Not quite sure what to do, or which parts of Vadsø you want to explore? Here are our best tips.
Check out these lists
We have tried to make planning a little easier for you.
Birdwatching in Vadsø
Among the world’s 100 best places for birdwatching — Steller’s eider, white-tailed eagle and bird hides.
Walks in Vadsø
46 marked trails in the Perletur network, from Kjærlighetsstien to challenging mountain tops.
King crab in Vadsø
Head out and catch your own dinner — king crab straight from the Varangerfjord.
Fishing in Varanger
Sea fishing, salmon fishing and fly fishing — from a relaxed trip on the fjord to one of the country’s best salmon rivers.
See the northern lights in Varanger
Far from light pollution, with polar night from late November to mid-January.
Where to stay in Vadsø
Hotels, guesthouses, cabins and camping — for business trips, family holidays or adventure travel.
Shops in Vadsø
Clothing, interiors and specialist shops in Vadsø town centre and the surrounding area, all in one place.
When do you want to travel?
Spring
The bird migration begins — the seabirds return to Vadsøya and Ekkerøy, and Steller’s eiders are still in the harbour.
Summer
Midnight sun from 17 May to 27 July. Waders on Vadsøya, berry picking on the Varanger Peninsula, and long evenings on Kjærlighetsstien.
Autumn
Reindeer herding at Krampenes, autumn leaves colour the trails, and you can still enjoy the Perletur walks in fine autumn weather.
Winter
Northern lights, Steller’s eiders back in Vadsø harbour, and polar night from 25 November to 17 January — yet the town is as busy as ever, just in blue light.
The big attractions
Six heritage sites that tell the story of the town — from polar expeditions to Kven immigration and post-war rebuilding. All of them are stops on the town walk with a free audio guide, so you can visit them in your own order and at your own pace.
Luftskipsmasta
Landing site for the airships Norge and Italia
The Immigrant Monument
Unveiled by King Olav in 1977
Vadsø Church
The Arctic Ocean Church, consecrated in 1958
Bietilægården
A 19th-century Kven farm with its own quay
Esbensengården
The trading post built up from 1848
Tuomainengården
Kven farming in Vadsø
All six are part of Vadsø museum – Ruija kvenmuseum, which also sets its own opening hours for the historic houses.
Hidden gems
Places for peace and quiet
Kjærlighetsstien along the fjord, the birch forest on the Jakobselv trail in Vestre Jakobselv, and the stillness of Vadsøya kulturpark out of season.
Places for a thrill
A snowmobile trip through open winter landscape, an outing into the polar night to see how different the town looks in blue light, or ice fishing on one of the nearby lakes.
Much of this is in or near Varangerhalvøya National Park — check their website for rules and the latest information before you go.
Road trip?
Vadsø lies halfway along the 160-kilometre Varanger National Tourist Route, between Varangerbotn and Hamningberg. On your way out of town you pass idyllic fishing villages with colourful houses — Ekkerøy, Skallelv and Vestre Jakobselv — all part of Vadsø Municipality.