Finnmark Tourist Board, N-9509 Alta, Norway
+47 78 90 60 20, Fax +47 78 43 90 79 • post@finnmark.com • Map |
Finnmark - on the Top of the World
Finnmark, Norway’s northernmost county, provides visitors with an unforgettable holiday experience. Here, in northernmost Europe, the magnificent natural surroundings vary from rugged precipitous fjords and coastline landscapes to peaceful extensive fell plateaus.
Come and experience arctic nature on the shores of the Atlantic
Finnmark in the immediate neighbourhood of Lapland provides a perfect setting for your holiday whether you are seeking activities, or peace and silence either amidst the untouched arctic wilderness or in a quiet cove on the shore of the sea. Finnmark makes an appeal to all five senses and provides you with an abundance of experiences in pristine nature.
The county of Finnmark is so large and so sparsely populated that everyone can feel the impact of the wilderness around them. For anglers and hikers Finnmark is a real dream destination. The long varied coastline, the fjords, the lush river valleys and the fell plateaus form a magnificent variegated setting for memorable experiences. Challenges are not hard to find whether you are on your own or with a guide. More information about guided summer and winter activities from www.finnmark.com
In Norway, as in Finland, the public right of access permits everyone to freely move about in nature in areas which are not in the immediate vicinity of people’s homes or cultivated land.
National Parks
There are five national parks in Finnmark: Stabbursdalen Nasjonalpark (the world’s northernmost pine forest”, Øvre Anarjohka Nasjonalpark “ a distant and virgin area of Finnmarksvidda”, Øvre Pasvik Nasjonalpark “the largest old forest preserve in the North Calotte area”, Varangerhalvøya Nasjonalpark “an arctic fell plateau traversed by river valleys and deep ravines”, and Seiland Nasjonalpark extending from the sea to the glacier crowning the fell area
Finnmark in a nutshell
- Total area 48 637 km2
- Population 73 000
- Number of reindeer 165 000
- Number of municipalities 19
- Towns: Alta, Hammerfest, Honningsvåg, Kirkenes, Vadsø, Vardø
- Main sources of livelihood: fishing, tourism, reindeer farming, mining and service industries
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The Climate and the Magic Light
Summer temperatures on the coast vary from pampering hot spells to magic chilly foggy days. However, each day is different and whatever the weather there is plenty to see and do if you are properly dressed. Thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream, the sea remains open all round the year and in spite of the northern latitudes the climate is relatively mild. In the inland the climate resembles that of Lapland with hot summers and icy-cold winters.
North of the Arctic Circle you can experience the period of the midnight sun in summer as well as the kaamos period in winter The further north you go the longer are these periods. On the coast of the Arctic Ocean the sun never descends below the horizon for two and half months confusing our sense of time. When autumn comes darkness falls earlier day by day finally changing into kaamos with blue tinges dominating.
On bright autumn and winter evenings magnificent Nordic Lights can be seen with green, red and blueish colours dancing in the dark sky of the night. Nordic Lights can be seen in polar regions and Finnmark is one of the areas where the brightest Northern Lights can be seen.
Finnmark a treasure trove for a culture tourist
Finnmark has an interesting and dramatic history marked by the impact of its neighbours. The Finnish language and culture, which arrived in the area with the great migration of the 19th century, continue to live in many places. The people of Finnmark have long traditions with eastern trade: the trade with Russians was called Pomor trade.
The Sámi culture is an important element of Finnmark extending all across the county. Today Sami culture is commonly associated with the colourful Sámi costumes and handiwork and particularly with reindeer farming. However, reindeer farming represents only a small part of the Sámi culture in its totality. The main source of livelihood of the Sea Sámi and the River Sámi has always been fishing.
You must also experience the genuine Norwegian coastal culture and its hospitality. You can join a fisherman on his fishing trip on the fjord and eat for lunch the fish that you have caught yourself. You can become acquainted with Sámi culture and visit a reindeer herd on the coast or upon the mighty Finnmarksvidda fell plateau. You can board a boat on one of our rivers and go fishing in the best fishing waters in the world. Unforgettable experiences are on offer and what’s more, a number of municipalities provide regular departures for a wide range of activities in summer and in winter.
Traffic and accommodation
There are many stories told about the roads of Norway but the road network in Finnmark is a lot better than its reputation, and you can swiftly move about by car or by motorcycle. However, it’s advisable to set aside a bit more time and choose a minor road which winds along the slopes of a lofty fjord or runs in the magnificent scenery of a fell plateau. It’s also worth trying the Hurtigruten, the finest sea route in the world. The shortest trips aboard a Hurtigruten boat last two hours but you can also choose a longer trip and stay overnight onboard the ship in all comfort. The Hurtigruten route goes along the whole length of the Finnmark coast and the final port on the southbound route is the old Hanseatic city of Bergen in Western Norway www.hurtigruten.no
There is a wide range of accommodation available in Finnmark. What would you say about staying the night in a lighthouse on the shore of the Arctic Ocean or at the end of a pier in a fishing hut with all amenities. Our selection naturally includes comfortable accommodation at a hotel or an inn as well as youth hostels and camping sites.
More information about Finnmark from www.finnmark.com
©Trym Ivar Bergsmo/ Finnmark Tourist Board
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