wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\">\n\t\t<figure style=\"--t2-focal-point: 50% 50%;\" class=\"t2-post-featured-image has-image-ratio-16-9 wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"468\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/011819-1-hege-lysholm-768x468.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\t\t<div class=\"card-content\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-region\">\n\t\t\t\tKirkenes\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<h2>Buses, ships and planes around Norway\u2019s far northeast in winter<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"t2-featured-single-post t2-featured-content is-post-type-artikler season-autumn season-spring season-summer season-winter region-alta region-finnmarksvidda region-hammerfest region-kirkenes region-lyngenfjord region-northern-norway region-varanger malgrupper-culture-specialist malgrupper-heritage-explorer wp-block-t2-featured-single-post\">\n\t\t<div class=\"default-card wp-block-t2-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/artikkel\/reconstruction-architecture-defines-north-troms-and-finnmark\/\">\n<div class=\"t2-post-dynamic-part is-source-filter filter-default_card wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\">\n\t\t<figure style=\"--t2-focal-point: 50% 50%;\" class=\"t2-post-featured-image has-image-ratio-16-9 wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/003400_Bjarne-Riesto-riesto.no_www.nordnorge.com_-768x511.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\t\t<div class=\"card-content\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-region\">\n\t\t\t\tNorthern Norway\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<h2>Reconstruction Architecture defines North Troms and Finnmark<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kirkenes-was-the-last-part-of-norway-to-become-norwegian\">Kirkenes was the last part of Norway to become Norwegian<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Eastern Sami were squeezed between Norway, Sweden-Finland and Russia, and had to pay taxes to all. However, in 1826, the border was drawn between Russia proper, the Grand Duchy of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden-Norway. The border cut right through the annual migration routes of the Eastern Sami siidas, and caused considerable problems for them. The Eastern Sami continued to be visited by Orthodox priests until 1914, but thereafter they had to turn to the Lutherans for baptisms and weddings. Today, the Finnish Orthodox church celebrates liturgy in Neiden, and Orthodoxy has been modestly revived. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-kirkenes-area-became-little-america\">The Kirkenes area became little America<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>During the 19<sup>th<\/sup> c., Norwegian settlers arrived. Those that couldn\u2019t afford to go all the way to America, moved from overpopulated inland valleys in the south to the deep forests of S\u00f8r-Varanger, where they found a similar climate as back home. Forest was cleared, and the earth was tilled, and log houses in typical southern Norwegian style were built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-grid wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9649a0d9 wp-block-group-is-layout-grid\"><div class=\"t2-featured-single-post t2-featured-content is-post-type-aktiviteter todo-activities todo-fishing todo-snowmobile todo-wildlifesafari todo-winter-fishing season-winter region-kirkenes malgrupper-nature-lover wp-block-t2-featured-single-post\">\n\t\t<div class=\"image-top wp-block-t2-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/aktiviteter\/fish-for-king-crab-and-snowmobile-to-the-taiga-near-kirkenes\/\"><\/a>\n<figure style=\"--t2-focal-point: 50% 50%;\" class=\"t2-post-featured-image has-image-ratio-1-1 wp-block-t2-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"803\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/8718c2f35eecfaf249b30590969934f1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" onerror=\"this.style.display=&#039;none&#039;;this.insertAdjacentHTML(&#039;afterend&#039;,&#039;&lt;div class=&quot;t2-post-featured-image__fallback&quot;&gt;F&lt;\/div&gt;&#039;);\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"t2-post-dynamic-part is-source-filter filter-image_top wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\">\n\t\t<div class=\"card-content\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-theme\">Activities<\/div>\n\t\t\t<h2>Fish for King crab and snowmobile to the Taiga near Kirkenes<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-subtitle\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-tag\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M192 96c-52.935 0-96 43.065-96 96s43.065 96 96 96 96-43.065 96-96-43.065-96-96-96zm0 160c-35.29 0-64-28.71-64-64s28.71-64 64-64 64 28.71 64 64-28.71 64-64 64zm0-256C85.961 0 0 85.961 0 192c0 77.413 26.97 99.031 172.268 309.67 9.534 13.772 29.929 13.774 39.465 0C357.03 291.031 384 269.413 384 192 384 85.961 298.039 0 192 0zm0 473.931C52.705 272.488 32 256.494 32 192c0-42.738 16.643-82.917 46.863-113.137S149.262 32 192 32s82.917 16.643 113.137 46.863S352 149.262 352 192c0 64.49-20.692 80.47-160 281.931z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tKirkenes\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"t2-featured-single-post t2-featured-content is-post-type-aktiviteter todo-activities todo-natural-highlights todo-unique-accommodations season-winter region-kirkenes malgrupper-bucket-list-betty wp-block-t2-featured-single-post\">\n\t\t<div class=\"image-top wp-block-t2-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/aktiviteter\/do-you-dare-to-stay-the-night-in-a-snow-hotel\/\"><\/a>\n<figure style=\"--t2-focal-point: 50% 50%;\" class=\"t2-post-featured-image has-image-ratio-1-1 wp-block-t2-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1772\" height=\"1181\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/004200_gofoto.no_www.kirkenessnowhotel.com_.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" onerror=\"this.style.display=&#039;none&#039;;this.insertAdjacentHTML(&#039;afterend&#039;,&#039;&lt;div class=&quot;t2-post-featured-image__fallback&quot;&gt;D&lt;\/div&gt;&#039;);\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"t2-post-dynamic-part is-source-filter filter-image_top wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\">\n\t\t<div class=\"card-content\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-theme\">Unique accommodations<\/div>\n\t\t\t<h2>Do you dare to stay the night in a snow hotel?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-subtitle\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-tag\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M192 96c-52.935 0-96 43.065-96 96s43.065 96 96 96 96-43.065 96-96-43.065-96-96-96zm0 160c-35.29 0-64-28.71-64-64s28.71-64 64-64 64 28.71 64 64-28.71 64-64 64zm0-256C85.961 0 0 85.961 0 192c0 77.413 26.97 99.031 172.268 309.67 9.534 13.772 29.929 13.774 39.465 0C357.03 291.031 384 269.413 384 192 384 85.961 298.039 0 192 0zm0 473.931C52.705 272.488 32 256.494 32 192c0-42.738 16.643-82.917 46.863-113.137S149.262 32 192 32s82.917 16.643 113.137 46.863S352 149.262 352 192c0 64.49-20.692 80.47-160 281.931z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tKirkenes\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"t2-featured-single-post t2-featured-content is-post-type-aktiviteter todo-activities todo-dog-sledding facilities-family-friendly season-spring season-winter region-kirkenes malgrupper-nature-lover wp-block-t2-featured-single-post\">\n\t\t<div class=\"image-top wp-block-t2-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/aktiviteter\/go-dogsledding-on-the-taiga\/\"><\/a>\n<figure style=\"--t2-focal-point: 38.5% 31.529850746269%;\" class=\"t2-post-featured-image has-image-ratio-1-1 wp-block-t2-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1195\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/2013-02-13_6204.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" onerror=\"this.style.display=&#039;none&#039;;this.insertAdjacentHTML(&#039;afterend&#039;,&#039;&lt;div class=&quot;t2-post-featured-image__fallback&quot;&gt;G&lt;\/div&gt;&#039;);\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"t2-post-dynamic-part is-source-filter filter-image_top wp-block-t2-post-dynamic-part\">\n\t\t<div class=\"card-content\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-theme\">Dog sledding<\/div>\n\t\t\t<h2>Go dogsledding on the taiga<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card-subtitle\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-tag\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M192 96c-52.935 0-96 43.065-96 96s43.065 96 96 96 96-43.065 96-96-43.065-96-96-96zm0 160c-35.29 0-64-28.71-64-64s28.71-64 64-64 64 28.71 64 64-28.71 64-64 64zm0-256C85.961 0 0 85.961 0 192c0 77.413 26.97 99.031 172.268 309.67 9.534 13.772 29.929 13.774 39.465 0C357.03 291.031 384 269.413 384 192 384 85.961 298.039 0 192 0zm0 473.931C52.705 272.488 32 256.494 32 192c0-42.738 16.643-82.917 46.863-113.137S149.262 32 192 32s82.917 16.643 113.137 46.863S352 149.262 352 192c0 64.49-20.692 80.47-160 281.931z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\tKirkenes\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-kven-arrived-in-the-19-th-c\">The Kven arrived in the 19<sup>th<\/sup> c.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the 1860ies, Finland\u00b4was stricken by a famine, and hungry people started to arrive at the shores of the Varanger fjord. They quickly learned to fish, and created fishing villages along the coast and farmsteads in the valleys all over S\u00f8r-Varanger. Today, Finnish is spoken in the community of Bug\u00f8ynes, and even taught to the younger generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-vnn-gallery gallery-count-4\">\n\t\t<ul><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/SKU.K.00048-1.jpg\" data-size=\"1084x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">01<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/SKU.K.00048-1.jpg\" alt=\"Wolves and reindeer, made by the Sami artist John Savio. Published with the permission of the Savio Museum in Kirkenes\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/SKU.K.00048-1.jpg\" data-caption=\"Wolves and reindeer, made by the Sami artist John Savio. Published with the permission of the Savio Museum in Kirkenes\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/MG_0774.jpg\" data-size=\"533x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">02<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/MG_0774.jpg\" alt=\"Learn about Kirkenes&#039;s war history at the Borderlands museum \u00a9 Arc giraff\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/MG_0774.jpg\" data-caption=\"Learn about Kirkenes&#039;s war history at the Borderlands museum \u00a9 Arc giraff\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/f0bef2ebce2fe9c73329d3b3de1cfb34.jpg\" data-size=\"1200x799\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">03<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/f0bef2ebce2fe9c73329d3b3de1cfb34-768x511.jpg\" alt=\"The main entrance to the Andersgrotta shelter with it&#039;s thick iron door is not easy to spot \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/f0bef2ebce2fe9c73329d3b3de1cfb34.jpg\" data-caption=\"The main entrance to the Andersgrotta shelter with it&#039;s thick iron door is not easy to spot \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fd389dfdf0f6802647e143336ab04456-1.jpg\" data-size=\"1200x799\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">04<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fd389dfdf0f6802647e143336ab04456-1-768x511.jpg\" alt=\"The brave red army soldier monument with foot placed on a rock instead of the original German Eagle \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fd389dfdf0f6802647e143336ab04456-1.jpg\" data-caption=\"The brave red army soldier monument with foot placed on a rock instead of the original German Eagle \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"vnn-gallery-figcaptions\"><figcaption>01: Wolves and reindeer, made by the Sami artist John Savio. Published with the permission of the Savio Museum in Kirkenes<\/figcaption><figcaption>02: Learn about Kirkenes&#039;s war history at the Borderlands museum \u00a9 Arc giraff<\/figcaption><figcaption>03: The main entrance to the Andersgrotta shelter with it&#039;s thick iron door is not easy to spot \u00a9 Knut Hansvold<\/figcaption><figcaption>04: The brave red army soldier monument with foot placed on a rock instead of the original German Eagle \u00a9 Knut Hansvold<\/figcaption><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-mines-in-kirkenes-were-opened-in-1906\">The mines in Kirkenes were opened in 1906<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Kirkenes, which originally had only been the location of the church, was turned into a mining community as iron ore was found in nearby Bj\u00f8rnevatn. A new town grew up, and people moved in from all over Northern Norway. The very multi-ethnic society got a more distinct Norwegian character, and Kirkenes became one of the wealthiest communities in Norway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-norway-imposed-norwegian-culture-on-the-minorities\">Norway imposed Norwegian culture on the minorities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With Norwegian independence in 1905, growing nationalism in Finland around its independence in 1917 and the communist takeover in Northern Russia in 1920, Norway feared for its grip over this multi-ethnic borderland. Norwegian language was the only one allowed in school and old Sami names were replaced with Norwegian ones. This period is visible in the architecture; the churches of Neiden and Svanhovd are built in traditional, southern Norwegian wooden style, ressembling the old stave churches. The stone chapel at Grense Jakobselv could very well have adorned a village in the south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kirkenes-was-at-the-frontline-in-wwii\">Kirkenes was at the frontline in WWII<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1940, Kirkenes was occupied as the rest of Norway, but war was undramatic at first, as Kirkenes was so far away from the theatre of war. However, in June 1941, the Germans launched Operation Barbarossa, in which they attacked the Soviet Union. All of a sudden, Kirkenes was at the frontline. The German Wehrmacht tried over a period of three years to conquer the strategically important port city of Murmansk, without success. The number of German soldiers present at any time around Kirkenes outnumbered the locals many times over, and prisoners of war from the Soviet Union were brought in to build fortifications, the new airfield at H\u00f8ybuktmoen and roads everywhere. All this happened under the most atrocious working conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-vnn-gallery gallery-count-4\">\n\t\t<ul><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Neiden_foto_bernt_nilsen_kirkenes-1.jpg\" data-size=\"1203x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">01<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Neiden_foto_bernt_nilsen_kirkenes-1.jpg\" alt=\"One can be lucky and witness orthodox liturgy in Neiden. The priests come from the orthodox church of Finland \u00a9 Bernt Nilsen, Kirkenes\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Neiden_foto_bernt_nilsen_kirkenes-1.jpg\" data-caption=\"One can be lucky and witness orthodox liturgy in Neiden. The priests come from the orthodox church of Finland \u00a9 Bernt Nilsen, Kirkenes\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004068_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-size=\"527x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">02<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004068_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" alt=\"The tiny Orthodox St. George chapel \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004068_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-caption=\"The tiny Orthodox St. George chapel \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/003523_Bjarne-Riesto-riesto.no_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-size=\"533x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">03<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/003523_Bjarne-Riesto-riesto.no_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" alt=\"Neiden Church is built to ressemble a traditional Norwegian stave church \u00a9 Bjarne Riesto riesto.no \/www.nordnorge.com\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/003523_Bjarne-Riesto-riesto.no_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-caption=\"Neiden Church is built to ressemble a traditional Norwegian stave church \u00a9 Bjarne Riesto riesto.no \/www.nordnorge.com\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/003524_Bjarne-Riesto-riesto.no_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-size=\"1598x2400\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">04<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/003524_Bjarne-Riesto-riesto.no_www.nordnorge.com_-768x1153.jpg\" alt=\"Church interior, Neiden \u00a9 Bjarne Riesto riesto.no \/www.nordnorge.com\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/003524_Bjarne-Riesto-riesto.no_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-caption=\"Church interior, Neiden \u00a9 Bjarne Riesto riesto.no \/www.nordnorge.com\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"vnn-gallery-figcaptions\"><figcaption>01: One can be lucky and witness orthodox liturgy in Neiden. The priests come from the orthodox church of Finland \u00a9 Bernt Nilsen, Kirkenes<\/figcaption><figcaption>02: The tiny Orthodox St. George chapel \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo<\/figcaption><figcaption>03: Neiden Church is built to ressemble a traditional Norwegian stave church \u00a9 Bjarne Riesto riesto.no \/www.nordnorge.com<\/figcaption><figcaption>04: Church interior, Neiden \u00a9 Bjarne Riesto riesto.no \/www.nordnorge.com<\/figcaption><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kirkenes-was-the-most-bombed-city-on-europe-s-mainland\">Kirkenes was the most bombed city on Europe\u2019s mainland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the frightening aspects of the war were the constant air raids. The soviet airplanes were only minutes away by air in Murmansk, and the locals had little time to run into the air raid shelter in the middle of town. More than 1000 times the air raid sirens sounded, and 323 times the town was bombed. In July 1944, a particularly ferocious attack created a firestorm, and 170 houses burned. The air raid shelter of <a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/artikkel\/andersgrotta-was-a-shelter-for-norways-most-heavily-bombed-city\/\">Andersgrotta <\/a>is today possible to visit for guided tours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kirkenes-was-liberated-as-the-first-in-norway\">Kirkenes was liberated as the first in Norway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The German positions became precarious as the Soviet advance forced Finland to change sides from the Axis to the Allied. As the air raids got more frequent and the frontline got closer, the civilians in Kirkenes moved into the mines. Here they lived for 2-3 months in relative safety, and children were born. On the 24<sup>th<\/sup> of October, <a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/artikkel\/the-borderland-museum-in-kirkenes-reflects-on-the-towns-time-under-occupation\/\">the Red Army marched into Kirkenes<\/a> and was received as liberators by the population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-post-war-period-was-a-time-of-explansion-for-kirkenes\">The Post-war period was a time of explansion for Kirkenes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The world needed steel to reconstruct, and the mines in Kirkenes were source of wealth for the country. The town was rebuilt after the war destructions, and S\u00f8r-Varanger increased in population and prosperity. However, with the economic troubles of the 1970\u2019ies, the mines turned unprofitable. They were closed down in 1996.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-fall-of-the-berlin-wall-meant-an-opening-to-russia\">The Fall of the Berlin Wall meant an opening to Russia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The ups and downs in the east-west relationship was easily felt in Kirkenes after WWII. However, there was precious little cross-border contact for 40 years. The fall of the Berlin wall, however, was easily spotted in Kirkenes, with the Russian market a colourful part of the city centre. The co-operation with Russia has since become more stable, both on the economical and cultural level. <\/p>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-vnn-gallery gallery-count-4\">\n\t\t<ul><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004100_Terje-Rakke-Nordic-Life_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-size=\"1220x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">01<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004100_Terje-Rakke-Nordic-Life_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" alt=\"Close up \u00a9 Terje Rakke\/Nordic Life\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004100_Terje-Rakke-Nordic-Life_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-caption=\"Close up \u00a9 Terje Rakke\/Nordic Life\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Kongekrabbe-Foto-Varanger-Lodge-scaled.jpg\" data-size=\"2560x1707\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">02<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Kongekrabbe-Foto-Varanger-Lodge-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"King crab \u00a9 Varanger Lodge\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Kongekrabbe-Foto-Varanger-Lodge-scaled.jpg\" data-caption=\"King crab \u00a9 Varanger Lodge\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/IMG_20200725_134545-scaled.jpg\" data-size=\"1920x2560\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">03<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/IMG_20200725_134545-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Turen avslutttes med et kongekrabbem\u00e5ltid. Foto: 71-nord.no\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/IMG_20200725_134545-scaled.jpg\" data-caption=\"Turen avslutttes med et kongekrabbem\u00e5ltid. Foto: 71-nord.no\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004083_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-size=\"1195x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">04<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004083_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_-768x514.jpg\" alt=\"King crabs are giant monsters. But you can hold them easily \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004083_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-caption=\"King crabs are giant monsters. But you can hold them easily \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"vnn-gallery-figcaptions\"><figcaption>01: Close up \u00a9 Terje Rakke\/Nordic Life<\/figcaption><figcaption>02: King crab \u00a9 Varanger Lodge<\/figcaption><figcaption>03: Turen avslutttes med et kongekrabbem\u00e5ltid. Foto: 71-nord.no<\/figcaption><figcaption>04: King crabs are giant monsters. But you can hold them easily \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo<\/figcaption><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-king-crabs-are-a-tasty-newcomer-in-kirkenes\">King Crabs are a tasty newcomer in Kirkenes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes in the 1960ies, the giant crab species originating in the Kamtchatka peninsula in the Russian far east were released by accident in the Murmansk fjord. It started to spread. In 1978, a fisherman from Bug\u00f8ynes near Kirkenes got a specimen in his net. First seen as a bothersome net destroyer, the crabs have now become a sought-after delicacy. The centre of <a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/artikkel\/king-crabs-from-finnmark-have-their-own-luxury-hotel\/\">crab fishing<\/a> remains Bug\u00f8ynes, but tourists are taken out of Kirkenes to try their luck at fishing, both in the sea in summer and on the frozen fjord in winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kirkenes-snow-hotel-is-built-anew-every-winter\">Kirkenes Snow Hotel is built anew every winter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Inside a snow hotel, the rooms have a temperature of -4, even if it is -30 outside. Wrapped in a comfy sleeping bag, you may have the best sleep in your life. The <a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/aktivitet\/do-you-dare-to-stay-the-night-in-a-snow-hotel\/\">Kirkenes Snow Hotel<\/a> is adorned with ice sculptures, with a new theme every winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-vnn-gallery gallery-count-4\">\n\t\t<ul><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/2013-02-13_6204.jpg\" data-size=\"1195x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">01<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/2013-02-13_6204.jpg\" alt=\"Pasvik Birk Husky\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/2013-02-13_6204.jpg\" data-caption=\"Pasvik Birk Husky\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/2013-02-13_6229.jpg\" data-size=\"1195x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">02<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/2013-02-13_6229.jpg\" alt=\"i pasvik kan du kj\u00f8re hund med datteren, s\u00f8nnen eller hele familien\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/2013-02-13_6229.jpg\" data-caption=\"i pasvik kan du kj\u00f8re hund med datteren, s\u00f8nnen eller hele familien\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/6a9aad84b8071f3b6907c33991ed17a1-1.jpg\" data-size=\"1200x803\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">03<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/6a9aad84b8071f3b6907c33991ed17a1-1-768x514.jpg\" alt=\"Traditional buildings during your journey past Namdalen \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/6a9aad84b8071f3b6907c33991ed17a1-1.jpg\" data-caption=\"Traditional buildings during your journey past Namdalen \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/2013-02-13_6207.jpg\" data-size=\"536x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">04<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/2013-02-13_6207.jpg\" alt=\"The deep forests are frozen solid in winter \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/2013-02-13_6207.jpg\" data-caption=\"The deep forests are frozen solid in winter \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"vnn-gallery-figcaptions\"><figcaption>01: Pasvik Birk Husky<\/figcaption><figcaption>02: i pasvik kan du kj\u00f8re hund med datteren, s\u00f8nnen eller hele familien<\/figcaption><figcaption>03: Traditional buildings during your journey past Namdalen \u00a9 Knut Hansvold<\/figcaption><figcaption>04: The deep forests are frozen solid in winter \u00a9 Knut Hansvold<\/figcaption><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-you-can-explore-the-taiga-in-the-winter\">You can explore the taiga in the winter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Taiga, the deep forests, frozen solid in winter, is filled with powdery snow. The locals use the age-old technology of skiing, and there are marked trails all over. Dog sledding is another eco-friendly option, and the dogs can penetrate deep into the forests. Snowmobiles can take you even further, and there are designated snowmobile trails. However, we do recommend going on an organised trip if you have scant snowmobile experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-midnight-sun-shines-for-two-months-in-kirkenes\">The Midnight Sun shines for two months in Kirkenes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Well north of the Arctic Circle, Kirkenes enjoys the Midnight Sun for more than 2 months. In fact, the municipality of S\u00f8r-Varanger is so geographically extended from north to south that the exact period of the Midnight Sun is not the same all over. In Kirkenes, one sees the Midnight Sun from the 17<sup>th<\/sup> of May to the 24<sup>th<\/sup> of July. In Nyrud, at the southern end of the valley, the period is a few days shorter, from the 21<sup>st<\/sup> of May to the 22<sup>nd<\/sup> of July. In this flat landscape, mountains blocking the Midnight Sun view is not a big problem. However, going to a high point in the landscape is always more rewarding. Prestfjellet in Kirkenes offers views over the town. The hill named after its altitude, H\u00f8yde 96, allows you to see up and down the Pasvik valley and across the border. The excursion to Grense Jakobselv allows you to see the sun over the open ocean. <\/p>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-vnn-gallery gallery-count-2\">\n\t\t<ul><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/low-res2-8.jpg\" data-size=\"1600x1067\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">01<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/low-res2-8.jpg\" alt=\"Northern Lights above a rooftop in Kirkenes \u00a9 William Copeland\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/low-res2-8.jpg\" data-caption=\"Northern Lights above a rooftop in Kirkenes \u00a9 William Copeland\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Figures-low-res-9.jpg\" data-size=\"1600x939\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">02<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Figures-low-res-9-768x451.jpg\" alt=\"Northern Lights somewhere between Kirkenes and the Russian border @ William Copeland\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Figures-low-res-9.jpg\" data-caption=\"Northern Lights somewhere between Kirkenes and the Russian border @ William Copeland\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"vnn-gallery-figcaptions\"><figcaption>01: Northern Lights above a rooftop in Kirkenes \u00a9 William Copeland<\/figcaption><figcaption>02: Northern Lights somewhere between Kirkenes and the Russian border @ William Copeland<\/figcaption><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-see-northern-lights-in-stable-winter-climate-in-kirkenes\">See Northern Lights in stable winter climate in Kirkenes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The green rays of the Northern Lights are often visible above Kirkenes. The winter climate is dry and stable, and frequent clear skies give excellent chances of spotting the illusive Aurora Borealis. You can go looking by snowmobile or by dogsledding, there are tour organised specifically to see them, and you can hire skis and go on marked trails around the population centres. The Kirkenes Snow Hotel is of course on the lookout, and alert you if you\u2019ve checked in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-vnn-gallery gallery-count-4\">\n\t\t<ul><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/DSC07969.jpg\" data-size=\"2400x1350\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">01<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/DSC07969-2048x1152.jpg\" alt=\"Picturesque street in Bug\u00f8ynes \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/DSC07969.jpg\" data-caption=\"Picturesque street in Bug\u00f8ynes \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/IMG_3622.jpg\" data-size=\"1350x2400\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">02<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/IMG_3622-768x1365.jpg\" alt=\"Detail from Bug\u00f8ynes \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/IMG_3622.jpg\" data-caption=\"Detail from Bug\u00f8ynes \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/DSC08006.jpg\" data-size=\"1350x2400\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">03<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/DSC08006-768x1365.jpg\" alt=\"The Jakola House in Bug\u00f8ynes \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/DSC08006.jpg\" data-caption=\"The Jakola House in Bug\u00f8ynes \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/DSC08059.jpg\" data-size=\"1350x2400\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">04<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/DSC08059-768x1365.jpg\" alt=\"The seagulls are with us in Bug\u00f8ynes \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/DSC08059.jpg\" data-caption=\"The seagulls are with us in Bug\u00f8ynes \u00a9 Knut Hansvold\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"vnn-gallery-figcaptions\"><figcaption>01: Picturesque street in Bug\u00f8ynes \u00a9 Knut Hansvold<\/figcaption><figcaption>02: Detail from Bug\u00f8ynes \u00a9 Knut Hansvold<\/figcaption><figcaption>03: The Jakola House in Bug\u00f8ynes \u00a9 Knut Hansvold<\/figcaption><figcaption>04: The seagulls are with us in Bug\u00f8ynes \u00a9 Knut Hansvold<\/figcaption><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-walk-to-the-three-nation-cairn-through-bear-country\">Walk to the three-nation-cairn through bear country<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The deep forest of the Pasvik panhandle have precious few inhabitants, all living along the road following the border river. This is prime bear territory, and the bear population is shared with Russia and Finland, bears are genereally uninformed about delicate border issues. A well-marked trail takes you to the border cairn where the Russian Federation, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Norway meet. You can walk on the Norwegian and Finnish side, but don\u2019t step over on the Russian side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-border-follows-the-pasvik-river-mostly\">The border follows the Pasvik river, mostly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The border between Norway and Russia is a 700 year old epic dividing line between the Orthodox east and Western Europe. Being undefined and fluctuant for centuries, it was finally settled in 1826. The Pasvik River, Russian \u041f\u0430\u0442\u0441\u043e\u0439\u043e\u043a\u0438 or Patsojoki, Eastern Sami Pa\u010d\u010djokk and Finnish Paatsjoki, was agreed as the border. However, the old Orthodox church at Boris Gleb would then end of on the Norwegian side. Thus an exclave was made around the chapel and monastery, and instead Norway was compensated with much more extensive areas east of the river mouth. This explains the curious bends and curves the border takes near the river mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-vnn-gallery gallery-count-4\">\n\t\t<ul><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004223_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-size=\"1195x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">01<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004223_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" alt=\"Two alphabets \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004223_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-caption=\"Two alphabets \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004232_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-size=\"1195x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">02<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004232_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_-768x514.jpg\" alt=\"Pay attention to information given in the border areas \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo T\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004232_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-caption=\"Pay attention to information given in the border areas \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo T\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004162_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-size=\"1195x800\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">03<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004162_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_-768x514.jpg\" alt=\"Stay on the Norwegian side! Two border markings near Boris Gleb \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/004162_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-caption=\"Stay on the Norwegian side! Two border markings near Boris Gleb \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\">\t\t\t\t<figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/004236_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-size=\"1920x1285\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"block-gallery-count\">04<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/004236_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" alt=\"Kirkenes lies 2502km from the Norwegian Capital city Oslo \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/004236_Trym-Ivar-Bergsmo_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" data-caption=\"Kirkenes lies 2502km from the Norwegian Capital city Oslo \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"vnn-gallery-figcaptions\"><figcaption>01: Two alphabets \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo<\/figcaption><figcaption>02: Pay attention to information given in the border areas \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo T<\/figcaption><figcaption>03: Stay on the Norwegian side! Two border markings near Boris Gleb \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo<\/figcaption><figcaption>04: Kirkenes lies 2502km from the Norwegian Capital city Oslo \u00a9 Trym Ivar Bergsmo<\/figcaption><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-i-want-to-take-a-step-into-russia-forget-it\">\u201cI want to take a step into Russia\u201d \u2013 forget it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One does not cross the border with the same ease as between Scandinavian and EU countries. A visa is required to cross the border for Norwegians, EU citizens and most other countries. The only place to cross the border is at Storskog, a short drive east of Kirkenes, and after quite a bit of waiting, the ones with the paperwork sorted, are let in. The border remains open, but tourist visits are not recommended at the moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, we stay on the Norwegian side and look across at numerous viewpoints. There are restrictions on photography, and taking even one step across the border will give you a hefty fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-locals-are-used-to-living-on-the-border\">The locals are used to living on the border<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Locals can apply for what they call a \u201cmulti visa\u201d, which allows them access to the nearest towns across the border. This means they can drive to nearby Nikel and tank up their car with cheap Russian petrol. Russian is a popular option in school, and Russians come to Kirkenes to shop for things like nappies and marmalade. Some streets in Kirkenes are even signposted with Cyrillic letters in addition to the Latin ones. All this is every day life for the locals, and a hint of the exotic for the western visitor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-style-faq\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\n\t\t\t\tPractical about Kirkenes and S\u00f8r-Varanger\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"t2-accordion wp-block-t2-accordion\" data-allow-multiple=\"1\" role=\"list\">\n<div class=\"t2-accordion-item wp-block-t2-accordion-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"t2-accordion-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"t2-accordion-trigger\" id=\"where-is-kirkenes?\" aria-controls=\"accordion-panel\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\tWhere is Kirkenes?\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-accordion-icon is-closed-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevrondown\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 14.9c-.1 0-.3 0-.4-.1-.1 0-.2-.1-.3-.2L6.7 10c-.2-.1-.3-.4-.3-.6 0-.3.1-.5.3-.7.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3s.5.1.7.3l3.9 3.9 3.9-3.9c.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3.3 0 .5.1.7.3.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7l-4.6 4.6c-.1.1-.2.2-.3.2H12z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-accordion-icon is-open-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevronup\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.7 14.7c-.2-.2-.3-.4-.3-.7s.1-.5.3-.7l4.6-4.6c.1-.1.2-.2.3-.2.1 0 .2-.1.4-.1.1 0 .3 0 .4.1.1 0 .2.1.3.2l4.6 4.6c.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3L12 10.8l-3.9 3.9c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"t2-accordion-item__inner-container is-layout-flow\" id=\"accordion-panel\" aria-labelledby=\"where-is-kirkenes?\" role=\"region\" hidden>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n<p>\n\t\t\t\tKirkenes is found close to the point where the Norwegian-Russian borders meet. As the crow flies, the distance is some 1400 km to Oslo, Norway&#8217;s capital. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"t2-accordion-item wp-block-t2-accordion-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"t2-accordion-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"t2-accordion-trigger\" id=\"how-to-i-get-to-kirkenes?\" aria-controls=\"accordion-panel-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\tHow to I get to Kirkenes?\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-accordion-icon is-closed-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevrondown\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 14.9c-.1 0-.3 0-.4-.1-.1 0-.2-.1-.3-.2L6.7 10c-.2-.1-.3-.4-.3-.6 0-.3.1-.5.3-.7.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3s.5.1.7.3l3.9 3.9 3.9-3.9c.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3.3 0 .5.1.7.3.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7l-4.6 4.6c-.1.1-.2.2-.3.2H12z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-accordion-icon is-open-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevronup\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.7 14.7c-.2-.2-.3-.4-.3-.7s.1-.5.3-.7l4.6-4.6c.1-.1.2-.2.3-.2.1 0 .2-.1.4-.1.1 0 .3 0 .4.1.1 0 .2.1.3.2l4.6 4.6c.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3L12 10.8l-3.9 3.9c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"t2-accordion-item__inner-container is-layout-flow\" id=\"accordion-panel-1\" aria-labelledby=\"how-to-i-get-to-kirkenes?\" role=\"region\" hidden>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n<p>\n\t\t\t\tThere are direct flights from Oslo with SAS and Norwegian to Kirkenes Airport at H\u00f8ybuktmoen. The legendary shipping line, Hurtigruten, also sails to Kirkenes. The sailing time from Bergen is five and a half days. There is also a bus to Karasjok with onward connections to Alta, Troms\u00f8 and the train in Narvik, but this takes several days and requires in-depth reading of bus tables. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"t2-accordion-item wp-block-t2-accordion-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"t2-accordion-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"t2-accordion-trigger\" id=\"can-i-drive-to-kirkenes?\" aria-controls=\"accordion-panel-2\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\tCan I drive to Kirkenes?\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-accordion-icon is-closed-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevrondown\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 14.9c-.1 0-.3 0-.4-.1-.1 0-.2-.1-.3-.2L6.7 10c-.2-.1-.3-.4-.3-.6 0-.3.1-.5.3-.7.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3s.5.1.7.3l3.9 3.9 3.9-3.9c.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3.3 0 .5.1.7.3.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7l-4.6 4.6c-.1.1-.2.2-.3.2H12z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-accordion-icon is-open-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevronup\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.7 14.7c-.2-.2-.3-.4-.3-.7s.1-.5.3-.7l4.6-4.6c.1-.1.2-.2.3-.2.1 0 .2-.1.4-.1.1 0 .3 0 .4.1.1 0 .2.1.3.2l4.6 4.6c.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3L12 10.8l-3.9 3.9c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"t2-accordion-item__inner-container is-layout-flow\" id=\"accordion-panel-2\" aria-labelledby=\"can-i-drive-to-kirkenes?\" role=\"region\" hidden>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n<p>\n\t\t\t\tThe E6 ends in Kirkenes, and you can certainly drive up all year. If you choose to drive up from Oslo entirely through Norway, the voyage is a whopping 34 hours, and 2380 km drive. Much faster is the short cut through Finland and Sweden, following the E4 along the western side of the Gulf of Bothnia, The 1844 km can be done in about 24 hours, breaks not counted in. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"t2-accordion-item wp-block-t2-accordion-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"t2-accordion-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"t2-accordion-trigger\" id=\"where-should-i-stay-in-kirkenes?\" aria-controls=\"accordion-panel-3\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\tWhere should I stay in Kirkenes?\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-accordion-icon is-closed-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevrondown\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 14.9c-.1 0-.3 0-.4-.1-.1 0-.2-.1-.3-.2L6.7 10c-.2-.1-.3-.4-.3-.6 0-.3.1-.5.3-.7.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3s.5.1.7.3l3.9 3.9 3.9-3.9c.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3.3 0 .5.1.7.3.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7l-4.6 4.6c-.1.1-.2.2-.3.2H12z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-accordion-icon is-open-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevronup\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.7 14.7c-.2-.2-.3-.4-.3-.7s.1-.5.3-.7l4.6-4.6c.1-.1.2-.2.3-.2.1 0 .2-.1.4-.1.1 0 .3 0 .4.1.1 0 .2.1.3.2l4.6 4.6c.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3L12 10.8l-3.9 3.9c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"t2-accordion-item__inner-container is-layout-flow\" id=\"accordion-panel-3\" aria-labelledby=\"where-should-i-stay-in-kirkenes?\" role=\"region\" hidden>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n<p>\n\t\t\t\tKirkenes downtown has two first class hotels, a mid range one, and a few budget options. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\" alignwide wp-block-vnn-booking\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vnn-booking__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Kirkenes.png\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vnn-booking__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-visit-kirkenes\">Visit Kirkenes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your guide to all activities in Kirkenes <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button link-to-booking-provider-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"www.visitkirkenes.info\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Visit Kirkenes<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","vnn_header_layout":"hero","vnn_header_layout_image_id":4071,"vnn_header_layout_image_focal_point_x":0.51505004882812,"vnn_header_layout_image_focal_point_y":0.70893126043655,"vnn_header_layout_description":"Western Europe's border with Russia is the beginning of the Siberian Taiga, with a dramatic war history and tasty crab monsters","vnn_header_layout_url":"","vnn_header_layout_url_text":"","vnn_header_layout_photographer":"","vnn_header_layout_video_id":"","vnn_header_layout_yt_id":"","vnn_header_layout_vimeo_id":"","teft_location_geodata_lat":69.696674214701,"teft_location_geodata_lng":30.064086914063,"teft_cards_image_id":2124,"teft_cards_image_focal_point_x":0.47005004882813,"teft_cards_image_focal_point_y":0.62322579660723,"teft_cards_title":"The border town on the taiga with the dramatic WWII history","teft_cards_excerpt":"","footnotes":""},"todo":[],"facilities":[],"season":[],"region":[68],"malgrupper":[],"class_list":["post-1640","destination","type-destination","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","region-kirkenes"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.5 (Yoast SEO v25.3.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Kirkenes - Arctic Norway<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The epic border to Russia, the deep forests of the Taiga and the dramatic war history; Kirkenes is as far away from central Norway as you can come.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Kirkenes\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The epic border to Russia, the deep forests of the Taiga and the dramatic war history; Kirkenes is as far away from central Norway as you can come.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Arctic Norway\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NorthernNorway\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-20T13:58:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/004198_Joern-Tomter_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" \/><meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/004052_Terje-Rakke-Nordic-Life_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/004198_Joern-Tomter_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@NorthernNorway\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/\",\"name\":\"Kirkenes - Arctic Norway\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/004198_Joern-Tomter_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2019-10-25T08:33:21+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-20T13:58:20+00:00\",\"description\":\"The epic border to Russia, the deep forests of the Taiga and the dramatic war history; Kirkenes is as far away from central Norway as you can come.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/\"]}],\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Where is Kirkenes?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"&lt;p&gt;\\n\\t\\t\\t\\tKirkenes is found close to the point where the Norwegian-Russian borders meet. As the crow flies, the distance is some 1400 km to Oslo, Norway&#039;s capital. \\n\\t\\t\\t&lt;\/p&gt;\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How to I get to Kirkenes?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"&lt;p&gt;\\n\\t\\t\\t\\tThere are direct flights from Oslo with SAS and Norwegian to Kirkenes Airport at H\u00f8ybuktmoen. The legendary shipping line, Hurtigruten, also sails to Kirkenes. The sailing time from Bergen is five and a half days. There is also a bus to Karasjok with onward connections to Alta, Troms\u00f8 and the train in Narvik, but this takes several days and requires in-depth reading of bus tables. \\n\\t\\t\\t&lt;\/p&gt;\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can I drive to Kirkenes?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"&lt;p&gt;\\n\\t\\t\\t\\tThe E6 ends in Kirkenes, and you can certainly drive up all year. If you choose to drive up from Oslo entirely through Norway, the voyage is a whopping 34 hours, and 2380 km drive. Much faster is the short cut through Finland and Sweden, following the E4 along the western side of the Gulf of Bothnia, The 1844 km can be done in about 24 hours, breaks not counted in. \\n\\t\\t\\t&lt;\/p&gt;\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Where should I stay in Kirkenes?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"&lt;p&gt;\\n\\t\\t\\t\\tKirkenes downtown has two first class hotels, a mid range one, and a few budget options. \\n\\t\\t\\t&lt;\/p&gt;\"}}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/004198_Joern-Tomter_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/004198_Joern-Tomter_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Kirkenes\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/\",\"name\":\"Visit Northern Norway\",\"description\":\"Shaped by Nature. Defined by Light. Shared by Us.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Visit Northern Norway\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Logo_Vertikal_EN.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Logo_Vertikal_EN.png\",\"width\":2482,\"height\":1754,\"caption\":\"Visit Northern Norway\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NorthernNorway\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/NorthernNorway\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/northernnorway\/\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/nordnorsk-reiseliv-as\",\"https:\/\/no.pinterest.com\/northernnorway\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/VisitNorthernNorway\/\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Kirkenes - Arctic Norway","description":"The epic border to Russia, the deep forests of the Taiga and the dramatic war history; Kirkenes is as far away from central Norway as you can come.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Kirkenes","og_description":"The epic border to Russia, the deep forests of the Taiga and the dramatic war history; Kirkenes is as far away from central Norway as you can come.","og_url":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/","og_site_name":"Arctic Norway","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NorthernNorway","article_modified_time":"2026-03-20T13:58:20+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/004198_Joern-Tomter_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""},{"url":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/004052_Terje-Rakke-Nordic-Life_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_image":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/004198_Joern-Tomter_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg","twitter_site":"@NorthernNorway","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/","url":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/","name":"Kirkenes - Arctic Norway","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/004198_Joern-Tomter_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg","datePublished":"2019-10-25T08:33:21+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-20T13:58:20+00:00","description":"The epic border to Russia, the deep forests of the Taiga and the dramatic war history; Kirkenes is as far away from central Norway as you can come.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/"]}],"mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Where is Kirkenes?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"&lt;p&gt;\n\t\t\t\tKirkenes is found close to the point where the Norwegian-Russian borders meet. As the crow flies, the distance is some 1400 km to Oslo, Norway&#039;s capital. \n\t\t\t&lt;\/p&gt;"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How to I get to Kirkenes?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"&lt;p&gt;\n\t\t\t\tThere are direct flights from Oslo with SAS and Norwegian to Kirkenes Airport at H\u00f8ybuktmoen. The legendary shipping line, Hurtigruten, also sails to Kirkenes. The sailing time from Bergen is five and a half days. There is also a bus to Karasjok with onward connections to Alta, Troms\u00f8 and the train in Narvik, but this takes several days and requires in-depth reading of bus tables. \n\t\t\t&lt;\/p&gt;"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I drive to Kirkenes?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"&lt;p&gt;\n\t\t\t\tThe E6 ends in Kirkenes, and you can certainly drive up all year. If you choose to drive up from Oslo entirely through Norway, the voyage is a whopping 34 hours, and 2380 km drive. Much faster is the short cut through Finland and Sweden, following the E4 along the western side of the Gulf of Bothnia, The 1844 km can be done in about 24 hours, breaks not counted in. \n\t\t\t&lt;\/p&gt;"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Where should I stay in Kirkenes?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"&lt;p&gt;\n\t\t\t\tKirkenes downtown has two first class hotels, a mid range one, and a few budget options. \n\t\t\t&lt;\/p&gt;"}}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/004198_Joern-Tomter_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/004198_Joern-Tomter_www.nordnorge.com_.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/destinasjon\/kirkenes\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Kirkenes"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/","name":"Visit Northern Norway","description":"Shaped by Nature. Defined by Light. Shared by Us.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/#organization","name":"Visit Northern Norway","url":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Logo_Vertikal_EN.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Logo_Vertikal_EN.png","width":2482,"height":1754,"caption":"Visit Northern Norway"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NorthernNorway","https:\/\/x.com\/NorthernNorway","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/northernnorway\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/nordnorsk-reiseliv-as","https:\/\/no.pinterest.com\/northernnorway\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/VisitNorthernNorway\/"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/destination\/1640","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/destination"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/destination"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/destination\/1640\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16757,"href":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/destination\/1640\/revisions\/16757"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"todo","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/todo?post=1640"},{"taxonomy":"facilities","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/facilities?post=1640"},{"taxonomy":"season","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/season?post=1640"},{"taxonomy":"region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/region?post=1640"},{"taxonomy":"malgrupper","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nordnorge.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/malgrupper?post=1640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}