Finnmark – Coast, Island Nature and History

Exploring Finnmark by travel interest

Finnmark can be explored through a range of travel interests: nature and activities in Seiland National Park, coastal scenery and maritime connections in Havøysund, and history around Vardøhus. The North Cape is also in western Finnmark. Seiland, Havøysund and Vardøhus represent different themes; searching according to your specific travel plans is more informative than relying on the region name alone.

Seiland National Park: activities and access

Seiland National Park covers slightly more than half of Seiland Island off the coast of western Finnmark. There are good opportunities for hiking and skiing. The park has no marked trails, open cabins or roads into the park area. The usual access points are from Hønseby in the north or Altneset in the south of the island; public transport is available to both access points. The park therefore covers most, but not all, of the island of Seiland; the island and the national park are not one and the same.

Havøysund: rocky scenery and a walk

The Havøysund National Scenic Route ends in Havøysund on the coast of Finnmark. Sections of the route pass through a barren rocky landscape: the Arctic Ocean lies on one side, and rugged rock formations on the other. A walk of about half an hour from Havøysund leads to the island’s highest point, Havøygavlen, with views of the Arctic Ocean and nearby islands. The route and the walk offer different experiences: the route describes the scenery along its sections, while the walk gives a specific destination and approximate duration.

Boat connections from Havøysund

Havøysund is also a useful reference point for maritime planning. The Hurtigruten Coastal Express calls at Havøysund daily. The Måsøyekspressen express boat can extend a trip from Havøysund to Gunnarnes on Rolvsøya, Ingøya or Måsøya. The daily Hurtigruten call and the possible onward journeys by express boat address different planning needs. Check the timetables for the listed connections before you travel.

History and landscape

Vardøhus is Norway’s northernmost fortress and was built between 1734 and 1738. Its date provides a clear historical reference point. The Tundra collection by Juhls Sølvsmie reflects the nature of Finnmarksvidda. It offers a different focus: the collection centers on the nature of the plateau, rather than the history of a fortress.

Choose a hotel based on your specific travel plans

A hotel offer in Finnmark should not be considered suitable solely because of the region name. If your plans depend on the boat connections mentioned above, check the timetables before you travel. This will help ensure that your choice reflects your actual plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Vadsø, Nordkapp, Sør-Varanger, Hasvik, Porsanger, Båtsfjord, Kvalsund, Kautokeino, Karasjok, Måsøy, Loppa, Tana, Gamvik, Lebesby, Alta, Hammerfest, Kvalsund, Berlevåg, Vardø.

For the main travel overview: Norway.