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Honningsvåg Cruise Port Guide: How to Visit the North Cape

by Valerie Vanr

Honningsvåg cruise port is the gateway to North Cape, the most northerly road-accessible point in Europe. It’s easily reached from port and pure bucket-list territory.  Explore Honningsvåg for harbourfront cafés, fishing vessels, coastal views, mountain hiking and more. 

Our complete 1-day itinerary hits iconic North Cape, the North Cape Staircase hike, and Honningsvåg.

Honningsvåg Cruise Port 

Honningsvåg is mainland Norway’s northernmost city, a small fishing settlement at 70.9 degrees north on the island of Magerøya.  From here, travellers head north across the island to the spectacular cliffs of the North Cape (Nordkapp), Europe’s northernmost point accessible by road.  This is a regular stop on Arctic and Norwegian fjord cruise itineraries. We arrived on Hurtigruten’s Svalbard Line cruise.     

An aerial view of Honningsvag with a harbor, boats, and buildings, under a cloudy sky.
Take the North Cape Staircase up Storfjellet mountain for this stunning aerial view over Honningsvåg and its cruise port on the Barents Sea.

One-Day Honningsvåg Itinerary: The Town and North Cape

Most people arrive by cruise ship with either a half-day or full day in port.  Since we had a full day, we decided to explore both the small city and take the bus tour to the iconic North Cape plateau just 34 kilometres away.

Honningsvåg City (Half-Day)

  • Walk along the Honningsvåg harbourfront.
  • Explore the North Cape Museum exhibits showcasing Magerøya’s coastal culture and WWII stories.
  • Admire the beautiful white Honningsvåg Church, the only building to survive WWII’s scorched-earth devastation.
  • Conquer 1,000 stone steps on the North Cape Staircase for breathtaking harbour views.

North Cape Excursion (Half-Day)

Honningsvåg Cruise Port Map

Use our map to help you locate Honningsvåg’s landmarks with ease.

Map of Honningsvåg, Norway, showing the harbor, cruise pier, museum, beach, church, and North Cape Stairs locations.
This map shows the Honningsvåg cruise pier, North Cape Museum, Honningsvåg Church and the North Cape Staircase hike, the main landmarks in the city.

Honningsvåg Walking Tour

The cruise port is right in the town centre.  Shops, cafes and restaurants are all within an easy walk of the ship.  As you step off the gangway, there is a souvenir store that doubles as a tourist information point.

Outside the store stands the Bamse Statue, a bronze tribute to Honningsvåg’s legendary World War II hero.  This St. Bernard was the mascot of a Norwegian minesweeper stationed in Montrose, Scotland.  Bamse saved sailors’ lives, once rescuing a man overboard and another time tackling an armed assailant into the sea.  Posthumously awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal for gallantry, his legacy connects the two towns; an identical statue stands in Montrose, the two facing each other across the North Sea. 

Val posing next to a statue of a dog wearing a hat and a small flag in front of an Arctic souvenir shop.
This statue of a St. Bernard called Bamse honours the Honningsvåg-born mascot of a Norwegian WWII minesweeper stationed in Scotland.

Walk to Honningsvåg Harbour, which remains ice-free year-round thanks to the warm Norwegian Current.  Brightly painted fishing boats and small trawlers line the quay.  Cod and king crab are the lifeblood here, hauled from the icy Barents Sea nearby.

North Cape Museum

Sitting on the harbourfront is the North Cape Museum.  The museum traces the history of Magerøya from the earliest known island settlement 9,100 years ago through to the present day and the city of Honningsvåg.

Permanent displays cover Sami traditional costumes, the “Verdde” cultural exchange between herders and coastal residents, and a moving exhibition on the 1944 (WWII) destruction of Honningsvåg.  One section tells the story of Francesco Negri, considered the first North Cape tourist in the 17th century.

Fishing boats docked in a Honningsvag harbor with buildings and hills in the background.
Fishing boats work from Honningsvåg Harbour all 12 months of the year, since it is ice-free year-round. Their catch changes based on the time of year. North Cape Museum is in the background on the right side.

From the harbour walk the main street, Storgata, south and up the hill.

Honningsvåg Church

Honningsvåg Church is the oldest building on Magerøya, dating to 1885, and the only important structure in Honningsvåg to survive World War II. During the German retreat in 1944, nearly every other building in Honningsvåg was burned to the ground under a scorched-earth policy.

When a hurricane in the 1880s destroyed the original parish church in nearby Kjelvik, the parish centre was moved to Honningsvåg and the white timber neo-Gothic church and steeple were constructed.  It is modest when compared with Norway’s famous stave churches.  Inside, the single nave seats around 220 people beneath flat-beamed ceilings.

Andy stands on a wet road in front of the white Honningsvag Church with a green spire. Buildings and a hill are in the background under a cloudy sky.
We walked up the hill to the white timber Honningsvåg Church, the only important Honningsvåg building to survive WWII.

With more time, walk west to Honningsvåg Beach, a rocky stretch of shoreline with views back across the colourful local houses. 

We didn’t walk to the beach because we wanted to use our time to do the local hike.

North Cape Staircase Hike

The North Cape Staircase (Nordkapptrappa) is a stone staircase ascending Storfjellet mountain directly above Honningsvåg.

The full hike is a 3.5 km loop trail, but with one eye on our departure time, we limited ourselves to climbing to the top of the Sherpa-built stairs before doubling back.

North Cape Stairs Hike map shows a trail with numbered markers, rest stops, and a total length of approximately 3.5 km.
The trail map shows the 3.5 km loop, via the Sherpa-built staircase, ascending Storfjellet to the summit and looping back to the start.
Andy hikes up a mountainous trail on the North Cape Stairs.
The stairs climb up the boulder-covered slope of Storfjellet. While the stairs have no hand rail, they are very wide and stable. Once we passed the “trappen slutter” sign, the trail became more rugged.

Skilled Nepalese Sherpas from the Khunde region, a Himalayan village at 3,840 metres above sea level, built the 900 to 1,000 steps using traditional techniques.  The staircase climbs around 300 metres and was completed in 2023.  Local businesses and residents in Honningsvåg “bought” individual steps to finance the project, with proceeds helping rebuild the Sherpas earthquake-stricken Nepalese village.

Climbing the steps, the views over Honningsvåg and the harbour open up dramatically.  We stayed here, taking photos, longer than planned.

At the top, a sign reading “trappen slutter” marks the end of the staircase.  From here, the trail is more rugged and continues to the Honningsvåg Hausberg Summit.  We pressed on a little further following an exposed ridge through an impressive boulder field.

The Perletrur-Hytt sits a bit further along.  This small hiker’s cabin offers shelter and a chance to rest.  We enjoyed the views through its large window and signed the guest book before turning back.

Val standing on North Cape Stairs overlooking Honningsvag Harbour with a cruise ship.
Climbing the stone steps, the views over Honningsvåg harbour and our cruise ship were simply jaw dropping. This is looking southwest.
Val in a black jacket and backpack holds open a guest book, looking out a large window at a rocky landscape and the Barents Sea.
I signed the guest book inside the Perletrur-Hytt as we enjoyed the view.

Near the end of the descent, a short side trail branches off to the Knut Erik Jensen Monument, a quiet tribute tucked away off the main path.  We stopped briefly before heading back to the cruise ship pier.

North Cape Bus Tour

Many visitors to Honningsvåg come specifically to visit the North Cape. Often celebrated as the northernmost point of Europe, Nordkapp (North Cape) is a 307-metre-tall cliff plateau jutting into the Arctic Ocean on Magerøya.

The headland is reached by bus from Honningsvåg.  We arranged this excursion through the cruise line.  The drive across Magerøya is an experience in its own right, with the road winding through stark Arctic tundra and treeless ridges.

About midway, the bus pulled over at a viewpoint above the Tufjordhøyda fjord, giving us a chance to step out and take in the broad sweep of the fjord and surrounding peaks.  We also spotted plenty of reindeer along the route, grazing close to the roadside in scattered groups.

A reindeer with large antlers stands on a rocky outcrop in a grassy field on Magerøya Island Norway.
This reindeer was grazing near the roadside as we passed on our bus ride across Magerøya to North Cape.

North Cape Globe and Viewpoint

As soon as we left the bus, we headed toward the viewpoint.  The plateau sits roughly 2,100 kilometres from the North Pole, where a near-vertical cliff edge drops 307 metres into the Arctic Ocean below.  From mid-May to late July, the sun never sets here.

The steel North Cape Globe is located at the viewpoint, marking the plateau’s edge.  It was erected in 1978 as a symbol of the cape as a global meeting place.  Its frame depicts lines of latitude and longitude, with its axis aligned with Earth’s own.

We took our selfies with the globe before walking to the southwest along the cliff edge.

Val stands in front of the North Cape globe monument on a cloudy day. Several other people are visible in the background.
My classic photo with the North Cape Globe erected to signify North Cape’s status as a global meeting place. Many of us “met” on the platform trying to get our photos. It is very busy so pack your patience.

The King Oscar II Monument is nearby.   The granite obelisk is inscribed “King Oscar II climbed the North Cape on 2nd July 1873”.  His visit is often credited as the birth of formal tourism to Nordkapp.  King Oscar II ruled the joint kingdoms of Norway and Sweden until June 1905, when the Norwegian parliament voted to dissolve the union and establish independent nationhood.

Red granite King Oscar II Monument with inscriptions stands on North Cape cliff overlooking the ocean. Two figures in jackets face away from the monument.
This granite obelisk commemorates King Oscar II’s 1873 climb to the North Cape, starting tourism to Nordkapp.
North Cape Globe monument stands on cliff edge overlooking the Arctic Ocean, with several people visible.
The North Cape Globe sits at the edge of the 307-metre cliff plateau which juts into the Arctic Ocean, roughly 2,100 kilometres from the North Pole.

A short walk east, and across the bus parking area, is the Children of the Earth Monument.  It features seven large bronze medallions framed in granite, arranged in a semi-circle around a sculpture of a mother and child.  The medallions were designed by children from seven different countries during a week-long workshop at the North Cape in 1988.  Each child crafted a clay relief to symbolize friendship, hope, and global unity.  Cast in bronze and erected in 1989, the monument was conceived as a timeless symbol meant to endure for a thousand years.

Bronze statue of a woman holding flowers and a boy pointing into the distance, against a cloudy sky at North Cape Norway.
The bronze mother and child sculpture forms the centrepiece of the Children of the Earth Monument.
Seven circular sculptures with various reliefs stand on a gravel pad, part of the Children of the Earth Monument, under a cloudy sky.
The design of each of these seven medallions was by a child from a different country symbolizing friendship, hope, and global unity.

After exploring the plateau, we headed inside to the visitor centre.

North Cape Hall

North Cape Hall (Nordkapphallen) is the only building at the cape and functions as a visitor centre.  To preserve the cliff’s sweeping ocean panorama, this multi-level building was carved directly into the plateau’s bedrock, leaving most of its facilities hidden underground.  The floor above ground is glass-sided allowing expansive views out to its surroundings.

In addition to a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, gift shop, and post office, there are several museum-style exhibits and attractions worth exploring.  Note: there is a fee to enter the building.

Interior of modern North Cape Hall with large windows, seating areas, and people.
The above-ground floor of North Cape Hall is glass-sided, allowing expansive views from the café out across the plateau and a bright spot to grab food and shelter from the rain.
Exhibit displays in Nordkapphallen showing historical dates and information, a bust of a man, and people.
North Cape Hall exhibits trace the history of Nordkapp tourism from 1873 onward.

The hall’s main attraction is the circular cinema near the entrance on the first underground level.  It screens various films, including Nordkapp Panoramafilm, a 53-minute panoramic film showcasing the North Cape’s four seasons.  The film also documents the construction of the North Cape Tunnel. The 6.9-kilometre undersea tunnel, built between 1993 and 1999, plunges 212 metres below sea level to connect Magerøya to the mainland.

From the cinema, follow the long corridor further underground.  As you walk lower, several distinct alcoves and rooms open off the corridor.  Three large niches contain the North Cape Dioramas, crafted by renowned Norwegian filmmaker Ivo Caprino.  The scenes depict pivotal moments in the history of tourism to the North Cape.  They capture the era before the modern highway was built, when early sea-borne visitors had to land at Hornvika bay and climb a gruelling, steep path up the cliffside to reach the plateau.

A North Cape diorama depicts a large wooden sailing ship from centuries past with figures on deck.
This is one small section of the North Cape Dioramas, which depict pivotal moments in the history of tourism to North Cape, where people used to arrive by boat and have to climb the cliff using ropes.
The modern St. Johannes Chapel with a mosaic crucifix above a wooden altar and two lit candles.
The beautiful altar in the tiny St. Johannes Chapel, the world’s northernmost ecumenical chapel consecrated in 1990.

Continuing down, a doorway opens onto St. Johannes Chapel, the world’s northernmost ecumenical chapel.  Consecrated on Midsummer Day in 1990 and named for John the Baptist, the small space seats just 15 people and features unique music composed by Norwegian jazz musician Jan Garbarek.  The interior centres on three symbols: the cross, the dove, and a figure of Christ.  It is popular for small weddings.

Beside the chapel is The Thai Museum, opened in 1989 to commemorate King Chulalongkorn of Siam’s 1907 visit to Nordkapp.  Financed by the Thai government and inaugurated by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the room displays historical pictures from his journey.  King Chulalongkorn was the first Asian monarch to visit Norway after its independence.

The Cave of Lights is in the deepest level of the building. This multimedia installation simulates the aurora borealis and the shifting colours of the Arctic seasons.  From here, a tunnel leads directly out to a viewing balcony cut halfway down the sheer cliff wall.  We found this lower viewpoint less impressive than the expansive plateau above, but it offers a welcome, sheltered alternative on exceptionally rough days.

Bronze bust of King Chulalongkorn of Siam in a military uniform, adorned with flower garlands, stands in a pink-walled exhibit room featuring maps and photographs titled "One Month in Norway" at Thai Museum.
There are a considerable number of pictures on the wall of the Thai Museum commemorating King Chulalongkorn of Siam’s 1907 visit to Nordkapp.
Val stands on cement viewpoint on a cliff overlooking the Arctic Ocean on a cloudy day in North Cape Norway.
This viewing balcony, halfway down the sheer cliff, is accessed through the tunnel of the North Cape Hall. It was a great place to look out over the ocean as our weather was windy and wet.

Know Before You Go – Visiting Honningsvåg

What is Honningsvåg, Norway known for?

Honningsvåg is best known as the “Gateway to the North Cape,” Europe’s northernmost point accessible by road.  Honningsvåg is characterized by its vibrant fishing industry, colourful houses, and stunning Arctic landscapes.  Many visit to experience summer’s Midnight Sun and winter’s Northern Lights.

Where do cruise ships dock in Honningsvåg, Norway?

In most cases, cruise ships moor directly at the pier in the town centre, within a five-minute walk of the main street, shops, restaurants, and the tourist information office.  During busy periods or for very large vessels, tendering is occasionally necessary.  Tender boats carry passengers ashore to the same central location.  Check with your cruise line in advance if this is a concern.

Andy and Val smile at the camera in front of the "Trollfjord" ship docked at cruise pier in Honningsvag.
We arrived in Honningsvåg aboard Hurtigruten’s Trollfjord on the Svalbard Line cruise.

Explore All of our Norway Travel Guides

Discover our complete series of detailed Norway guides to help you plan your perfect adventure from Oslo to the Arctic.

Main Article:  Norway 14-Day Road Trip

Part 1:  Oslo – Capital city, harbourfront museums, and Viking history
Part 2:  Bergen – Bryggen wharf, fish market, and fjord gateway
Part 3:  Longyearbyen – Svalbard’s capital with tours, museums and midnight sun
Part 4:  Ny-Alesund – Northernmost civilian settlement and Arctic research base
Part 5:  Honningsvag – North Cape gateway and northernmost edge of mainland Europe (You’re reading this guide now!)
Part 6:  Norway Cruise Ports – Norway’s most popular cruise stops


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Valerie is the Co-founder of AvrexTravel.com. Val enjoys travel photography and writing informative City Walking tours.