Finnmark
Norway's northernmost county, known for the North Cape, northern lights in winter, midnight sun in summer and Sami culture.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Finnmark is Norway's northernmost county, lying well above the Arctic Circle. The coast faces the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean, and the land is a mix of fjords, islands and open tundra with few trees. The best-known sight is North Cape on Magerøya island, a headland often called the northernmost point of Europe that you can reach by road. Alta is known for the northern lights and for its rock carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Plan the trip around light and distance. Winter brings the aurora, and summer brings the midnight sun to much of the county. The Sami have lived here for a long time, and the Sami Parliament sits in Karasjok. Public transport between towns is limited, so a rental car gives you the most freedom. Towns are far apart, so pick one base that matches your main plan.
Finnmark in five
- Book the Hurtigruten ship for your routeThe Hurtigruten coastal ship calls at Hammerfest, Honningsvåg, Vardø and Kirkenes on its Bergen to Kirkenes route. Stops can be short, so check your port time before you plan a day ashore.Getting around
- Pay by contactless cardNorway is largely cashless, and shops, gas stations and ferry terminals take contactless cards. Carry one card as your main payment method.Money and costs
- Set up data before the coastMobile coverage thins between the villages on the coast and in the interior. Download offline maps before you leave the larger towns.Phones and eSIM
- Pack a windproof shell and layersThe coast is open and windy, and the land near North Cape has little shelter. Pack a windproof shell and warm layers even in summer.Clothing
- Check the aurora forecast on yr.noThe Norwegian Meteorological Institute publishes forecasts with cloud cover on yr.no, which is the simplest check for aurora nights. Northern lights need clear skies and darkness, so check the cloud cover hour by hour.
Things to do in Finnmark
See all attractions in Finnmark
Need to know
- Currency
- Norwegian krone (NOK)
- Entry
- Schengen rules: visa-free for many passports; EU/EEA ID cards accepted Read more
- Emergency
- 112 police, 113 ambulance, 110 fire
- Tipping
- Not expected; rounding up the bill is fine
- Time
- UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer (CET/CEST)
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPolar night, aurora
- FebruaryPolar night, aurora
- MarchLight returns
- AprilSnow, light grows
- MayMidnight sun starts
- JuneMidnight sun
- JulyMidnight sun
- AugustGreen, long days
- SeptemberAurora returns
- OctoberAurora, quiet
- NovemberDark, storms
- DecemberPolar night
Right now in Finnmark
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
1
- Feels like
- -2°
- Humidity
- 98%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 80%
Finnmark
09:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today0°-1°80%Monday: Snow. High 0°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Tue0°-5°100%Tuesday: Snow. High 0°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed2°-2°100%Wednesday: Snow. High 2°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu-1°-4°91%Thursday: Snow. High -1°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 91%.
- Fri0°-3°70%Friday: Snow. High 0°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 70%.
- Sat-2°-5°87%Saturday: Snow. High -2°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Sun0°-5°73%Sunday: Snow. High 0°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 73%.
Updated 08:57 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 9.213 NOK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- North Capeabout 40 minutes by car from HonningsvågThe cliffs and globe monument, reached by road and a tunnel under the sea.
- Altaabout 2 hours by car from HammerfestRock carvings and the aurora, a town with a museum and winter nights.
- Kautokeinoabout 2 to 3 hours by car from AltaA Sami cultural center in the interior, a longer day with reindeer country.
Before you go to Finnmark
Rules for Finnmark, checked
- Check the entry rules for your passport on the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) website before you book.Source
- Declare food, plants and animal products on arrival, and check the Norwegian Customs limits on alcohol and tobacco before buying duty-free.Source
- Norway's right of access (allemannsretten) allows walking and short camping in open country, but not close to homes or on private land.
- Close gates on reindeer fences and keep dogs on a lead near herds, since reindeer herding is an active livelihood in Finnmark.
Plan around Finnmark
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Norway trip
Read the guideGetting around the northFerries, coastal ships, buses and rental cars compared
Read the guideWhere to stayCompare bases in the towns before you book
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, cash and typical daily prices in Norway
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and what to check before you fly
Read the guideFinnmark FAQ
Is Finnmark worth visiting?
Yes, for the coast, the North Cape, the northern lights and Sami culture. It suits travelers who want wide, open country and long daylight or dark nights, not a city break.
How many days do you need in Finnmark?
Plan at least four or five days to reach North Cape and one other town without rushing. Distances are long, and ferry and coastal ship times set the pace.
Where should I stay in Finnmark?
Honningsvåg suits a North Cape trip, Alta suits the northern lights and rock carvings, and Kirkenes suits the east. Choose the base that matches your main plan, since the towns are far apart.
When can you see the northern lights in Finnmark?
The aurora is visible on clear, dark nights from late summer to spring. Use the cloud forecast on yr.no and go out after dark, away from town lights.
How do you get around Finnmark?
A rental car gives the most freedom on the main roads, and the coastal ships link the towns by sea. Buses run between the main towns, but check timetables before you rely on one.
When is the best time to visit Finnmark?
June and July bring the midnight sun. September and October suit the aurora as nights darken, and winter suits travelers who want the polar night.