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What is the best of North Cape is a good question to ask, since the northernmost point on the European Continent is about 4,000 kilometers from northern Italy.

I reached the North Cape by bicycle, with a journey of 4,000 kilometers., and the feeling of reaching such a mystical place is definitely unforgettable. In the last kilometers of the journey, from Alta onward, I found a very high amount of cyclists, bikers and campers. In fact, North Cape is not only a dream for cyclists but also for owners of motorized vehicles!

By bike it took me 31 days to reach the North Cape, by motorcycle it generally takes half as long: the satisfaction is great for everyone! Norway by bike, in particular, was icing on the cake!

How to get to the North Cape

North Cape can be reached in several ways. The nearest airport is Alta: a bus leaves from this town to the North Cape in about four and a half hours. There are also buses that connect North Cape to Rovaniemi: in this case, the journey is as long as 15 hours. Another way to reach North Cape is to join a cruise: Hurtigruten, in fact, arrives in Honningsvag, which is about 30 km from North Cape.

In Honningsvag you can find accommodations and even a craft brewery, Sjogata Pub! Also Honningsvag is home to a small white church and a very quaint harbor.

The question where to sleep in the North Cape, however, sees Skorsvag as the best answer. This small town is only 15 km away and is home to several campsites: moreover, with a walk of only 45 minutes it is possible to see a wonderful fjord where, in the distance, North Cape stands out. Also thanks to this walk it is possible to admire a beautiful arch carved into the rock!

Best of North Cape: the entrance

The thirty kilometers that connect Honningsvag to the North Cape are simply fantastic! On sunny days the sea is colored in various shades, and there is never a shortage of small lakes! The last kilometers for cyclists are not easy: the climbs are often tricky! On the other hand, about five kilometers from the North Cape you begin to see the end of the world, namely Nordkapp Hall.

North Cape, in fact, is far from being a non-tourist place. There is an actual entrance: you can park for free but to enter Nordkapp Hall you have to pay a 30 euro ticket. However, the entrance is free for cyclists-a sort of reward for my 4,000 kilometers!

Best of North Cape: the globe and the monument to the children of the world

The globe representing the World is located 200 meters past Nordkapp Hall-the feeling of having come all the way up here is unique! The globe is generally taken by storm in the afternoon hours: especially in summer, many people come up here to see the midnight sun. In fact, at the North Cape the sun never sets from late May to late July!

In addition to the globe, the monument to the children of the world can also be visited free of charge: in fact, in 1988, sculptor Simon Devold decided to gather seven children here with the aim of creating some artworks dedicated to the children of the Earth.

What to see in the North Cape: the Nordkapp Hall

Nordkapp Hall, on the other hand, is fee-based. Inside you can find a restaurant (with beer on tap!), a gift store, various panels telling the history of the North Cape, an interfaith chapel, and, in addition, you can watch a 15-minute film showing the North Cape in the four seasons.

Nordkapp Hall is open year-round, and schedules can be found on the official website.

The history of the North Cape

North Cape, located at 71°10’21 “” N, sits atop a promontory 308 meters high. North Cape is named after the Englishman Steven Borough, who sailed to this area in 1553, seeking the passage to the Northeast. Francesco Negri is considered the first traveler to arrive at North Cape: the explorer succeeded in reaching North Cape in 1665.

In 1873 there was a visit to North Cape by King Oscar II: this location was beginning to be touristy! To reach North Cape, however, one had to climb the headland: to climb the 308 meters one had to use ropes, so it was not an easy task.

North Cape in 1943 hosted the battle of the same name. In December 1943, in fact, in the middle of the Arctic night, there was a battle between the German ship Schamhorst and the British ship Duke of York. The British prevailed: the battle was so epic that the victors themselves honored the defeated by saluting them in German.

In 1956 the present road was built: surely now it is easier to reach the North Cape!

Climate of the North Cape

The climate in the Northern Cape is less cold than we might expect. In fact, the average minimum temperatures are found in February: it is difficult for them to fall below minus ten degrees. The maximum temperature in the North Cape is in July or August: it averages around eleven degrees. The midnight sun in the North Cape is visible from late May to late July. At the opposite end of November to the end of January, the sun never rises. North Cape could be combined with a trip to Lofoten: here you can find an article on the Lofoten in winter.