7 glorious reasons to visit Kirkenes in Norway

Kirkenes in Norway is just a short trip away, and the Scandinavian delight is well worth a visit.

While there’s plenty to do and see in Oslo, if you’re after the sort of picturesque views that only locals can wake up to every morning, you have to take a trip to Kirkenes.

Teeny town in northern Norway, just a few kilometer from both the Finnish and Russian borders, has spectacular views of the Northern Lights, a fascinating history, and a gorgeous ice hotel that’s rebuilt every winter.

Having myriad of winter wonderland Instagram opportunities, beautiful people to gawp at and plenty of huskies to play with, it’s the perfect place to visit if you just want to smile (like the rest of Norway’s inhabitants are constantly doing, if this survey is to be believed).

Here are just some reasons why you should visit Kirkenes…

1. You can see the Northern Lights

Tiny Arctic town has the perfect location and climate to spot the Northern Lights – and although not every visitor is guaranteed to spot the mystical Aurora Borealis, I was lucky enough to spot them within my first few hours in Kirkenes.

I didn’t even need to go on a hike or hunt to find them – the spectacle was conveniently viewable from our hotel, twinkling and glistening and moving against the mountains, just as all the guests were eating dinner.

It seems in Kirkenes, that’s a pretty regular phenomenon.

(All the more reason to fall in love with it.)

2. You can sleep in a snow hotel

And even if you haven’t always dreamed of waking up shivering in a sleeping bag or wearing a balaclava to bed, chances are that when you visit Kirkenes Snowhotel, dozing in an igloo will shoot straight to the top of your bucket list.

These structure is rebuilt every winter: this year, the 26 rooms and spacious bar, including countless intricate Arctic ice carvings and sculptures, took 19 days to construct.

And got an ice bar (smashing your ice glass on the bar after your drink is strongly encouraged – less cleaning up for the bartender), ice chairs draped with reindeer skins, and beautifully, individually decorated rooms with intricate ice carvings on the wall. I was lucky enough to get room 15, carved into a boat shape, which came complete with thick woollen socks, a heavy duty sleeping bag and a bedtime balaclava.

Well, As much as I’m loathed to admit it, with all the accoutrements, it was actually pretty warm. I fell asleep straight away, and hadn’t turned into an icicle by the time I woke up. If you can’t quite brave the snowhotel, or want to do one night of freezing and then a few nights of hygge-induced comfort, try one of the snowhotel’s permanent cabins.

You can watch the snowy world go by from comfy chairs without a sleeping bag in sight.

3. You can fish for giant king crabs

Whether you eat seafood or not, you can’t fail to be impressed by the sheer enormity of the king crabs that live under the ice on the frozen fjords of Kirkenes. After being whisked away on a snowmobile sledge, you swiftly catch, kill and cook the enormous creatures, before, naturally, consuming them in a nearby rustic restaurant. Tasty.

4. You can become a night-time snowmobiler

​Why has no one invented a city-friendly snowmobile yet?

The machines are such good fun to drive, it makes you want to cry when you think of your usual commute back home. Plus, if you want to hunt for the Northern Lights, you can take the snowmobiles out at night, and choose whether you want to race around on the ice for hours, or stop to peacefully gaze at the Aurora Borealis while attempting to photograph the display.

When we stopped, our guide, Geir, pointed out one particularly bright, twinkly star, which was the planet Venus.

These sorts of views that will make you want to pack in the rat race and go live in a cabin in Norway forever.

5. You can go dog-sledding

Love dogs? Love snow? Love a thrill? Then you’ll absolutely love husky sledding – and even more so when you see how much the dogs enjoy it too.

Forget how excited your pooch gets when you take out a new toy, seeing hundreds of huskies barking and jumping because they’re so keen to get going will give you a warm glow. Plus, if you can take your eyes off the pups as they hurtle round corners and dodge in-between trees, the scenery is pretty special.

It’s a tough choice between snowmobiling and dog-sledding to replace cars or public transport. Either would do rather nicely, to be honest.

6. You can hang out with this guy

A snowhotel is home to nearly 200 Alaskan huskies – and with those sorts of numbers, it’s hardly surprising that there are puppies all the time.

And while the older dogs were adorable – rolling over for cuddles constantly, and even posing for photos for me – my heart was predictably stolen by Üksi, the month-old husky who was the only one out of a litter of six to survive. Puppy or polar bear? It’s hard to tell.

7. You can make a quick pitstop in Oslo

Norway’s capital has great museums, delicious restaurants and fascinating architecture. I found I could cram a lot into just a short stop there thanks to the Oslo Pass, which costs about £37 for 24 hours, and gave me free entry to 30 museums and attractions, free travel on public transport and walking tours, and more.

Highlights included the awesome Vigeland Sculpture Park – the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist – and Aker Brygge, a great spot for shopping and eating with fantastic views.

Where to stay

Best Served Scandinavia offers a four day break at the Kirkenes Snowhotel from £1,475 per person, including return flights from London to Kirkenes (via Oslo), return transfers from Kirkenes airport to Snowhotel, one night in a snow room including a three-course dinner, tour of Snowhotel and morning sauna, Northern Lights by Snowmobile tour, two nights in a Gamme cabin and breakfast and dinner daily.