Dogsledding

Whalesafari

Varangerhalvøya Nationalpark

Aurora Borealis

Festivals and events

Snow kiting

Vardø

ARN 2018 startingpoint Varanger

Mortensnes

The first people to settle by Varangerfjord arrived some 12,000 years ago. The oldest documented settlement is from around 10,000 BC and this type of settlement can be found in the cultural history area at Ceavccageadge/Mortensnes in Nesseby.  Rich archaeological finds from more recent eras have also made this a key area for research into the emergence of the Sami culture. Graves from the pre-Christian Sami religion can be found here.  

Intense missionary work was conducted from the 17th century. The first church/chapel was built on Selesnjárga/Angsnes in 1719.  Today, Unjarga/Nesseby is an important coastal Sami community where many people make a living from traditional occupations such as reindeer farming, agriculture, and fishing. Unjargá/Nesseby currently has a population of more than 900 people.

Hamningberg

Hamningberg is described as the place with the most complete pre-war fishing village in Finnmark. Hamningberg was a significant fishing village from the 16th century and has buildings from its boom years in the 19th century before boats were motorized and better harbors were needed.

In 1964 Hamningberg was abandoned, following a decision by the Norwegian parliament to not extend the harbors. Despite the town being abandoned many people in Hamningberg retained their houses and homes, today Hamningberg is first and foremost a recreation center and the cost general store in the middle of the fishing village is worth a visit. When you visit Hamningberg we recommend that you use the car park up from and to the left of the village, as this will make your visit more enjoyable and reduce the impact on the surrounding environment.

Vestre-Jakobselv