At 69° North, Tromsø is one of the northernmost cities in the world. The arctic capital, as it is often called, is located on a small island, surrounded by the sea and towering mountains. With natural wonders such as the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights, and a charming city life, it’s a must-visit on any trip to Northern Norway. Here are our ten favourite things to do in Tromsø:
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The Arctic Cathedral - also called Ishavskatedralen - has been one of Tromsø’s main landmarks since 1965. With its striking shape and bright white colour, it stands out immediately against the mountainous backdrop. A beautiful glass mosaic illuminates the inside of the cathedral, which is especially magical when the Midnight Sun is shining. Oftentimes, there are concerts held at the cathedral, so make sure to check if there is one during your visit.
Without a doubt, the best view of Tromsø is from the top of Fjellheisen. From the station at Tromsdalen a gondola takes you up to 412 metres above sea level, where you’re greeted with a panoramic view. Once you’ve reached the top you can explore and even hike to the summit, which will take about an hour. The café and restaurant are open until very late, so guests can enjoy the Midnight Sun in summer and admire the Northern Lights dancing over Tromsø in winter.
Our Tip: For active hikers, a beautiful hiking trail to the top with 1200 sherpa steps starts from Tromsdalen and ends right next the gondola station.
The first thing you’ll notice about Polaria is the shape of the building, as it looks like a stack of huge marble books slowly slipping into the sea. The exhibitions inside include an extensive aquarium, a panoramic cinema, polar research and of course - their famous bearded seals. Next to the museum, you can find Norway’s best preserved seal hunting ship - the Polarstjerna - which was built in 1949.
The Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden in Tromsø is the northernmost Botanical Garden in the world! It displays Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine plants and flowers from all continents. The garden is free to enter for anyone year round. We recommend eating a traditional Norwegian waffle at the garden’s café, which is open throughout summer.
At the southern end of the island, you will find a beautiful park with beautiful beaches and wonderful views towards Kvaløya. It’s a wonderful spot to admire the sunset, go for a walk or have a picnic under the Midnight Sun. In autumn and winter, it’s one of the local’s favourite spots to look out for the Northern Lights. It’s only a 30-minute walk or a short bus ride away from the centre of Tromsø.
Our Tip: Make sure to look out for wildlife - especially otters, as they are frequently sighted along the beaches here
In the middle of the island Tromsøya you will find a little lake called Prestvannet. A beautiful path winds around the entire lake which makes for a lovely stroll in winter as well as in summer. It’s a lovely spot for birdwatching in summer, and ice-skating in winter. During the Northern Lights season, this is also a great spot to go if you want to avoid city lights and get a better view.
Art lovers will love spending a few hours at the Northern Norway Art Museum, which is conveniently located in the centre of the city, right next to Tromsø Cathedral. The museum dedicates itself to art from Northern Norway and also focuses on Northern and Sami contemporary art and crafts. They also have a wonderful gift shop with sweet keepsakes that you can bring home to your loved ones.
It’s no secret that some of the most famous polar explorers were Norwegians. Think Fridtjof Nansen, Roald Amundsen, Otto Sverdrup and more! In the Polar Museum, you can learn all about their unbelievable expeditions into the arctic. With old sledges, clothes and scientific equipment on display, it will almost feel like you’ve just joined one of the greats on their journeys.
The oldest pub is the Ølhallen Brewpub. Opened in 1928 and with 72 Norwegian beers on tap it’s a real experience. The Ølhallen Brewpub is proud to serve beer from the nearby Mack Brewery - which happens to be the northernmost brewery in the world. The cosy interior, friendly staff and tasty beers will guarantee an authentic, Norwegian experience.
Tromsø’s centre is perfect for an afternoon stroll. The high street is lined with charming souvenir shops, cosy cafés that are dotted between charming old wooden buildings. Tromsø Cathedral - the only Norwegian cathedral made of wood - can also be found along that street and is well worth a visit.
