Why Magerøy is so special

When you learn about the remote northern island of Magerøya you hear it described as a barren tundra without trees. While this is a true description of the area littered with steep coastal cliffs and craggy inland mountains, Magerøya is a special place for many reasons.

For example, did you know archaeologists have found settlements dating back 10,000 years? Here are a few more reasons Magerøya should be on your travel bucket list.

8 tempting reasons to explore Magerøy

Magerøya Island is the furthest north you can travel by land in Norway

Travelling to this remote destination affords you bragging rights at the very least, and gives you an incredible experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Drive through the northernmost subsea road tunnel in Norway.

If you take a vehicle up the northern highway you will have the opportunity to drive through the 6.87 km (4.27 mi) subsea tunnel, which reaches 212 m (696 ft) below sea level.

Visit the North Cape, the northernmost point in Norway.

Join the annual 200,000 tourists who visit the North Cape (Nordkapp in Norwegian) during the summer months and see what the fuss is all about.

See the North Cape plateau 

This stunning natural attraction first became famous in 1553 when Richard Chancellor, an English explorer, discovered it while attempting to find a sea route through the Northeast Passage.

Go hiking on Knivskjellodden

Considered the northernmost point of the European continent, Knivskjellodden can only be reached by hiking 9 km (5.6 mi) from the closest parking lot. This is as far north as you can travel on Magerøya.

In the summer months, more than 6,000 reindeer graze on the island

If you want to see a reindeer from afar, Magerøya is the place to do it! Every year, Sami families from Karasjok, about 250 km (156 mi) south, bring their herds north and allow them to scatter throughout the island.

Watch seabird colonies fish from Gjesværstappen 

Gjesværstappen nature reserve is a group of grass-covered islands, which are home to large colonies of sea birds such as puffin, razor-billed auk, kittiwake, gannet, cormorant, guillemot and sea eagles.

Despite the island of Magerøya being so far north, it benefits from a Gulf Stream so its waters are ice-free year-round, which makes it a welcoming destination for boats, including cruise ships and ferries. This large island in Finnmark County is worth exploring!

Take a picture at Kirkeporten rock formation in Skarsvåg

The highly instagrammable rock formation have beautiful views of the North Cape and is a spectacular place to watch the midnight sun.