How to visit and what to see in the North Cape (Norway)

One of the great trips you can take in Europe is, without a doubt, going up to the North Cape, in the north of Norway, where the northernmost point of the continent is located.

El trip to North Cape has always had a travel halo aspirational which before was mostly done by road. Almost 30 years ago, Scandinavia, and specifically the North Cape,  northern norway, aroused a special attraction in me, especially for going to the northernmost place in Europe and in this way know the curious phenomenon of midnight Sun.

At that time, Spain was not yet "European" and taking a trip to see the Nordic countries was an aspiration for many young Spaniards.

To the point that when I had the opportunity to make a first great trip through europe, destiny was North Cape, almost an initiatory journey.

At that time, a plane ticket was almost prohibitive, so I made the trip in a large van, which allowed me to transport all the necessary equipment... and even sleep in it when necessary.

The experience of traveling to the North Cape At that time it was something similar to a pilgrimage.

Along the long straights of the northern norway We went almost in procession, especially vans, motorhomes and motorcycles from all the countries of Europe.

And the truth is that at that time, very few came from Spain.

How to see the Midnight Sun in North Cape

On this trip that I made in the month of August 1984, with rainy and unpleasant weather, I found the North Cape hidden by fog, which made it difficult to appreciate the surprising phenomenon that is the Midnight Sun.

But even so, the stars were favorable and I had the opportunity to enjoy the view of the great cliff in a brief moment in which the fog opened, which allowed me to enjoy said phenomenon.

In May 2013 I had the opportunity to return to North Cape and the landscapes and the environment that I found are still very similar.

The motto of the tourist office says that Norway is a fairy tale country.

And without a doubt it seems so due to its wide landscapes that combine snowy mountains, fjords and lakes, and in which you barely find towns.

Rather, they are groups of wooden houses, with colorful facades, on the seashore.

They are small fishing ports that have an incredible charm under the sunlight.

The new travel experience at the end of may allowed me get to know the North Cape and northern Norway right at the beginning of the season, when there was no influx of tourists yet, but at a time when it is already possible to enjoy the Midnight Sun.

And while the weather was exceptionally cold (not a problem if you're well equipped), the contrast between snowy landscapes and sunny days which we enjoyed incredibly highlighted the beauty of the landscapes and, above all, the small towns.

Of course, the great variability of the weather throughout the day was striking: snowfall, opening of the sky, sun, and soon, a big snowfall again, ending with sun.

But I certainly had much better weather in northern Norway than on my August 1984 trip that was characterized by continuous rain.

Where is and how to get to the North Cape

This aspirational character is still reflected in the groups of motorcyclists who reach this point, after a long journey through the roads of the continent.

However, now the North Cape It is a point where the Cruise that run through these waters of the Nordic countries, and it is the most common way for tourists to arrive.

For visit the North Cape, it is not essential that you do it on board a cruise ship, as you can arrive on a flight from the local company Wideroe.

To do this you must fly from Oslo a Tromso, and then take another flight to the airport Honningsvag, the small population on the island where this geographical point is located.

Indeed, the North Cape It is located on an island that you previously accessed on your road trip via a ferry (that's what I did on my first trip many years ago).

Now it is not necessary to take the ferry since a seven-kilometer-long tunnel that runs under the sea was opened some time ago, linking the continent with the island for free.

You must cross this tunnel if, for example, you prefer to take the flight to Hammerfet, which is considered the northernmost city in the world.

Hammerfet It is another of the usual stages of cruises, and it is a city that has been declared Heritage awarded by the Unesco for being part of the Struve Geodesic Arc.

What to see and do when visiting the North Cape

In the North Cape Island The first thing you will find is the aforementioned Honningsvag, a very small town located in the south of the island, which historically has become the door to the North Cape.

Honningsvag in North Cape

It is a small port where fishing boats call along with large cruise ships, where the mail ship also arrives. Hurtigruten which runs along the entire coast of northern Norway every day, and has become another way to travel through these places.

Another of its characteristics are its houses with colorful facades that rest on the mountainside and open to the port.

Honningsvag is also going to be the last point where you will be able to stay and excursions also depart from there, such as the one where inflatable boats take you to the king crab safari.

And there, as a curiosity you can visit the Ice Bar and souvenir shop of the Spanish Javier e Isabel, who have lived in the area for many years.

From Honningsvag It is where you are going to start your last stage to reach the North Cape.

On a road that goes up the mountain and then runs through a plain, you will reach your long-awaited goal.

They are inhospitable places, which are covered in snow for much of the year, and where a large Visitors Center.

This is a large building that houses all the necessary facilities to receive the thousands of tourists who come to visit every summer. visit the North Cape.

In addition to a great restaurant or the typical grocery store remembrances, there is a cinema with a large-format screen where an excellent film is continuously shown for free (which I advise you not to miss) that shows you the environment and life of the North Cape during different times of the year.

In front of the building Visitors Center there is the famous iron sculpture that represents the globe, the icon image of the North Cape.

It is a place on a high cliff, on which sometimes the fog falls and does not allow us to see the horizon.

There they will explain to you that this point is not exactly the northernmost point in Europe.

In reality, this geographical point corresponds to a nearby point of land that enters the sea and which, evidently, does not have the charm to become the aforementioned iconic image.

Without a doubt, the ideal time to make this visit in spring and summer is when, according to the clock, night falls, because then, if you are lucky with a clear day, you will be able to see the enigmatic midnight sun, the one that never sets during this time of year in these places so far north.

In any case, even if you can't see the midnight sun, the clarity will hide the feeling that it is night.

What is the Midnight Sun like?

Regarding the curious phenomenon of Midnight Sun, can't you get used to the fact that during the night hours? Not only would there be clarity almost like during the day, but you could even see the sunlight.

In my case, I didn't have any problems sleeping; In fact, he did it with the window curtains open.

Activities and excursions in North Cape

In your visit to North Cape Island, you can also do some tourist activities, typical of the area.

Thus, in the very small fishing town of Gesvaer you can make one boat trip to Bird Island, where you can enjoy the great ornithological wealth of the area.

Or from the aforementioned Honningsvag you can take another excursion by inflatable boat to participate in a king crab safari.

In addition to fishing for this huge crab characteristic of the area, you will disembark and in a typical store of the Samis where you will taste the captured crabs.

My conclusion is that the North Cape It maintains the charm and attraction that led me almost 30 years ago to cross Europe in a van to end up in front of the mythical cliff.

Go to the northern norway remains an aspirational journey with the ultimate prize of being able to see the Midnight Sun.

Best Photos of the North Cape

Here you have more photos of the North Cape, one of the “aspirational” trips you can take in Norway.