Finnsnes – the gateway to fairytale-like Senja
A close-knit town of sea, forest and sky, where nature shapes daily life and Senja is just a bridge away.
Finnsnes stretches into the Gisundet Strait on Norway’s north coast, opposite the island of Senja. Backed by forested hills and surrounded by sea, this compact town is the main gateway to Senja’s wild landscapes. Sea eagles wheel overhead and reindeer graze the woods — nature is never far from view.
Finnsnes: where crossings shaped a community
Finnsnes began as a small farm beside the sea, first settled in the late 1800s. Its location – near the protected channel between Senja and the mainland – made it a natural ferry stop. By the 20th century, it had grown into a regional trading post and travel hub.
Lenvik Church, 20 minutes north, has roots that stretch back centuries. The medieval Icelandic text Rimbegla once described it as the northernmost church in the world.
Today, Finnsnes is home to almost 5,000 people and continues to serve as a transport and supply hub for the nearby islands, including Senja – which we Norwegians often describe as ‘Norway in miniature’. Fish farming and processing remain vital to the local economy, but summer tourism has grown thanks to hiking trails, quiet coves and the town’s week-long arts and music festival, Finnsnes i Fest.
Port address
Bernh. Lundsvei 11, 9300 Finnsnes
