Protecting most of the interior of the Varanger Peninsula, this wild and windswept national park was shaped before the last Ice Age and is one of Norway's oldest, untouched Arctic landforms. In addition to its birdwatching, the park is also an important breeding habitat for the Arctic fox – nowhere else in Norway, other than Svalbard, do Arctic foxes live so close to the sea. Sami herders also bring their reindeer up onto the plateau to graze in summer.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
25.29 MILES
Along one of the prettiest stretches of the E75 (a designated National Scenic Route; see www.nasjonaleturistveger.no), the lovely white church of Nesseby…
22.14 MILES
This oil-rig-shaped airship mast on Vadsø island was built in the mid-1920s as an anchor and launch site for airborne expeditions to the polar regions…
23.19 MILES
At Mortensnes, on the E75, about 15km east of Varangerbotn, you can stroll towards the shore amid traces of early Sami culture. At the western end, past…
29.89 MILES
In Varangerbotn, close to where the E6 meets the E75 17km east of Tana Bru, this is a fun, informative and hi-tech display about Sami life and culture,…
21.45 MILES
As so often in small Finnmark communities like Vadsø, the church is the most architecturally interesting structure. After the devastation wrought by…
23.93 MILES
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…
21.55 MILES
Constructed in the mid-19th century, and just around the corner from Tuomainengården, is this opulent merchant's dwelling, complete with stable and…
21.53 MILES
This historic Finnish farmhouse, built in 1840, had its own bakery, sauna and blacksmith.
Nearby The Far North attractions
21.45 MILES
As so often in small Finnmark communities like Vadsø, the church is the most architecturally interesting structure. After the devastation wrought by…
21.53 MILES
This historic Finnish farmhouse, built in 1840, had its own bakery, sauna and blacksmith.
21.55 MILES
Constructed in the mid-19th century, and just around the corner from Tuomainengården, is this opulent merchant's dwelling, complete with stable and…
22.14 MILES
This oil-rig-shaped airship mast on Vadsø island was built in the mid-1920s as an anchor and launch site for airborne expeditions to the polar regions…
23.19 MILES
At Mortensnes, on the E75, about 15km east of Varangerbotn, you can stroll towards the shore amid traces of early Sami culture. At the western end, past…
23.93 MILES
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…
25.29 MILES
Along one of the prettiest stretches of the E75 (a designated National Scenic Route; see www.nasjonaleturistveger.no), the lovely white church of Nesseby…
29.89 MILES
In Varangerbotn, close to where the E6 meets the E75 17km east of Tana Bru, this is a fun, informative and hi-tech display about Sami life and culture,…