Experience unique nature in Varangerhalvøya nasjonalpark (Varangerhalvøya National Park). There are several museums to visit and plenty of Northern Norwegian history to discover. A number of festivals are held here in summer, including the Varanger Festival and the King Crab Festival.
Vadsø is a municipality and town in the extreme east of Finnmark, with a population of just over 6,000. The region experienced a surge of immigration from Finland in the 1800s, so you will find many Finnish surnames and plenty of Finnish culture. Wildlife lovers should visit Ekkerøy where you can see the large bird cliff Flåget which boasts more than 20,000 pairs of nesting birds.
Visit Vadsøya Culture Park to learn more about early settlements in the area. War relics left by the Germans in World War II can be found at Ekkerøy. Make sure that you call in at Tuomainengården (Tuomainen Farm), one of the farms established by Finnish immigrants which currently serves as a museum.
Vadsø can be cold, even in summer. It is a good idea to pack woollen clothing, especially if you are heading out to sea for some fishing or taking lengthy hikes across the tundra. In summer, you can experience the midnight sun and the Northern Lights are visible in winter. There are numerous accommodation options and you can choose to stay in a hotel or something a little more humble, if preferred.
Vadsø has its own airport with connections to several surrounding towns in Northern Norway, but there are no direct flights from the UK. If you are planning a long visit, the Hurtigruta boat tours the Norwegian coast and calls in at Vadsø on its way north (but not on the way south). European Road 75 passes through Vadsø, so if you are arriving by air you might wish to hire a car to get around.
Norway boasts plenty of holiday treasures and you do not need to travel far for incredible experiences. A holiday in Vadsø offers magnificent outdoor experiences and plenty of interesting Northern Norwegian history.
