10 Memorable Things to Do in Hammerfest, Norway (+ Tips!)

I 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. Did I miss any of the top places to visit in Hammerfest? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!

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 Tromso (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 be unlucky 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 in 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. 

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

>> 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, Tromso, Vadsø, and Vardø. 

I flew in from Tromso via Hasvik on the way there and back to Tromso 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 for Hammerfest.

Hitchhike to Hammerfest

I had one of my first experiences hitchhiking to get to Hammerfest, actually! I 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).

I missed my bus by just minutes in Honningsvåg after being given the wrong times by both the tourism information center and the hostel I was staying in.

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

Luckily, I met an older Austrian traveler who took note of my dilemma and insisted that I hitchhike. So, long story short, I did that the entire way to Hammerfest and had three different cars take me all the way there!

Best Things to Do in Hammerfest

1. 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 take the time to illuminate the skies over the town. 

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

The 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!

>> Click here to check northern lights tour rates and availability

2. Visit the Hammerfest Museum of Reconstruction

Located in the 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 Germans.

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. 

The museum is 95 NOK for adults, 75 NOK for seniors and students, and children are free. The museum is open Monday-Friday 10am to 3pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am to 2pm. 

Address: Kirkegata 19, 9600 Hammerfest, Norway

3. 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 Arctic, 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. The exhibition is free to enter, and if you’d like to buy a membership, the one-time price is 349 NOK.

The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm. These times may vary depending on the season. Check the Isbjørnklubben website for additional details.

Address: Strandgata 29, 9600 Hammerfest, Norway

4. Check Out the 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 Tromso Arctic Cathedral.

The Hammerfest Church can hold 525 people and was also part of the reconstruction efforts after WW2.

Address: Kirkegata 29, 9600 Hammerfest, Norway

5. Hike to Mount Tyven

Hammerfest is surrounded by beautiful nature and mountains and if you’re into hiking, be sure to hike up 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. 

6. 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. 

While Hammerfest is small and not many restaurant options exist, you can still find a few places to grab something to eat. You can grab cakes and coffee at Kafe Nordvest or a pizza at Boden, for example!

Or, you can head to a fishmonger or shop and grab the local catch and create something yourself!

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.

7. 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.

8. 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.  

Ten nations 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.

Address: Industrigata 5, 9601 Hammerfest, Norway

9. 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.

Address: Strandgata 1-11, 9600 Hammerfest, Norway

10. Learn About the Sami 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.

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 in places like Bodø, Tromso, or Alta, you will find a friendly and inviting city with enough to occupy you for a couple of days.

Let me know if you have any questions or would like some Hammerfest travel tips in the comments. Thanks!

More Northern Norway Travel Guides

• Tromso in winter
• Lofoten in winter
• Lofoten travel tips
• Tromso travel tips
• North Cape travel tips
• Svalbard travel tips
• Things to do in Honningsvåg
• Things to do in Bodø
• Things to do in Alta
• Things to do in Kirkenes

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