Drive it Yourself: Berlevåg to Båtsfjord
Follow this scenic drive between two relatively isolated fishing communities on the Barents Sea, crossing the Varanger peninsula in between.
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 867 / 70.5 degrees north
Berlevåg, Norway
Located on the corner of the Varanger Peninsula facing the Barents Sea, Berlevåg is a truly special place. It is one of the best fishing communities in Norway thanks to its close proximity to the fishing grounds, but it has also had to endure major storms and subsequent rebuilding. Despite a complicated past, Berlevåg is known for its community spirit, stunning nature, and mens choir!
Fun Facts About Berlevåg
Latitude: 70.5 degrees north
Population: 867
Hottest month: August
Coldest month: February
Wettest month: October
Windiest month: January
Annual precipitation: 575mm
Berlevåg Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Berlevåg
Berlevåg Harbour Museum
The museum here documents the history of making the harbour safe and shows how difficult it was. The museum is located in a historic part of town.
Berlevåg Church
There has been a church here since at least 1877, but the previous church was destroyed during World War II. The current church was completed in 1955.
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
Berlevåg Cultural Trail
This is a 6km cultural trail that shows places (now destroyed) linked to the history and development of Berlevåg.
Tanahorn
This hike is located 10km west of the airport. From Skonsvikdalen there’s a 4km path along easy terrain up to Tanahorn, which has excellent views over the Tanafjord.
Road-Trips
Follow our road-trip guides for scenic trips around Berlevåg
Berlevåg and Båtsfjord on the Fv890
The drive from Berlevåg to Båtsfjord is something special. Both ports are incredibly isolated on the Finnmark coast, but are vital fishing communities for Norway. The rugged shoreline has been shaped by bad weather from the Barents Sea, and the geology here is some of the oldest in Norway. The drive itself is short, but well worth it on any road-trip in the north.
Self-Guided Walks
Berlevåg on YouTube
Watch our YouTube videos featuring Berlevåg
Uniquely Berlevåg
Here are some things that you must do and try in Berlevåg
The Breakwaters
In 1882 the entire fishing fleet in Berlevåg was destroyed by a hurricane, so the village had to come up with breakwaters that could withstand waves of up to 9 metres. The current breakwaters are 10,000 four-armed cast concrete blocks, each weighing 15 tonnes.
Cool & Crazy
Berlevåg became famous in 2001 after director Knut Jensen released a documentary caleld Heftig og Begeistret (Cool and Crazy) about the Berlevåg mens choir. Berlevåg is also known from Karen Blixen’s novel Babette’s Guest.
History of Berlevåg
People have lived around the area of Berlevåg for hundreds of years, but the modern settlement wasn’t established until the mid-19th century.
After the Nazis retreated in 1944, Berlevåg was left in ruins. The buildings were burned to the ground, livestock was slaughtered, and the locals were forced to evacuate or flee and hide in caves. Berlevåg was the first place in Norway where the Nazis used the scorched earth tactic.
Berlevåg Today
Berlevåg is an important fishing community.
Berlevåg has a fish processing plant. Here they buy all types of fish and king crab, produce fresh and frozen fillets, and also have a technical department. This fish plant is unique because all the energy is used from renewable resources. Even all the trucks and internal equipment run on electricity.
In Berlevåg there are good wind conditions, which makes the Raggovidda wind power plant Norway’s most efficent. It was put into operation in 2014.
The only people who use fossil fuels are the fishermen who deliver fish and king crab to the factory. However, the boats don’t need to drive more than half an hour from the pier and they are at the fishing grounds, whereas elsewhere it is not unusual to drive for several hours.
Sangkraft Berlevåg (the Arctic Centre of Music Theatre) is a foundation that has grown in the last couple of years and aims to put Berlevåg on the map and create increased activity in the region.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: Berlevåg has an airport with daily flights to Hammerfest and Tromsø as well as Vadsø, Kirkenes, Båtsfjord and Vardø.
Drive: Berlevåg is on the Fv890, approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes from the E6 highway at Tana.
Train: No train access
Ferry: Berlevåg is a port of call for the coastal ferry. The northbound ferry docks at around 10pm, while the southbound ferry docks in the middle of the night.
Getting Around
It’s very easy to walk around Berlevåg, but you will need a car if you want to go out exploring.
Shops
Places to Eat
Cafes & Bakeries
Quick Bites
Reasonable Restaurants
High End & Unique Eats
Places to Stay
Camping
Cabins & B&Bs
Berlevåg Hotell is the main hotel in town.
Chains & Mid-Range
High End & Unique Properties
Sunrise/Sunset & Weather Averages
January
Polar night until 20 January
Average Temperature: -4C (24F)
February
Sunrise: 7:47am
Sunset: 2:49pm
Average Temperature: -5C (23F)
March
Sunrise: 5:28am
Sunset: 4:58pm
Average Temperature: -3C (2F)
April
Sunrise: 3:54am
Sunset: 8:16pm
Average Temperature: 0C (32F)
May
Midnight sun from the 14th of May
Average Temperature: 4C (40F)
June
Midnight sun
Average Temperature: 8C (46F)
July
Midnight sun until 31 July
Average Temperature: 10C (50F)
August
Sunrise: 2:45am
Sunset: 9:26pm
Average Temperature: 10C (51F)
September
Sunrise: 5:12am
Sunset: 6:43pm
Average Temperature: 8C (46F)
October
Sunrise: 7:19am
Sunset: 4:17pm
Average Temperature: 3C (37F)
November
Sunrise: 9:12am
Sunset: 12:22pm
Average Temperature: -1C (31F)
December
Polar night
Average Temperature: -2C (28F)
All Posts About Berlevåg
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Berlevåg Photo Diary
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September 2023