Honningsvåg – gateway to the northernmost point of Europe
This charming Arctic town, where the Midnight Sun shines and the Northern Lights dance, is best known as the jumping-off point for the North Cape.
Five degrees north of the Arctic Circle and the northernmost city in mainland Norway, Honningsvåg is a warm and welcoming refuge.
Situated on Magerøya island, this traditional fishing town offers delectable dining and natural phenomena aplenty, from the ethereal Midnight Sun to the ink-black Polar Night and, of course, the magical aurora borealis.
A short history of Honningsvåg
People have lived in the Honningsvåg area for thousands of years. The Old Norse name was 'Hornungsvágr': 'Hornungr' referring to the tall and hornlike peak near the town, and 'vágr', which means bay.
Early settlers were likely Sámi people (the indigenous people of northern Norway), reliant on fishing, hunting, and reindeer herding. By the Middle Ages, Honningsvåg had developed as a fishing village, thanks to the rich waters of the Barents Sea.
Fishing was the backbone of the local economy for centuries and by 1936, Honningsvåg was an established trading post with municipal status. But its peace and tranquility was shattered by World War II. German forces occupied the town and then destroyed it as they retreated in 1944 – a strategic move designed to disrupt Allied shipping routes. Somehow, the town’s church survived, and local people took shelter here.
After the war, Honningsvåg was rebuilt and gradually modernised. As more and more travellers were drawn to the remote allure of the North Cape (Nordkapp), Honningsvåg developed as a comfortable base for visitors from far and wide.
Honningsvåg today
Today, Honningsvåg is a small, vibrant town. The harbour is still a focal point, and fishing, as well as tourism, remains a big part of life here on the Norwegian coast.
The Sámi bring reindeer to Magerøya for the warmer months and you’re likely to see the creatures roaming wild here in spring, summer, and autumn. September and October is an especially fascinating time to visit, according to local artist Eva Schmutterer.
“The reindeer walk from their remote corners of the island, gathering in larger and larger herds.” If you’re lucky, you might even spot them swimming across the Magerøya strait to spend winter on the mainland.
For its many visitors, the town is a popular tourist destination for those seeking to venture to the North Cape, the northernmost point of mainland Europe, with its expansive sea views towards the Arctic.
The best things to do in Honningsvåg
1. Explore North Cape, Europe’s northernmost point
The awe-inspiring Arctic Ocean views from the craggy cliffs of North Cape are the main reason many come to Honningsvåg. Only the Svalbard archipelago lies between here and the North Pole. Soak up the breathtaking scenery before taking that obligatory selfie in front of the iconic globe sculpture.
Whether you want to travel there by bus or ATV, it's easily accessible from Honningsvåg on one of our shore excursions.
2. Hike the Sherpa Stairs
Storfjellet mountain may look steep, but it’s now much easier to climb thanks to the ‘Sherpa Stairs’ built with support from Hurtigruten Foundation.
“You’ll have a wonderful view over the town and the sea from here,” says local artist Eva Schmutterer. “The moon, stars and Northern Lights are often visible. Sunsets and sunrises can be spectacular.”
(Image credit: Øystein Moe / Helmet - Explore Trøndelag)
3. Spot local wildlife
With patience, wildlife here is as rewarding as the landscape. At the harbour’s edge you may spy porpoises splashing in the icy waters. Boat trips from Honningsvåg scout the silvery waves of the Barents Sea for a glimpse of a humpback whale, orca or beluga. In the surrounding hills, you may even spot hares or the flash of an Arctic fox.
4. Visit the North Cape Museum
This museum on the harbour explores the history of Honningsvåg and the wider Finnmark municipality, from the early settlers and their stories of life in the north through to the devastation of World War II and the town’s reconstruction. You can also see local artwork and artefacts from the area’s fishing heritage.
5. Tuck into fresh seafood
At the heart of Norway’s Arctic fishing region, Honningsvåg's dinner plates glisten with all manner of fresh seafood.“It’s fish, fish and fish! Delicious and fresh from the sea,” says Eva. "Cod, pollock, halibut, haddock – fried, cooked, steamed, grilled, smoked, raw, you name it.”
I like Honningsvåg’s combination of a busy summer with lots of people coming to the island, and a long, quiet and peaceful winter. I can hike for hours without seeing any other human beings – just a few reindeer, birds and the occasional hare. I like the slower pace of life and time. I have time to read, think, and be creative
Activities in Honningsvåg
An outdoor adventure paradise, Honningsvåg and the surrounding region are thrilling to explore by both land and sea.
excursions
The North Cape
excursions
Breakfast at the North Cape
excursions
Quad Biking to North Cape
excursions
RIB & King Crab Experience
Port address
Holmen 2A, 9751 Honningsvåg
