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Kirkenes Self-Guided Walking Tour: WWII, Cold War & Russia Border

3 Reviews 4.00 out of 5 stars Based on 3 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Norway, Norway
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from $8.99 per person

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Kirkenes Self-Guided Walking Tour: WWII, Cold War & Russia Border Image 1
Kirkenes Self-Guided Walking Tour: WWII, Cold War & Russia Border Image 2
Kirkenes Port - Photo by Lars Engerengen
Kirkenes Self-Guided Walking Tour: WWII, Cold War & Russia Border Image 4
Kirkenes Self-Guided Walking Tour: WWII, Cold War & Russia Border Image 5
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 24 (0) days in advance.
50 to 70 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Kirkenes sits only a few kilometres from the Russian border. It was among the most heavily bombed places in Europe during World War II, and in 1944 it was liberated by the Soviet army. This self-guided audio tour, created by local Lars Engerengen, walks you through that history, from the Hurtigruten port to the shores of Førstevann lake.

Along the way you’ll:
- step into Andersgrotta, the bomb shelter cut into the rock where residents hid during air raids.
- stand at the Soviet Liberation Monument.
- hear how the Sydvaranger mine shaped the town until it closed in 1996.
- learn about the Cold War border and Newcomb Mott, the American student whose crossing into the Soviet Union ended in tragedy.

The tour starts right at the Hurtigruten terminal, so it’s ideal for a port stop. GPS-triggered audio plays automatically as you walk, and everything works offline. You can start whenever you like, go at your own pace and pause at any time. It covers about 3 km and takes around 45 minutes.

What's Included

  • Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Smartphone & Headphones
  • Transportation
  • Food/Drink
See 3 moreSee 4 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Kaiveien 3
9900 Kirkenes, Norway

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Sjøgata 1
9900 Kirkenes, Norway

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Hurtigruten Kirkenes Ship-terminal (pass by)

Your walk begins at the port entrance gate, the northern end of the Hurtigruten coastal route that has linked Norway’s fjord towns and fishing villages since 1893. Your guide introduces Kirkenes, perhaps Norway’s most international town, which sits closer to Murmansk than to Oslo.
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Sydvaranger (pass by)

Follow the old Sydvaranger line that once carried iron ore from the mines down to the docks for shipping. Hear how the railway turned a small Arctic settlement into an industrial hub, and how ore, ships and workers from across the north shaped the town you are walking through today.
Read more

E6 (pass by)

Walk along the E6, the road that runs from here all the way to southern Sweden, as it leads you from the harbour into the town centre. Learn how Kirkenes grew around its port and mine, and why its position on the far edge of Norway made it a meeting point between East and
Read more

Kirkenes Church (pass by)

The Kirkenes Church was built in 1959 as part of the reconstruction of the city after the Second World War. The architect was Sofus Hougen, and most of the interior is still original from the time it was built. The organ was a gift from the Sydvaranger Mining Company.
Read more

Andersgrotta WWII Bomb Shelter (pass by)

See Andersgrotta, the bomb shelter carved into the rock beneath Kirkenes during World War II. Residents took cover here as the town endured more than 320 Soviet air raids. Hear what life was like underground while the war raged overhead. Entry to the shelter itself is not included.
Read more

Sydvaranger (pass by)

Learn the story of the Sydvaranger mine, the reason modern Kirkenes exists. It produced nearly 200 million tonnes of iron ore before closing in 1996, and its rise, its fall and its impact on local families remain central to the town’s identity and to the landscape around you.
Read more

Soviet Liberation Monument (pass by)

Stand before the monument to the Soviet soldiers who liberated Kirkenes from German occupation in October 1944. Hear how the town was freed, what was left after years of bombing and the German retreat, and why this memorial still matters in a town so close to the Russian border.
Read more

Førstevatn (pass by)

Finish at Førstevann, a small lake on the edge of town. In 1968, Soviet T-54 tanks lined up along the nearby Pasvik River, guns aimed at Norwegian observation posts. Take in the view and reflect on life between East and West before the walk of about 2 km back to the port.
Read more
Show 7 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Kirkenes Self-Guided Walking Tour: WWII, Cold War & Russia Border?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-110804P65

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.00
3 reviews

Average 4.00 out of 5 stars based on 3 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
1
4 stars
1
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 24 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Kirkenes Self-Guided Walking Tour: WWII, Cold War & Russia Border?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start.
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it.
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata.
  • The VoiceMap App for Android and iOS.
  • Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour.
The following is NOT included:
  • Smartphone & Headphones.
  • Transportation.
  • Food/Drink.
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 6..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Kirkenes Self-Guided Walking Tour: WWII, Cold War & Russia Border is as follows:

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Kirkenes Self-Guided Walking Tour: WWII, Cold War & Russia Border will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • The VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
  • Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
  • Smartphone & Headphones
  • Transportation
  • Food/Drink
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Report Product Issue

Activity name