Europe's Northernmost Point Is Perfect For Winter Adventures

Finding your true north is very important. Yet sometimes, finding the actual North can be cool too. When in Europe, the best way to do that is by visiting Nordkapp, also known as the North Cape, in Western Finnmark, Norway. And if you do so in wintertime, you’re in for a special treat.

When Francesco Negri, an Italian priest and the first tourist on the North Cape Plateau, visited the place back in 1664, he must have certainly felt like he was standing at the edge of the Earth—and he wouldn’t have been exactly wrong. See, so far in the North, the only dry land between you and the North Pole is the Svalbard archipelago. So when you stand on the plateau, with its cliff face rising 307 meters (1000 feet) above sea level, looking down at the frigid waters of the Atlantic meeting the Arctic Ocean, you do get an “end of the world” feeling. But in fact, the fun is only just beginning.

For starters, the light here is extreme. Either relentless, or remiss. In the summer, from mid May until the end of July, the sun doesn’t set at all—offering you the chance to enjoy the midnight sun, or a spectacular sunset over the Barents Sea. Don’t worry if you start having romantic thoughts while watching the latter: there’s an ecumenical chapel at the North Cape and apparently it’s quite the popular wedding venue. Looking at this view, we couldn’t imagine why…

A hike in the shoreline at Magerøya Island

Of course, you will need somewhere to relax—and the colorful fishing villages of the area will provide the perfect haven. From Skarsvåg, the world’s northernmost fishing village, and Kamøyvær, where you can also find a lovely art gallery, to Gjesvær, with its lovely views of the archipelago of Gjesværstappan, and Honningsvåg with its infamous Ice Bar, you won’t be lacking in choices.

If you’re wondering how you’ll be moving around in the wintertime, a snowmobile is a great solution. You can also drive an ATV or try snowshoeing. No matter what you do, don’t forget to look up: it’s never been more likely you’ll see the Northern Lights than here.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.