Киркенес

Summer is the mild season, with long days and the midnight sun from mid-May to late July. Winter is cold and dark. The polar night lasts from late November to mid-January. Northern lights and snow activities are the main reasons to come in the dark months. Spring has bright, snowy days.

Kirkenes is small, and most sights are in the centre. They focus on the war and on life at the border.

• Andersgrotta is an air-raid shelter from the Second World War. Guided tours are booked in advance, last about 30 minutes and show how the town's people survived the bombing. Check current times and prices.
• Monument to the Soviet Soldiers honours the Red Army soldiers who freed the town in 1944.
• Kirkenes kirke is the main church in the town centre.
• The Border Land Museum (Grenselandmuseet) is about 1 km from the centre. It covers industry, wartime and everyday life at the Norwegian-Russian border, and has a shop and café. Opening hours are seasonal, so check before you go.
• The Pasvik valley lies south of the town. The point where Norway, Finland and Russia meet is deep in Øvre Pasvik National Park. Allow most of a day: a drive of 2.5 to 3 hours from town, then a marked walk of about 5 to 6 km each way, usually possible from June to October. Only the Norwegian side is open to the public, because Finland and Russia keep border zones closed. Treat these figures as approximate.
• Winter packages from Snow Resort Kirkenes, outside town at Bjørnevatn, include king crab safaris and husky sledding. Check the operator for current seasons and prices.

• By air: Kirkenes Airport (Høybuktmoen) is about 12 to 15 km west of town. There are direct flights from Oslo and Tromsø. Regional flights connect Kirkenes with Alta, Vadsø and Vardø. An airport coach meets arrivals and departures. Taxis and rental cars are also available.
• By sea: Kirkenes is the end of the Hurtigruten coastal route from Bergen. The voyage from Bergen is a long one, with stops in many ports.
• Russian border: The Storskog crossing is the only road crossing to Russia, about 16 km east of town. It is not a sightseeing route or a day trip. Crossing into Russia needs a Russian visa, and rules change at short notice, so check the Norwegian Police border information before you make any plans.
• Time: Kirkenes uses central European time, the same as Oslo. This is one hour behind nearby Finland.

Quick practical facts for Norway at a glance: