Kirkenes, view from Prestefjellet, north towards the center of Kirkenes - Norway

Far up in Northern Norway, just a few kilometers from the Russian border and a short drive from Finland, lies Kirkenes. Kirkenes is nestled between mountains, fjords and tundra, on the ice-free Bøkfjorden, which opens onto the cold but lively Barents Sea. The city is a cultural borderland, marked by its close relationship with Russia – here you can hear both Norwegian, Sami and Russian spoken. Street names and signs are often in two languages, and the Russian market is a reminder of the long tradition of trade across the border. Prestefjellet is a scenic hill located just south of the center of Kirkenes in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. It offers a fantastic panoramic view of the city, Bøkfjorden and surrounding landscape.

Read more about Kirkenes on the municipality's website.

• www.sor-varanger.kommune.no