How to Spend One Day in Vardø, Norway (Suggested Itinerary)

I have been talking about Vardø for years and sharing my love for the town with as many people as I can.

But let’s be honest, there is not much information out there, and what is out there is often wrong, in Norwegian, or just simply out-of-date. That is part of the reason I have been keen on writing about it across my sites over the last few years.

Vardø’s remote location means it is off the beaten track and a trip there can take a bit of planning to maximize your time. In this guide, I share everything I think you should do with one day in Vardø, Norway.

This Vardø itinerary includes what to do if you find yourself with 24 hours in the Finnmark town. At the end of the guide is an interactive map that you can save so you can find the locations with ease!

Let me know if you have any questions below. Thanks!

How I Curated This Itinerary

Vardø’s spring and summer offerings differ from those in autumn and winter. Therefore, this itinerary is targeting those visiting in the high season, spring and summer.

Underneath each activity, attraction, or thing to do, I will include some winter notes and tips for those who may be visiting in autumn or winter. If there is nothing written there, just assume that the travel information is the same throughout the year.

With that being said, most people visit Vardø to go to Hornøya, an island off the coast that has an Atlantic Puffin colony (and is home to many other seabirds).

This can only be done from mid-March until the end of July or the first week of August. This will leave a huge gap in a winter itinerary, so just shift things up. It’s not like you will have much (or any) daylight anyway.

Vardø Itinerary (Overview)

This is the order I recommend seeing Vardø in, but during the summer when the days are long, you can adjust accordingly, as you will not run out of daylight.

1. See the puffins on Hornoya
2. Have lunch at ABC Thai or Strandtorget Cafe
3. Learn about local history at the Pomor Museum
4. Take in the views from Drakkar
5. Walk through the Vardø Fortress
6. Pay respects to those persecuted at Steilneset Memorial
7. Have dinner at Varangerkokken
8. End the night with a drink at Nordpol Kro

Do you have extra time in Vardø? Here are some additional recommendations:

1. Take a half-day trip to Hamningberg
2. See the new Kittiwake Hotel in Kiberg
3. Relax at the Flyt Sauna
4. Try to catch the northern lights

Vardø Itinerary (Details)

1. See the puffins on Hornøya.

I have written an exhaustive guide about how to see the puffins on Hornøya, so be sure to check it out if this is a priority, as it will answer FAQs and is up-to-date with the latest information.

The island of Hornøya is home to Atlantic Puffins, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Razorbills, European Shags, and more. Throughout the day, several boats go from the Vardø Tourism Information Center’s dock at the Vardø Havn (harbor) to Hornøya.

Tickets are currently 630 NOK ($60) per adult. You can’t book tickets ahead of time and must show up the day of your desired boat trip out there and purchase at the Tourism Info Center.

If you are not a birdwatcher or photographer, you probably only need two hours or so on the island. There is a trail from the dock around the island and up to the lighthouse. Most birds have decided the dockside is their home, so you’ll find most birds on that side.

Unfortunately, weather and bird flu can play a factor in whether or not these trips to Hornøya go forward, so monitor the situation before your trip. I give all of the details in the guide I linked above!

❄️ Winter Notes: You can only see the puffins from Week 11 (March 9-16, 2026) until August (or when they depart). You can safely remove this from your Vardø itinerary if you are visiting outside of these months.

2. Have lunch at ABC Thai or Strandtorget Cafe.

If you filled up at your hotel’s breakfast, Strandtorget will be perfect for a coffee and a small bite to eat. It also has a new terrace that overlooks the harbor. There are also many homemade designs and crafts inside that are the perfect souvenir to take home.

ABC Thai is one of my favorite places to eat in Vardø, and it is usually because I make it to Vardø after days of eating knekkebrød and other somewhat ‘boring’ food on the road, and I want flavor.

ABC Thai has an array of Thai dishes (that you can customize to your palate) for an affordable price. They are also known for their craft beer selection.

3. Learn about local history at the Pomor Museum.

The Pomor Museum is one of the coolest spots in Vardø and a place where you can learn about the local Pomor history and how it shaped the town of Vardø.

Currently, the museum is being removed from the Varanger Museum collective at the request of the owner, as he would like to open it more to the public. Opening times can shift a bit right now, but he is happy to open to visitors upon request if you arrive and don’t see opening hours that suit you.

You can follow their Facebook page for more information (and this is where you can send a message to request it to be open). 

4. Take in the views from Drakkar.

Drakkar Leviathan is a wooden statue that has become one of the symbols of Vardø. It resembles a whale and a Viking ship both, and was built in 2016 by a group from Arkhangelsk, Russia for the Pomor Festival. From Drakkar, you can take photos and soak in the views of Bussesundet.

You can drive up to the path that leads there, but the road is gravel and riddled with potholes. Drive very slowly. Residents also walk their dogs in this area a lot, so be vigilant of that.

❄️ Winter Notes: You cannot drive there once the snow comes, and you will need to drive as far as you can until you see a blockade or a huge pile of snow. Park out of the way of others here and walk to Drakkar. It is around a 1.1 km (0.7 mi) walk, give or take, to Drakkar. It may be slippery, so wear studs if you can. It will most likely be very windy and cold.

5. Walk through the Vardø Fortress.

Vardøhus Festning, or the Vardø Fortress, is a must for those spending 24 hours in Vardø. The landmark dates back to the 1300s (although what you see today is the structure from the 1730s) and is an octagonal fortress. It is free to walk around.

6. Pay respects to those persecuted at Steilneset Memorial

After visiting the Vardø Fortress, head a few streets over toward the Steilneset Memorial. This memorial was built to honor the trials and executions of 91 people (mostly women) who were killed from 1060 until 1692 in the Vardø witch trials.

The memorial is breathtaking, open 24 hours a day, and a must-visit in Vardø. Please be respectful when inside. You can read my guide to visiting Steilneset here.

❄️ Winter Notes: You can easily visit in winter, but dress warmly as there is no heat inside despite being enclosed.

7. Have dinner at Varangerkokken.

Inside the Vardø Hotel is their restaurant, Varangerkokken. The food is delicious, refined, and champions local ingredients, including freshly caught seafood.

They open for dinner at 4 pm, which is perfect for those looking for an early night. I have never had to book a reservation there, but if you are coming during the high season, I would recommend doing so.

8. End the night with a drink at Nordpol Kro.

Nordpol Kro is Northern Norway’s oldest pub, and to be honest, it is one of my favorite things about Vardø. It is the coziest place to end the night.

The pub doubles as a museum and you can walk around and see old photos and memorabilia throughout. But what makes this pub unique is that it used to offer lodging, and it was Fridjof Nansen’s last stop before his famous FRAM2 expedition in 1889.

Nordpol Kro offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and pizza (I’d pass on this), but mostly it is just a good time. They are closed on Monday evenings but open at 8 pm the other days of the week.

More than one day in Vardø?

Have more than 1 day in Vardø? If so, here are a few additional options to consider for your itinerary.

Relax at Flyt floating sauna.

In the Vardø Harbor, you will see a black floating sauna, and you can book a time slot and enjoy it yourself.

They are open from 6 am until 8 pm daily and you can chat with Varanger View about getting a slot at Flyt. Prices vary depending on group size and time.

Take a half-day trip to Hamningberg.

Those with experience behind the wheel and their own car can drive to the end of the Varanger Tourist Route and check out Hamningberg, a semi-abandoned fishing village.

This drive to Hamningberg is one of the most otherworldly I have ever done, and the landscapes remind me of the moon. The road is mostly one lane, so it is not recommended for new drivers.

❄️ Winter Notes: Hamningberg and the road to it are closed during the winter months and don’t reopen until around May. You can get details on the opening and closure of the road here.

See the new Kittiwake Hotel in Kiberg.

Built just a few years ago, the Kittiwake Hotel in Kiberg is an example of the strides Varanger is making to ensure these threatened seabirds are going to enjoy a long future in this part of Norway.

As climate change wreaks havoc on the Arctic, the Kittiwakes have found themselves as victims and have had to move into communities to get protection from predators that previously didn’t exist in their territory.

Aside from seeing the Kittiwake Hotel, Kiberg is cute and worth the stop.

❄️ Winter Notes: The Kittiwakes arrive in Kiberg in March and will likely depart at the end of July to mid-August. Kiberg is still worth a visit in winter, but beware of the convoy that you may need to take over Domen to get from Vardø to Kiberg during these months.

Try to catch the northern lights.

Those visiting Vardø in winter will be pleased that they can do something that summer visitors cannot – see the northern lights!

While Vardø doesn’t offer northern lights tours (too few roads and low demand), you can still see them on your own, and it is not a terrible place to see them because the weather moves so fast across the island, meaning that nothing sticks around for too long.

You can walk to Drakkar (although street lights may hinder but you should have less light pollution overlooking the water) or Steilneset to see them.

🗓️ Seasonal Notes: The best time to see the northern lights in Vardø is from September/October until the end of March. We saw them in early April when it was nautical twilight, and it was very late at night.

FAQ

How many days do you need in Vardø?

You can see the main attractions and landmarks within a day, no problem. If you are keen to get out to Hornøya, however, you will lose a chunk of the day, so you may want to add extra time there.

Vardø is best done slowly, on the other hand. The town and area have many birdwatching opportunities, and you’re on the edge of Varanger National Park, meaning that there are trails nearby. The weather doesn’t always cooperate, so slowing down will give you enough time to enjoy it when it finally does.

What is the best way to get to Vardø?

Driving. The town sits near the end of the Varanger National Tourist Route (one of Norway’s Nasjonale turistveger) and the drive there is gorgeous and continues to Hamningberg – a road that will below your mind.

You can fly into Kirkenes Airport and rent a car there (which is cheaper than flying into Vardø’s Svartnes Airport).

Alternatively, you can take the Hurtigruten there or catch a flight into Vardø Svartnes Airport (VAW). Snelandia buses also go there from various parts of Finnmark.

What is the weather like in Vardø?

Erratic. That is the best way to put it. The warmest months are July and August, and the high is 12C (53F) during this time. Wind and rain are no strangers to Vardø during the spring and summer months, so bring clothing that will cater to an ever-changing environment.

I have been there three times, and two of the three times I have seen fog there. The fog lasted for the entire duration of my stay on my first trip, and I never saw the city not enshrouded in the stuff!

Can I witness the midnight sun in Vardø?

YES! Vardø has the midnight sun from around May 15 until July 27. It is the first place in Norway to get the midnight sun due to its eastern location. The midnight sun means the sun never actually sets. Before May 15 and after July 27, however, you will still have twilight and nautical twilight (depending on the date). This means it is never ‘pitch black’.

Alternatively, you will have polar night in Vardø during the winter months, making it very dark. But the northern lights can help keep the skies lit in the evenings during this time, so it’s a totally acceptable trade-off! The polar night goes from November 24 until January 19. The days leading up to it and after it is over are still extremely dark and short.

Visiting any day from July 23 – July 27, 2025?

You will be arriving during the Pomor Festival! There are programs, music, food, vendors, and more. Just be sure to get your accommodation sorted beforehand (although a lot of people travel up in their campervans for it).

24 Hours in Vardø (On a Map)

Where to Stay in Vardø

There is only one hotel in Vardø – aptly called the Vardø Hotel. The hotel is currently getting a facelift, and I will update photos once I am back in Vardø. For now, the rooms are no-frills and just a tad bit outdated, but they offer a good sleep. The Vardø Hotel is centrally located and it is where Varangerkokken Restaurant is located.

Alternatively, you can stay in Svartnes (on the other side of the undersea tunnel) at Varanger View.

Varanger View is one of my favorite places I have ever stayed and it is bookable year-round. It is pricier but offers a far more luxurious and unique experience.

Do you have any questions about what to do with one day in Vardø? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!