Off-the-beaten-path explorers seeking powerful art, history, and authentic Arctic remoteness
About Vardø
Vardø is Norway's easternmost point and one of its most extraordinary Arctic destinations — an island town connected to the mainland by an undersea tunnel, sitting further east than Istanbul at 31°E longitude. The Steilneset Memorial, a collaboration between artist Louise Bourgeois and architect Peter Zumthor, commemorates the 91 people executed for witchcraft in Vardø in the 17th century — it stands as one of Norway's most powerful artistic and historical monuments. At 70.37°N, Vardø sits deep inside the auroral oval with exceptionally frequent aurora activity and polar night from mid-November to late January. The Barents Sea coast around Vardø is rich with seabirds including puffins, little auks, and kittiwakes during summer. The fortress of Vardøhus, built in 1737 and still an active military installation, is Norway's oldest extant fortification in the far north. Vardø offers almost no mass tourism — visitors who make the effort find genuine remoteness, powerful culture, and superb aurora viewing.
Best Time to Visit
Monthly Weather & Aurora
| Month | Avg Temp | Dark Hours | Aurora Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan★ Best | -7°C | Polar night | High |
| Feb★ Best | -7°C | 18h | High |
| Mar★ Best | -5°C | 12h | High |
| Apr | -1°C | 4h | Low |
| May | +3°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Jun | +8°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Jul | +11°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Aug | +10°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Sep | +6°C | 6h | Med |
| Oct★ Best | +1°C | 13h | High |
| Nov★ Best | -3°C | 20h | High |
| Dec★ Best | -6°C | Polar night | High |
Activities
Getting There
Fly to Vardø Airport (VAW) via Kirkenes or Tromsø. Drive from Kirkenes (1.5h) along E75 — includes a unique undersea tunnel to the island. Very remote; plan carefully.
Accommodation Highlights
- ✓Historic guesthouses
- ✓Fishing lodges
- ✓Small hotels
Location
Budget Estimator
Based on avg $140/day in Vardø. Includes accommodation, food, local transport & one guided tour. Flights not included.
Quick Info
🏨Where to Stay(7)
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Varanger View
Svartnes, 9955 Vardø, Norway
travel agency
Vardö Apartments
Hospitalgata 6A, 9952 Vardø, Norway
hotel
Cape East Homestay
Strandveien 32, 9960 Kiberg, Norway
hotel
Svartbakken AS
Svartnes, 9955 Vardø, Norway
motel
Vardø Hotel
Kaigata 8, 9952 Vardø, Norway
hotelPolar Hotel
Valen 2, 9990 Båtsfjord, Norway
hotelWilhelmsen eiendom AS
Kristian 4 gate 4, 9950 Vardø, Norway
lodging🍽️Where to Eat(5)
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Varangerkokken
Kaigata 8, 9952 Vardø, Norway
restaurant
Nordpol Kro AS
Kaigata 21, 9952 Vardø, Norway
pub
ABC Thai Restaurant
Kristian 4 gate 3, 9950 Vardø, Norway
thai restaurant
Spice Up Your Life AS
Strandgata 22, 9950 Vardø, Norway
restaurant
HAUGENSTUA AS
Strandgata 16, 9950 Vardø, Norway
cafeteria🎯Things to Do(10)
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Valen, Vardø
9950 Vardø, Norway
tourist attraction
Varanger View
Svartnes, 9955 Vardø, Norway
real estate agency
Kalastaja patsas
9952 Vardø, Norway
tourist attraction
Steilneset Memorial Site
Steilneset minnested, Andreas Lies gate, 9952 Vardø, Norway
tourist attraction
Drakkar Leviathan
Vardøya, 9952 Vardø, Norway
sculptureVardø Lighthouse
Vardøya, 9952 Vardø, Norway
scenic spotHvalross
9952 Vardø, Norway
tourist attractionVaranger Adventure
Kristian 4 gate 34, 9950 Vardø, Norway
point of interestVardøhus Fortress
Festningsgaten 20, 9952 Vardø, Norway
tourist attractionSkua Nature Vardø
Kaigata 26A, 9951 Vardø, Norway
tour agencyNearby Destinations
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Luosto
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