Kirkenes

Kirkenes is based in the Finnmark region of Norway, far east near the Russian border, more or less in the end of mainland Norway. This is the last port for Hurtigruten and the end of E6 through Norway and Sweden|Norway's primary street E6, 2500 kilometers from Oslo and 3120 kilometers from Trelleborg (Sweden).

Kirkenes Foussgängerzon February 2005 - Kirkenes

Kirkenes Halal Travel Guide

The region was Germany's staging ground for its northern front against the Soviet Union during World War II, and this has left marks in the area. The town of Kirkenes was totally destroyed by almost 350 Soviet air raids, and holds the record as the most bombed-out town in Europe during the war. Upon an imminent Soviet advance the population was forced by the Germans to relocate to Tromsø and further south. However, more than 3,000 residents and their livestock hid for around ten days in the mines and appeared when the town was liberated by the Red Army in October 1944, more than six months ahead of Norway as a whole. Norway's flag was raised on liberated territory for the first time at the Kirkenes mines. The buildings at the mines were the only ones remaining, and the first administration in free Norway was set up there.

Kirkenes is commonly called a mining town, and mining for iron ore has been taken up again after a hiatus. Kirkenes has some 3,500 inhabitants.

Fun facts

File:Церковь Бориса и Глеба (деревянная) - Boris Gleb is the only Russian area (only 3.6 km²) west of Pasvik river, named after the orthodox Boris and Gleb church there

The mother of US actor René Zellweger was born and grew up in Kirkenes. Her parents met at the Hurtigruten ferry.

Tourist office

The municipal tourist information is at the public library downtown.

Travel to Kirkenes

Signpost Kirkenes - Signpost in Kirkenes showing 5,000 kilometers to Vienna. Oslo-Vienna and Oslo-Kirkenes is the same distance

Note the time zone difference if coming from Finland (1 hour) or Russia (2 hours). Check what timezone is used in timetables for international services.

By car

• Kirkenes is at the very end of the all-through-Norway 3,000 kilometers long highway E6. Visitors can also enter by road from northern Finland (via Rovaniemi about 7 hours), and northwestern Russia (via Murmansk about 4 hours including border formalities).
• From southern Norway or Germany by vehicle and the shorter and faster route is through Sweden and Finland. The normal route would be over Rovaniemi, although from Sweden there is a shortcut over Pajala and Kittilä which is shorter but slower. Kirkenes is some 2,600 kilometers from Hamburg through Sweden, through Norway well over 3,000 kilometers from Hamburg (some 40-50 hours drive, meaning 6 days if driving 8 hours per day). It is advised to visit interesting places along the way, even if this takes time, not just drive as much as feasible per day.

Travel on a Bus in Kirkenes

• /home/ Long distance buses, with connections to most of Norway.
• Regional buses]
• Buses to Finland (direct connections in summer, in winter you have to transfer at Tana)
• Buses to Russia (get a visa, make a bus reservation, and do not miss the bus on the trip back)

By sea

Kirkenes is the northern terminus port (Bergen being the southern) of the Hurtigruten , arguably the most beautiful sea voyage in the world, covering most of the Norwegian coast in 5–6 days.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Kirkenes

• Kirkenes Airport, Høybuktmoen IATA Flight Code: KKN 69.725, 29.887778 some 15 kilometers outside town - Kirkenes Airport, Høybuktmoen Kirkenes Airport 20081006 Due to its remote location, most visitors arrive and depart by plane. Daily Flights to Oslo, Tromsø and others by Norwegian, SAS and Wideroe]. Also Flights to Russia and Germany (summer only). Most flights have a bus to town waiting outside (timetables snelandia.no), kr 85, credit cards accepted. A taxi will set you back some kr 300.

On certain occasions it is considerably cheaper to fly into Ivalo in Finland, some 240 kilometers away, mainly if you are a small group or a family and plan to rent a vehicle anyway. Rental cars are not affordable in Northern Norway.

By Rail

• There are no passenger trains to Kirkenes, but it is feasible to go by public bus from cities with train station.
• The Russian train network is available at Murmansk, for travelling as far as Moscow, Vladivostok, Ulan Bator and Beijing.
• The closest Finnish stations are Kolari and Rovaniemi (some 500 kilometers away).
• The northernmost train station in Norway is Narvik (on the "iron ore line"), while Kiruna, Luleå and Boden are stations in Sweden on the same line. The Norwegian railways are even farther away, with railhead in Bodø.

Get Around

Local buses]. Long distance buses leave outside the main shopping center in the middle of town. Some buses only take cash, however there is an ATM inside the shopping center.

What to See

Kirkenes Denkmal - War memorial

• The midnight sun in summer
• The Aurora Borealis in winter
• The Russian border, including the three-borders-mark GPS 69.05192,28.92929, where also Finland joins in. Caution should be exercised; presume all movement is under surveillance near the border crossing. It is allowed to go almost to the border on the Norwegian side, but not the Russian. Respect the border and border zone as if we still had the cold war (e.g. long lens use is restricted, talking over the border forbidden except in emergencies). The easiest place to reach the border is Skafferhullet GPS 69.669,30.119, signposted from road E105. The three-borders-mark is in the Pasvik–Inari Trilateral Park, see #Go next|below.

• Grenselandmuseet - The Border Area Museum - Førstevannslia 69.716912, 30.043684 ☎ +47 78 994880 Opening Hours: 9.30-14.00 (20.6-31.8: 9.30-17.00) Entrance NOK 80/60,- Showcases history and lifestyle of the far north of Norway including a section devoted to the devastating effects of Second World War on Kirkenes. Also has a fine exhibition of woodcuts by the Sami artist Jon Savio

• Ä´vv Skolt Sámi museum - Neiden 69.699559, 29.377823 40km drive from Kirkenes - Adults: kr 80, Pensioner: kr 60, Groups 10+: kr 60 per pers, Children under16: free entrance A museum about Eastern / Skolt Sámi people. First opened in June 2017.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Kirkenes

Fishing, both salt and fresh water, including salmon. Hiking in the Nordic countries|Hiking.

• Arctic Adventure - A number of offers and the most desired being a King Crab Safari, catch guaranteed!

• Local summer festival Kirkenes Days] around the first week of August multiplies the activity level.

• Kirkenes Snow Hotel - Kirkenes Snøhotell - 69.7060, 30.0371 ☎ +47 78-970-540 Opening Hours: The hotel is open from December to early April A range of activities, some of which vary by the season (you do not have to stay at the hotel to participate): king crab excursions, including catching and eating, husky tours, reindeer watching.

• Øvre Pasvik National Park &p_dim2=96445 69.12, 28.91 ☎ +47 46-41-36-00 +47 78-99-56-00 The largest area of primeval forest in Norway, part of the Russian taiga. Forested hills, lakes and bogs. Also eastern species seldom seen in western Europe. Bears. A few open wilderness huts, wild camping allowed. The Piilola trail has information boards telling about the nature and cultural history of the area, and continues through Vätsäri Wilderness Area in Finland. The visitor centre (nasjonalparksentre) is in Svanhovd, Svanvik, and features also a botanic garden, best visited in July - August.

Shopping

Nord-Norge i ruiner under tyskernes retrett (16768623183) - Only 20 houses were standing at the end of the war

Russian visitors often buy clothes and home products, which tax-free are cheaper than similar non-Russian products in nearby Murmansk or Nikel. Spareland is a popular shop for this. Information about taxfree (only for non-EU/Norwegian residents) refunds are available at globalblue.com.

Local Norwegians can get a 5-year multitravel visa and they like to go to Russia to buy petrol (less than half the price) and some Russian products and services. They are not allowed to bring hala Meat over the border, and alcohol only if they been in Russia for 24 hours (and then only a small quota), products which otherwise are the most bought by Norwegians in the border trade in Sweden and Finland. Visitors need a visa which is costly and tricky to get.

Halal Food & Restaurants

Being a small settlement dining opportunities are not abundant. There are however a few restaurants.

• Ritz | Dr. Wessels gate 17 69.727872, 30.043943 ☎ +47 78 99 34 81

• Surf & Turf Dr. Wessels gate 2 69.727575, 30.039287 ☎ +47 464 45 245

Try Ritz or Ofelas.

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For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Kirkenes. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Kirkenes, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

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Muslim Friendly Hotels

between the airport and town, up the hill after the bridge as you drive towards town ☎ +47 78 99 80 28 Camping site. Also rents cabins. Summer only.

• Sollia - By the Russian border, some 10 kilometers from town 69.664528, 30.197099 Has a good restaurant.

• Barents Frokosthotell - From kr 675
• Wessel Hotell - Dr Wessels gate 3☎ +47 78998600 +47 78998601
• Kirkenes Overnatting - 1 kilometers from town center - Apartment from kr 500 a night

• Overnatting Liv Mikkelbrog - liv-@ Kronprinsensgate 21, Kirkenes Down the hill from the old Rica Hotel ☎ +47 9203 7762 Private rooms
• Rica Arctic Hotel | Kongens gate 1 69.726362, 30.044449 ☎ +47 78995900 +47 78991159 From kr 1050
• Thon Hotel - Johan Knudtzens gate 11 69.729345, 30.045021 ☎ +47 78 971050 From kr 1200 Opened in 2010 directly along the waterfront

Travel Next

Elvenes bru, Norway - The bridge over Pasvikelva river, now replaced by a new bridge

• Go up the Pasvik valley for quite a change of flora. Here you find the last bit of the enormous Russian Taiga, a pine forest that stretches all the way to Siberia. At the southern end of the valley (105 kilometers of paved road, 15 kilometers of dirt and then 1h15m walking along the Russian border) is the Tri-Border Mark, where Norway, Russia and Finland meet. Heavy fines for trespassing into Russia! The Pasvik-Inari trilateral park, including areas with different protection status in the three countries, features much untamed wilderness, but also some services and cultural attractions.
• At Grense Jakobselv (58 from Kirkenes) and the open Barents Sea washes a beautiful sandy shore. Never gets above 8°C, though! You can also peek at the "King Oscar II" church.
• The highest peak around is "Øretoppen", at 466 metres. It is a 2-hour hike along a marked path from Ropelv, where buses go. Magnificent views in a landscape of large stones spread upon the hills.

Further away

Grense Jakobselv Grenze - Norway-Russia border in the wilderness

• If you plan on crossing the border into Russia, you will probably need a visa. In theory, this should be obtainable at the Russian Consulate in Kirkenes, but you might find it worthwhile to pay any local travel agency a little extra for the job. You need quite a few documents, especially if you are using car, like paid a hotel booking and insurance forms. Start the process one month before leaving home.
• If you are heading for Finland, and feel that you need some euros and there is an ATM at the DnB bank that will hand them over. The route by foot straight through the forest to the Finnish side is feasible for experienced wilderness backpackers ( Piilola trail, 35 kilometers from Sortbryststjern to Kessintie, unless you want to find your own routes; clear with customs beforehand if needed); sleep in huts on the way and arrange somebody to fetch you with taxi or boat (over Lake Inari) from there or from Nellim, to Ivalo or Inari. Sortbryststjern is on the road towards the tripoint, some 25 kilometers before the tripoint. There is no marked trail from the tripoint itself, and the shortest route from there is blocked by the border zone. The nearest border crossings for vehicles are at Neiden/Näätämö and Nuorgam.
• Alternatively, if your travel budget allows, you can take the Hurtigruten cruise ferry to your destination of choice along the Norwegian coast. A trip to Bergen will take a full week, to places like Nordkapp, Tromsø, Lofoten or Trondheim a couple of days.

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