Day 1

Kirkenes, Norway

Kirkenes sits at Norway’s far northeastern edge, close to the Russian border. Here, the Barents Sea shapes daily life, while wartime landmarks recall the town’s strategic role during World War II. Join a king-crab excursion, visit the Snowhotel, or travel inland through birch forest and open tundra. In winter, darkness brings the chance to see the northern lights; in summer, the midnight sun brightens the horizon.

Day 1

Vardo, Norway

At Norway’s easternmost town, the Barents Sea sets the pace. Vardø lies on Vardøya, linked to the mainland by an undersea tunnel. Explore Vardøhus Fortress, dating to 1307, and the striking Steilneset Memorial, which commemorates 91 people executed during Finnmark’s witch trials. Just offshore, Hornøya’s cliffs host thousands of nesting seabirds in season. Discover Arctic light, maritime history and a remote edge-of-the-map atmosphere.

Day 1

Batsfjord, Norway

Båtsfjord stands on Norway’s Varanger Peninsula, where the Barents Sea shapes the town and its livelihood. One of Norway’s largest fishing ports, it is a working Arctic community, not a dressed-up seaside resort. Watch fishing vessels come and go, and see the harbour at the heart of local life. Above the Arctic Circle, Båtsfjord also rewards visitors with stark coastal scenery and the changing light of the far north.

Day 1

Berlevag, Norway

At Norway’s far northeastern edge, Berlevåg faces the Barents Sea with a clarity few coastal villages can match. Here, the working fishing harbor is protected by massive concrete breakwaters, built to withstand powerful Arctic storms. Walk the waterfront, then look east toward Kjølnes Lighthouse, where open sea and bare Finnmark landscape meet. Berlevåg rewards travelers who value authentic northern life over polished attractions. Come for the weathered coast, stay for the rare sense of standing at Norway’s edge.

Day 2

Mehamn, Norway

Mehamn stands on Norway’s Nordkinn Peninsula, beside the Barents Sea in Finnmark. Its harbor and daily life are shaped by fishing and the weather. Trails lead into open Arctic country, and nearby Kinnarodden is mainland Europe’s northernmost point. In summer, the sun stays above the horizon; winter darkness brings a chance to see the northern lights. Come for raw coastline, a working village and the rare pleasure of feeling far from everywhere.

Day 2

Kjollefjord, Norway

Kjøllefjord is a working fishing village on Norway’s remote Nordkinn Peninsula, in Finnmark. Ships enter beneath Finnkirka, a striking sea cliff whose jagged profile resembles a church. From the harbor, the landscape opens to bare Arctic hills, deep fjords and the Barents Sea. Come ashore for a glimpse of northern coastal life, where fishing remains central and the seasons shape every view.

Day 2

Honningsvag, Norway

Honningsvåg sits on Magerøya, above the Arctic Circle, where fishing boats share the harbour with expedition ships. From here, a road crosses open tundra to the North Cape plateau, about 35 kilometres away. At 71° north, the light becomes the main event: midnight sun in summer, polar night in winter. Walk the small town, then seek king crab, coastal views and stories of life near Europe’s edge.

Day 2

Havoysund, Norway

Havøysund is a working fishing village on Havøya, above the Arctic Circle in Norway’s far north. The road here, part of the Havøysund National Tourist Route, crosses stark coastal country between Kokelv and the Arctic Ocean. In the harbour, colourful houses and fishing boats frame the long bridge linking the island to the mainland. Beyond town, bare mountains and wide horizons reward an unhurried drive. Come for the light, the landscape and a glimpse of life at Norway’s edge.

Day 2

Hammerfest, Norway

At 70°39′ north, Hammerfest is among the world’s northernmost towns, set on Norway’s Arctic coast. Its harbour welcomes fishing vessels and the coastal express, carrying travellers through stark northern scenery. Visit the Museum of Reconstruction to learn how the town was destroyed during the German retreat in 1944, then rebuilt. By the waterfront, the Meridian Column commemorates the Struve Geodetic Arc, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 2

Oksfjord, Norway

Øksfjord is a working fishing village in Loppa, on the shores of a deep fjord. Sharp peaks crowd the harbour, and the sea remains the village’s main road to neighbouring settlements. Take an unhurried waterfront walk, watch the fishing boats, and see daily life beyond Norway’s larger cruise ports. Nearby, Øksfjordjøkelen glacier adds a striking landmark to the landscape.

Day 2

Skjervoy, Norway

Set on an island above the Arctic Circle, Skjervøy offers a close look at Norway’s far north. Fishing remains central to life here, while surrounding fjords draw visitors seeking seasonal encounters with whales. In winter, low sunlight and snow-covered mountains lend the harbour a striking stillness. Walk the waterfront, visit the local church, or look beyond town to the island’s rugged coast. Skjervøy is compact, but its setting makes a lasting impression.

Day 2

Tromso, Norway

Tromsø puts the Arctic within easy reach, yet its cafés, galleries and university give the city a lively, modern pulse. Set on an island above the Arctic Circle, it is linked to the mainland by a bridge and tunnel. Visit the Polar Museum and the Arctic Cathedral. Ride the Fjellheisen cable car for views across mountains and sea. In winter, the northern lights may appear overhead.

Day 3

Finnsnes, Norway

Finnsnes is a practical gateway to Senja, Norway’s rugged island of steep peaks, sheltered fjords and working fishing villages. A bridge across the Gisund connects the town to the island, making a day’s drive into its varied landscapes straightforward. Follow the coast toward the National Scenic Route, where quiet villages and mountain-backed shores reward unhurried stops. Coastal ships also call here, linking Finnsnes with Tromsø and ports along Norway’s coast.

Day 3

Harstad, Norway

Harstad sits on Hinnøya, Norway’s largest island, where the Vågsfjord opens toward the Vesterålen islands. Begin at Trondenes, a striking medieval stone church with a history reaching back to the 13th century. Nearby, the Trondenes Historical Centre and the immense Adolf Gun reveal the region’s wartime past. From the harbour, explore the town’s waterfront or set out for mountain scenery and island roads. Summer brings the midnight sun; in winter, dark skies may reward patient visitors with northern lights.

Day 3

Risoyhamn, Norway

Risøyhamn is a small port on Andøya, one of the islands in Norway’s Vesterålen archipelago. From the quay, a low shoreline and broad northern sky set the pace for a quieter visit. The Risøyhamn Bridge crosses Risøysundet to Hinnøya, making the village a useful gateway for exploring both islands by road. Follow the coast for fishing villages, mountain views and long stretches of shoreline. Bring a camera and allow time for the changing light.

Day 3

Sortland, Norway

Sortland is the lively heart of Vesterålen, where the E10 leads through a landscape of islands, fjords and open sea. The town’s blue-painted buildings give it a distinctive look, while Sortland Bridge links Langøya with Hinnøya across the sound. From the harbor, explore fishing villages and dramatic coastal scenery, or make the journey north to Andenes for whale-watching excursions. This is a port for travelers who value wild landscapes and a quieter Arctic-Norwegian pace.

Day 3

Stokmarknes, Norway

Stokmarknes sits on Hadseløya in Vesterålen, where mountains rise above sheltered northern waters. It is the birthplace of Norway’s coastal express, launched here by Richard With in 1893. At the Hurtigruten Museum, the preserved 1956 ship MS Finnmarken stands inside a glass structure. Walk the compact waterfront, then look beyond town to the islands and open sea that shaped its seafaring life.

Day 3

Trollfjord, Norway

Trollfjorden is a narrow, two-kilometre inlet branching from Raftsundet, between Norway’s Lofoten and Vesterålen archipelagos. Its mouth, barely 100 metres wide, opens beneath steep rock walls rising sharply from the water. A boat is the only way in. On the approach, cliffs close around you, waterfalls thread down the rock, and sea eagles often circle overhead. The fjord also recalls the 1890 Battle of Trollfjord, fought over access to its herring.

Day 3

Svolvaer, Norway

Svolvær is the lively heart of the Lofoten Islands, where jagged peaks rise straight from the harbour. Step ashore to find fishing boats, waterfront galleries and cafés serving local seafood. The town is a useful base for exploring the islands’ fishing villages and Arctic scenery. In summer, take a boat trip to Trollfjord; in winter, look skyward for the northern lights. Above town, the twin pinnacles of Svolværgeita define the skyline.

Cruise line	Hurtigruten
Ship	MS Nordlys
Duration	2 nights
Port calls	19
Departures	12 sailings
From fare	$491 per person
Year built	1994
Guests	590
Cabins	223
Crew	70
Length	122 m
Beam	19 m
Cruising speed	18.0 kn

Norway Cruise from Kirkenes to Svolvær — 3 Days

Kirkenes, Norway

Vardo, Norway

Batsfjord, Norway

Berlevag, Norway

Mehamn, Norway

Kjollefjord, Norway

Honningsvag, Norway

Havoysund, Norway

Hammerfest, Norway

Oksfjord, Norway

Skjervoy, Norway

Tromso, Norway

Finnsnes, Norway

Harstad, Norway

Risoyhamn, Norway

Sortland, Norway

Stokmarknes, Norway

Trollfjord, Norway

Svolvaer, Norway

MS Nordlys Cruises

Cruise Disclosure