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Offered languages
- English
Kirkenes sits only a few kilometres from the Russian border. It was among the most heavily bombed places in Europe during World War II, and in 1944 it was liberated by the Soviet army. This self-guided audio tour, created by local Lars Engerengen, walks you through that history, from the Hurtigruten port to the shores of Førstevann lake.
Along the way you’ll:
- step into Andersgrotta, the bomb shelter cut into the rock where residents hid during air raids.
- stand at the Soviet Liberation Monument.
- hear how the Sydvaranger mine shaped the town until it closed in 1996.
- learn about the Cold War border and Newcomb Mott, the American student whose crossing into the Soviet Union ended in tragedy.
The tour starts right at the Hurtigruten terminal, so it’s ideal for a port stop. GPS-triggered audio plays automatically as you walk, and everything works offline. You can start whenever you like, go at your own pace and pause at any time. It covers about 3 km and takes around 45 minutes.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
You should start at the entrance gate of the Hurtigruten port, with your back at the sea. Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Itinerary
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(Pass by)
Your walk begins at the port entrance gate, the northern end of the Hurtigruten coastal route that has linked Norway’s fjord towns and fishing villages since 1893. Your guide introduces Kirkenes, perhaps Norway’s most international town, which sits closer to Murmansk than to Oslo.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Follow the old Sydvaranger line that once carried iron ore from the mines down to the docks for shipping. Hear how the railway turned a small Arctic settlement into an industrial hub, and how ore, ships and workers from across the north shaped the town you are walking through today.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Walk along the E6, the road that runs from here all the way to southern Sweden, as it leads you from the harbour into the town centre. Learn how Kirkenes grew around its port and mine, and why its position on the far edge of Norway made it a meeting point between East and
Admission ticket free -
Kirkenes Church (Pass by)
The Kirkenes Church was built in 1959 as part of the reconstruction of the city after the Second World War. The architect was Sofus Hougen, and most of the interior is still original from the time it was built. The organ was a gift from the Sydvaranger Mining Company.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
See Andersgrotta, the bomb shelter carved into the rock beneath Kirkenes during World War II. Residents took cover here as the town endured more than 320 Soviet air raids. Hear what life was like underground while the war raged overhead. Entry to the shelter itself is not included.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Learn the story of the Sydvaranger mine, the reason modern Kirkenes exists. It produced nearly 200 million tonnes of iron ore before closing in 1996, and its rise, its fall and its impact on local families remain central to the town’s identity and to the landscape around you.
Admission ticket free -
Soviet Liberation Monument (Pass by)
Stand before the monument to the Soviet soldiers who liberated Kirkenes from German occupation in October 1944. Hear how the town was freed, what was left after years of bombing and the German retreat, and why this memorial still matters in a town so close to the Russian border.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Finish at Førstevann, a small lake on the edge of town. In 1968, Soviet T-54 tanks lined up along the nearby Pasvik River, guns aimed at Norwegian observation posts. Take in the view and reflect on life between East and West before the walk of about 2 km back to the port.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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