Honningsvag Nordkapp

The port sits in the town heart, close to shops, restaurants and activities. Honningsvåg is the municipality's administrative centre, while its port is Northern Norway's largest cruise port and the gateway to North Cape.

All five piers are within a 5 min walk of town. Tendering is sometimes used, depending on how many large ships are docked.

The busy pier area has many types of shop, including some run by indigenous peoples. A key Norse Mythological figure, the troll, is also present in the area.

Honningsvåg lies 34 km south of Nordkapp, around an half hour by car. The midnight sun is visible 14 May-29 July.

Port picture.

Honningsvåg web cam.

Honningsvåg Port is the North Cape gateway and Northern Norway's largest cruise port, receiving about 100 cruise calls each summer. Four cruise vessels can berth simultaneously near town centre. Its exceptionally deep-water harbour lets even the largest vessels tie up beside the fishing harbour, entering or leaving without difficulty by day or night. Its location and infrastructure make Honningsvåg a major northern Norwegian port.

Nordkapp, Norway's northernmost municipality, is bounded by the Barents Sea and includes Magerøya island plus mainland around the Porsanger Fjord mouth. Honningsvåg is its administrative centre. A major fishing municipality, Nordkapp draws thousands of commercial fishermen from elsewhere in spring cod season, and substantial fishing villages are nearby. Honningsvåg inhabitants are known for humour, quick wit and an urban lifestyle.

The midnight sun is one of the Nordic countries' foremost attractions and appears around North Cape from mid-May to late July. It disappears completely below the horizon on 20 November and does not return until 22 January.

There is little in Honningsvåg Port itself; its population of 2400 is below that of an average cruise ship.

The church, a white wooden Neo-Gothic building from 1885, is the sole structure left standing after the 2nd World War and now the area's oldest building. North Cape museum, at the cruise port, is small and friendly, presenting Arctic fisheries and aspects of Finnmark coastal daily life.

Most cruisers take a North Cape excursion for about 75 Euro per person. Taxi's near the terminal offer the same trip at about the same price per person, but without a full bus, making it more pleasant. Credit cards are often accepted.

Local Bus #62 also runs to North Cape, offering significant savings over tour operators and cruise-ship excursions. The operator may say this bus is not running in order to sell excusion tickets.

Caveat: weather may not cooperate; fog can leave little to see at North Cape. On a clear day, North Cape views from the cruise ship are excellent when sailing in and/or out through the Barents Sea. Bring binoculars.

North Cape municipality extends across 924 km² of grand, harsh coastal scenery. Europe's northernmost point rises 308 meters above the Barents Sea. North Cape has long guided sailors in northern waters and remains a major attraction for people worldwide.

Honningsvåg offers a King Crab Safari by bus or deep-sea rafting. Learn about this famous creature's life, help take King crabs from onshore tanks and be taught how to cook them. Prepare a small King crab meal and taste this special delicacy.

Norway uses the Norwegian crown, or norske krone, abbreviated kr. One 1/100th of a krone is an øre. 1.00 EUR equals about 8 NOK.

Norwegian ATMs are called Minibank.

Nearly all stores take major cards such as Mastercard and Visa; bring a passport/driver's license because credit-card users must identify themselves.

WiFi spots are scarce, so follow the crew to locate one. Half way up mainstreet from the Libris bookstore is a popular WiFi spot.

The tourist office has one free internet terminal.

Norway's opening hours have improved, but many smaller stores still shut early Saturday, typically 1 PM or 3 PM, and almost everything closes Sunday. Doors often show "9-21 (9-18)", meaning 9 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 6 PM Saturday.