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Hammerfest claims to be the northernmost city in the world, although the title is disputed by Honningsvåg, Norway. The validity of the claim depends upon one's definition of a city; although Hammerfest is further south than Honningsvåg it has a population over 5,000, which is required by Norwegian law to achieve town status. Barrow, Alaska, population c. 4,000, is further north than both the Norwegian towns, but does not lay claim to the title of northernmost town. Some foreigners may find it strange that either Hammerfest or Honningsvåg claims to be cities, given the small size of both places and it may help to know that the Norwegian language does not distinguish between city and town.

Many grave sites dating back to the Stone Age can be found here. This location was an important fishing and Arctic hunting settlement for a long time before it was given market town rights by royal decree of Christian VII of Denmark–Norway in 1789.
Hammerfest was struck by a fire in 1890 which started in the bakery and wiped out almost half the town's houses. 

Hauen Chapel, Survived 2nd World War

After their victory in the Norwegian Campaign of the Second World War, the Germans soon fortified Hammerfest and used it as a major base. The importance of Hammerfest to the Germans increased dramatically after their invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. 

The main German U-boat base in Finnmark was in Hammerfest, serving as a central supply base for the vessels attacking the allied supply convoys to Russia.
Hammerfest was bombed twice by the Soviet Air Forces; on 14 February 1944 with little damage and again on 29 August 1944 with more significant damage to buildings and infrastructure and with ships sunk in the harbour.

German Street sign in Hammerfest in 1941

The Museum of Reconstruction in Hammerfest tells the story of these events and the recovery of the town. Hammerfest is also home to the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society (Norwegian:Isbjørnklubben); a museum displaying the history of Arctic hunting.

Mines and munitions left over from the Second World War are still being found and disposed of in the Hammerfest area.

The LNG site on Melkøya at dusk seen from the Storsvingen Tourist center.

Reinderr grazing outside Town Hall

During summer massive reindeer herds migrate from their winter pastures in the inner parts of Finnmark to the coast. Among the islands inhabited by reindeer during the summer months is Kvaløya, the island on which Hammerfest town is located. For years many of the 2,500 to 3,000 reindeer in the area have been walking into the town itself, wandering in the streets and among the houses. Although very popular amongst tourists, this has been less favourably received by the town's population, with people complaining of traffic disturbances and the dung and urine left by the animals. For hygienic reasons large sums of money would have to be spent every year at cleaning up after the animals. In response to the complaints the town authorities have built a 12 miles (19.31 km) long 4 feet (1.22 m) high fence encircling the town to block the animals out. However, as of the 2008 reindeer season, the fence has been ineffective, with reindeer managing to pass through on road crossings despite the presence of electrified embedded grates.

Hammerfest offers sport and commercial fishing, both sea and freshwater, as well as scuba diving. The northernmost glacier on the Norwegian mainland is a popular hiking destination. The town is a popular starting point for northern tours. There is a daily boat to the North Cape (Norwegian: Nordkapp). One chain of the Struve Geodetic Arc, now on the World Heritage List, is located at Fuglenes in Hammerfest





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