Mehamn has been a booming trade centre since the Pomor period, and offers a wide range of shops and services.
The primary industry in Mehamn has always been fishing, and the area was originally settled because of its naturally favorable surroundings and proximity to the fishing grounds.
The town is a traditional fishing settlement with about 800 inhabitants, and with its airport it is the transport hub of the Nordkyn Peninsula. It is also the northernmost port of Hurtigruten as well as the administrative center of Gamvik municipality.
Mehamn hosts several festivals (such as Nordkynfestivalen) and cultural events each year. The settlement also has a vibrant nightlife, including a night club at the Arctic Hotel, with frequent live music performances.
Many of the tours available on Nordkyn originate in Mehamn which is close to the village of Gamvik and Slettnes Lighthouse. The town has several accommodation establishments in addition to the hotel: a guesthouse and a hostel as well as a campsite for RVs/coaches.
