Things to do in Tromsø
Northern lights, whale watching, dog sledding and a surprisingly lively city. Tromsø is the gateway to the Arctic and the heart of Northern Norway.
Tromsø: the gateway to the Arctic and the heart of Northern Norway
Tromsø is not just a city, it is an experience. Set on an island far above the Arctic Circle, with fjords all around and mountains rising straight from the sea, it is often called the Paris of the North. The nickname dates back to the 1860s, when European visitors were surprised by the rich cultural life, fashion and continental atmosphere so far north. The same energy defines the city today, with exciting restaurants, an active cultural scene and nature that impresses in every season.
In recent years, Tromsø has gone from a niche choice for adventurers to one of Norway's most visited destinations. The northern lights draw people from all over the world in winter, while the midnight sun and kayaking on light summer nights make summer a completely different experience.
Why visit Tromsø?
Few places in the world let you chase the northern lights in the evening and eat reindeer for dinner afterwards, all in a city with good infrastructure and warm hospitality. Tromsø combines the wild and the comfortable in a way that is hard to find anywhere else.
Whether you are looking for nature, cultural history, Sámi culture or simply want to taste Arctic food, Tromsø has something to offer.
The view of Tromsø from Storsteinen
Food and drink in Tromsø
Tromsø's restaurant scene has exploded over the past decade, and regional produce sets the standard. Reindeer, cod, king crab and prawns appear on menus all over town, and the chefs know how to turn local ingredients into something memorable.
For fine dining, Restaurant Smak is the city's top address, with just a handful of tables and a tasting menu built entirely on local produce from Northern Norway. Full Steam Harbor offers something different: a restaurant in an old fish factory that also works as a museum of Tromsø's fishing history and Sámi heritage.
For something more casual, Blårock is a local institution known for its juicy burgers, while Hildr across the street has a gastropub feel. For a good coffee and the city's best cinnamon bun, head to Risø food and coffee, and the deli Helmersen has cheese, wine and local craft beer.
No visit to Tromsø is complete without a stop at Ølhallen. Mack brewery has been part of Tromsø since 1877, and in 1928 it opened Ølhallen, a legendary pub with 72 taps and one of Europe's largest selections of draught beer, where locals and visitors meet over a glass of Mack.
The best attractions in Tromsø
Fjellheisen cable car
The Fjellheisen cable car is the natural starting point for many visitors. It takes you 421 metres up to Mount Storsteinen, with panoramic views over Tromsøya, the fjords and the snow-capped peaks of the Lyngen Alps. In summer you can watch the midnight sun from here, and in winter the northern lights dancing over the horizon.
Fjellheisen above Tromsø
In four minutes, Fjellheisen takes you from Tromsdalen up to Storsteinen, 421 metres above sea level.
The Arctic Cathedral
The Arctic Cathedral is one of Norway's most iconic buildings, and its facade glows against the sky whether it is the midnight sun or the polar night. The cathedral has one of Europe's largest glass mosaics and hosts regular concerts.
The Arctic Cathedral and Tromsø harbour in winter
The Polar Museum
The Polar Museum tells the story of Norwegian polar explorers, sealing and overwintering in the Arctic, with exhibitions about both Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen. It puts the great polar expeditions into perspective and gives you a real sense of what it took to travel to the ends of the Earth.
Sculpture at Polaria
Polaria
Polaria is Norway's Arctic experience centre and the world's northernmost aquarium. The building itself is eye-catching, designed like blocks of ice pushed ashore by the sea. Inside are an Arctic aquarium, a panoramic cinema that flies you over Svalbard and interactive exhibitions about climate change and life in the north.
The highlight is the seals. Here you can see bearded seals up close, and daily training and feeding sessions let every visitor get close. It is an experience that suits children and adults alike.
Tromsøbadet
Tromsøbadet is more than a swimming pool. It has a wave pool, a water slide, diving towers and an outdoor pool with views of the mountains, as well as saunas with aufguss sessions, where a sauna master pours water over the hot stones and fans fragrant steam around the room. It is a natural stop for families and anyone who wants to warm up between Arctic adventures.
Telegrafbukta and Prestvannet
Telegrafbukta and Prestvannet are popular outdoor spots with locals. Telegrafbukta is a beach area just outside the centre, perfect for a relaxing evening, while Prestvannet is a nature reserve with walking trails right by the city and one of the most accessible places in Tromsø to see the northern lights without leaving town.
Telegrafbukta
Sámi culture and local heritage
Tromsø is an important centre for Sámi culture in Norway. The Sámi are the Indigenous people of Northern Norway and have lived here for thousands of years, long before the city of Tromsø existed. You can learn more about Sámi heritage through cultural experiences led by Sámi guides, which give a visit to Tromsø an extra dimension.
Things to do in Tromsø
Tromsø offers experiences all year round, and much of the best happens outdoors.
Chasing the northern lights
In winter, a northern lights hunt is a must. Prestvannet, close to the centre, is one of the best places in town to catch a glimpse of the aurora, or you can join a guided minibus tour out of the city. We have gathered everything you need to know about northern lights experiences in Tromsø.
Northern lights at Prestvannet
Whale watching
Whale watching is perhaps the best reason to visit Tromsø in winter, alongside the northern lights. From roughly November to January, orcas and humpback whales gather in the fjords around Tromsø to feed on herring, and a whale safari is an experience few people regret.
Whale safari
From November to January, orcas and humpback whales gather in the fjords around Tromsø.
Dog sledding and northern lights safaris
Dog sledding gives you the real Arctic feeling. Gliding through a snowy landscape with a team of huskies in front of you is something most people remember for the rest of their lives, and many tours combine it with a northern lights safari.
Summer in Tromsø
In summer, the sun never sets over Tromsø. From late May to late July, the midnight sun gives the city a special energy, and riding the cable car at midnight, with the sun hanging low over the fjords and the Lyngen Alps, is one of the most atmospheric experiences Tromsø has to offer. Kayaking in the fjords is popular in the light months, and Sommarøy, a small island about an hour's drive west of Tromsø with white sand and turquoise water, is well worth a day trip.
The midnight sun over Sommarøy
Plan your trip to Tromsø
Tromsø is a city for all seasons. November to March is peak season for the northern lights and whale watching, and June and July are the months of the midnight sun, with mild temperatures and nights that never get dark. Spring and autumn are quieter, with lower prices and fewer people at the most popular attractions.
Tromsø has a wide range of hotels, from well-known chains to apartments and cabins on the outskirts of town, and several hotels have fantastic views over the harbour and Tromsdalen.
Clarion Hotel The Edge
The northern lights over Tromsø harbour on a winter night.
Direct flights from Oslo and a number of European cities, including seasonal routes from the UK, make it easy to get here. The centre is easy to explore on foot, but renting a car really opens up the fjord landscape around the city.
For a more memorable arrival, Hurtigruten is a journey of a lifetime. Tromsø is one of the ports on the coastal route between Bergen and Kirkenes, and the voyage along the Norwegian coast is an experience in itself.
Tromsø is not cheap, and activities such as whale safaris and dog sledding are an investment, but most people say it is one of those trips that stays with you. And if you are lucky in winter, the northern lights may welcome you through the plane window on the way in.
Tromsø: frequently asked questions
When can you see the northern lights in Tromsø?
The northern lights season in Tromsø runs from around September to March, when it is dark enough in the evening and at night. Your chances are best on clear nights away from the city lights, and many visitors join a guided northern lights tour.
How many days do you need in Tromsø?
Three to four days gives you time for the city's attractions, a northern lights tour and an activity such as whale watching or dog sledding. In winter it pays to have several nights, as the weather decides whether you see the aurora.
When is the midnight sun in Tromsø?
The midnight sun in Tromsø lasts from around 20 May to 22 July. The sun does not set and it is light around the clock, perfect for hiking, kayaking and a midnight trip up the cable car.