Overlooking the Barents Sea, Berlevåg is a coastal hub on Norway’s Varanger Peninsula and one of the largest fishing towns in Troms og Finnmark. Many of its buildings were destroyed during Germany’s “scorched earth” tactics as they retreated at the end of World War II, with the town largely rebuilt in the following years.
Things to do in Berlevag
One of the town’s most notable landmarks is the Berlevåg Church, which was constructed from concrete in a long church style in 1960. The Norwegian architect Hans Magnus was the man behind the design, with the church one of several public buildings constructed in the post-war years. It lies adjacent to the local school and a short stroll from the Svartoksmoloen, a popular spot for watching the Hurtigruten ships coming and going.
On the waterfront is the Berlevåg Harbour Museum, which occupies a beautifully restored stock house dating from 1950. It houses a fascinating array of exhibits and artefacts that detail the region’s seafaring and fishing industries, as well as the construction of breakwaters in Berlevåg. A highlight of the collection is a vintage shuttle boat that was once used to transport people and goods before Berlevåg’s dock was completed in 1974.
Want to dive with the world’s northernmost dive centre? Head to the Kongsfjord International Scuba School, which offers underwater expeditions in the Barents Sea and the Kongsfjorden. You can explore shipwrecks dating back to World War II that now lie on the ocean floor and enjoy spectacular drift dives along the region’s steeply-walled fjords.
Getting around Berlevag
Berlevåg Airport is a five-minute drive from the town centre and has flights to destinations across Norway. Buses connect to towns and villages across Troms og Finnmark and the centre of Berlevåg is small enough to explore on foot.