Darkness, northern lights and king crab
While Tromsø and Lofoten fill up with winter tourists, Varanger lies quiet and dark and waits. Here you get the northern lights almost to yourself, the darkness period's very own atmosphere, and experiences you won't find elsewhere â such as king crab fishing through the ice. It requires a bit more planning, but the reward is great.
What can you do?
Northern lights hunting is the big draw â dark, clear nights and minimal light pollution give good chances from October to March. King crab safaris in winter often take place from frozen fjords: you drill a hole in the ice, lower the traps and wait while the northern lights dance above you.
Snowmobile and off-road trails, darkness period photography and quiet days in warm cafes are also part of winter. The pace is slow, and that's part of the charm.
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Dress properly
It gets cold â often down to â15 to â20 °C, and colder further into Pasvik. Layer upon layer, windproof on the outside, warm boots, hat and gloves. Standing still outside waiting for the northern lights is colder than you think.
Plan your winter trip
- đSet aside 3â5 nights for northern lights â weather and activities vary.
- đWinter tyres are mandatory. Check road conditions and drive carefully.
- đŚBook king crab safari in advance â winter tours are popular.
- đŚBring a headlamp, extra batteries and a fully charged phone.
Ready for Varanger?
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