Talvik, Vest-Finnmark – Exploring Norway
Talvik is a village in northern Norway, in the region of Finnmark. The village is also known by its Northern Sami name Dálbmeluovta and its Kven name Talmulahti. It is today a part of Alta Municipality and has a population of around 290 inhabitants. The village lies along the western shore of the Altafjorden, a fjord of the Arctic Ocean. The European Route E6 passes through the village on its way between Skibotn and Alta. It is the same road that goes through most of Norway. It goes all the way to Oslo and further into Sweden to reach Gothenburg and Malmö.
A Short History of Talvik
Talvik is an old trading center dating back to the 17th century. Its history was originally established by the coastal Sami people o the north. The first known mentioning of the village and its Sami population dates back to 1555. It was first in 1618 that the first known Norwegian settled in the area. later became the seat of the Talvik Municipality upon its creation in 1863. The municipality was active until 1964 when it was incorporated into Alta Municipality.
Things to Do and See
Talvik is a small village with mostly residential areas. The most prominent building is the church, dating back to 1883. It is actually the third church at the site, the first church was completed in 1705. Many drive by Talvik on their way to or from Alta. They might stop briefly at the gas station or the small grocery store, to refill on supplies.
Talvik lies in the Arctic region know for the midnight sun where the sun doesn’t set during the summer. The cold water of the Altafjorden is never far away. The same goes with the surrounding nature. One possibility for visitors is a hike to Bjørkelitind, a nearby mountain. That hike is about 2.2 kilometer one-way, with a climb of around 340 meters.
How to Get to Talvik
- Flights:The closest airport is Alta Airport /ALF) to the east. There are both domestic flights within Norway as well as a few seasonal international flights.
- Car: Talvik lies along Road E6 between Skibotn and Alta.
The driving distance from 5 major Norwegian cities, according to Google Maps:
- Oslo – 1756 kilometers (21 h)
- Bergen – 2116 kilometers (27 h)
- Trondheim – 1420 kilometers (18 h)
- Narvik – 440 kilometers (6 h 20 min)
- Kirkenes – 486 kilometers (6 h 30 min)
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