7 Things To Do in Hammerfest (Hammerfest Travel Guide)

If you’re trying to figure out the best things to do in Hammerfest during that tight 1 hour 45 minute stop on your Hurtigruten or Havila voyage, I understand the overwhelm!

I did this short port call solo in winter and had to learn quickly what’s genuinely worth your time – and what you can safely skip.

Norway’s northernmost town may be small, but the real secret to making the most of this short port stop is knowing where to start and how to get around before you even arrive.

So, in this Hammerfest travel guide, I’ll share everything you need to know to enjoy the highlights without rushing or feeling like you’ve missed something!

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Where is Hammerfest?

Table of Contents

Hammerfest is located in Norway’s Arctic north, on the island of Kvaløya in the county of Troms og Finnmark.

It’s above the Arctic Circle, which means you have polar night (total darkness) in winter and midnight sun (24-hour daylight) in summer.

But despite its remote location, Hammerfest is surprisingly accessible thanks to its airport and role as a key port stop on both the Hurtigruten and Havila coastal routes.

Is Hammerfest Worth Visiting?

Hammerfest definitely surprised me when I visited in March on the Norway Coastal Express!

On paper, it’s the most northerly town in Norway and is often just visited as a quick stop on the Coastal Express – so it’s very easy to assume there isn’t much here to explore.

But once you arrive (and especially if you visit with a guided tour), you realise just how much fascinating history and culture is packed into this small Arctic town!

Even with a short port call, Hammerfest gives you a real glimpse into what local, everyday life is like in the far north of Norway, high above the Arctic Circle.

It may not be glamorous or Instagram-aesthetic, with its industrial architecture and strong local vibe, but yes, it’s absolutely worth getting off the ship and exploring Hammerfest!

Spectacular mountain scenery on a hazy day in Hammerfest!

How to Get to Hammerfest

Flights to Hammerfest

If you’re not arriving by ship, Hammerfest has a small airport with regular connections from Tromsø, Alta, Honningsvåg, Mehamn and Vadsø.

This is the quickest way to visit Hammerfest, and perfect if you’re planning a longer stay in Norway’s northernmost town.

The airport is located near the port and town centre, so transfers are simple. Bus 30 will take you to the town centre in 10 minutes. Or you can take a taxi.

Hurtigruten or Havila Coastal Express (Southbound Day 8)

Most travellers visit Hammerfest as part of the Norway Coastal Express, especially on the southbound voyage, where you get 1 hour 45 minutes in port to explore. (This is how I visited Hammerfest solo in winter!)

The only thing you need to know in advance is that the port is located about a 30-minute walk from the town centre, which would take up a lot of your time in Hammerfest if you walked it.

I also wouldn’t recommend walking it in winter, when the pavements are icy, and it will take longer to complete the walk safely.

Near the port, you can visit the Meridian Column and Fuglenesodden outdoor museum.

Everything else on this list of things to do in Hammerfest (including the iconic Hammerfest viewpoints) would need more time than you have on this short port stop if you’re walking.

Because of this, I booked the bus excursion with Havila.

It took us straight to the best viewpoints, our local guide shared fascinating history along the way, and it meant I saw more than I could have alone. I would absolutely recommend it!

Katie’s Top Tip: If you’re visiting Hammerfest with Hurtigruten or Havila, don’t rely on walking into town. Either book the excursion or visit the Meridian Column or the outdoor museum nearby.

Where to Stay in Hammerfest

If you decide to spend a night or two in Hammerfest, the best option is to stay in the town centre, close to the harbour, shops, restaurants and viewpoints.

Scandic Hammerfest is the hotel I would recommend for solo travellers, as it’s comfortable, modern, and you’re right in the heart of the town, rather than isolated.

Katie’s Top Tip: If you’re visiting on the Coastal Express, save your budget and skip the overnight stay. The short stop gives you a great overview of Hammerfest, especially with the excursion!

7 Best Things To Do in Hammerfest

1. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Meridianstøtten

The Meridianstøtten monument is one of the most unique things to do in Hammerfest!

It marks the northern end of the Struve Geodetic Arc, which helped scientists in the 1800s measure the exact size of the Earth.

I found it such a cool experience to be standing right at a point used to map the planet long before satellites even existed!

The monument is Hammerfest’s true must-see, and if you’re visiting on the Coastal Express, it’s located just a 5-minute walk from the port – making it easy to fit into your short port call.

If you’re joining the excursion, you will also visit the monument and learn more about its history from your guide as a final stop on the tour.

Katie’s Top Tip: Take your time here! Even if you’re visiting solo without a guide, there’s a fascinating information board where you can learn more about the history of this important site.

Seeing the Meridian Column is one of the best things to do in Hammerfest! — The Meridian Column

2. See Hammerfest Church

Hammerfest Church has unique, modern, triangular architecture, which stands out immediately against the low-rise town surrounding it.

But what I loved most about visiting Hammerfest’s Church was how much history it has.

The first church in Hammerfest dates back to 1620, but since then, it has burned down multiple times, including in 1890, when the church had to be rebuilt in 1893.

Most devastatingly, this new church (and much of the town) was again destroyed in 1944, as the German army burned it down when they retreated from Hammerfest after World War II.

The church you see today was completed in 1961.

For me, I love that this church represents Hammerfest’s resilience and ability to rebuild!

The church is located right in the centre of town, which makes it a 35-minute walk from the port. It is possible to visit during the port call, but it wouldn’t leave much time to explore.

Katie’s Top Tip: I personally recommend an excursion with Havila or Hurtigruten instead, which drives past Hammerfest Church, shares more about its history, and gives you the best view of it from the Toke Viewpoint.

Visiting the distinctive Hammerfest Church is one of the best things to do in Hammerfest! — The distinctive Hammerfest Church

3. Toke Hammerfest (The Best Hammerfest Viewpoint!)

If you only have time for one viewpoint, make it the Hammerfest Observation Deck: Toke!

A visit here is one of the best things to do in Hammerfest if you want a stunning panoramic photo over the town, church, surrounding islands and the deep blue Barents Sea.

You’ll also see your ship from up here, docked in port on the opposite side of the harbour!

From the town centre, it’s an easy and short uphill walk.

However, it takes an hour total to reach it from the port, so if you’re visiting on the Coastal Express itinerary, you won’t be able to walk here.

I personally visited Toke on the Hammerfest excursion with Havila.

Katie’s Top Tip: In winter especially, it can be very windy up here. So make sure you’ve packed warm layers, gloves, a hat and a scarf to stay comfortable while admiring the views!

Admiring the incredible Arctic view from Toke Hammerfest!

4. See the Northern Lights Over Hammerfest

Hammerfest is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights because the town is located in the aurora oval (which means you can see the lights even if the KP index is low).

If the aurora is strong enough (and weather conditions allow), it is possible to see the Northern Lights directly over the harbour, despite the light pollution.

The trick is to get away from the brightest street lights. (If you’re staying in Hammerfest overnight, the Toke viewpoint is a great spot for this!)

Alternatively, if you’re sailing with Havila or Hurtigruten, keep your eyes peeled on the evening of day 8 (after you leave Hammerfest), as we had incredible Northern Lights on our voyage that night!

Katie’s Top Tip: If you’re visiting Hammerfest independently, check the aurora forecast with the My Aurora Forecast app. If you’re on the ship, you will receive Northern Lights alerts from the crew on the phone in your cabin.

5. Take a Selfie with the Polar Bear Statue

This one is quick and fun, but I loved it!

The polar bear statue is an iconic symbol of Hammerfest’s Arctic identity, located outside the town centre on route 94, at a spot marked “Isbjørn.”

Hammerfest has a long history with polar expeditions and hunting, and while that history is definitely complicated, the statue represents the town’s deep connection to the Arctic.

Plus, the statue is also located at another one of Hammerfest’s best viewpoints, where you can see the whole harbour, surrounding sea and islands, and your ship below your feet!

Katie’s Top Tip: The Hammerfest polar bear isn’t walkable from the port or town, so you would need to drive or join an excursion to visit here.

6. Visit Fuglenesodden Outdoor Museum

Fuglenesodden is a true hidden gem in Hammerfest, especially if you love history!

It’s an easy, scenic 10-minute walk from the port, making it one of only two things to do in Hammerfest that you can visit easily without booking an excursion.

The outdoor museum has restored wooden buildings, an old boathouse, traditional fishing equipment, and even racks of dried cod that give you a real insight into how life looked in northern Norway before modern industry took over.

Information boards are also dotted around the site. And local guides are here during opening hours to tell you about the town’s history, including during WWII.

Katie’s Top Tip: Once you’ve explored the museum, make time for a photo stop at Fuglenes Fyrlykta – a small lighthouse and viewpoint overlooking the sea. It’s very peaceful as you look out across the water!

7. See Melkøya Island From The Water

This one is a little different from the usual things to do in Hammerfest, but it’s honestly one of the most interesting points of interest on the day 8 southbound voyage!

As you sail into Hammerfest, you’ll pass Melkøya, an industrial island that powers much of northern Norway’s economy through LNG (liquefied natural gas) processing.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a pretty spot for photos, with its industrial infrastructure, but it is fascinating to glimpse this vital part of what makes modern Arctic life possible.

The Melkøya plant provides stable jobs, local investment, and vital resources that allow communities like Hammerfest to actually thrive, even in the brutal Arctic winters.

Surrounding Hammerfest, you’ll also see an increase in shipping activity, with huge tankers sailing to and from Melkøya.

Katie’s Top Tip: If you’re interested in big ships, industry, or just seeing how modern Arctic life is sustained, head out on deck 10–15 minutes before your scheduled arrival into Hammerfest to get the best view of Melkøya.

The industrial Melkøya island, on the approach to Hammerfest

Final Thoughts

Hammerfest may be small and underrated, but that’s exactly what makes it such a fascinating port call – even with just 1 hour 45 minutes to explore.

Whether you head straight to the Meridianstøtten, explore the town centre, or see Hammerfest’s best viewpoints on an excursion, Norway’s northernmost town is an unforgettable stop!

It may be more industrial and modern than the quaint fishing communities you’ll see elsewhere on the Coastal Express route, but that’s just Hammerfest’s charm.

This remote, northerly town gives you a real, unfiltered glimpse into everyday life in the Arctic, and there are so many genuinely fascinating things to do in Hammerfest!

I’m excited for you to experience it for yourself!

Hammerfest Travel FAQs

When is the best time to visit Hammerfest?

The best time to visit Hammerfest really depends on what kind of experience you want.

Winter gives you that wild Arctic atmosphere, with snow-covered landscapes, quiet streets, polar night and the Northern Lights.

Whereas summer is completely different, with the Midnight Sun bringing 24-hour daylight, lively streets and hiking trails open.

Is Hammerfest really the most northerly town in Norway?

Hammerfest is recognised as the northernmost town in Norway and Europe, with a population of over 10,000 people and town amenities.

However, this title has also been disputed by nearby Honningsvåg, which has fewer residents but is also technically considered a town.

How long do you need in Hammerfest?

If you’re visiting with Hurtigruten or Havila, the 1 hour 45 minute port call is enough to see Hammerfest’s highlights, especially if you book an excursion to take you to the spots that are less easy to reach, like the Hammerfest viewpoint.

Is Hammerfest safe for solo female travellers?

Yes! Norway ranks as one of the safest countries in Europe, and Hammerfest is no exception. The town is small, friendly, and easy to navigate. And even in winter, I felt very safe exploring the port area solo. Plus, locals are used to ship passengers, so you won’t stand out.

However, you should be aware of the Arctic weather, especially in winter. Hammerfest’s northerly location often means strong winds, fast-changing conditions, thick snow, and icy pavements. So give yourself extra time to get around and wear proper winter boots with good grip.

I have a full guide to Norway’s safety for solo female travellers if you want more information.

What is Hammerfest known for?

Hammerfest is famous for being the northernmost town in Europe, but it also has a fascinating history beyond just that headline!

Hammerfest played a key role in Arctic exploration and was completely rebuilt after being destroyed during WWII. Plus, you’ll also find the UNESCO-listed Struve Geodetic Arc marker here, commemorating the first accurate measurement of the meridian.

What to do in Hammerfest if you only have a few hours?

If you only have 1 hour 45 minutes in Hammerfest on your Hurtigruten or Havila stop, focus on seeing what’s within walking distance: the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column and the Fuglenesodden Museum.

If you’re visiting Hammerfest independently or booking the excursion, you will have time to visit the observation deck with its beautiful views over Hammerfest, the polar bear statue and Hammerfest Church.

Can you see the Northern Lights in Hammerfest?

Absolutely! Hammerfest is far enough north that the aurora can appear even with relatively low KP activity. The town sits under the auroral oval, which means that during the darker months (late September to early April), you have great chances if the sky is clear.