Top Things to do in Finnmark
What to do and see in Finnmark, Northern Norway: The Best History Museums
Lying at the very top of Europe, Finnmark is the northernmost part of Norway that reaches around Sweden and meets Finland. This is the heart of Norwegian Lapland, where Karasjok is the cultural and political seat of Sami life. Though Norway's biggest county by size, Finnmark has the fewest people. Alta, the biggest city with just 17,000, is called the Town of Northern Lights for its great views of the phenomenon. Alta Museum is largely devoted to local rock carvings from thousands of years ago.
Restaurants in Finnmark
1. Varanger Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 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 chrispZ6983NO - Oslo, Norway
Super-interesting exhibits on Kirkenes's ordeal during WW2. One of the world's few Shturmovik Soviet ground attack planes in perfect condition. Also exhibits on the local mining industry and a wonderful photo exhibit by a local woman in the early 20th Century. Worth at least two hours here.
2. The Polar Bear Society
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 264 reviews
The Polar Bear Society is located on the coastal steamer pier, together with Hammerfest’s Tourist Information. Join the world famous and exclusive society, and receive the Polar Bear Pin as proof that you visited the World’s Northernmost Town – Hammerfest! Our museum showcases our proud traditions with fishing and hunting in arctic conditions. There is also a gift shop. You can only become a member in the Polar Bear Society when you visit Hammerfest in person. A membership costs NOK 220,00 as a one time fee. The money supports the exhibition and pays the components of the membership: the Polar Bear pin in silver and enamel, a sticker with our logo on, a diploma with your name on signed by the mayor of Hammerfest, a membership card with your own membership number.
Reviewed By G6426FManthonys - Brisbane, Australia
Located at the tourist office this is a great little museum. There are plenty of stuffed birds if you are into birds as well as some of the mammals of the area. Info boards with the history makes this a good place to stop.
3. The Partisan Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
The Partisan Museum is dedicated to the history and memory of the men and women of the WWII resistance in Norway’s far north. The partisans, many of them from Kiberg, escaped across the Soviet border at the beginning of the war, and were educated there and later reported to the Soviets when they secretely returned to Finnmark.
4. Skoltesamisk Museum
5. Nordkapphallen
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 539 reviews
Reviewed By Stumiu
I came here to visit the most nordic point of europe and all my expetations was fully satisfied after i enjoyed the views of nature the globe the clifs and all the magic of the nordic point of norway i went to the auroras restourant wich is in the building beside the globe where is very nice atmosfere and enviroment. Then i ask for the recomendations and i defo didnt regret it the waitres from Croatia whos name was Matea recomendet for me the rain dear fillet dish. And believe me guys it was the most amazing meat fillet i ever eat in my life. Recomending to everyone magical spot amazing food and so so friendly staff.
6. Nordkappmuseet
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 82 reviews
The North Cape Museum is a local heritage museum which presents the local history from the Stone Age to modern times. The permanent exhibition goes over two floors and focuses on the development of the local society in an international context. The various themes in our permanent exhibition touches upon several topics, such as the destruction of Honningsvåg and Finnmark during WW II and the reconstruction of the town during the late 40's and the early 50's.
Reviewed By BruceTheSheep - Glossop, United Kingdom
This small museum (2 floors) is devoted to the history of the town of Honningsvåg (and North Cape area) where it is located, including the fishing industry and the World War II German occupation. Almost all of the photos and exhibits have an English description - be sure to open the drawers under some of the exhibits to read the pull-out descriptions. The ground floor is devoted to the early history of the town and area, with a heart-rending section devoted to the German occupation during WWII which ended with a burned earth policy as they withdrew in the face of Russian advance. Like other towns in the area all the occupants were forcibly evacuated and the town completely destroyed. The rebuilding in 1947 is also documented. Upstairs most of the display is devoted to the fishing industry with a small section also on the recent oil and gas extraction in the Barents Sea area. Here you will also find a room where you can view several short, subtitled films about the area. One particularly poignant one is the first hand account of the destruction of the town by the Germans by a survivor who was a boy at the time. He and some of his family fled into the hills rather than evacuate, and you can hear his story. At 50kr the museum is reasonably priced and most definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in Europe’s moist northerly town.
7. RiddoDuottar Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 9 reviews
Guovdageainnu gilišillju / Kautokeino bygdetun - lies by the riverbank in centre of the community of Guovdageaidnu/Kautokeino. The land here has been cultivated since the beginning of the 1700s. In a reconstructed milieu from approx. 100 years ago, you can visit buildings, turf huts and constructions from reindeer herding and dwelling sites from the outlying grazing areas. The museum building has a permanent exhibition of local Sámi culture. "The Church Cabin 1650" has been reconstructed here. It was built by the Swedish crown and stood originally on what is now the museum site. It is constructed from timber that grew locally at that time. It is now Finnmark's oldest building that is still standing. The museum also has an exhibition of source texts. Opening Hours - see rdm.no
Reviewed By ljubeeee
Such a great museum! I learn a lot of interesting things about Sami people. Absolutely worth-visiting.
8. Porsanger museum / Porsanggu musea / Porsangin museumi
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3 reviews
Porsánggu Musea presents Sámi, Kven and Norwegian cultural history. The collection is related to enterprises such as fishing and agriculture, households and daily life. The museum's exhibition is in the old schoolhouse in Skoganvarre, where, among other items, the war history of the Porsanger area is presented.
9. De Samiske Samlinger - The Sami museum in Karasjok
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 40 reviews
The Sámi Museum in Karasjok - De Samiske Samlinger/Sámiid Vuorká-Dávvirat - was established in 1972 as the first Sámi museum in Norway, and is today the largest Sámi museum in Norway. The aim of establishing the museum was to promote Sámi culture and to reinforce the Sámi people's status as an ethnic group. In the outdoor museum there are Sámi buildings, among them a unique agricultural smallholding and a several thousand year old hunting pit construction for hunting wild reindeer. We have one of the world's largest collections of traditional Sámi clothing. In the exhibitions you can see examples of Sámi clothing traditions from different areas and time periods. Sámiid Vuorká-Dávvirat / De Samiske Samlinger shows from the collection of Sámi contemporary art, an impressive collection that comprises almost 1400 items managed by RiddoDuottarMuseat. A new building to house the Art Collection is under development. Opening Hours - see website rdm.no
10. Masoy Museum
The museum was established in a building that was originally built as a rectory. The collection of items consists of tools and technical equipment as used by fishermen through the 1900s. Additionally, several fixed exhibitions such as a kitchen, living room, schoolhouse, and line baiting booth.
