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Reindeer in front of sleds in the snow, with a traditional tent in the background.
Reindeer in front of sleds in the snow, with a traditional tent in the background.

Tromsø

Published: 08 December 2023, 13:00

Capital of the Northern Lights

The municipality of Tromsø, which is made up of the city of the same name and several surrounding islands, attracts visitors with a wealth of spectacular experiences: the fascinating northern lights can be seen particularly intensely and frequently here thanks to its location beyond the Arctic Circle. As the gateway to the Arctic, the region is a real natural paradise: the coastline, characterised by deep fjords, is perfect for whale watching and fjord cruises and Arctic animals, such as reindeer and Arctic foxes, can be spotted in the extensive landscapes. The nearby Lyngen Alps offer excellent opportunities for multi-day ski tours and mountain hikes. Tromsø itself impresses visitors with its modern architecture – prime examples include the Arctic Cathedral and the Polaria Arctic Experience Centre. The summer months offer midnight concerts and endless days, while winter bathes the city in the magical northern lights.

Numbers, data, facts 

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 78.000
  • Official language: Norwegian
  • Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK)

Ten Tromsø highlights

Lit-up Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø with snow-covered mountain backdrop.
The extraordinary Arctic Cathedral is an architectural gem and the landmark of Tromsø. © Tomasz Warszewski/stock.adobe.com
Northern lights above Tromsø at night, with city lights and waterfront view.
Experiencing the fascinating northern lights is one of the main reasons most tourists travel to Tromsø. © BlueOrange Studio/stock.adobe.com
Tromsø Bridge with snowy mountains and Arctic Cathedral in the background.
The Tromsø Bridge connects the mainland with the island of Tromsøya and offers a breathtaking view of the city. © belov3097/stock.adobe.com
Entrance of the Polaria Museum in Tromsø with distinctive architecture.
The architecturally impressive Polaria Museum is an experience centre with interactive exhibitions about life in the Arctic Ocean. © Mariusz Świtulski/stock.adobe.com
Tromsø from the mountain with cable car wires in the foreground.
A cable car ride to the top of Mount Storsteinen provides a spectacular view of Tromsø and the surrounding fjords. © Kathy Huddle/stock.adobe.com
Old boat on the shore at sunset with fjord and mountain view.
The picturesque Telegrafbukta Beach near the city is perfect for walks and (in milder temperatures) picnics. © Susanne/stock.adobe.com
Red Polar Museum on the quay with boat in the foreground in Tromsø.
The Polar Museum is dedicated to the history of Arctic expeditions and the pioneers who explored the polar regions. © valeriyap/stock.adobe.com
Mirror-like fjord with red wooden houses and mountains under cloudy sky..
The picturesque village of Ersfjordbotn near Tromsø offers a beautiful backdrop of fjords, mountains and the open sea. © beataaldridge/stock.adobe.com
Glass pavilion with reflected boat and snowy mountains in Tromsø.
: The museum ship MS Polstjerna, which was used for seal hunting for many years, is moored under a large glass dome in the harbour. © Lars Johansson/stock.adobe.com
Fishing boats and colorful wooden houses in Tromsø harbor at sunset.
Tromsø Harbour is an important shipping hub and a lovely place to take a stroll and enjoy the maritime atmosphere. © Dmitry Pistrov/stock.adobe.com

Arctic activities

Tromsø’s special Arctic location offers exciting opportunities to familiarise yourself with life in the far north and its fascinating nature. In addition seeing the northern lights – which can be seen particularly well in the winter months from October to March – Tromsø and the Troms region offer numerous other special nature experiences and extraordinary activities. 

Five special experiences in and around Tromsø

Reindeer race in the snow with cheering crowd in Tromsø.
The famous reindeer race takes place in Tromsø every year during Sami Week at the beginning of February. © Marcin/stock.adobe.com
Orca and rubber boat during whale watching with snowy mountains at dusk.
Numerous providers offer whale watching tours from the harbour in Tromsø – in summer you can mainly spot orcas, in winter humpbacks. © willyam/stock.adobe.com
Dog sled ride through snowy landscape with mountains in the background.
: In the colder months, you can explore the winter landscape on an exciting dog sledge tour. © ThoPics/stock.adobe.com
Hiker stands on rocky ledge overlooking fjord-like mountain landscape.
A hike up the Brosmetinden cliff is rewarded with a fantastic view over the rugged coastal landscape. © EVERST/stock.adobe.com
Two ski tourers on snowy ridge overlooking fjord and mountain scenery.
The Lyngen Alps, a majestic mountain range to the east of Tromsø, are ideal for hiking in summer and for multi-day skiing and glacier tours in winter. © scottiniroberto/stock.adobe.com

Tromsø from BER

Aircraft about to land on the runway

Eurowings

Norwegian

easyJet

Tromsø Airport (TOS)

Five travel tips for ...

  1. The world’s northernmost university: the Arctic University of Norway (UiT)
  2. The northernmost brewery in the world: Macks Ølbryggeri
  3. The northernmost cathedral in the world: the Arctic Cathedral
  4. The world's northernmost zoo: Polar Park, just under two hours from Tromsø
  5. The northernmost botanical garden: The Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden Tromsø

  1. Taste Arctic seafood, such as king crab and Arctic mussels
  2. A culinary must: Try reindeer meat as steak or goulash
  3. Eat the Norwegian speciality bacalao, salted and dried cod
  4. Enjoy a dessert with Arctic berries and wild fruits
  5. Discover the diversity of local craft beers

  1. Visit majestic mountains and picturesque fishing villages on Senja, south of Tromsø
  2. Kvaløya offers diverse landscapes and is a good place to look at the northern lights
  3. Climb the Arctic Alps on Ringvassøya north of Tromsø
  4. Discover unspoilt nature and rich bird life on Reinøya
  5. Explore beautiful beaches, forests and hiking trails on Grindøya

Picture source title:
©  Alexandr/stock.adobe.com

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