Tromso is a coastal city famous for its museums, historic wooden houses, and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and sea. Easily accessible via regular commercial flights, the city welcomes thousands of tourists each year. Don’t miss out on visiting the most iconic sights in the city such as the Arctic Cathedral and Polaria. Check out this helpful guide to make the best of your visit to Tromso!
Built mainly of concrete and glass, the Arctic Cathedral is one of the most iconic buildings in Tromso. Opened to the public in 1965, the striking modern church is visible from Tromso Sound, the Tromso Bridge, and when landing at the city’s airport. Prominent design elements include a large glass facade, glass mosaics, and prism chandeliers. Visit in the morning or during sunset and marvel at the magnificent lighting inside the cathedral.
Opened in May 1998, Polaria is an educational facility that focuses on child-friendly marine exhibits. An architectural marvel, Polaria has a striking design inspired by the ice floes in the arctic. The aquarium is home to many native and exotic marine species and a collection of polar exploration equipment. Polaria's centerpiece is an open pool containing a group of bearded seals. Located just a few blocks away from Tromso Center for Contemporary Art, the aquarium is accessible by Strandvegen road.
Fjellheisen is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tromso. Enjoy the fresh air of Norway on a cable car ride that will take you to the Storsteinen or the Big Rock. The four-minute trip to the upper station is a popular destination itself, offering visitors a commanding view of Tromso and the surrounding fjords. Witness the panoramic views of the city, ice-capped mountains, and the sea during the trip. Take amazing pictures of these sites as you relax aboard a modern cable car.
Established in 1872 and incorporated in the University of Tromso in 1976, the Tromso University Museum is one of the destinations in the city that you should visit. Explore various exhibits in the museum that include geology and zoology, as well as two Sámi exhibitions. As the oldest scientific institution in Northern Norway, the museum has 2 million objects under its care.
Housed in an 1830s warehouse on the bay, The Polar Museum has permanent exhibitions on seal hunting, trapping, and stories of famous hunters such as Henry Rudi and Wanny Woldstad. The items from the expeditions of Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen are also kept inside the museum. The Polar Museum preserves and conveys stories related to this aspect of the history of Tromsø and the Arctic.
Opened to the public in 1994, the Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden is the world's northernmost botanic garden. Nestled on the edge of a hill, the garden is teeming with the Arctic and alpine plants from all over the northern hemisphere. The garden has no gate or barriers and is open all day and night all year round. The garden also has plant collections from South America and the Himalayas. Flowers in the garden starts to bloom in the first week of May and continues until snow arrives—normally some time into October.
Completed in 1861 in a Gothic Revival style, the Tromso Cathedral is one of the historical landmarks in the city. Mostly made out of wood, the cathedral is the only one of its kind in Norway. The interior of Tromso Cathedral is dominated by the altar with a painting of the Resurrection. The structure is also known as the northernmost Protestant cathedral in the world.
Constructed in 1960, Tromso Bridge is one of the well-known cantilever bridges across Northern Europe. Hailed as the longest bridge in the region at the time of its opening, Tromso Bridge became a landmark in its own right. The bridge crosses the Tromsoysunsdet strait and connects the island of Tromsoya to the mainland. From the bridge, you can easily spot the iconic Arctic Cathedral and other destinations in the city.
A center for educational and cultural appreciation, Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum acquires and exhibits works of art from local and international artists. Established in 1985, the museum is home to 2,200 permanent collections. Other important art pieces include works from Peder Balke, Adelsteen Normann, Harriet Backer, Anna-Eva Bergman, and Olav Christopher Jenssen.
A short drive away from the city center will take you to Tromso Southern Beach, a popular destination visited by local and foreign tourists. Every morning or before sunset, people visit the beach to marvel at the breathtaking views of the sea and the snow-covered mountains. At night, Tromso Southern Beach is also perfect for spotting the northern lights. Aside from sightseeing, the beach is also visited for summer sports.
Easily accessible via regular commercial flights from Oslo and Frankfurt, the city used to be a transit stop for tourists headed to the Arctics. Today, Tromso is a destination in its own right. You can visit many historic and scenic destinations such as Arctic Catherdral, the Polaria, and Tromso Southern Beach.
If you are interested in witnessing the Northern Lights, then you should visit Tromso between September and April. In summer, the sun barely sets on the horizon, and June and July are the best times to experience the midnight sun and to enjoy outdoor activities.
Accommodation in Tromso comes in wide variations, from the cozy bed and breakfasts on the outskirts of the island to 4-star hotels within the city center. Whether it be an overnight stay, a short break, or a longer holiday, it’s easy to find the perfect place to stay in the city.