Wandering the Hills and Harbors of Honningsvåg

Arriving in Honningsvåg by cruise ship felt like stepping into a postcard. Tucked into the far reaches of northern Norway, this colorful little town is often used as the gateway to the North Cape, but it’s worth exploring in its own right. Most of the popular excursions were long gone by the time I looked, and honestly, the prices were enough to make me pause. So instead of splurging on a tour, I decided to do what I enjoy most anyway, roam the streets with my camera and take in whatever the day offered.

Honningsvåg still runs as a working fishing town. You won’t find rows of yachts or flashy speedboats here. The harbor is full of trawlers and fishing vessels that remind you this place is more about daily life than cruise ship fanfare. That said, it’s still incredibly charming. The main drag runs along the harbor, flat and walkable, lined with houses and businesses in quiet colors. But venture just a block or two inland, and the streets start to climb. And climb. I definitely got my cardio in.

At some point, I found myself halfway up Nordkapptrappa, one of the hiking trails that snake up the mountain behind town. I made it as far as the little shelter midway before admitting it wasn’t my hiking day. The view from there, though, was amazing. From above, I could trace my wandering path, along the waterfront, over to the breakwall near the firehouse, past the school and church, through the cemetery. Basically, I covered a lot of ground.

I even spotted the local library on my map and decided to pop in. Why not? It was a quiet spot to catch my breath and flip through a few Norwegian titles. Trolls seem to show up in unexpected places around town too, whether in the form of statues or local humor, which made me smile more than once.

All in all, I spent a good five hours walking, climbing, pausing, and just soaking up the scenery. For a first-time visit, it gave me just enough of a taste to know I’ll be back, and next time, maybe I’ll spring for a North Cape trip or one of the king crab adventures.