Where to Stay in Kirkenes From a Tour Leaders Perspective
If you are looking at this guide, it’s likely you are planning to visit Kirkenes in connection to boarding or disembarking the coastal ferry. That makes me happy! Everyone should spend some time in Kirkenes on either end of their coastal adventure, as this small, remote town has so much to offer. But where should you stay in Kirkenes?
Hotel options here are rather limited, so you have to choose based on your budget or based on your interests. If you’re travelling in winter, I recommend the Snow Hotel for maximum chance of seeing the northern lights, but you will be out in nature. If you just need somewhere convenient in the city, the Scandic or Thon Hotels are good options.
The list is divided into parts of the city and then again into different grades of hotel. They are as follows:
- High end: 1500+ NOK a night
- Mid-range: 1000 – 1500 NOK a night
- Budget: Less than 1000 NOK a night
Here’s my top list of places to stay in Bergen, sorted by area.
In this article...
Be sure to check out our Kirkenes travel guide! Here you can find all our recommendations of things to do and see, including our self-guided walks.
In the City
Why Stay Here?
If you aren’t spending long in Kirkenes, or prefer to have easy access to shops and restaurants in the city, the city is a good choice. There are only two hotels to choose from, so be sure to read up on both before making your decision.
Mid Range
The Thon & Scandic Hotel Chains
It’s often difficult differentiating between the Scandic and Thon hotel chains, as they more or less have the same facilities. The big difference between the two in Kirkenes is that the Scandic hotel is located in the town square, while the Thon hotel is located down by the sea. Both come with free breakfast and free Wifi, but the Scandic also has a pool, spa and free parking. The Thon hotel is located closer to the Hurtigruten terminal.
Out in Nature
If you head about 15 minutes out of Kirkenes, you’ll find two excellent options for enjoying the best of the nature here in the Arctic. The big difference between these two is amenities – the Kirkenes SnowHotel has far more going for it than Sollia Gjestegård, but Sollia is also a great choice if you just want to have a nice place to stay without all the extra frills.
High End
SnowHotel Kirkenes
The Kirkenes Snow Hotel is arguably the most popular place to stay in Kirkenes, and rightly so. I have stayed here a few times, and am constantly blown away by the high quality cabins, food, and experiences on offer.
You can choose to stay in the Snow Hotel or one of the “Gamma Cabins”. These cabins are amazing!! I’ve stayed in them a few times and wish I could spend days just lounging in these incredible cabins. Meals are included at the property (a reason for the high price of booking) and you can take part in husky safaris, king crab safaris and other experiences offered by the property.
Mid Range
Sollia Gjestegård
Sollia Gjestegård is a charming hotel and cabin rental that is located by the Russian border. They have a restaurant on the property, Gapahukan, which serves local specialties. The hotel is located in an old building that was used as a tuberculosis sanatorium. I spent the night here back in 2019 and enjoyed being out in nature, though you absolutely need a car. Being close to the Russian border is a bit of fun, and it’s an excellent spot to also observe the northern lights.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Kirkenes
These are my top picks for hotels in Kirkenes. The options are limited, but easy enough to differentiate what you want.
Be sure to check out our Kirkenes travel guide! Here you can find all our recommendations of things to do and see, including our self-guided walks.
