The Hidden North
North European travel guide
self-guided walks
Hammerfest
Hammerfest is one of the most historic towns in Northern Norway. Settled around the 13th century, the town grew thanks to polar hunting and trade. Today Hammerfest is a modern administrative centre and growing city.
What you get
Historic overview of Hammerfest (with photos of what the city used to look like)
Link to a Google Map that can be loaded into your phone for easier navigation
Clear directions with English & Norwegian names of places, addresses, and step-by-step guides
Photos of each point of interest
This guide is 7 pages and comes in a PDF format.
Historic Polar Capital
Hammerfest is the world’s northernmost city with a population over 10,000. While the entire town was leveled after World War II, the new town that rose from the ashes is modern thanks to the income coming from the LNG plant just outside the town. There is a culture house, higher education centre, restaurants and shopping mall, and the iconic Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society. The coastal ferry doesn’t dock in Hammerfest for long, but there is good time to catch all the highlights.
Trip Highlights
- Visit the Royal & Ancient Polar Bear Society
- Learn about Hammerfest's development thanks to LNG
- Discover the World War II history here
Distance
1km (0.6 miles)
Activity Level
Level 1 – flat path, no stairs, paved. Slight uphill towards the church.
Start Location
Coastal Ferry Terminal
End Location
Hammerfest Church
Itinerary
This is a summarised itinerary. More stops are included in the walk.
Hammerfest Harbour
This is the main harbour area of Hammerfest. In 2019, when I visited here, the famous beluga whale Hvaldimir was seeking refuge in this harbour and there were staff here feeding him.
Royal & Ancient Polar Bear Society
Founded in 1963 by two local businessmen, it was somewhat a joke but quickly became very popular. Visitors are encouraged to join the society and are invited to the annual meeting every January. You have to be in-person to sign up.
Museum of Reconstruction
The Museum of Reconstruction is dedicated to the showing the rebuilding effort after the Nazi’s scorched earth policy destroyed the town.
Hammerfest Church
It’s believed the first church was built in Hammerfest around 1620, but the church from today is probably the sixth church to be on the site.
Example of what the guide looks like.