When I came to Varangerhalvøya on this trip, I knew I was going to finally visit both Båtsfjord and Berlevåg but I didn’t know too much about what was in between the two Norwegian villages.
It turns out that both villages are well worth the visit and the road between them was way more than worth the drive!
In this guide, I will detail how to get from Båtsfjord to Berlevåg by car, suggesting the best stops, a quick itinerary, and some useful tips for your trip.
Please keep in mind that this can be done in reverse if your first stop is Berlevåg and not Båtsfjord! I have also included a map to help you navigate your journey and the stops mentioned below.
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments. Thanks!
In this post...
- Renting a Car in Norway (or Finland)
- About the Journey Between Båtsfjord and Berlevåg
- Best Stops Between Båtsfjord and Berlevåg
- Båtsfjord to Berlevåg Itinerary: On a Map!
- Tips for Your Road Trip
- Where to Stay on This Road Trip
- More Varanger Peninsula Travel Guides
- Pin this Berlevåg to Båtsfjord (and Back!) Guide
Renting a Car in Norway (or Finland)
So, while this journey takes place from Båtsfjord to Berlevåg, there is a high chance that if you’re planning this road trip, you are originating from somewhere else; Finland or Kirkenes, Norway are two likely options!
Flying into Båtsfjord is a challenge and can be rather pricey as the airport is tiny and it is part of the Widerøe milk run (a series of remote Northern Norwegian villages connected on a single flight).
For this purpose, I will give links from Kirkenes or Finland (Ivalo is the best airport option for driving north but Rovaniemi may be cheaper). I use Discover Cars for all of my rental cars and have for years!
They compare the cheapest options and even allow you to select rental companies that will accept debit cards (and more). One thing I will say is that I would purchase your full coverage insurance through the actual rental car company and not a third-party carrier!
I have dealt with issues in Alta, Norway and Rovaniemi, Finland (where I live… oh the irony) where rental car companies are claiming random stuff because they want 3rd party insurance to pay for it. I don’t lose money, of course, but it is annoying and I don’t want you to deal with it.
- Click here to check rental car rates in Kirkenes, Norway
- Click here to check rental car rates in Ivalo, Finland
- Click here to check rental car rates in Rovaniemi, Finland
If you are arriving in Båtsfjord or Berlevåg on the Hurtigruten to embark on a Varanger road trip, you can still rent a car but it is more of a challenge.
In Berlevåg, you will need to rent from Statoil (yes, the Norwegian state-owned oil company). You can find out more information here.
In Båtsfjord, you can rent through the Båtsfjord Bil Center. I also see that Sixt has an office there on their website, but I can’t confirm that on the Båtsfjord Airport’s website.
About the Journey Between Båtsfjord and Berlevåg
Both Berlevåg and Båtsfjord are on the same part of the Varanger Peninsula and are pretty easy to drive between (during the summer months).
They are 90 kilometers (56 miles) apart and without stops, 1 hour and 15 minutes behind the wheel. However, I don’t recommend driving straight through because there are some pretty cool stops along the way (hence my guide).
And, once you get off the mountain, you will be near some stunning Arctic beaches with plenty of parking places to admire the views and take some photos.
One thing to note is that a road trip between Båtsfjord and Berlevåg will be tougher once the winter sets in.
This route requires Kolonnekjøring (a convoy) and you may have to wait to be guided over the passes. In summer, however, driving is easy and there should be no issues except a bit of wind.
Best Stops Between Båtsfjord and Berlevåg
Before I dive into each of these spots, here is a quick overview of my suggested Båtsfjord to Berlevåg itinerary stops:
- Area around Adamsvatnet
- Small waterfall on the Getnjejohka River
- Buetjernet
- Kongsfjord (and Veines)
- Beach at Hergevika with many shells
- Løkvika
- Sandfjordstranden
- Sandfjordfjellet Trailhead
- Kjølnes Fyr
Below, you will find reasons why I think each makes a worthwhile stop. Some are simply a 5 minute stop and others a little longer!
Keep in mind I don’t think anyone is going to make a stop at all 9 places listed in this guide. These are just some suggestions so you can plan which ones work for you.
And a few of these are not really ‘stops’ but are just places I think are beautiful and I wanted to add them to the list.
You won’t find them on any map so I have added their coordinates onto a map so you can track them down and see for yourself.
Stop 1: Area around Adamsvatnet
There is nothing here… but my-oh-my is it beautiful! You will approach the Adamsvatnet area shortly after leaving Båtsfjord and it is just lakes, reindeer, and a little gorge with a stream running through it.
For some reason, it took my breath away so much that I pulled off and walked around the area, picking blueberries and seeing if the reindeer would come to say hi (spoiler alert: they ignored me).
⏳ Time needed: 5-10 minutes (I took 30 minutes because I just loved the landscape and the blueberries).
Stop 2: Small Waterfall on the Getnjejohka River
This is another stop that is not really on the map but I saw the little waterfall from a distance and decided to make a stop along the Getnjejohka River.
Luckily, there is a parking lot here so you can safely park and walk the super short trail to the waterfall. It was the perfect spot for a morning coffee!
While this spot is not on the map, I saved the coordinates of the exact location and you can find it on a map here.
⏳ Time needed: 5-10 minutes
Stop 3: Buetjernet
This tiny Sami village is the next stop and it also does not appear on most maps unless you directly search for it, but it is a worthwhile stop for a few minutes (or longer if you want to try the hike).
Buetjernet is adorable with a few houses of various colors, two hiking trails (Store Buevann is 4.3km and Kraftstasjon Trail is 1.6km), and powerful rapids that may or may not be classified as a waterfall.
There is a large parking lot where you can drop your car off and enjoy one of the trails (trail information is on a sign at the parking lot) or cross the street to the waterfall/rapids.
⏳ Time needed: 5-10 minutes unless you are hiking
Stop 4: Kongsfjord (and Veines)
This is one of the most charming villages in Varanger! Kongsfjord is tiny but worth the stop.
Right off the left side of the road, you will see the Kongsfjord Landhandel, a historic shop and cafe. They have delicious waffles, coffee, and pastries and you need to grab one for your road trip!
In the upstairs of the building, you will find the shop for Kongsfjord Atelier. However, the workshop for Kongsfjord Atelier is back a bit at the harbor!
The business is run by an Italian couple who visited Kongsfjord on their honeymoon and eventually moved there 16 years ago. Claudia is the artist behind the sketches and engravings that she prints.
Giorgio is a framework and furniture master. Together, they combine pieces of the Arctic with their work and it makes for the most perfect souvenir to take home.
Also at Kongsfjord, you will find Veines, a peninsula that has a few homes as well as the Kongsfjord Arctic Lodge (I stayed here for two nights).
But, what it is known for are its bird cliffs and German WWII bunkers. If you have time to take the trail to see both, it is worth it. I honestly thought there would be only a bunker or two but the entire island seems to be hollowed out. It is mind-blowing.
There is also a birdwatching hut up there (not too far into the hike).
⏳ Time needed: Kongsfjord can be a half-day trip if you want to do the hike over on Veines (it takes like 3 hours if the weather is good). Otherwise, I would recommend setting aside one hour.
Stop 5: Beach at Hergevika
Once you’re a little past Kongsfjord, you will see this small beach. It is not on the map but I stopped there because it looked pretty and tucked away. You can park across the street and walk over.
Hergevika consists of sharp rock and you will find little shells everywhere! I don’t believe in shelling and taking them home, but it is worth stopping and seeing the beach up close.
I saved the coordinates of the beach and you can see its exact location here.
⏳ Time needed: 15 minutes
Stop 6: Løkvika
The next stop is a small parking lot that overlooks a large, sandy beach. This is Løkvika and it is a historical marker. This site is where many big events took place at the start of WWII in the 1940s.
There were many partisan groups (mostly Norwegian and Russian men) in the Varanger Peninsula and this area was where a few events regarding these men (and their families) took place. You can read more on the sign when there as it covers the details of the events.
If WWII history is not your cup of tea, don’t worry, the views make it a worthwhile stop for everyone!
⏳ Time needed: 5-10 minutes
Stop 7: Sandfjordstranden
The next stop is jaw-dropping. Sandfjordstranden is a large, sandy beach that honestly rivals beaches I have seen in so many places (and it is sure better than Virginia Beach where I am from).
You will drive above the beach and won’t be able to stop except for a view. But, if you keep on driving around the bend, there are places to stop and walk out onto the beach.
Do know that it will likely be cold and windy no matter what time of the year you visit!
⏳ Time needed: 5-10 minutes if viewing from above; 30 minutes if you decide to walk on the beach.
Stop 8: Sandfjordfjellet Trailhead
If you are a hiker and want to hit up a trail on this journey but haven’t done so yet, this might be a good option! The Sandfjordfjellet Trail starts right behind Sandfjordstranden and there is plenty of parking in the area.
The trail is 2.5 kilometers and it starts by a small waterfall. It is an out-and-back and takes about 1.5 hours.
The trail is classified as medium in difficulty and it ends with mind-blowing views over Sandfjordstranden! The trail is open from June until October.
You can see more information about the trail here. The site is only in Norwegian.
⏳ Time needed: 1.5 hours
Stop 9: Kjølnes Fyr (Lighthouse)
Right before you pull into Berlevåg, you will see the beautiful Kjølnes Lighthouse to the right. When I visited Berlevåg, the woman who works for the lighthouse had been sick so I was unable to visit, unfortunately.
Kjølnes Fyr (lighthouse) sits around 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) away from Berlevåg and was built in 1916. When the Germans left the area in 1944, it was destroyed and rebuilt 5 years later with a design from architects Gudolf Blakstad and Herman Munthe-Kaas.
I am trying to obtain the opening hours from the Berlevåg tourism office and will list them here once I have them. If you are visiting when the lighthouse is not open, however, it is worth seeing and taking a photo!
⏳ Time needed: 5 minutes (unless you visit the lighthouse)
Båtsfjord to Berlevåg Itinerary: On a Map!
Tips for Your Road Trip
⛽ Gas: There is a gas station in Båtsfjord (a Circle K) that you can use before leaving town. The next gas station is not until Berlevåg (a YX).
🗓️ Seasonality: I did this road trip at the end of August so it is written for those doing a summer road trip.
While I think most of it will still apply for winter drivers, you will need to realize that waterfalls will be frozen, places will be covered in snow, and there is Kolonnekjøring between Berlevåg and Båtsfjord, so some of these stops will not be an option.
🛌🏽 Where to break up the journey for an overnight: Kongsfjord. The Kongsfjord Arctic Lodge is a fantastic place to stay overnight if you want to take your time on this route!
They also have a restaurant that is open for dinner daily (and lunch some days). Breakfast will be included in your stay.
🍎 Grocery stores: There are two grocery stores in Båtsfjord and one in Berlevåg. There is nothing in between except the small Landhandel in Kongsfjord.
🚗 Tunnels and tolls: There are no tolls on these roads. There is one tunnel (between Kongsfjord and Berlevåg) but it is so short that you can see through the other side upon entering.
⛺ Camping: Norway allows wild camping so if you want to pitch a tent along the way, go for it! Just make sure it is not private property or in a place that is a hazard to others.
RV camping is permitted along the journey in several spots. Norway has parking lots every few kilometers and you are free to park there unless a sign states otherwise (not many places forbid it).
🦌 Reindeer: You may see reindeer on this journey, so be vigilant at all times and let them do their thing! I saw more reindeer on the high passes than I did along the coastal areas.
Where to Stay on This Road Trip
Below are a few of my recommendations for where to stay in Berlevåg and Båtsfjord. I am also including a place I stayed in Kongsfjord as I think it is the most charming place of the bunch:
- Båtsfjord Brygge Arctic Hotel (top choice in Båtsfjord)
- Båtsfjord Hotell (more budget-friendly but not as nice as the one above; this is where I stayed in Båtsfjord)
- Kongsfjord Arctic Lodge (in Kongsfjord – perfect spot in between both destinations; I stayed here and loved it)
- Berlevåg Motell (budget-friendly option in Berlevåg)
Did I miss anything in this guide on how to get from Båtsfjord to Berlevåg? Have you ever done this journey? Leave your tips and questions in the comments below!
More Varanger Peninsula Travel Guides
- Varanger Norway road trip
- Båtsfjord travel guide
- Kongsfjord travel guide
- Berlevåg travel guide
- Vardø witch trials memorial
- How to visit Vardø
- Vardø things to do
- Visit Hamningberg, Norway
- Kirkenes travel guide
- Kirkenes hotels
- Bugøynes travel guide
- Renting a car in Norway
Pin this Berlevåg to Båtsfjord (and Back!) Guide
Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now lives in Finnish Lapland after previous stints in Norway, Germany, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ (2020) and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.