Visit the northern end of continental Europe - North Cape at the Magerøya island in Norway
Every year thousands tourist from all over the world visit North Cape in Norway and the European route E69 highway has its northern terminus here, and it is possible to see both the Midnight Sun in the summer and the Northern Lights in the winter.
You will find this most northerly point in Europe around 71 degrees north, approximately 2,000 km from the North Pole, and located on Magerøya at the end of the European landmass.
The plateau itself rises 307 metres almost straight up from the Arctic Sea, but it is flat at the top. A little way down the mountain slope stands the rock formation known as the “North Cape Horn” which is an ancient Sami people site of sacrifice.
The North Cape has been a coveted attraction for centuries. The name "North Cape" was given by the English Captain Richard Chancellor when he sailed around it on an expedition searching for the North-East Passage to Asia. When he discovered the dramatic 307-metre-high headland, he named it the North Cape.
Franciscan Minister Francesco Negri was the first person to travel north to reach the North Cape. After a journey lasting several years, he finally looked out over the Arctic Sea from the plateau in the winter of 1664.
Since the end of the 1800s, tourists have travelled to the North Cape, often on a cruise ship.
The road to the North Cape was completed in 1965, and it is now much easier to visit "the end of Europe. " Today, around 200,000 people visit the North Cape during the busy summer season, and a few hardy souls are also starting to make the trip in winter.
Nowhere in the country can the seasonal Midnight Sun be experienced more delightfully. From about 14 May until 29 July, you will have the opportunity to see the Midnight Sun here, but there is no guarantee because a lot of fog is coming from the Arctic Sea. Positively, it is even more beautiful when the sun hangs high above a bronze-coloured sea.
Some travellers use an evening to visit the North Cape, and the experience can quickly become too hectic and even a disappointment if the weather is poor. Set aside more time to explore the North Cape to make the most of your visit.
On clear nights from October to March, it is best to see the Northern Lights between 6 and 10 p.m.
See also: Northern Lights in Norway
See more: Northern Lights in the Nordic countries
By plane:
The region has five airports: Alta Airport, Hasvik five-port, Hammerfest Airport, Honningsvåg Airport and Lakselv Airport.
By road:
The roads are good in Western Finnmark, but you will encounter a few problems. In the winter, the mountain passes can be closed for some days. You find buses to many inhabited places here, but careful planning is useful because the departures can be infrequent.
By boat:
Many take the Hurtigruten from Tromsø to Hammerfest or the North Cape. Hurtigruten also offers a "Norwegian Coastal Cruise" along the scenic fjords of Norway, and many think that this cruise is one of the most beautiful tours in the world. here, you also visit Øksfjord, Hammerfest, Havøysund and Honningsvåg.
Read more about getting to Norway here.
Find routes to this destination.
