About this place
Slettnes Lighthouse is the northernmost lighthouse on the Norwegian mainland, standing on the Barents Sea coast in Gamvik Municipality, Finnmark. People come here for the simple feeling of standing at the edge of Europe.
Where is Slettnes Lighthouse?
The lighthouse stands about 3 km north of the village of Gamvik, on the northern coast of the Nordkinn Peninsula. It lies inside the Slettnes Nature Reserve, so the approach crosses open, treeless coastal land right beside the sea. The coordinates are roughly 71.09° N, 28.22° E, deep inside the Arctic Circle.
What makes it special?
The tower is 39 metres tall and is the only cast iron lighthouse in Finnmark county. The "northernmost" claim needs one clarification: the famous North Cape sits on the island of Magerøya, while Slettnes is the northernmost lighthouse on the continental mainland.
How did it come to be?
The station was first lit in 1905. Its purpose was to steer shipping away from the dangerous reefs of Korsbøan and Tørrbøan off the Nordkinn coast. Construction took two years.
What happened during the Second World War?
In autumn 1944, retreating German soldiers blew up almost the entire station. Only the lowest ten rings of the tower survived. After the war the lighthouse was rebuilt and put back into service in 1948. The taller tower seen today is therefore the result of reconstruction rather than the original structure. Sources disagree on the dates of automation, so it is safest to say that the station was staffed for decades and now runs without a crew.
Can you visit?
Yes. The station buildings are run by Gamvik Municipality as a visitor centre. Overnight accommodation is available in the station buildings from June to August, and guided tours of the tower run roughly from mid-June to mid-August. Outside the summer season, check with the local tourist office, as access can be limited.
Frequently asked questions
Is Slettnes the northernmost lighthouse in the world? Not in an absolute sense, but it is the northernmost on the mainland. Lighthouses on islands lie further north.
What is the nearest village? Gamvik, about 3 km south of the lighthouse.
When is the best time to go? Summer, when guided tours and lodging are available and the midnight sun lasts. In winter the northern lights are a draw, but services on site are limited.
What else is nearby? The Slettnes Nature Reserve, which surrounds the lighthouse, and the rugged Barents Sea coast of the Nordkinn Peninsula.
Is the lighthouse original? Not entirely. The station was built in 1905, destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt after the war.
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