The place where Cape Nordkapp is located is the country of Norway. It is located in its northern part, on the island of Magera. Its height reaches 307 meters. Cape Nordkapp in Norway is often called the northernmost European point. However, this opinion is incorrect, since there are more northern islands, for example, Spitsbergen.
However, this impression of tourists from the proximity to the North Pole does not become less vivid. According to many, a trip to the North Cape in Norway is an exciting event. Information about him will be presented in our article.
General information
The North Cape in Norway is a site on a large granite rock. It is split by cracks forming three protrusions. The one in the middle, the largest, is the North Cape. Its upper part is flat, covered with rocky tundra, with small lakes located here. The harbor closest to the cape is the small town of Honningsvag, where fishermen live.
The North Cape, translated from Norwegian, means “northern cape”, therefore the word cape can not be used at its mention. The sun in this area does not set at any time of the day from late May to late July. Therefore, the mountain complex is very popular among tourists, from where you can admire the nature of the Scandinavian land. The coordinates of Cape Nordkapp in Norway are 71 degrees north latitude and 25 degrees east longitude. It is washed by the waters of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans.
Today, getting to these places is not difficult. About 200 thousand tourists come here every year during the summer. On the cape is an information center called North Cape Hall, which hosts year-round exhibitions. And also there is the chapel of St. Johannes, the most northern of the ecumenical ones (the ideology of the unity of all Christians), it often hosts weddings.
A bit of history
The name of the cape was given in 1553 by Richard Chansler, an English explorer. Then he walked beside him, looking for the North Passage. In the future, many explorers visited the cape, who climbed a plateau on a rock. The first tourist appeared on the plateau in 1664. It was Francesco Negri, an Italian priest.
The most famous of the visitors are Oscar II, king of Norway (1973) and Chulalongkorn, king of Thailand (1907). Today it is a popular tourist destination with a viewing platform.
Not far from it in 1943 there was a battle between the German and British fleets - the so-called battle at the North Cape. As the winner of this battle, Bruce Fraser, the British admiral, was awarded the title of Baron of North Cape.
Cape washed by the Gulf Stream
The Norwegian Sea, washing the North Cape in Norway, is ice-free, which is typical even for days with the most severe frosts. This is due to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, passing along the Scandinavian shores. The cape stands above the water in the form of giant rocks, glowing in the rays of the polar summer sun. In the sky above him numerous bird flocks soar.
Thousands and thousands of such birds live on the shore, such as eiders, guillemots, seagulls, breeding offspring among the cliffs. Residents of these places, climbing the rocks, take out eggs and warm fluff from the nests. When tourists stop on the edge of Cape Nordkapp in Norway, only the harsh Arctic is further away.
How to get there by car
To get to the North Cape in Norway, a good choice would be to contact one of the many travel agencies that organize excursions to this point. When you plan an independent trip, you will first need to be in the village closest to the cape - Honningsvag.
There you can catch a bus or continue driving. Access to the cape is paid. This amount is already included in the price of a bus ticket. Those who want to go by car will need to pay money by braking at the barrier that blocks the way to the cape. Hiking or cycling is free.
From Murmansk
Cape Nordkapp is one of the few places that can be reached in two or three days from the city of Murmansk. You can plan one night, but for those who want to admire northern Norway not only from the car window, it is best to allocate three full days for travel.
The distance between Murmansk and Cape Nordkapp is approximately 800 kilometers. On Internet maps, the optimal route is laid through Ivalo - a village located in the province of Lappi in Finland. However, the Finnish highway can be preferred by the winding roads of Norway, while the difference in distance will not be significant.
Regardless of whether you travel by car, motorcycle or in a camper, you can get to Nordkap in Norway by any of these modes of transport, where the E69 highway ends. On one of the stretches of the path there is a tunnel passing over the sea and located at a depth of 212 meters.
Other transport
In addition, you can get to the place as follows:
- By sea. Twice a day, liners of the well-known company Hurtiruten call at the port of Honningsvag. During their stop, an excursion to Cape Nordkapp is organized for their passengers.
- By plane. 32 kilometers from the cape is the nearest airport in Honningsvag.
- By bus. This mode of transport can be reached from two airports, the first of which is Lakselv (in 3 hours), the second - Alti (in 3-4 hours).
Where to stay?
As a rule, tourists spend the night on the North Cape for one or two nights. It is important to find an inexpensive and comfortable hotel close to the cape. Let's consider some of them.
- Scandic Bryggen. This is the best three-star Nordkap hotel in Norway, in the town of Honningsvag, which is located close to the port. It represents a full-fledged "3 stars" characteristic of Scandinavia. Here are very delicious breakfasts, which include, for example, homemade bread, red fish, Norwegian herring. In total there are 42 rooms that are hard to imagine free, especially in the summer. The placement price starts from 8.5 thousand rubles.
- Nordkapp Turisthotell. Located at the closest distance from the cape. From the hotel to the cliff Kirkeporten, which offers the best view of the North Cape, just 20 minutes walk. Each room has comfortable beds, a shower and other necessary amenities. For travelers there is free parking. This hotel is a complex of several houses.
- Nordkapp Vandrerhjem Hostel. This is a modern hostel, consisting of two spacious kitchens, two rooms with TVs and seating areas. Tourists are fed with delicious, satisfying Scandinavian breakfasts. From the town of Honningsvag, where this object is located, you need to go to the North Cape for about half an hour. The cost of one bed starts from 4 thousand rubles.
- Kirkeporten Camping. This campsite is located in Skarsvag, the northernmost Norwegian village. In addition to an excursion to the North Cape, there are many activities in the form of fishing, diving, tasting Norwegian dishes, hiking, relaxing and watching the midnight sun.
- Nordkapp Camping. Check-in at this campsite is the most economical option that can be found in the North Cape area. Prices are highly dependent on the date of arrival. Camping is located between Honningsvag and Skarsvag. It is surrounded by magnificent northern landscapes. For those who travel by car, it is most suitable.
What can I see?
Of course, by and large, the main attraction of these places are the cape itself and the ocean. And of course, opening up unique views and admiring the setting sun during the summer months. But there are other sights of the North Cape in Norway, created by human hands. These include:
- The monument symbolizing the unity of all peoples and countries, representing a model in the form of the globe, which stands on the observation deck. It is at its foot that the most memorable tourist photos are taken in Nordkapp (Norway).
- Monument "Children of the Earth", or "Children of the world." It was founded in 1989 by seven children who came from different parts of the world, and symbolizes friendship, hope, happiness and cooperation.
- A tourist center, which is mostly underground. There is a museum, a cinema, a cafe, a bar, souvenir shops, a post office, from where you can send a postcard home with the Nordkap stamp on it.
Consider these attractions in more detail.
Climax
The monument, dedicated to the unity of countries and peoples of the world, is located in the center of the observation deck and is the culmination of a tourist route covering this northern point of Europe. The beauty of the moment when even skeptical people feel the mood of universal unity is not spoiled even by the chilling wind, which continues to blow in the middle of summer. Around you can see the faces glowing from smiles of the Japanese, Germans, Chinese, Italians, Russians, Americans, who understand each other without any words.
World Monument
The monument “Children of the Earth” is a sculpture of a boy and a woman standing next to each other and touching each other. The boy points to seven medallions that are located around them. Each medallion shows a print of a child’s drawing and the word “peace” written in different languages. The monument itself is very impressive, and being "on the edge of the earth", against the backdrop of the harsh northern landscape, makes an indelible impression.
Tourist centre
The tourist center on the North Cape has become a cult Norwegian landmark. It goes down several floors underground, which is dictated by the care of the Norwegians about the surrounding natural species. It is especially crowded during the white nights.
Guests have the opportunity to visit the cinema with 250 seats, buy souvenirs, see the exhibition, which is dedicated to the first travelers to the North Cape (Norway), settle in a hotel for newlyweds, as well as warm up and take a break from the endless wind. At the main entrance to the complex called "North Cape" is a memorial dedicated to King Oscar II, who in 1873 visited this place in the north of his possessions.
In the cinema, you can watch promotional videos with views of Norway that make a strong impression. In the center, if desired, a document is issued that indicates a visit to the cape. In the Grotten Bar, you can treat yourself to a glass of champagne by biting it with salmon caviar.
The lighting of the room is a fire from dim candles, which creates a mysterious atmosphere here. This is due to a tradition called Let the Midnight Sun In. At midnight, the blinds open on the windows, which is accompanied by vigorous exclamations of "trolls" who begin to run around the hall, anticipating the culmination of the expected event. And here before the gaze of tourists opens a magical sight - the polar sun. However, there is one drawback, as guests may not be lucky due to the fact that the sun can hide the dense veil of clouds.
Nordkapp: fishing in Norway
Thanks to active advertising campaigns, the demand for tours to Northern Norway continues to grow. This applies, in particular, to Cape Nordkapp, which is famous for its trophy fishing. Along the coast there are many fishing camps. Especially popular is accommodation in traditional stilt houses called “roorbu”. Among the fish caught are:
- Halibut - weight 10-30 kg (a record specimen weighing more than 150 kg caught on an ordinary marine spinning).
- Cod - weight 20 kg.
- Sea bass.
- Angler.
- Cod.
- Catfish.
- Pollock.
To fishing turned into an extraordinary adventure, you can go to the open sea, hiring a schooner with a local guide and skipper. There is an opportunity to go not only to deep sea fishing, but also to hunt the king crab. In these places, it often reaches a weight of 8 kg, which is considered an average size. But there are also individuals of 15 kg. On the set of large and small lakes that are available here in the Arctic, organized charcoal fishing, which are sent on ATVs.