Vadsø

On this page: Vadsø — Parents: Europa › Norwegen — Photography, Technology & Science at the Tenckhoff Photo Archive.

Vadsø is a town in Troms og Finnmark County, in the far northeast of Norway, and the administrative center of the Øst-Finnmark region. Located on the Varangerfjord, the town has historic significance as a hub for Finnish and Karelian immigration during the 19th century. Today, Vadsø serves as an important administrative and commercial center in the Arctic region. Notable cultural landmarks include the Vadsø Museum – Ruija Kven Museum, which documents the history of the Kven people, and the nearby Varanger National Park, famous for its rich birdlife.

Northern lights over Ekkerøy at 70 degrees latitude

In Ekkerøy in the municipality of Vadsø, Norway at 70 degrees latitude, we were lucky and were able to admire the entire color spectrum of the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis last night.

Bird life at the village of Ekkerøy

Ekkerøy is one of the oldest fishing villages on the Varangerfjord and belongs to the municipality of Vadsø, whose capital is around 15 km away. It is a bird paradise and the suffix "øy" means that it was originally an island that offered shelter and therefore good chances of survival for the diverse bird life. Now the area is connected to the Varanger Peninsula by a narrow isthmus and migratory birds also like to winter here.

Airship mast on Vadsøya

The town of Vadsø is connected to the interesting island of Vadsøya by a bridge. At the right time of the year, this island is a popular destination for birdwatchers and as soon as you arrive you can see the Birders Basecamp. The island is an important wetland for wading birds and there are ancient and modern cultural monuments to explore.

Vadsø at the Barents Sea

The full moon in Annijoki over the Varangerfjord to the Barents Sea

Vadsø is located on the edge of the Arctic Ocean on the Barents Sea (Norwegian: Barentshavet), which was named after the Dutch navigator Willem Barents. Vadsø is a gateway to Varangerhalvøya National Park, whose wild expanses are unparalleled. We took accommodation right on the sea access in Annijoki at the Varangerfjord close to Vadsø and were the only guests in the house at this time of year (May). The Barents adventure began as soon as we checked into the locked house, because there was no staff and the situation was only clarified when we called the owner.

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