Honningsvag

As we cruised past North Cape early this morning on our way into Honningsvåg, Joanne and I were on the treadmill—so yes, we’re claiming we walked around the North Cape! A fun start to what turned out to be a memorable Arctic adventure.

From the cruise port in Honningsvåg, we joined a shore excursion to Nordkapp, located at 71°10′21″N—the northernmost point in mainland Europe reachable by road. The weather was surprisingly kind for this far north: cool with a light breeze and low clouds.

The drive to the cape revealed a stark, haunting landscape. Rolling tundra still dusted with patches of snow stretched as far as the eye could see—raw and beautiful

We also met a local Sámi herder in traditional dress, with his reindeer happily feeding on lichen. A peek inside a traditional Sámi tent, complete with furs and firewood, gave us a glimpse into their way of life.

At the plateau, we stood at the famous Globe Monument, a symbol marking the top of Europe The cliffs dropped steeply into the Arctic Ocean, reminding us just how far north we’d come.

Nearby, we visited the Children of the Earth monument, created by seven children from around the world in 1988. Each child’s artwork represents hope, peace, and unity.

After our North Cape tour, we took a short walk around Honningsvåg and found some fun and interesting sights:

The Big Troll
Right outside the Arctic Souvenir shop, we saw a giant troll statue. It had a big nose, big feet, and a cheeky smile—great for a photo and a good laugh!
Bamse the Dog
Next to the troll was a statue of Bamse, a real-life dog who became a hero during World War II. He’s a symbol of bravery and loved by the locals.
Harbor Sculpture
Down by the water, there’s a large modern metal sculpture. It looks like waves or sails and stands out against the fishing boats and mountains.
Dried Fish Heads
Near the ship, as we returned to our hotel of the sea,we saw cod heads hanging to dry. It’s part of Norway’s fishing tradition—strange to see, but very real and interesting.Läs mer