Introducing Kirkenes
This is it: you’re as far east as Cairo, further east than most of Finland, a mere 15km from the border with Russia – and at the end of the line for the Hurtigruten coastal ferry. This tiny, nondescript place, anticlimactic for many, has a distinct frontier feel. You’ll see street signs in Norwegian and Cyrillic script and hear Russian spoken by trans-border visitors and fishermen, who enjoy better prices for their catch here than in their home ports further to the east.
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The town reels with over 100, 000 visitors per annum, most stepping off the Hurtigruten to spend a couple of hours in the town before travelling onward. But you should linger a while here, not primarily for the town’s sake but to take one of the many excursions and activities offered by the useful one-stop tourist office.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Re: Kirkenes - northern lights?
by steinarh 04 September 2011
You need: 1. Dark sky. This is possible at late night late September. (Generally October-March is the best.) 2. Clear sky. You have say…
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Kirkenes - northern lights?
by Joen_Kellberg 03 September 2011
I'm going to Kirkenes on business on 26-27 September. Any chance of catching northern lights at that time of year? Which conditions should…
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Re: Helsinki - Kirkenes
by Special_Ed 24 August 2011
We'll see how everything will go. :) Don't worry about the long, long day (and night!) of travel to Ivalo, and about the same scenery…
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