Drive it Yourself: The Finnish Border to Tromsø on the E8
Follow this self-guided drive for the scenic trip from the Finnish border to Tromsø on the E8 highway.
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 5,568 / 70 degrees north
Vadsø, Norway
Located on the Varanger peninsula close to the Varanger National Park, Vadsø is a charming town with a fascinating history. The town is known as the Kven Capital of Norway because of the wave of Finnish immigrants that came over in the 18th and 19th centuries. Vadsø was also an important point for Roald Amundsen’s exploration of the North Pole.
Fun Facts About Vadsø
Latitude: 70 degrees north
Population: 5,568
Hottest month: August
Coldest month: February
Wettest month: October
Windiest month: January
Annual precipitation: 575mm
Vadsø Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Vadsø
Vadsø Museum
The Vadsø Museum has an exhibition on the Kven (Norwegian-Finnish) culture as well as the history of the region. It also has some historic buildings that you can visit.
Vadsø Church
Vadsø Church was built in 1958, but the first mention of a church at Vadsø is in 1589, but the church was not new at that time. The first church stood on the island of Vadsøya, where the main settlement was at the time. The church was moved to the mainland in the early 18th century and rebuilt in 1858. This church was destroyed by the retreating Nazi soldiers in 1944.
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
Vadsø Cultural Trail
There is a 2km long trail that goes along the historic remains of Vadsø, including finds from the medieval settlement and bits from World War II.
Bird Watching
Vadsø is famous for its bird watching, especially the Steller’s eider.
Road-Trips
Follow our road-trip guides for scenic trips around Vadsø
The Varanger Tourist Road
The Varanger Tourist Road is unlike any other scenic road in Norway. With its flat, rocky landscape, it feels like you are driving to the end of the world. You pass the Varanger park area, known for its bird life, before heading above the tree line. The stretch from Vardø to Hamningberg is particularly scenic – it feels like you are driving on the moon! Despite its remote location, this is a road rich in history and there are several fascinating places to stop at along the way.
Self-Guided Walks
Vadsø on YouTube
Watch our YouTube videos featuring Vadsø
Kirkenes to Vardø on the E6 & E75
Follow this rainy day drive from Kirkenes to Vardø
Varanger Tourist Road
The Varanger Tourist Road is one of Norway’s 18 national tourist roads.
Uniquely Vadsø
Here are some things that you must do and try in Vadsø
Airship Mast
The airship mast is from 1926 and was used as a mooring past for the airships Norge in 1926 and Italia in 1928. The two airships left Vadsø for Ny-Ålesund on Svalbard where they embarked on their famous expeditions to the North Pole.
History of Vadsø
The original settlement of Vadsø was on the island of Vadsøya, and finds there indicate permanent settlement since the medieval times. The oldest excavations show that people have bene here for 9,000 years.
During the 17th century the population relocated to the mainland, and in 1717 the church was moved.
During World War II, Vadsø was at times the headquarters for the approximately 2,000 German troops. The centre of the town was badly damaged when the Allies bombed the town in 1944. In spite of the bombing almost one third of the towns buildings were left standing. Today Vadsø has more preserved pre-war buildings than anywhere else on Finnmark.
Vadsø Today
Today Vadsø is an important administrative centre for the region.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: Vadsø has an airport with short, 15 minute flights across to Kirkenes.
Drive: Vadsø is located on the E75 highway and is a short drive away from the E6 highway that runs through Norway.
Train: No train access
Ferry: Vadsø is a port of call for the coastal ferry. Only the northbound ferry stops here, and it is at around 7am in the morning.
Getting Around
It’s very easy to walk around Vadsø, 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
Vestre Jakobselv Camping is out of the town centre but is close to the famous salmon fishing river.
Cabins & B&Bs
Chains & Mid-Range
Scandic Vadsø is the only chain hotel in town.
The Vadsø Fjordhotell is close to the cultural trail.
High End & Unique Properties
Out on Ekkerøy you can stay in a preserved wooden home from before World War II. It’s called the Ekkerøy Holiday House.
Sunrise/Sunset & Weather Averages
January
Polar night until 16 January
Average Temperature: -5.8C (21.6F)
February
Sunrise: 7:37am
Sunset: 2:54pm
Average Temperature: -6.1C (21F)
March
Sunrise: 5:25am
Sunset: 4:56pm
Average Temperature: -4.2C (24.4F)
April
Sunrise: 3:58am
Sunset: 8:07pm
Average Temperature: -0.7C (30.7F)
May
Midnight sun from the 17th of May
Average Temperature: 3.6C (38.5F)
June
Midnight sun
Average Temperature: 7.5C (45.5F)
July
Midnight sun until 29 July
Average Temperature: 10.9C (50.4F)
August
Sunrise: 2:54am
Sunset: 9:12pm
Average Temperature: 10.2C (50.4F)
September
Sunrise: 5:11am
Sunset: 6:38pm
Average Temperature: 7.3C (45.1F)
October
Sunrise: 7:12am
Sunset: 4:19pm
Average Temperature: 1.9C (35.4F)
November
Sunrise: 8:49am
Sunset: 12:40pm
Average Temperature: -2C (28F)
December
Polar night
Average Temperature: -3.6C (25.5F)
All Posts About Vadsø
Drive it Yourself: Varanger Tourist Road
Follow Norway’s northernmost tourist road along the east coast of the Varanger peninsula from Hamningberg to Varangerbotn.
Drive it Yourself: Kirkenes to Vardø via the E6 and E75
This guide crosses the far-north of Norway from Kirkenes to Vardø via the Varangerfjord and Varanger peninsula.
Vadsø Photo Diary
June 2022
May 2023
September 2023