Location: Kirkenes
Top Things to do in Kirkenes
10 Things to Do in Kirkenes That You Shouldn't Miss
Far up in the northernmost stretch of Norway—even further North than the Arctic Circle—lies Kirkenes. As you might imagine, there’s plenty to do in the winter months. Ride a husky-drawn sled under the splendor of the Northern Lights. Say hi to the reindeer at a wildlife preserve or go on an ice fishing expedition. Enjoy a succulent meal of King crab and cap it all off with an ice-cold shot of vodka at the Snowhotel.
Restaurants in Kirkenes
1. Barents Safari Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
Reviewed By Susie L - Singapore
A great experience with the friendly staff. Victor, the guide, was very informative and has a great sense of humor. The crabs were delicious and were replenished as soon as our plates were emptied. Only improvement I would suggest is the lighting provided for taking the photos with the king crab. Everything was done so hastily we sometimes didn’t get proper lighting to bring out a good picture.
2. Kirkenes Snow Hotel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By ItsmePJ - Putrajaya, Malaysia
We travelled from Saariselka to Kirkenes Snowhotel. We are allowed to visit the hotel after had lunch of boiled fresh King Crabs. The sculpture and the carving was so perfect. I was really amazed. The ice bar was so beautiful.
Each room of the hotel has it owns concept. I was stunned with Marilyn Monroe. ; ). How I wish I can see how the construction was done esp. the carving process even though I had watched them from "Hotel Possible", American TV Documentary.
However, I won't dare to stay there since the ambient temperature in the hotel was negative 3 and the bed was also made from ice. Besides, there is no door for the room only door curtain. No window. There is no toilets or bathroom in the room. Well, I am not ready for this kind of experience. = )
I highly recommend this place to people that really want to experience to stay in 5-star igloo (hotel) especially architects and artisan from all over the world.
3. King Crab Excursion
Overall Ratings
5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By Adele H - Copenhagen, Denmark
Outstanding, you''re provided warm clothes, a super speedy RIB takes you to the cages, and then you are taken to the most charming restaurant where you learn about the crabs and they make you lunch/dinner. Two major thumbs up!
4. The Borderland Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
Our Exhibitions reflects life and culture in the borderland between Norway, Russia and Finland, with a special emphasis on World War II.
Reviewed By Adele H - Copenhagen, Denmark
This was an incredible interesting museum. The choice of display and its' accompanying texts were impressive. Kirkenes was the most bombed city in all of Europe during 2WW - mostly by the Russians to fight the Germans. When the Germans withdrew, they burned almost everything in their wake so there would be nothing left for the Russians. Among many of its Exhibitions you will find a memory wall of Norwegian partisans who escaped to Russia during WW2, and came back to gather intelligence for the Russians to beat the Germans. When the war ended these brave people were forgotten, but in 1992 King Harald apologized on behalf of the country and gave them the recognition they deserved.
5. Kirkenes Snowhotel Husky Trips
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By DAA42 - Wollongong, Australia
We left the Hurtigruten cruise and booked Husky trip through the ship.
It was a great afternoon, and although I had a great deal of trepidation about forcing dogs to drag me around for fun, and the general treatment of them, these concerns quickly disappeared when I met the dogs and drivers.
The dogs seem to love it and yap when they know they or their mates are going out they get very excited. I asked why one of our 8 dogs had boots on his back feet. The driver explained the ice had been very hard in the days before and he had scratches in his pads, so they routinely put ‘socks’ on if that happens. The dogs are very affectionate to the guests and staff. One female staff member showed us some of the training she was doing with a dog - it looked more like play, with a lot of positive reinforcement and food. It was great to watch.
While waiting for a sled we looked at the snow hotel being built of large blocks of ice. And viewed and fed the reindeer.
Check dates for timing as the sleds only started running to the fjord 2 weeks before we went in early Dec.
I don’t know what it cost but I’d recommend it. Dress warm.
6. Pasvikturist Sightseeing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By mm62 - United States
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour to the Russian Border and Snow Hotel with Pasikturist. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area and provided a lot of interesting commentary along the way. We stopped at two different border crossings and also toured Kirkenes city and surrounding area. Then we stopped at the snow hotel and toured all the rooms and our guide explained exactly how the hotel is re-built each fall. It was also fun seeing the reindeer and all the huskies that pull the sleds. We look forward to more tours with Pasvikturist on our next trip to Kirkenes.
7. Pasvik Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By wayne_isc - Holmfirth, United Kingdom
From Kirkenes to Nyrud its about a 2 hour drive each way but well worth it - its got a pretty mild micro-climate so its a bit greener and less harsh then much of the rest the area. On the way down we saw a couple of moose/elk cross the road as well as dozens of Reindeer. The only problem being that pretty much everything was closed - including the national park centre at Svanvik which was supposed to be open and most disappointing of all was the forest road to Trerisroyka (3 cairns) which was also unexpectedly closed. More information on these would have been good!!
8. Soviet Liberation Monument
Overall Ratings
4 based on 68 reviews
Memorial of the Red Army that liberated South Varanger during the fall of 1944, after four years of German occupation.
9. Andersgrotta Bomb Shelter
Overall Ratings
4 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By Lisa J - Lansing, Michigan
The bomb shelter tour was part of a Hurtigruten day trip to the Russian border (which I thought was exciting, even though it is an ominous gate and a "handy" gift shop.) The guide had first-hand experience, as he and his mother were there when Kirkenes was liberated, and the stories of the locals' lives during WWII was extremely moving.
10. Kirkenes Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
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