Kirkenes stands in the far northeastern extremity of Norway, facing the Barents Sea and only ten miles from its border with Russia. This remote town is 25 miles within the Arctic Circle and is further East than both Sweden and Finland. Kirkenes can be reached by the E6 Norwegian coast road or via roads from Finland and Russia. It is also at the end of the regular Hurtigruten ship cruising route along the Norwegian coast. Kirkenes also has its own airport, nine miles to the west. A popular day trip is to the Varangerhalvøya National Park and Vardo, where there's an old border fort and a solitary tree, which is protectively wrapped up every winter.
If you choose to hire a car in Kirkenes you can tour the town and its immediate area. The highlights to see include the acclaimed Border Area Museum of local history, culture and art. Look out too for the regular markets held by visiting Russian traders in the main square. Note that under the city centre is a vast bunker built to protect its citizens during World War Two bombardments. It is now open for tours. There's also a snow hotel, sightseeing and fishing boat trips, nature treks and tours plus all the usual snow-related experiences, including snowmobile safaris and reindeer sleigh-rides
