North Cape (Nordkapp)

The North Cape plateau on the island of Magerøya rises 307 metres straight out of the Arctic Ocean – one of the most famous goals of any road trip through Norway. On the plateau stand the globe monument and the North Cape Hall (Nordkapphallen), the visitor centre with a panorama film, exhibitions, the Cave of Lights, a chapel, a café, a post office and a shop.

Getting there: the E69 runs all the way to the cape. Since 1999 the 6,8 km North Cape tunnel has linked Magerøya to the mainland, so no ferry is needed. Honningsvåg is about 34 km (30–40 minutes) before the cape; from Alta it is a drive of 3 to 3,5 hours. In winter the last stretch from Honningsvåg is driven in convoy – check the convoy times, and the road can close in bad weather.

Opening and tickets (2026): the hall is open all year, weather permitting – in summer (18 May to 17 August) from 10:00 to 01:00, so you can stay for the midnight sun; from October to mid-May 10:00–16:00. Adults NOK 360, children (6–16) NOK 100, families NOK 820; the ticket includes the film, the exhibitions, the viewing areas, the toilets and Wi-Fi.

Tips for campers: parking is free, open from 07:00 to 01:00, for at most 6 hours – overnight parking at the North Cape is not allowed, so plan where you sleep (Honningsvåg, Skarsvåg or the campsites on Magerøya). Don’t drive or build cairns in the protected terrain beyond the car park. Worth stopping on the way: Gjesvær with its bird cliffs, the fishing villages Kamøyvær and Skarsvåg, and from Skarsvåg a short walk to the rock arch Kirkeporten.