12 Incredible Things to Do in Hammerfest, Norway (+ Travel Tips!)

We recently had the chance to visit Hammerfest, Norway… one of the most northern towns in Europe (and in the world).

The town may be small but there are still a fair amount of things to do in Hammerfest.

If you’re looking for what to do in Hammerfest to plan your trip to Norway’s far north, this guide will get you started. 

Things to Do in Hammerfest, Norway

Northern Norway has many amazing and cozy towns and Hammerfest is undoubtedly one of them. 

With a history of gas mining, the isolated island of Melkøya was the last point of gas pumping coming from the Barents Sea. 

Throughout time, the hard-working people of Hammerfest found balance and created harmony with nature and Arctic surroundings.  

I found Hammerfest to easily be one of the most liveable cities I visited in Norway. 

Not only did Hammerfest have small, yet comfortable streets, it also offered nearby hikes, ample fishing opportunities, and a very lively atmosphere for a town its size. 

There are frequently cruise ships docking at the harbor and the energy from the tourists helped fuel the city, too.

Hammerfest was annihilated during WW2, yet the city persevered and showcased absolute resilience. 

Despite the tumultuous history, you should still visit Hammerfest as you will find stunning nature, charming restaurants and cafes, a UNESCO World Heritage Monument, and a high likeability of the Northern Norwegian city.

This is a guide of things to do in Hammerfest, Norway.  We believe it is pretty conclusive but like most places in Norway, there are always unexpected surprises that you find out about once you leave a place.

Please feel free to drop some cool suggestions in the comments for us to use on our next trip and other travelers to use when planning their Hammerfest vacation.

How to Get to Hammerfest

There are a couple of ways to get to Hammerfest.  I ended up there on two different occasions and one mode of transportation was reliable and the other was not too reliable. 

I flew in by plane from Tromsø (via Hasvik) the first time and hitchhiked from Honningsvåg near the North Cape the second time. 

You can also arrive by bus depending on where you’re traveling to Hammerfest from.  Do be aware that there are no trains up this north (Norwegian trains end at Bodø).

Bus to Hammerfest

You can take a bus to Hammerfest from Honningsvåg, Alta, and Skaidi. 

These journeys take 3.5 hours, 2.5 hours, and 1 hour, respectively. 

Unfortunately, the times can often vary and you may even get lucky and miss the bus because the tourist information center in Honningsvåg gave you the wrong times.  I know from experience. 

If you’re looking to take the bus to Hammerfest, check the timetables and additional information here.

Drive to Hammerfest

You can also get to Hammerfest with a private vehicle.  This is the best way because you will get to witness extremely beautiful scenery, no matter where you’re driving in from. 

We ended up hitchhiking to Hammerfest after our bus ordeal and got to drive these roads with strangers.  It was beautiful.  But, do consider renting your own car to do so. 

Click here to check rental car rates and availability for Hammerfest.

Fly to Hammerfest

Hammerfest Airport is surprisingly large compared to many of the other ones I was in on this trip.  And by large, I mean, it has a kiosk to buy a hot dog inside. 

The flights that go to Hammerfest Airport are all operated by Widerøe and the destinations that connect with Hammerfest are Alta, Berlevåg, Båtsfjord, Hasvik, Honningsvåg, Kirkenes, Mehamn, Sørkjosen, Tromsø, Vadsø, and Vardø. 

We flew in from Tromsø via Hasvik on the way there just back to Tromsø directly on the way back. 

Click here to check flights to Hammerfest with Widerøe

Hurtigruten to Hammerfest

Another option you will have to travel to Hammerfest is to arrive by Hurtigruten, a large cruise ship that goes up and down the Norwegian coast through the fjords. 

Most people on the ships are partaking in long journeys, but you can book a port to port transfer.  Unfortunately, this option is currently disabled on the English website and must be done via the Norwegian one. 

Click here to check Hurtigruten options to Hammerfest.

Hitchhike to Hammerfest

Megan and I had our first experience properly hitchhiking in order to get to Hammerfest, actually. We arrived in Hammerfest after hitching rides with a couple of different people along the way (hitchhiking in Northern Norway was pretty fun, I might add).  

We missed our bus by just minutes in Honningsvåg after being given the wrong times by both the tourism information center and the hostel we were staying in. 

It was a Sunday… probably the worst day to have a mishap in Northern Norway.  We had a flight out late that evening from Hammerfest, a 3.5-hour journey away. 

We met an older Austrian traveler who took note of our dilemma and insisted we hitchhike.

We were reluctant because we needed to catch a flight and the uncertainty left us a bit pessimistic.  Fortunately, the man found us a ride with a friendly Dutch couple. 

They took us to Olderfjord and then we were on our own again.  We made a sign and tested our luck on our own.  We were picked up by Veigar, a younger man from Lakselv living in Tromsø. 

He drove an incredible 1961 Volvo that we had the opportunity to ride in.

He dropped us off in Skaidi and we struggled to get a quick ride in Skaidi, but a friendly, older gentleman from Hammerfest pulled up in a large van and happily accepted our company for the remainder of our journey. 

Once in Hammerfest, I was able to get a ride to the airport by a stranger. 

Northern Norwegians are some of the friendliest people I have ever encountered traveling and they made our otherwise dismal situation a pretty good story to tell for years to come.

So, yes, hitchhiking is an option in Northern Norway and a pretty good one at that.  

What to Do in Hammerfest

Visit the Hammerfest Museum of Reconstruction

Located in Hammerfest town center is an important museum that offers a look back at the history of Hammerfest and of the region as a whole.

Norway, like many other European countries, took a huge hit and faced immense destruction during WW2.

The Hammerfest Museum of Post-War Reconstruction showcases the restoration process of cities in Norway, particularly Hammerfest, after it was destroyed in WW2 by the Nazis.

The Museum of Reconstruction has a two-floor exhibition that displays many artifacts and photos of how the city was reconstructed and brought back to life. 

You can find the museum located at Kirkegata 19 in Hammerfest.  The Museum is 50 NOK for adults and free for kids under 16.  It is open daily from 1000-1600.

Go to the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society

Before discovering oil and creating one of the best infrastructures in the world based around it, Norway survived on hunting, fishing, and trading with nearby and distant countries. 

The Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society Museum was established in the early 1960s and has since displayed the wildlife of the Arctics, especially the polar bear, and how the Arctic’s inhabitants were going about their traditional hunting and fishing ways.

The Museum also focuses on the isolated times of Northern Norway during the 17th century and details more about how the locals during that era hunted, fished, traded, and lived. 

The museum offers membership certificates to those who have visited stating that they visited one of the most northern museums in the world.  This is definitely one of the best things to do in Hammerfest.

You can find the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society at Hamnegata 3 in Hammerfest. A one-time membership is 220 NOK and the museum is open Monday through Fridays from 0900-1600 and weekends from 1000-1400.

These times vary depending on the season.  Check the Isbjørnklubben website for additional details.

Check Out Hammerfest Church

The main church in Hammerfest was built in 1961 and has a modern design aesthetic.  The church is one of the first historical things in Hammerfest that will catch your eye once you enter the city by car. 

In my opinion, it was one of my favorite pieces of architecture in Arctic Norway after the Tromsø Arctic Cathedral.  The Hammerfest Church can hold 525 people and was also part of the reconstruction efforts after WW2.

You can find the Hammerfest Church at Corn Moes Gate 9600 in Hammerfest.

Hiking to Mount Tyven

Hammerfest is surrounded by beautiful nature and mountains and if you’re into hiking, be sure to hike up the Mount Tyven to get a great view of Hammerfest during sunset. 

The 7.7, intermediate-level hike is the ideal activity to partake in when you visit Hammerfest.  I recommend taking your camera with you because the sunset and views will be nothing short of magical. 

Enjoy Seafood at One of the Many Hammerfest Restaurants

Hammerfest is located right on the sea and there is no better place in Norway to enjoy fresh seafood and the local catch than in Hammerfest. 

One thing that is cool about Hammerfest is that there is a diverse array of restaurants for the place being so small.  You can find Chinese food at Dickson and international specialties at Du Verden. 

There is a pretty solid selection in Hammerfest and you won’t be hard-pressed to enjoy some tasty, local food when you’re up there.

Trek to Tarhalsen on Sørøya

Because you can never get enough of the raw nature of Hammerfest and the local areas, I definitely recommend trekking to Tarhalsen on Sørøya as one of the best things to do in Hammerfest. 

Sørøya is an island near Hammerfest and it shows off dramatic mountains and scenery as it looks out to the Barents Sea.  The trek itself will take you to an old lighthouse at Tarhalsen. 

The hike is 12 kilometers and starts at Akkarfjord… the hike takes around 5 hours one-way.

See the UNESCO World Heritage Site Meridianstøtten

Meridianstøtten, or the Struve Geodetic Arc, is a series of monuments dedicated to an effort to measure the world and distances in the 19th century.

This monument was erected by Wilhelm von Hanno and all of these became UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2005.  

There are ten nations that are part of the Struve Geodetic Arc and Norway is one of them.  The other measuring points in Norway are in Alta and Kautokeino, cities that are both in the high-Arctic. 

You can view this one in Hammerfest in the area of Fuglenes. This is the first technical-scientific site in the world to be placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Visit Fountain Mother and Children

Located in the town center in Hammerfest, you will find a fountain of a mother surrounded by children. 

The fountain, aptly named ‘Fountain Mother and Children’, was given to the city as a gift from former United States ambassador Charles Ulrick Bay. 

It symbolizes his mother, Marie Hauan Bay, who was originally from Hammerfest, surrounded by her four children.  The fountain is one of the most popular sights in Hammerfest.

Pay ‘Hvaldimir’ (Whaledimir) a Visit at the Hammerfest Harbor

One of the most random things to recently put Hammerfest on a map globally has been the arrival of ‘Hvaldimir’, or ‘Whaledimir’, to the town. 

You can read more on RFERL about how this beluga whale ended up in Hammerfest here.  I will share my experience meeting this famous whale below.

I was traveling around Northern Norway with Megan working on content for this blog as well as a separate project which was the reason we ended up in Hammerfest in the first place. 

After our hitchhiking experience I detailed above, Megan decided to head straight to the Hammerfest Airport to work while I opted to stay in the town and explore it. 

I went and checked out what we were planning to put on this guide (as you can read here) and then I had some spare time before heading to meet Megan at the airport.

As I started making my way to the airport, I saw many locals gathering at the harbor and getting excited about something. What I saw blew my mind. 

Before coming to Hammerfest, Megan kept telling me a story about some alleged Russian spy beluga whale that escaped from somewhere around Murmansk and made the journey to Hammerfest. 

When found in waters outside of its home area, it was apparently found to have a GoPro camera attached to it for underwater recording and it was specially trained.

I don’t really pay much attention to what Megan says because she sometimes rambles on about irrelevant stuff, but seeing this whale in front of me in Hammerfest brought back her stories about the whale. 

Apparently, he was brought to the harbor on Sundays to have a feeding.  Researchers were with him there and he was in a safe area with trained specialists. 

I knew Megan would be irate and upset that I got to see “Hvaldimir” (the locals named him that after Vladimir Putin… ‘hval’ means whale in Norwegian) and she didn’t.  I was right.

If ‘Whaledimir’ continues to call Hammerfest home, it is worth paying this famous beluga whale a visit during his Sunday feedings at the harbor.  He was truly a spectacular and beautiful animal. 

Have a Beer (or Five) at Jernteppet

The best way to find and feel the mood of a city is through its social scenes and nightlife. 

Jernteppet is a centralized bar in the town of Hammerfest that has a variety of beer, an enjoyable outdoor terrace, great socializing, and they even sometimes have open-air concerts there. 

If you’re looking for a taste of Hammerfest nightlife, definitely check out Jernteppet.

Jernteppet is closed on Sundays and can be found at Strandgata 24 in Hammerfest.

Have a Sami Experience at Mikkelgammen

In Northern Norway, the natives are Samis and they are known for their closeness with nature and reindeer.  You can educate yourself more on the lifestyle of the Samis by going to Mikkelgammen. 

You will be able to see a traditional lavvo and taste local Sami and Northern Norwegian food like dried reindeer meat, cloudberry jam, and smoked salmon. 

During the experience, you will get to witness a great view of Salen Mountain.

Watch the Northern Lights in Hammerfest

And, naturally, this guide would not be complete without mentioning the ever-elusive Northern Lights over Hammerfest on it. 

Hammerfest is so far north that there is complete darkness during part of the winter and this is when the northern lights really take the time to illuminate the skies over the town. 

You can see them anywhere where light pollution is not a problem. 

Hammerfest northern lights were made famous by Bill Bryson in his book ‘Neither Here Nor There‘. The book is a great read and you can purchase it here.  I suggest purchasing it before your trip to Hammerfest.

If you’re looking for organized tours around Hammerfest or want to inquire about how to do certain things around the city, check out Go North, a tour company specializing in delivering in the best of Hammerfest and its surrounding area.

Where to Stay in Hammerfest

There are a few places to stay in Hammerfest, but based on my experiences in other Norwegian cities, I would highly recommend any Scandic or Smarthotel in Norway. 

Both are practical and offer all the basic amenities.  

• Scandic Hammerfest is located at Sørøygata 15 in the town center of Hammerfest. Click here to check rates and availability.
• Smarthotel Hammerfest is also located in the town center at Strandgata 32.  Click here to check rates and availability.

Hammerfest is a great and comfortable city to add to your Northern Norway itinerary. 

While there may not be as many things to do in Hammerfest as places like Bodø, Tromsø, or Alta, you will find a friendly and inviting city with enough to occupy you for a couple of days. 

*We were guests of Visit Northern Norway while we were in Hammerfest and the Arctic.  All opinions and whale spam are our own.

READ ALSO:  Things to do in Bodø   /    Visit Nordkapp   /   Things to do in Honningsvåg   /    Tromsø northern lights tours   /   Svolvær   /   Horseback riding in Lofoten   /   Whale Watching in Tromsø   /   Things to do in Svalbard   /   Things to do in Bergen   /   Bergen Day Trips  /   Svalbard Hotels