North Cape
At 71°10′21′′, North Cape is the northernmost point of Europe
Imagine going on a northbound journey, passing through rough waters and snow-covered soil, and suddenly you see a mountain cliff that rises over 1,000 feet above the Arctic Ocean. While the travelers in earlier years had to climb up this mountain, today it is accessible by bus from Honningsvåg.
Discovered in 1553
Still, the feeling of walking onto the cliff is extraordinary and gives you a feeling of being at the end of the world. This is the exact same feeling the first explorers must have had when they reached this majestic cliff in 1553 in search of the Northeast Passage. Two of the three British ships never returned home;the third survived to name it North Cape.
Sparked by the King
More than 100 years later, Italian priest Francesco Negri arrived at the same place, in what is described as purely a ‘tourist’ visit. But it was not until 1873 when King Oscar climbed these steep cliffsthat North Cape really became a ‘tourist attraction’, and the king´s effort sparked great interest all over the world.
Look up to the skies
Today there is a combined museum and restaurant at the plateau where you can learn more aboutthe early expeditions to North Cape and watch a panoramic film that takes you through the four seasons in a landscape full of contrasts and breathtaking scenery. You’ll also see the symbolic globe monument that marks the end point of Europe. North Cape is a spectacular place for experiencing both the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer.
