Top places to visit in Tromsø

• Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden

  Nature · 4.7 rating · about 1 h

  The world's northernmost botanic garden, free and open all year, showcasing mountain and Arctic plants from around the globe. Best from June to September.

• Arctic Cathedral (Ishavskatedralen)

  Church · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · entry NOK 75

  Tromsø's striking 1965 white triangular church across the bridge in Tromsdalen, with one of Europe's largest stained-glass windows and popular midnight-sun concerts.

• Polar Museum (Polarmuseet)

  Museum · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · entry NOK 90

  Housed in an 1830s customs warehouse, this museum tells the story of Arctic hunting, trapping and the polar expeditions of Nansen and Amundsen.

• Fjellheisen Cable Car (Storsteinen)

  Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · entry NOK 445

  A cable car to the 421 m Storsteinen shelf above Tromsø, giving a panorama over the island city and the fjords — a top spot for the midnight sun and, in winter, the Northern Lights.

• Ølhallen & Mack Brewery

  Nightlife · 4.5 rating · about 1 h

  The taproom of Mack, one of the world's northernmost breweries, dating to 1877 — an atmospheric spot to sample Arctic ales in the city centre.

• Polaria

  Museum · about 1.3 h · entry NOK 220

  An Arctic experience centre by the waterfront with a panoramic film, an Arctic aquarium and bearded seals — a good rainy-day and family stop.

• Tromsø Cathedral (Domkirke)

  Church · about 0.5 h

  A rare wooden cathedral of 1861 in neo-Gothic style in the city centre — one of the largest wooden churches in Norway.

• Storgata & Tromsø Harbour

  Cultural · about 0.8 h

  The pedestrian main street and harbourfront of the "Paris of the North", lined with colourful wooden houses, cafés, pubs and the departure quays for fjord and aurora trips.

Things to do

• Northern Lights Chase Nature · 6 h · from NOK 1,500 per person
• Whale Watching Safari Wildlife · 6 h · from NOK 1,800 per person
• Husky Sledding Adventure Adventure · 4 h · from NOK 2,200 per person
• Reindeer Sledding & Sami Culture Cultural · 4 h · from NOK 1,900 per person
• Fjellheisen Cable Car Viewpoint Sightseeing · 1.5 h · from NOK 445 per person
• Midnight Sun Kayaking Water Sports · 3 h · from NOK 1,100 per person

Day trips and tours

• Arctic Wilderness & Northern Lights Evening 6 h · from NOK 1,500

Where to stay in Tromsø

• Sentrum (Tromsøya) about NOK 2,100 per night

  Central Tromsø on the island, walkable to restaurants, the cathedral, harbour and aurora-tour departures.

Hotels

• Clarion Hotel The Edge 4-star · NOK 1,900 to NOK 3,800 per night
• Scandic Ishavshotel 4-star · NOK 1,800 to NOK 3,500 per night
• Radisson Blu Hotel Tromsø 4-star · NOK 1,700 to NOK 3,300 per night
• Smart Hotel Tromsø 3-star · NOK 950 to NOK 1,600 per night
• Tromsø Activities Hostel 2-star · NOK 420 to NOK 1,300 per night

Where to eat

• Fiskekompaniet Seafood, Arctic · about NOK 900 per person
• Emma's Drømmekjøkken Norwegian, French · about NOK 850 per person
• Bardus Bistro Bistro, Norwegian · about NOK 420 per person
• Risø Mat & Kaffebar Cafe, Norwegian · about NOK 180 per person
• Full Steam Norwegian, International · about NOK 380 per person
• Raketten Bar & Pølse Street Food · about NOK 100 per person
• Aunegården Cafe, Norwegian · about NOK 260 per person

Getting around

• Bus main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Overpriced last-minute aurora tours

  Tromsø harbour touts

  Unlicensed sellers push "guaranteed" Northern Lights tours at inflated prices; no operator can guarantee the aurora.

  How to avoid it: Book with established operators; be sceptical of any "guarantee" and compare prices online first.

More in Norway

• Oslo
• Bergen
• Flåm
• Stavanger
• Trondheim
• Ålesund