Kirkenes (Norway)

Kirkenes is a port town in Sor-Varanger Municipality (Finnmark county, Norway's far northeastern part) with population around 3,500. The town lies on a peninsula along Bøkfjorden, an arm of the vast Varangerfjorden. Kirkenes Church is in the Haganes area.

When the neighboring suburban villages Bjornevatn, Hesseng and Sandnes are all included with Kirkenes, the urban area reaches total population around 8,000.

Tourist attractions include The Border Area Museum (Grenselandmuseet), which shows the history of war and peace along the Norwegian-Russian border, Sami art exhibitions by artist John Savio (1902–1938), and a history of the mining industry in the area. The museum features a small shop and café. The Russian Market takes place on the central square almost every last Thursday of each month, and traders from Murmansk sell merchandise. Here tourists can find everything from linen cloths, handicrafts, Russian matryoshkas (dolls), porcelain and crystal dishes.

The cruise ship / ferry dock is within easy walking distance from downtown (approx 1,5 km / 1 mi). The Norway-Russia border is just 10 km (6 mi) away.

Kirkenes cruise terminal