Get to know Kirkenes in 2.5 hours: a small border town with a unique history and an unusual present. On this guided minibus tour you will visit key places in the town and the official border crossing between Norway and Russia at Storskog.

Kirkenes is located just a few kilometers from Russia. Through the war, the Cold War and until today, big politics and intelligence have left their mark on the city. Much of this you don't see at first glance. On this tour you get the stories behind the places.

We will pick you up at the quay, at your hotel or at your Airbnb in the city center. By minibus we will first drive to central places in Kirkenes, including the Liberation Monument and the Russian Consulate General. Then we will head towards the border.

Along the way we stop at Skafferhullet, a border crossing from the Cold War. From Pasvikelva you can see the Boris Gleb Church on the Russian side. The church was important in determining where the border was drawn. The last stop is Storskog, the only official border crossing between Norway and Russia.

The guide talks about World War II, the Cold War and how the war in Ukraine affects everyday life in Kirkenes today. There is plenty of time for questions, and you can borrow binoculars at the stops.

• Departure at 9:00 is adapted to the arrival and departure times for Hurtigruten and Havila in Kirkenes.
• Transportation in Kirkenes is included in the price, including pickup and drop-off at the Hurtigruten/Havila pier.
• Max. 7 guests per tour
• Bring a windproof jacket and warm clothes for the stops outside
• The "Spy Games in the Arctic" trip is featured in an article in the French newspaper Le Monde about espionage, geopolitics, and everyday life in the border region.