What to see in Tromso How to get and where to stay in Tromso

What to see in Tromso in Norway. I will describe it in this blog post. Because Tromso is not only about the Northern Lights.

Seeing the Northern Lights was my travelling dream for a few years. And I was lucky, as Wizzair has started flying to Tromso directly from Gdańsk airport (in the north of Poland). I went there last year in November. Totally honestly, it was mostly the possibility of seeing Aurora that made me plan for this trip.

Well, I knew there were probably nice views there; it’s Norway after all. But only while preparing for the trip, I realised there was more to see in Tromso than I expected. Already at the place, it turned out to be even better.

What to see in Tromso. How to get there and where to stay in Tromso. All this information is in this blog post.

Where is Tromso? Basic information about Tromso

Tromso lies in the north of Norway, 350 km (217 ml) above the Arctic Circle. It’s the administrative centre of Troms og Finnmark county. The city is located on the main land, on the island Tromsøya (the city centre) and on the part of the island Kvaløya.

Important remark: in Norwegian, Tromso’s name is written as Tromsø. Here I’m using the ‘simplified’ English version of the name.

How to get to Tromso

It’s quite easy to get to Tromso, as there is an international airport in the city. From European cities, direct flights are from Frankfurt, Zurich, Helsinki, London, and Gdańsk in Poland.

Many people also fly to Tromso via Oslo. You can also fly via other Norwegian airports, for example, Bergen or Trondheim.

Here, you can check and book flights.

It’s very easy to get to the centre from the airport; there are many public buses, and it takes around 15 minutes drive.

Where to stay in Tromso

Tromso is quite a touristy place, so there are different types of accommodation available. However, book yours in advance, as it’s still limited, especially in the Aurora peak season.

Firstly, decide if you prefer to stay in the centre or somewhere outside the town. It depends mostly, apart from your preferences, on how long you stay in Tromso and if you want to book a guided tour.

If you have more time in the Tromso region, maybe it’s worth looking at accommodations outside the town? There are few options where you are just very close to nature (sometimes it can be far from shops or restaurants). Imagine, if you are lucky, and can see the Northern Lights just above your place. Good examples of such accommodation options are: Leilighet, Panorama Glass Lodge, Arctic Lodge Tromvik, or Arctic Glamping Tromso.

There are also available flats in Tromso with amazing views: Aurora (looks absolutely exceptional!), Top View Tromso or Tromso Lodge & Camping.

As well as chain hotels in the centre, it’s probably the easiest solution if you are arriving in Tromso for a short time and planning to go on guided tours.

Examples of such hotels are: Radisson Blue, Comfort Hotel Xpress, Clarion Hotel, or Thon Hotel Polar.

And this hotel Moxy, is close to the airport.

I stayed in a chain hotel Smarthotel. It had a great location, right in the centre. To very positive things, I can for sure include breakfast and the hotel lobby where breakfast was served. It was open during the day as well, with free coffee and tea.

The negative thing was the size of the room; it was just small. If you travel for very long with huge suitcases, it probably will not be very convenient. But in general, I think this hotel was okay, the room was enough, and it was not very expensive looking at other prices.

Northern Lights

Tromso is one of the best places in Europe to see the Northern Lights. You can even see them in city, if activity is strong. However, it’s best to go outside the town to be far from the light pollution. You can rent a car and go alone or book the guided tour. I went with a group, and it was an absolutely amazing evening. We were very lucky with the Aurora show. I really recommend taking the guided tour. I wrote more about Chasing Northern Lights guided tours here.

What to see in Tromso

Walk and feel the atmosphere

There is something about Tromso that’s hard to describe. On the one hand, it’s just a ‘standard’ town. With public buses, restaurants, cafes, shops, and supermarkets. On the other side, there is something special in the air. Is it about the Northern Lights? Or about the views? Or darkness in winter and midnight sun in summer? Probably a mix of all these. One thing is sure: It’s incredible to walk down the streets knowing you are behind the Arctic Circle. So just take your time, walk in this cute town, and feel this atmosphere.

Where can you walk?

The main street has cute houses, shops, and cafes. There is also a cinema on this street and a small shopping centre with a very interesting café. Every table is separated and has a different design. There are also tables with pictures of Northern Lights.

On Storgata Street, you can also see and visit Domskirke, one of the biggest wooden cathedrals in Norway. And Raketten, a very popular bar with reindeer hot dogs and a camp fire.

The harbour and waterfront are another perfect place for a walk. There is a more industrial part with bigger boats, and a marina for smaller ones, and a long embankment.

In the harbour there is also a sauna, which you can visit for an hour. From far away, you will see people jumping from the sauna into the water. Here you can see details.

Cafes

The first thing that comes to my mind about Nordic countries is nature. Second, cafes. The coffee culture is really strong. Norway is in second place in the world when it comes to drinking coffee (just after Finland), with 21,82 lbs (almost 10 kg) per capita. So it’s not surprising that there are many cafes. They are very cosy, with coffee smell and pastries, nice music, and candlelight. They are perfect for this dark season and to warm up.

I’ve visited three cafes: Svermeri, Kaffebonna, and Smortorget, and all were great. And there are more cafes in the city.

What to see in Tromso: Fjellheisen cable car

Probably the biggest and must-see attractions in Tromso are Storsteinen Hill (421 m above sea level) and the Fjellheisen cable car that takes you up. You can also get to the hill by walking. Although people who walked said it was very icy on the way. So for sure, in winter, don’t take this walk without being in good shape and without spikes on your shoes. In summer, it’s probably a nicer walk.

The cable car is not cheap, but it’s the attraction itself and the views on the way are great. It costs 395 NOK (around 29 USD) for a return ticket, from the next year it shows as 415 NOK. Here you can check all the details about the cable car and buy tickets.

On the hill there is a restaurant and cafe, in which you can eat or drink coffee with a view of the water and Tromso Bridge.

If you visit Tromso outside the polar night, I suggest that you go up at the time when you will see the view in daylight, wait a bit while drinking coffee, and then see the view in the dark. Both views are absolutely worth it. Storsteinen is also a great place to see the Aurora. To get to the hill, you can take a city bus from the centre. You can also combine it with the next Tromso tourist attraction. Take the bus to the cathedral, and from there, walk to the cable car. It’s an easy and nice walk that allows you to see the local neighbourhood and architecture.

What to see in Tromso: Cathedral

As mentioned above, the Arctic Cathedral is the next big tourist attraction. Tromsdalen Chruch is another name for it. It’s known for its good acoustics and organ. And, from glass mosaic, which looks special with midnight sun light. It’s also a paid attraction; all the details are here.

Skansen

Skansen is the remnant of a fortification from mediaeval times. Now, these are the oldest wooden houses in Tromso. Walk around to see them.

Museums

Tromso is also a cultural centre. During the summer, it has a yearly Film Festival. It’s also known for its museums and centres:

• Polar Museum

Related to stories about Arctic expeditions and sea mammal hunting. Next to the museum is Roal Amundsen statue, as he lived for some time in Tromso and started his expedition here. There is also one more statue in the nearby park.

• Polaria, an Artic experience centre with an aquarium
• Troll Museum
• Perspektive Museum
• Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum, The Northern Norwegian Museum of Art
• Northern Norwegian Science Centre
• The Arctic University Museum of Norway
• Ship MS Polstjerna

What to see in Tromso: Brewery and pub

Olhallen is the oldest pub in Tromso; it opened in 1928. It’s brewpub from Mack’s brewery that serves beer from 72 taps. The brewery Mack, for long, was the northernmost brewery in the world. Only recently this title was taken by the brewery in Svalbard. You can visit the brewery or just go to the pub. You can try a beer called Aurora, etc. As I’ve visited other breweries before, I didn’t go visit, but went to the pub and I recommend it even if you don’t drink a lot of beer (nice old-style pub). You can buy very small glasses just to try. You can drink beer called Northern Lights, etc.

And it’s not even all that you can see in Tromso. There is also Botanical Garden, University, interesting building of the city library and murals.

What to see around Tromso

If you only have a bit more time, try to go outside Tromso, even just for a few hours. It’s possible even if you don’t rent a car. We didn’t have so much time to visit a lot, but one morning we went to an amazing place, called Ersfjordbotn.

It was a journey with the change of buses, but very easy and quick, on the same stop. And while waiting for the second bus, we could see reindeers walking on the streets.

This trip was mostly about the views. Already the bus ride was with views in the sunrise light (sunrise was after 9 a.m. as it was November and very soon polar night was starting), and later it got only better.

You arrive at the village, and you right away see the fjord. Majestic, raw, magical.

There are hiking paths and viewpoint. A short walk away from the bus stop, there was also a small waterfall.

After the walk, you should enter the Bryggejentene café, which is there on the waterfront. It’s a great café with good coffee and snacks and a great atmosphere and view. It’s also a shop.

Drinking coffee there is one of my best memories from my Tromso trip.

Tromso Ice Domes

Around 90 minutes’ drive from Tromso, there is ice hotel and ice and snow constructions: Tromso Ice Domes.

You can visit it during a half-day tour or even stay there for a night! Overnight package includes transport, accommodation and other activities, for example, snowshoeing.

What to take with you to Tromso

One more piece of practical information. Short advice on what you need to pack with you to Tromso if you go during the winter season:

• Obviously, warm clothes. Layers, thermal underwear, snow trousers, woollen socks, good winter shoes, etc. Everyone on the streets and in hotels walks very warmly dressed, it’s not really a ‘fashion style’ trip. Dress well to be able to visit and enjoy (during the day and during Aurora chasing).
• Winter face and hand cream and lipstick.
• Raki on your shoes. Streets can be slippery; it’s good to have them even if only walking in the town.
• Reflective band. As it can be really dark.

Most of the things I needed for my trip I got at Decathlon. They were cheap, warm, and comfortable.

If you are wondering about the trip north, about seeing the Northern Lights, and about feeling the Arctic atmosphere, think about Tromso. It’s a great place, not only because of the Aurora. As you can see, you have many things to do and see in Tromso.

I have to say it was one of my best travel experiences in Europe in the past years. And even if I always want to see something new, I’m thinking about coming back there, maybe this time in the summer months for the midnight sun.

Anyway, you will not regret choosing Tromso as your trip destination.

Interested in winter travel in Europe? Read more:

Where else you can see Northern Lights in Europe

What are the best places to travel in the winter in Europe

Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2023