Kirkenes became a city in 1998 and was previously a Norwegian-Russian district. Grense Jakobselv is situated 35 miles to the east, with only a river separating it from Russia. Here you will find the cultural heritage site King Oscar II's Chapel, a stone church which provided border protection from 1869.
Øvre Pasvik National Park was established in 1970 to protect a large natural area. The park borders Finland and Russia and is known for its brown bear population. From the 314-foot high vantage point you can look out to Nikel in Russia, only 25 miles from Kirkenes. If you want to get even closer to nature, there are guided tours where you can experience husky safaris, search for the northern lights or visit the kingdom of the brown bear.
The city is stunning all year round. A holiday to Kirkenes during summer may allow you to experience the unique midnight sun shining through the night and the day, illuminating everything from the horizon. The Northern Lights are a special natural phenomenon that can be experienced in winter. It appears as a spectacular and distinctive light display in the night sky. It is difficult to plan to see the Northern Lights, but you can download an app that will tell you when it will appear!
If you are keen on history and culture there are numerous wartime memorials to visit. Kirkenes was a German base and the city centre has numerous monuments erected after the Second World War. The Andersgrotta bomb shelter was frequently used by civilians and is now open to tourists, with films shown in several languages.
Regular domestic flights go between Kirkenes Airport and larger Norwegian airports, which connect to the UK. For an alternative start to your holiday, take the Hurtigruten from Bergen in Western Norway. The voyage takes around 11 days and is an amazing way to see Norway’s coastline.
A weekend trip to Kirkenes is an excellent holiday. Here you will experience a closeness to Norwegian nature while also practically leaving the country!
