North Cape at Christmas

Visit North Cape at Christmas means to dive into genuine Christmas atmosphere we know of snowy landscapes, low temperatures and herds of reindeer. Because this promontory is located in the northernmost part of Norway.

Therefore, if you visit Cape North on these dates, the Christmas scene is already guaranteed. And besides, these landscapes are really impressive. But, also, the area offers numerous activities that will allow you to enjoy Unique experiences in an extraordinary environment. So that you can choose the ones that you like the most, we are going to explain everything you can to do in North Cape at Christmas.

Geographical situation and other information of interest

As we told you, North Cape is located in Norway. Specifically, it is located in the northernmost part of the island of Mageroya, in the municipality of Nordkapp. He is often considered the northernmost point in all of Europe. However, his neighbor Cape Knivskjellodden, which is located on the same island, is about XNUMX meters further north.

In any case, the North Cape is usually used for separate the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, as well as the Norwegian and White seas. You will also be interested to know what makes up a plateau located 307 meters high that ends in imposing cliffs joining the sea. The area for birds of gjesvaerstappan, which is home to an abundant population of cormorants, gannets and puffins.

One of the most impressive places on this plateau is the so-called kirkeporten or "church door." It is an imposing arch similar to those of our Cathedrals beach through which you have wonderful views of the ocean.

On the other hand, you can get to Cape North by plane. On the island of Mageroya there is a small airport where aircraft arrive from the mainland. However, the best way to do it is in the so-called Coastal Express. Despite its name, it is a shipping company ship Hurtigruten, which organizes cruises from Bergen with several stops in places as wonderful as Kirkenes, the capital of Barents, or Mageroya itself.

It is less advisable that you do the tour by car. It is possible, even if it is an island because it has been built an underwater tunnel that communicates it with the mainland. It is part of the European route E69 and is prepared for bad weather conditions. But, precisely because of these, we recommend that you decide on a boat cruise as a way to get to Cape North. Once we have explained where this beautiful place is and how to get to it, we are going to talk to you about what to do in North Cape at Christmas.

See Northern Lights

Among the best plans to do in North Cape at Christmas is the sighting of northern lights. Even more, these dates are the best to do it. From late September to mid-March, the sun sets in northern Norway in the early afternoon. It gives way to a dark and starry sky that is already impressive in itself. But, in addition, it is the perfect setting to contemplate the northern lights.

This wonderful phenomenon consists of figures of various shapes and colors stretching out across the night sky. In fact, it can form horizontal or vertical structures, but also waves or curls. Generally, they are located from east to west and change color very quickly. As a result, the sky can be filled with these figures with different shapes and colors that move and can disappear in a short time or last for hours. In short, the contemplation of the Northern Lights is a unique experience and this area of ​​the northern norway It is magnificent to witness them.

Sleigh excursions, another perfect experience in North Cape at Christmas

Precisely, to get closer to see the northern lights, you can do it through a dog sledding tour, Specifically, famous people are used in them huskies de Alaska, specially trained to do so. In fact, in the past they were the main means of transportation in the regions of the Arctic until the arrival of the railway and, later, of the car and the airplane.

These excursions can have different durations. There are just a few hours, but also several days. The latter are perfect for familiarize yourself with the traditions of the area and, above all, for make friends with the faithful huskies, a magnificent breed of dogs. In addition to touring the North Cape plain, you can visit places like the impressive fjords, the already mentioned Cape Knivskjellodden or typical locations such as Nordvagen o gjesvaer, which we will talk about later. You will not lack encounters with reindeer herds which could well be those of Santa Claus.

On the other hand, if dog sledding doesn't sound interesting to you, you can replace it with snowmobiles or off-road cars to see those places. They will allow you to move more quickly, but it is a less typical and traditional activity in the area. In any case, don't forget the snow rackets to walk on it more easily.

Fishing in the Barents Sea

It is another unforgettable activity to do in North Cape at Christmas. You can get on a small boat and accompany its crew in a day of fishing in the Barents Sea, which bathes the island of Mageroya. You will see how it is done with specimens of cod, halibut or the colossal giant crab, very common in the area.

The journey starts from skarsvag, which we will talk about below, and reaches nearby fishing grounds such as Opnan. Also includes a visit to North Cap Experience, a place dedicated, precisely, to the aforementioned king crab, to end with a tasting of this product in the restaurant.

Visit Honningsvag

Although it barely has two thousand five hundred inhabitants, it is the most important town on the island of Mageroya and is located in its southern part. For this reason, it is a regular stop for cruise ships and houses the airport, to which planes arrive, mainly, from Tromso.

Very close to this small and precious villa of colored houses You can visit the West of the Moon Gallery, created by the German multidisciplinary artist eva schmutterer. The center houses all kinds of works of art inspired by the Tromso and Finnmark coast, province to which it belongs Mageroya.

We also advise you to take a walk through this small town, considered the northernmost in Europe. If you reach its highest point, you will have wonderful views of the Barents Sea, with ice at this time of year. For example, you can approach the knut erik jensen lookout. This famous Norwegian film director was born in the town and chose this point as the site to install his monument. And he did it because, from there, there is one of the best panoramas of the bay and the nordic landscape.

However, the symbol of Honningsvag is the huge Bamse dog statue, which has a great story behind it. He was a Saint Bernard who lived during World War II and was owned by Captain Hafto. In full conflict, he had heroic behaviors, for which he is famous throughout the country.

Finally, you should visit in this beautiful town the neo gothic church built at the end of the XNUMXth century. It is also a symbol for the inhabitants of the city. Because it was one of the few buildings that survived the fire caused by the Germans in the same Second World War. Consequently, it served the citizens of Honningsvag as a shelter, kitchen and even a bakery.

Skarsvag and other wonderful towns

Although it is further north than the previous one, skarsvag It cannot be considered the northernmost city in Europe because it is a small fishing village. However, it deserves your visit for its beautiful wooden houses painted in bright colors. It also has a small church and a port. But the most spectacular are its surroundings. It is very close to the kirkeporten or "church door", which we have already mentioned. Likewise, it is barely nine kilometers from the also mentioned Cape Knivsjellodden, which is actually the northernmost point of the European continent. But its attractions do not end there.

Likewise, a few kilometers away, you have the North Cape Hall, a modern building crowned by a white sphere that houses the reception center for visitors to the North Cape. It has a cinema where you can watch short films about the area, a chapel, a bar-restaurant and a shop where you can buy souvenirs from your visit. It will also draw your attention Monument to the Children of the World, located in the middle of the plateau and the work of the artist Simon Flem Devold.

Finally, you have other small towns in the North Cape that offer you a postcard landscape on Christmas dates. This is the case of gjesvaer, from which many of the expeditions to watch birds depart. and also of Nordvagen, with its secluded fishing port and its impressive surroundings, or Kamoyvaer, where you can see first hand the hard life of its inhabitants.

In conclusion, we have shown you everything you need to know about North Cape at Christmas. If you want to immerse yourself in one of the best christmas destinations, This is the right place. But you can also take advantage of the trip to get to know the beautiful city of Tromso, one of the capitals of the province and where you have spectacular monuments such as the Arctic cathedral or polar museum. Come and discover this impressive place.