Best of Kirkenes

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Kirkenes
Kirkenes is as far northeast as you can go within Norway, about 250 miles (402 km) north of the Arctic Circle. It’s known as the capital of the Barents Region and the gateway to the east, due to its proximity to the Russian border. Hop a ride on the Hurtigruten coastal steamer, which starts and ends its route here, or stop in for a visit to the snow hotel. Russian, Norwegian, and Sami cultures mingle to create a unique atmosphere within this coastal town.

Previous kimkim travelers have followed expert guides on hiking tours and guided cultural walks through the town and enjoyed home visits with local families. Or, join an excursion to the Russian border and the village of Grense Jacobselv and King Oscar II Chapel
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You'll have plenty of chances to spot the northern lights on this luxury experience above the Arctic Circle
Map of Luxury Northern Lights Adventure in Norway's Arctic - 7 Days
Luxury Northern Lights Adventure in Norway's Arctic - 7 Days

Venture into Norway's far north for a luxurious journey into one of the last wild frontiers on Earth. This weeklong winter adventure begins at the Arctic Circle, where you'll go dogsledding, fish for succulent king crab, and traverse the tundra as you hunt the northern lights. In between snowshoeing excursions and kayaking on Norway's famous fjords, you'll stay in first-class accommodations, including a real-life ice hotel.

A view of Aurora Borealis near Tromsø, Norway.
Map of Norway Northern Lights Road Trip - 7 Days
Norway Northern Lights Road Trip - 7 Days

This scenic winter adventure traverses the Norwegian Arctic and checks off a number of natural and cultural sites starting in the city of Tromsø, nicknamed 'Paris of the North'. From here, hit the road and see rock art in Alta, learn about the indigenous Sami people in Karasjok, and visit a hotel made of snow along the Finnish/Russian border. Each day ends with another opportunity to view the Northern Lights in this beautiful and remote part of the world.

Spot the northern lights from ice hotels and glass igloos as you adventure above the Arctic Circle (photo courtesy of Lyngen North)
Map of Luxury Northern Lights Adventure in Norway's Arctic - 10 Days
Luxury Northern Lights Adventure in Norway's Arctic - 10 Days

Spend 10 days chasing the northern lights across northern Norway on this luxurious, action-packed itinerary. Your adventure starts above the Arctic Circle in Kirkenes for dogsledding, king crab fishing, and nighttime photography tours from your base at the world's first ice hotel. Then, after an overnight stay on a luxury cruise ship, you'll enjoy more winter activities around Tromsø, including skiing the Lyngen Alps, whale watching, and watching the skies from a luxurious glass igloo.

You'll have two weeks worth of chances to spot the northern lights as you spend your nights in luxury igloos and remote lodges (photo courtesy of Lyngen North)
Map of Luxury Northern Lights Adventure in Norway's Arctic - 14 Days
Luxury Northern Lights Adventure in Norway's Arctic - 14 Days

Experience winter above the Arctic Circle in style as you travel around the wilds of Norway on this two-week luxury tour. Mix rugged adventures, like dogsledding, with stays in unique accommodations like glass igloos and the world's first "snowhotel." Other memorable experiences include ice fishing, snowmobile tours, whale watching, snowshoeing in the Lyngen Alps, and even snorkeling with orcas.

Prime territory for spotting the Northern Lights
Map of Tromsø to Kirkenes Winter Adventure - 12 Days
Tromsø to Kirkenes Winter Adventure - 12 Days

This exciting and less-traveled winter adventure takes you deep into Norway's boreal territory for spectacular snowcapped scenery. The trip kicks off in Tromsø, a sophisticated little city known as the 'Paris of the North'. From here, make your way east to Kirkenes—traveling by bus—while taking advantage of unique Arctic excursions and numerous possibilities for spotting the Northern Lights.

Other popular travel destinations in Norway
Fjord Region · Oslo · Bergen · Northern Norway · Tromsø · Aurland · Flåm · Lofoten Islands · Balestrand · Mountain Region · Ålesund · Senja · Alta · Svolvær · Fjærland · Stavanger · Vesterålen · Lusterfjorden · Trondheim · Geiranger · Geilo · Reine · Åndalsnes · Lom · Bodø · Odda · Voss · Gudvangen · Røros · Kalvåg · Karasjok · Florø · Sørlandet · Finse · Værlandet · Lyngen · Haugastøl · Honningsvåg · Valldal · Hjørundfjord · Dovrefjell