Travel Guide Vadsø

Built in the 16th century, it suffered massive destruction during the Second World War, when the Germans occupied the town. Even today, the town's gray houses and activities are far less attractive than elsewhere. By air, connections with Tromsø, Kirkenes, Hammerfest, Berlevåg, Vardø and Båtsfjord airports. The coastal express calls at Vadsø every day, departing north at around 7 a.m.Ekkerøy: the pearl of Varanger. Nestled in the Varanger fjord, the Ekkerøy peninsula, once an island, is now home to just 25 inhabitants. Declared a nature reserve in 1983, it's a paradise for birds. It's here that they come to nest each year, in the hollows of the majestic cliffs that plunge 40 meters into the sea. During the war, German occupiers lived on the peninsula. They built barracks and warehouses for their weapons. Walking along the paths above the cliffs is like stepping back in time, as some of the fortifications from that era remain, as do the "cellars" where the ammunition was stored. The view from up here is splendid, and in summer you can pick the blueberries that carpet the ground. Try to find the yellow cloudberries- "they're our gold", as the people of Finnmark say. A real favorite for its charm and authenticity, Ekkerøy is a journey within a journey.