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. 

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...

Map of Vadsø

Things to See & Do

Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Vadsø

Museum

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. 

Museum

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!

Trail

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. 

Nature

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

Historic Site

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. 

I’ve written a detailed overview of the history of Vadsø, which you can see below. 

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

Vadsø Photo Diary

June 2022

May 2023

September 2023