Discover Finnmark

Finnmark can be explored through a range of travel interests: Seiland National Park covers just over half of Seiland Island on the coast of western Finnmark. At Havøysund, a walk to an island summit and a National Tourist Route come together. Vardøhus adds a historical touch to these nature and coastal themes. The North Cape is also in western Finnmark. When planning a holiday apartment stay, it helps to first consider which of these experiences you want to shape your visit.

Seiland: Hiking and skiing with clear planning considerations

Seiland National Park offers good opportunities for hiking and skiing. At the same time, planning a visit differs from staying in an area with marked trails or open cabins: the park has no marked trails, no open cabins and no roads. These conditions are important when planning your days on the island and considering what kind of wayfinding and infrastructure to expect.

The usual access points to the national park are from Hønseby in the north or Altneset in the south of the island. Public transport is available to these access points. These two places give you specific reference points for travelling to the park; however, no roads lead into the park area. Hiking and skiing are the activities described here, while the absence of marked trails and open cabins should be taken into account when preparing for your visit.

Havøysund: A walk, coastal route and boat connections

From Havøysund, an approximately half-hour walk leads to the island’s highest point, Havøygavlen. From there, the view stretches across the Arctic Ocean and the nearby islands. The Havøysund National Tourist Route ends in Havøysund on the coast of Finnmark. Sections of the route pass through a barren rocky landscape, with the Arctic Ocean on one side and rugged rock formations on the other.

Havøygavlen gives the walk a clearly defined destination; the route offers a different landscape focus, with the sea and rock formations. This makes it possible to distinguish between two different interests when planning your trip: a walk with a view or the landscape along the National Tourist Route. The coastal express Hurtigruten calls at Havøysund daily. You can extend a trip from Havøysund on the Måsøyekspressen express boat to the pier at Gunnarnes on Rolvsøya, Ingøya or Måsøya. Check the boat schedules before travelling.

History and design in Finnmark

Vardøhus is Norway’s northernmost fortress and was built between 1734 and 1738. The Tundra Collection by Juhls Sølvsmie offers another way to engage with Finnmark’s nature: it reflects the landscape of Finnmarksvidda. The two examples offer different points of interest—here, the history of a fortress; there, a collection inspired by the landscape. The North Cape is also in western Finnmark, adding another geographical reference point for anyone interested in the region’s different places.

Choose accommodation based on your travel interests

When choosing a holiday apartment, it helps to compare the experiences you want. Seiland offers hiking and skiing, the walk near Havøysund leads to a specific summit, and the coastal route has its own landscape focus. Vardøhus and the Tundra Collection appeal to historical and design interests. Consider together which of these themes matters most to your travel group, and base your search for a suitable place to stay on that focus.

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.

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