The city of Tromsø (Norway), located beyond the Arctic Circle, is often referred to as the “Gateway to the Arctic.” With a population of nearly 77,000, Tromsø is also a major port city, and the University of Tromsø makes it an important educational and research center in Norway.
Tromsø’s location has always been convenient for trading with the north, and it was an important trading center in Norway during the Middle Ages. Amundsen, Nansen, and Nobili all embarked on their Arctic expeditions from Tromsø. During World War II, the Norwegian government relocated its headquarters to Tromsø.
Services of the Tourist Center in Tromsø
Tourists can get a variety of assistance from the staff of the Tourist Center, which is located at Samuel Arnesens gate 5 Pb 311. It operates on the following schedule: Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tourist Center phone: +47 77 61 00 00. Official website: www.visittromso.no.
The organization’s staff offers guided tours of Tromsø’s attractions, provides maps, sells city bus tickets, and offers souvenirs. Of course, these items can also be purchased elsewhere, and services can be arranged directly with the providers.
The restaurant accepts credit cards and offers free Wi-Fi.
What to do and see in Tromsø
Most of the city’s streets are located on the island of Tromsø, with a few streets on the island of Kvaløy and on the Norwegian mainland.
What are the most important things to see and do in Tromsø?
Arctic Cathedral
From the central square, Stortorget, you can see the harbor and the Arctic Cathedral across the strait.
This cathedral is the most recognizable landmark in Tromsø (Norway), it is interesting for its unique architecture, which evokes associations with snow and icebergs. This triangular structure is decorated with unusual stained glass windows.
The cathedral hosts organ concerts, and you need to purchase tickets in addition to your tour tickets to attend them.
- Address: Hans Nilsens vei 41, 9020 Tromsdalen.
- The Arctic Cathedral is open from mid-March to mid-August, from Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 18:00, on Sunday from 13:00 to 19:00, and the rest of the year from 14:00 to 18:00.
- You need to pay 50 NOK to visit.
- Website: www.ishavskatedralen.no
University and University Museum
The University of Tromsø Museum Complex (Norway) includes:
- Museum.
- Polar Museum “Polaria”.
- Arctic-Alpine Botanical Park.
The Tromsø University Museum is located at Lars Thøringsvei 10. The museum’s exhibits provide insights into the city’s history and cultural traditions. Additionally, visitors can explore the art gallery located within the museum. The building’s design features a monumental structure, including a rectangular entrance with two porches, a rotunda with a conical roof, and a four-sided tower with a pyramidal roof.
- The Polar Museum is located at Sondre Tollbugt. 11B, Tromsø 9008 Norway.
- The attraction is open on Mondays through Fridays from 10:00 to 16:30, on Saturdays from 12:00 to 16:30, and on Sundays from 11:00 to 16:00.
- Admission to the museum costs 70 crowns for adults and is free for children under 7 years old.
- Official website: https://en.uit.no/tmu.
The Arctic High-Altitude Botanical Garden is open 24 hours a day, and admission is free. This northernmost botanical park on our planet was established in 1994. Here, you can see high-altitude plants brought from different parts of the world, organized into groups based on the climatic zones of the continents.
The garden is surrounded by the Geologist’s Path, an equipped walking trail, and from the pedestrian bridge it leads to, you can see part of the botanical park on the mountainside.
Cable car
If you’re looking for incredible panoramic views to capture unique photos of Tromsø, this is the place for you. The funicular takes you to Mount Stursteinen (420 m), offering breathtaking views of Tromsø and the surrounding mountains and islands. If you’re in the mood, you can also visit the cozy restaurant and indulge in delicious cuisine.
- The cable car’s starting point is located at Sollivegen 12, 9020 Tromsdalen.
- When purchasing a one-way ticket on the website, the price is 142 NOK (with a 5% discount), and the price for a round-trip ticket is 218 NOK. There are additional discounts for children, students, and pensioners.
- Official website: https://fjellheisen.no.
Polar Zoo
Tromsø is home to the northernmost zoo on Earth. The attraction is open throughout the year. The Polar Zoo is home to a variety of animals, including bears, musk oxen, moose, reindeer, and wolves. Visitors can observe these animals in their natural habitats.
In addition to walking around the park and getting to know the wild animals, you can also use other services of the park: stay in a campsite and have a barbecue, fish in the river that runs directly through the park. There is also a restaurant on the territory in a cozy log cabin.
- Where to find it: Bonesveien 319, 9360 Bardu, Norway.
- Opening hours: from June 20 to August 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; from September to June 19, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Ticket prices (in Norwegian kroner): full (16+) — 290, children’s — 190.
- Official website: https://polarpark.no/.
Whale watching
Whale-watching tours are held with a true North Norwegian charm. These trips are recommended for those who want to enjoy an amazing sight: whales in the open sea. They will also be interesting for those who want to take not just interesting, but exclusive photos in Tromsø (Norway).
Such excursions are organized by teams of sailors with many years of experience at sea. All crew members have the appropriate education and necessary licenses for conducting such activities.
The cost of the excursion is from 1300 NOK and above. It is formed depending on many factors: from the number of people in the group (from 3 to 40), from the duration of the excursion (3 – 6 hours), and also from what the trip to the sea is planned (from classic wooden boats to hybrid electric schooners).
As a rule, people go to the places where whales have been spotted most recently.
And, of course, each excursion is planned taking into account the weather conditions. You need to dress very warmly, although almost all organizers of such trips provide tourists with warm jackets for the duration of the trip.
Northern Lights Observation Tours
There are travel agencies in the city that organize trips to observe the northern lights. There are also private guides who will take you to the best spots to see this amazing natural phenomenon for a reasonable price.
These tours are held from September 1 to mid-April.
As a rule, groups of up to 14 people are recruited for the observation of the aurora, the tour time can be 1 or 2 days. A two-day trip will cost approximately 3100 NOK, and this price includes:
- rental of warm winter clothing (suit, mittens, socks, and a hat) and special winter shoes (for adults only);
- head lamp rental;
- photos taken and then sent to tourists;
- transfer service;
- hot drinks.
If you’re planning a tour to observe the northern lights, you’ll need to prepare accordingly by wearing woolen underwear (avoid cotton), a thick woolen sweater or a small down jacket, warm socks, and shoes.
Dog sledding
Dog sledding is another activity available for tourists in Tromsø. This trip through the vast Lyngen Alps will allow you to experience the true spirit of the Arctic.
You can drive the sled yourself. It’s not too difficult, but you need to be able to press the brake at the right time, as huskies are very fast. However, you don’t have to drive the sled yourself; you can comfortably sit in the sled and let the instructor drive it. If the weather conditions are unfavorable, the instructor will definitely drive the sled.
The price remains the same whether it is just a ride or a guided trip. The price includes a transfer from Tromsø (25-30 minutes one way), rental of outerwear, sleigh ride (approximately 11 km), and lunch.
You should not refuse the thermal suits that the instructors provide. First, they will provide excellent protection from the cold. Second, they will also protect you from the natural but very strong dog odor.
Before riding, the instructors give valuable advice and tell you what you need to become a good musher. While previous experience is not necessary, good physical fitness is essential.
Huskies love people very much! They are so affectionate and friendly that not only adults, but also children can communicate with them.
Weather
The climate in Norway, in the city of Tromsø, is much milder than in other parts of the world at the same latitude – this is due to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. From the cold sea winds and winds from Lapland, this city is protected by mountains.
Winters are mild (average temperature -3°C), summers are moderate and quite cool (+15°C). The coolest months are January and February (-4°C), and the warmest are July and August (+15°C).
Tromsø is known as a city with quite a lot of precipitation. October is considered the wettest month, while May and June are the driest (50 mm of precipitation).
How to get to Tromsø
Of all the cities located beyond the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is the easiest to reach. Therefore, it is the best place to start your journey through Northern Norway.
Train
Although there is no train service to Tromsø, you can take a train from Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim to Fauske, and then take a bus to Tromsø.
Bus
There are buses running all year round between Tromsø and places like Alta, Narvik, Bodø and Fauske. If you are planning to visit the Lofoten Islands, a transfer can be arranged in Narvik.
Car
There is a 1,600 km long highway between Tromsø and Oslo, which is open all year round. The journey takes 30-40 hours, as the average speed in Norway is 50 km/h, and there are many automatic speed cameras.
The condition of the roads is good, and they are constantly cleaned and rolled out with graders during the winter. Road closures are very rare, and they only occur during heavy snowfalls.
Plane
There are about 10 flights per day to Tromsø from Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim (via Bodo).
The distance from the airport to Tromsø is 5 km. There is a Flybussen bus service: the first bus to the airport departs at 5:40, and the last bus to the city departs at 00:00. The journey takes 14 minutes, and the ticket price is 110 NOK for adults and 70 NOK for children. The website is www.bussring.no.
There are also flights No. 40, 42 between the city center and the airport from 6: 25 to 23: 50. Travel for adults — 60 NOK, for children — 30. If you buy a ticket in advance through the mobile app, at vending machines or from agents, discounts of up to 40% apply. Travel time is 15-20 minutes. More detailed information can be found on the website www.tromskortet.no.
A taxi ride from the airport to Tromsø costs 170-200 NOK and takes about 10 minutes.
Sea
Liners from Bergen and Kirkenes arrive at the port of Tromsø twice a day.
Local transport
Buses in Tromsø run from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. on weekdays, and from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. on weekends. On Fridays and Saturdays, there are night buses (No. 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, and 66). All buses have a schedule board.
A ticket to Tromsø (Norway) can be purchased directly from the driver for cash. The price for an adult is 60 kroner, but if you purchase it in advance, the cost will be lower at 35 kroner. A daily pass costs 130 kroner and is valid for all city routes.
