48 hours of the very best
Varanger is large and the distances are long — so a weekend trip is about choosing one good axis and doing it properly, rather than chasing the whole region. This plan assumes arrival in Vadsø or Kirkenes on Friday, and gives you a concentrated taste of the fjord, the coast and the king crab before you head home on Sunday.
Day 1 — Arrival and the fjord
Land in Vadsø or Kirkenes, pick up a rental car and drive along the Varangerfjord. Stop at Nesseby Church on the headland and the bird towers along the road. Drive out to Ekkerøy, where the kittiwake colony clings to the cliff right by the car — one of the easiest great nature experiences in the region. Round off with dinner and an overnight stay in Vadsø.
Day 2 — Vardø, bird cliff or northern lights
Drive to Vardø, Norway's easternmost town. In summer, take the boat out to Hornøya to see puffins and guillemots up close; in winter, swap it for aurora hunting on the dark, clear evenings. Visit the Steilneset Memorial and Vardøhus Fortress before heading back.
Day 3 — King crab and the journey home
Finish with a king crab safari — the region's signature experience — or a relaxed local lunch if time is short. Adjust to your departure times and leave a good margin for the airport.
🕓
48 hours
Recommended length
🚗
approx. 75 km
Vadsø–Vardø one way
🦀
year round
King crab safari
✈️
Vadsø / Kirkenes
Nearest airports
📅
Book ahead
On a short trip you have no slack. Book the king crab safari and the Hornøya boat before you travel, especially in season. Check your departure times before planning day 3.
Make the most of the weekend
- 🚗A rental car is almost essential — public transport is thin and the distances are large.
- 🎯Choose one side of the fjord and stick to it. You won't see everything — and that's fine.
- 🌌Travelling in winter? Devote the longest evening to the aurora, and keep the car ready.
- 🧥Dress for wind. The outer coast at Vardø is raw even in summer.
Klar for Varanger?
Se opplevelser, overnatting og restauranter på kartet.