Mehamn - the northernmost port on The Coastal Express

Mehamn grew up around a natural harbour and has been home to a permanent settlement since at least the early 1800s. Its location on the Barents coast made it a hub for fishing and for the Pomor trade – an exchange of fish, grain and goods between northern Norway and Russia that flourished from the 1700s until Russia’s 1917 revolution.

In 1885, entrepreneur Svend Foyn opened a whaling station here – one of the largest in Finnmark at the time. But within two decades, local fishermen protested against declining fish stocks, accusing whaling of driving away the catch. The 1903 Mehamn Rebellion was a pivotal moment. The station was shut down, in the process raising awareness of the issue and helping to usher in tighter whaling regulations across Norway.

Hurtigruten ships have called here since the early 20th century, connecting this remote village with the rest of the coast. The fishing industry still plays a central role, with seasonal landings of cod and crab supporting the local economy.

There are plenty of reasons to visit Mehamn today, not least the dramatic light and weather. Come in winter to catch glimpses of the Northern Lights dancing over the harbour. In summer, the days stretch endlessly under the Midnight Sun. Wildlife abounds here too. Puffins nest on nearby cliffs in spring and summer, whales pass through the waters offshore, and reindeer can often be seen inland – all reminders that this is a place shaped by Arctic nature.