Car & Van Hire - Evenes

Evenes is a small village on the shore of the Ofotfjord with a history of settlement from the Viking Age. The principal point of interest in the village is Evenes Church, which dates back to at least the 16th century. However, an earlier church probably existed in the same spot, as detailed in the Old Norse Saga of Haakon Haakonarson. The current church was rebuilt in 1800 in a Danish style.

The region saw fighting during the Second World War as a strategic point of interest for the Germans. The town of Narvik, some 60 km east of Evenes, was sought by Hitler as a crucial sea link between Germany and the iron ore of Sweden, transported to Narvik by rail. Some monuments and landmarks of this conflict remain in the area. You can visit the Evenestangen kystbatteri, a coastal battery just south of Evenes. Narvik War Museum is also well worth a visit.

The indigenous Sami have had a nomadic presence in Evernes and Narvik for centuries, using the area to herd reindeer and work the land. Nearby points of Sami interest and education include the Várdobáiki Sami Centre in Evenskjer and the Gállogieddi Open air museum, which hosts the Márkomeannu Sami Festival every summer.

While Evenes' food scene mostly centres around the airport and its nearby highway service station, hotels and B&Bs also provide local snacks. Many of the roadside eateries are typical Norwegian grills with a range of local and international flavours. Look out for regional delicacies like multer (cloudberries) and multekrem, a dessert made from these berries.

Evenes' biggest attractions are its natural landscapes. Ofotfjord, nature reserves and mountains provide adventurous days out hiking, sailing and fishing. North of Evenes, you'll find Trollkirka (troll church), a limestone cave with ravines and cascades. Popular mountain trails include Litletinden and Stortinden, northeast of Evenes' centre, and Trollfjellet and Jotinden in Tjeldsund, to Evenes' west.

Car or van hire in Evenes is one of the best ways to explore Nordland. The region is home to some of the most stunning road trips in Norway. These include coastal routes heading west to Møysalen and Lofoten and northern roads heading to the Vesterålen Archipelago. Heading east, you can follow the Ofotfjord for Bogen, home to the mountain peak of Niingen. For those lucky enough to travel in winter, the Northern Lights are in full force across the night sky, while summertime travellers benefit from the midnight sun.

Evenes is a stunning region to drive in with well-maintained and sign-posted roads. Evenes village itself is laid out over a wide area with two-lane regional roads linking with main roads and coastal scenic routes. Parking in Evenes is available at the church and at private businesses, like cafes and camping sites. The same is true for neighbouring towns and villages, which generally offer parking at designated sites and services.

Speed limits in Evenes village are 60 km/h, although you should generally keep to a lower speed to be careful of your surroundings. Speed limits increase to 80 km/h as you begin to leave built-up rural areas and reach 90-110 km/h on motorways, though these are not prevalent around Evenes.

Evenes connects to the E10 road via the Fv722, providing the main route for travel throughout Nordland. The E10, or European route E10, is part of the international network of E-roads and connects Å in western Lofoten to Luleå in Northern Sweden. The E10 also provides access to a range of other national roads and highways in Norway, including Rv83 for Harstad and the E6 for Kirkenes and Oslo. While E-roads are often listed as motorways, they consist of two-lane roads in this part of Norway.

Be mindful of winding and steep roads within rural areas, and be prepared for road conditions depending on the season. Winter and the buffer seasons around the colder months see ice and snowy conditions. Car hires in Evenes will come with winter tyres during this period, but experience with snow driving is heavily recommended.

You'll likely come across car ferries as you travel in Northern Norway, particularly if you're planning to explore the fjords and islands. If you do not have a pre-payment agreement, get FerryPay for automatic payment by credit or debit card. Queues are likely at ferry ports during the summer months.

Driving in Evenes is generally less busy than in other areas of Norway. Remember, cars are driven on the right-hand side of the road and seat belts are compulsory for both drivers and passengers at all times. Toll roads are identifiable by a "Kr" sign and are collected automatically with the AutoPASS system. Tolls in Nordland are found on Helgeland North, Helgeland South, Hålogaland Bridge and Trældal - Leirvik (on the E10).