A Travellerspoint blog

Nordkapp by Car in Winter - and the 3 Ice Hotels

Please point on map for locations of the three icehotels.

  • Icehotel Jukkasjärvi, Kiruna, Sweden (the original)
  • Igloo Hotel Sorrisniva, Alta, Norway (the best)
  • Snow Hotel Kirkenes, Norway (the bad copy)
  • Nordkapp on top

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Reaching Nordkapp by car in Winter ...

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... means half of the 8.000 km from Austria (and back) on icy roads in twilight or darkness!

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Several tunnels are locked by anti-weather gates opening automatically when approaching

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The last 13 km are behind a compulsory snow plough convoy (in winter) ...

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... leaving at 11h30 and 12h30.

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If you arrive too late, don't attempt to drive around the turnpike ...

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You will get stuck ...

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... and pay € 185 to the local towing service.

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Walking is not allowed either (in winter). Harald needed 2 hours. (saved him the 20 € entry fee)

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Me driving behind the snow plough

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Not really Europe's most northerly point, but a traveler-must-do-experience anyway: the Nordkapp.

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It is good to be there before the daily hordes from the Hurtigruten ships arrive - with the second convoy.

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The Igloo Hotel in Sorrisniva near Alta is the best of the three Ice Hotels

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A chapel for weddings or other sinful evening activities

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The cool suite in Sorrisiniva has its own fireplace. However everybody has to walk outside for showers or toilets.

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The Snow Hotel Kirkenes costs € 700 per night in a double room (just like in Sorrisniva and Kiruna) ...

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... but the quality is much lower.

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Norway is an outstandingly mediocre country. Forget food and service quality, like here at the Kirkenes snow hotel's restaurant.

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Visiting Icehotels is ok, but sleeping there is not recommended! Nothing more than a costly tourist trap.

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Posted by LuxuryRogue 00:49 Archived in Norway

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