Are you looking for the best hotels in Kirkenes, Norway? This guide has you covered!
Keep reading to discover the top Kirkenes accommodation options, from unique places to stay to affordable options in the city center.
If youʻre booking your trip to Kirkenes last minute, we have you covered. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more!
🛌 Top Hotels in Kirkenes:
-
Snowhotel Kirkenes (unique year-round option—my top pick!)
- Scandic Hotel Kirkenes (I stayed here; it was affordable and pretty nice)
- Thon Hotel (sea views; highly rated!)
🇳🇴 Top Experiences and Tours in Kirkenes:
- Snowhotel Kirkenes tour (offered year-round!)
- King Crab safari (a must-do in Kirkenes!)
🚗 Looking to travel around Norway independently? Click here to check Norway rental car rates!
Kirkenes looks far removed on the map, but it is a pretty popular stop on the Hurtigruten as it is the final port (or first port!) on the journey along the Norwegian coast.
While the city is small, it still packs a punch, and you can find many cool things to do in Kirkenes, from visiting a Snowhotel (and even staying there, as you can see on my list!) to taking a king crab safari in the Barents Sea.
Did I miss any of the top Kirkenes hotels? Let me know your favorite lodging options in the comments.
Best Hotels in Kirkenes, Norway
1. Scandic Kirkenes
Scandic Kirkenes is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Kirkenes, Norway. It’s just a short walk from Dr. Wessels Gate Pedestrian Street and is close to the Varanger Museum.
Not only will you be in a great location for exploring the city, but there are ample facilities at this hotel.
Firstly, there’s an on-site restaurant and bar, which is where you’ll enjoy the complimentary breakfast buffet (full of delicious organic foods). Here, you can also relax in the evening and grab a drink or something to eat.
For those who are looking to chill out, Scandic Kirkenes offers a sauna and swimming pool. There’s also a fitness center if you want to fit in a workout, and bicycle rental is available if you want to explore the town on two wheels.
Other facilities include a 24-hour shop, meeting and conference facilities, and laundry services. There are even charging stations for electric cars!
When it comes to accommodation, there are several types of rooms to choose from. These sleep 1-4 people and feature plenty of amenities, including a private bathroom, free WiFi, and a flat-screen TV.
Another bonus to staying here is free private parking, perfect for those choosing to road trip around Norway! Not only that, but this hotel offers pet-friendly rooms, so the whole family can come along.
Check rates on Booking.com
Check rates on Hotels.com2. Snowhotel Kirkenes
If you’re looking for a unique experience in the north of Norway, then the Snowhotel Kirkenes may be the perfect place for you!
First of all, this hotel is one of the only ones in the world that is made of snow and ice, yet it is open all year round (365 days). The rooms have a constant temperature of -4C (24.8F) but don’t worry, you’ll be equipped with thermal sleeping bags.
There are 14 rooms in total, and each one is beautifully decorated with ice sculptures and snow art. Each room has a unique theme too, which is inspired by Norwegian and Sami folklore, fairy tales, and local fauna.
This property also offers ‘Gamme’ cabins. These cabins are located in the Lappish wilderness and offer optimal conditions for viewing the northern lights.
A huge bonus to staying at the Snowhotel (and the cabins) is that your breakfast and a 3-course dinner are always included. The on-site restaurant offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area, and you’ll get to try delicious Nordic cuisine.
Although the accommodation here is fabulous, a highlight has to be the variety of activities on offer. There are a lot of options to choose from, but of course, these will differ depending on the season.
If you stay at the Snowhotel Kirkenes, then you can enjoy husky tours, ice fishing, snowmobiling, snow yoga, and snowshoeing. This property also runs northern lights tours from September to March.
Other popular activities include Sami cultural experiences, husky mountain hikes, and a visit to Andersgrotta (the largest bomb shelter in Kirkenes).
While staying at Snowhotel Kirkenes, you’ll also have complimentary access to the husky and puppy yard, as well as the reindeer and on-site sauna.
This is certainly one of the best hotels in Kirkenes, so make sure you check it out!
3. Thon Hotel Kirkenes
Another one of the best Kirkenes hotels is the Thon Hotel Kirkenes, one of the largest accommodations in town. It’s just a short distance from Hurtigruten Ferry Terminal as well as Andersgrotte (the town’s largest bomb shelter from WWII).
Thanks to the hotel’s location along the shore of Bøkfjorden, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the fjord. This is especially the case at the on-site restaurant, which even has an outdoor terrace so you can admire the jaw-dropping vistas!
In total, there are over 140 rooms at the Thon Hotel Kirkenes, and these sleep two people. This makes it perfect for couples, especially as some feature stunning sea views. You couldn’t ask for a much more romantic setting!
Each room is modern and spacious and typically features a double bed or two single beds. Amenities include a private bathroom, a refrigerator, a TV, and a desk. You’ll also have a small safe where you can keep any valuables.
The Hotel Kirkenes has some fantastic facilities too, including a fitness center, conference rooms, luggage storage, and room service.
There’s also a shuttle bus that runs to and from the airport, and this place offers convenient check-out, which can be done through an app.
If you’re still not convinced, then this hotel can help organize activities for you too, such as snowmobile safaris and dog sledding trips. What more could you ask for?
4. Jarfjord Arctic Aurora Lodge
Although Jarfjord Arctic Aurora Lodge isn’t technically located in Kirkenes, it’s only a 25-minute drive away. The town is still very accessible, and there’s free private parking for those with a car. This property also offers a paid airport shuttle service.
If you don’t mind being out of town, this lodge offers the ultimate relaxing escape. For starters, you’ll be staying alongside the water, so the scenery is stunning.
Thanks to its remote location and low light pollution, it’s also a great place for spotting the northern lights (if you’re heading to Kirkenes during the aurora season).
The Jarfjord Arctic Aurora Lodge offers four bedrooms and can sleep up to six people. There are two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a dining area, and a lounge. However, the lodge’s exterior is a highlight, for sure.
There’s an outdoor terrace at this property that offers striking sea views. On this terrace, there’s an outdoor hot tub, which offers the perfect setting to relax and admire the views. You can also stargaze and look out for the northern lights from here!
If you stay at Jarfjord Arctic Aurora Lodge, you’ll also have access to a sauna. Bicycle and ski equipment rental services are available at this lodge too, and there are plenty of hiking opportunities nearby as well.
Did I miss any of the best hotels in Kirkenes, Norway in this guide? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!
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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.