Honningsvåg & North Cape Cruise Port
What You Need to Know!
Honningsvag – Europe’s Most Northern City
Honningsvag is Europe’s northernmost city, located on the island of Magerøya. While North Cape is the main draw, there’s more to do here. Birdwatching, especially for puffins, is popular at the Gjesvaertappan Nature Reserve. You can also try ATV rides or the typical RIB boat trips. Fishing, particularly for king crab, has been the island’s livelihood for centuries, and there are fishing excursions available. There's also a local show showcasing life on the island, which is very popular and sells out quickly.
But of course, the highlight is North Cape. A 40-minute drive from town, you’ll stand 1,000 feet above the Arctic Ocean and look north. More on that later.
Endless Days and Midnight Sun
From mid-May to July, the sun never sets below the horizon, leading to some fascinating sailing and, yes, a bit of residual jet lag (even with blackout curtains!).
The Port: Easy Access to Town
The harbor has an unusually deep berth, allowing ships to dock right in the heart of this small town of 2,500. The port can accommodate up to 4 ships, but today, only two were in port, docked on either side of the tourist information office. This office serves as the town’s central hub, like the center of a wheel.
From our dock, it was a short 5-minute walk to this central area, passing by some impressively large fishing nets. And we noticed something funny – “woof,” this reindeer was WAY far from home!
The town center is compact but has all the necessities. There’s a large parking lot where all tours (both cruise and locally run) gather. The small tourist office is a great place to book last-minute tours or transport. However, this is not a port to “wing it” on the day of arrival – many tours were already sold out by the time we got there, so it’s best to plan ahead. Don’t worry, the office has excellent Wi-Fi and climate control, which is a real bonus as the wind and cold can be quite biting.
There’s also an ATM outside (helpful, since there are few banks in town), a souvenir shop where you can take that Troll selfie, and a public restroom. Don't forget to pay homage to Bamse, the famous WW2 dog hero who’s a national treasure!
The town itself is quiet, which is what you’d expect. There are a few restaurants and native Sami selling traditional items, with deer skin and antlers being popular souvenirs. Good luck packing those for the journey home!
Around Town and Local Attractions
Besides a quick 30-minute stroll around the town center, there are a few attractions to check out:
The North Cape Museum: This is the one place where you’ll get well-presented context about Magerøya, the local fishing history, and the Sami people.
Honningsvag Church: The only building left standing after WW2. According to Google Maps, it’s permanently closed, but I couldn't find any other confirmation on this.
Getting to North Cape
When it comes to getting to North Cape, you have several options.
Visit Nordkapp Website: This is the official tourist office site, which lists several bus and tour options that are budget-friendly and cater to cruise passengers (getting you back to your ship on time). It’s a great resource, and we strongly encourage you to book ahead.
Other Tour Companies: Several independent companies offer tours, including North Cape Tours, which operates the local bus 406 as an organized tour. Blue Puffin comes highly recommended by Cruise Critic boards.
Car Rental: If you prefer to drive, Nordkapp Bilservice AS offers car rentals right at the central hub parking lot, across from the tourist office. Prices are listed on their website, though we didn’t opt for this option. Driving could be an interesting experience, but you’re ultimately going to North Cape anyway, and there are also small fishing villages to explore. Keep in mind that there’s an entry fee to North Cape, which is around $30 USD per person. If you’re renting a car, factor this into your costs.
Taxis: There are few, if any, taxis offering round trips to North Cape. The one service I found doesn’t have a website, but you can contact them by email for inquiries.
North Cape – The Main Attraction
Once we reached North Cape, the stop was relatively short – about 1 ½ hours. It was just enough time to take in the views, explore the grounds (which include the “Children of the World” sculpture installation), and visit the visitor center, museum, and gift shop. However, this was a bit frustrating because the museum alone, with its movie and displays, could take an hour to fully enjoy. I’d recommend checking how long your tour will stay here and, if possible, opting for an extra hour. It’s definitely worth it.
A Few More Notes
The views from the cliff are stunning, but the weather can change quickly. Fog can roll in fast, obscuring the views, and the cold wind can make it feel even chillier, even in summer. Dress warmly!
Don’t miss out on the North Cape tradition: sending a postcard from the far north. The gift shop on the lower level has postcards, and it’s a unique, inexpensive souvenir.
Planning Your Trip
Do your homework and book ahead – this is one port where you really can’t afford to wait until the last minute to plan. Whether you’re booking a tour, renting a car, or looking for taxis, there are limited options here, so it’s best to be prepared.
Our Experience: North Cape Express
What did we do? We booked a bus transfer through the tourist office, the North Cape Express. It was a lovely experience! The bus was clean and well-maintained, the driver was friendly, and the pre-recorded commentary was cheeky but informative. Plus, we were blessed with great weather.
On the way, we encountered reindeer roaming wild across the island – the North Cape Reindeer Adventure! There’s a stop at a traditional Sami family’s store (which doubles as a selfie pit stop), where you can purchase authentic items and snap photos with reindeer.
Final Thoughts
Overall, our experience in Honningsvag was great! The people are friendly, and the town is a peaceful place to start your day. Honningsvag is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for most of us, with breathtaking landscapes that make sailing in and out of the port part of the adventure.