Senja
True, there can't be much competition outside Scandinavia. But the Senja Troll, 18m high and weighing in at 125,000kg, is the world's biggest troll,…
Must-see attractions in The Far North
The Far North
This old fish factory is at Ekkerøy, 15km east of town. The complex retains its old stores and lodgings, a mass of arcane fishing equipment, the former…
Western Finnmark
Local artist Eva Arnesen designed the Nobel Peace Prize diploma that was awarded to Jody Williams and the campaign to ban landmines. Arnesen's paintings…
Western Finnmark
On the Fuglenes peninsula, just across the harbour, is the Meridianstøtta, a marble column commemorating the first survey (1816–52) by Russian scientist…
Western Finnmark
Kåfjord's Tirpitz Museum, commemorating the German Tirpitz, once the world's largest battleship, is the achievement of local resident Even Blomkvist, who…
The Far North
The timbered Kautokeino church, which dates from 1958, is one of Norway's most frequented, particularly at Easter. Its cheery interior, alive with bright…
Tromsø
The cannons of a Nazi coastal artillery battery and a restored command bunker form the basis of the Tromsø Forsvarsmuseum. It also tells of the giant…
The Far North
This well-presented frontier museum, 1km from Kirkenes centre, illustrates the geography and culture of the border region, with special displays on WWII…
Tromsø
Within the Arctic, Antarctic and alpine areas of Tromsø's carefully maintained and cared-for Botanisk Hage grows flora from all over the world's colder…
Tromsø
Between 1949 and 1981, this historic seal-hunting ship killed (or 'brought home', as the literature euphemistically expresses it) nearly 100,000 seals. It…
Western Finnmark
Honningsvåg's Nordkapp Museum, next to the Hurtigruten dock, illustrates the impact of early visitors to the cape, the hard days in the immediate…
Tromsø
Domkirke, the Lutheran Church of Norway's cathedral, is one of Norway's largest wooden churches. Its opening hours are erratic, but you can take a photo…
The Far North
A bell in the porch of this early-19th-century octagonal church dates from 1698. The ingenious heating system, with wood stoves and hot-water pipes…
The Far North
Constructed in the mid-19th century, and just around the corner from Tuomainengården, is this opulent merchant's dwelling, complete with stable and…
Western Finnmark
Hammerfest's newly minted Kulturhuset is worth a brief visit, simply to savour its striking architecture. Within, there's a theatre, a couple of cinemas…
Western Finnmark
This 19th-century church was the only building in town to survive the Nazis' scorched-earth retreat in 1944. For a time it was a communal dwelling until…
The Far North
This small museum recalls the historical trade between Russia and Norway. Based principally upon the bartering of fish against corn, it lasted until the…
The Far North
The tiny coastal village of Gamvik claims the world's northernmost museum. In a former fish-drying shed, it displays the fishing cultures of these far…
The Far North
Those who are aroused by war games will have fun at the Troms Defence Museum, with its evocative interior dioramas and over 20 military vehicles to…
The Far North
Finnmark's oldest timber church, constructed in 1807, was the only building in Karasjok to survive WWII destruction. It's a pretty ochre-and-white…
Tromsø
The Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum displays mainly 19th-century to present-day sculpture, photography, painting and handicrafts by artists from northern Norway.
Tromsø
Tromsø's library is a wonderful example of contemporary Norwegian architecture, airy and streaming with light. There's also free internet access here.
Western Finnmark
This handsome pair of carved and silvered polar bears on Rådhus Plass were fashioned by woodcarver Knut Arnesen.
The Far North
The Cold War lookout tower Høyde 96 offers a view eastward to the bleak Russian mining town of Nikel.
Tromsø
This statue to Norway's most famous polar explorer sits just uphill from the tourist office.
The Far North
This historic Finnish farmhouse, built in 1840, had its own bakery, sauna and blacksmith.
Statue of Adolf Henrik Lindstrøm
Western Finnmark
Adolf Henrik Lindstrøm was a Hammerfest-born cook who accompanied Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen (among others) and ended up travelling on more polar…
Western Finnmark
With a strong claim to being the world's most northerly Catholic church, St Michaels, serving a congregation of barely 90 souls, is immediately…
The Far North
Outside the Russian consulate, there are two engaging little sculptures of a bear mounting – in every sense of the word, it would appear – a lamp-post.
The Far North
Located up a short hill, this statue is dedicated to the Red Army troops who liberated the town in 1944.
Tromsø
The Tromsø Catholic Church was built in 1861 and is the world's northernmost Catholic bishopric.
The Far North
In the town square, this statue commemorates women's efforts during the war.
