Visiting Tromso: Top 5 things to see and do
Do you want to visit Tromso and its surroundings during your next trip to Norway? This article is for you!
A little less than a month ago, I went on a whim to Tromso, on the edge of Norway, in the northernmost region of Europe. 4 days of rest and adventure with friends that gave us a lot of fun!
I have rarely been so disconnected in just a few days, and this trip far exceeded what I could have imagined about this wonderful region of the world… The program: Northern Aurora Hunt, observation of whales, 24 hours of excursion in an extraordinary place, far from any civilization, in total harmony with nature and the elements.
A journey: several dreams fulfilled! I’ll tell you more about it in other articles 🙂
To experience these adventures, head to Tromso, the capital of the Arctic and the starting point of many polar expeditions in the most extreme and spectacular corners of our beautiful planet (Svalbard, the North Pole, etc…)
Visiting the city center of Tromso
Before leaving, I imagined Tromso as a tiny town made up of austere buildings, without any soul, just a simple starting point to discover the region… And of course, as you might have guessed, that wasn’t at all the case!
Tromso It is a very charming city located on an island in the north of the Arctic Circle, founded in 1794 and with a little over 70,000 inhabitants, ranking it as the 8th most populous city in Norway.
Formerly frequented in the late 19th century by these extreme fishermen who went to the Arctic regions to hunt seals, it now welcomes scientists from all over the world, many students on its university campus, and of course Tromso attracts every year many travelers who come to realize their dreams of Nordic adventures and live unforgettable experiences.
The capital of the Arctic is known to be, from September to March, one of the best spots for observing the northern lights, an exceptional spectacle of Mother Nature that you can experience once in a lifetime!
Between activities, take the time to discover this lively and modern city, full of curiosities. I was impressed by this unique cathedral (Arctic Cathedral) and this library with bold curves, two marvels of contemporary architecture that harmonize harmoniously with the ancient buildings of Tromso’s historic center.
Take a walk on foot along the port and through the streets of the city center; if, like me, you are a fan of Scandinavian decor, you will be in for a treat here. You will be captivated by the beautiful colorful houses, the decoration shops, the cafes, bars and restaurants with a distinctly local but also multi-cultural style.
Did you know that there are nearly 100 different nationalities in Tromso? You can be sure that the atmosphere is lively in the evening in the few bars in the city, a real melting pot!
On the practical side, you will also find Seven Eleven supermarkets to avoid going broke, pharmacies in case of an emergency, and many specialized sports stores if you want to supplement your equipment.
What to see and do in Tromso in winter?
You won’t be bored in the Tromsø region; there are so many things to see and do. Here are the must-see attractions!
Come and discover them here Things to do in the Tromsø region
Seeing the Northern Lights in Tromso
This is the region’s flagship attraction! Tromsø is located in the area most exposed to the northern lights, and the chances of seeing them there are higher. To enjoy the spectacle in the best conditions, stay away from urban areas and avoid any light pollution.
There are two solutions available to you:
– You can get there by car, starting about twenty kilometers from the city.
– you can participate in a night tour in a minivan with a group, but the prices are very high. You should expect to pay around 130€ for the tour from 7pm to 2am. More information here.
For more information, see my other article on tips and practical information for observe the northern lights in Tromso
See whales and orcas in Tromso
What a joy to see these whales in their natural habitat! After about forty minutes on the boat along these magnificent snowy fjords, we were greeted by a few whales that were moving around us. It was an impressive and very touching spectacle… A unique moment in a wonderful natural setting… I will soon be writing an article about it Watching the whales from Tromso
Holidays on sleds with dogs or reindeer
Unfortunately we didn’t have time to live this wonderful experience… The most renowned center is the Villmarkssenter. You can also learn more about the job of a musher, these passionate dog breeders. Another opportunity to return to Northern Norway next winter!
Visiting the Lyngen Alps
You can go on beautiful hiking trips on snowshoes, cross-country skiing or snowmobiling in breathtaking natural settings, such as those of the Lyngen Alps, located 1.3 hours from Tromso. We stayed there for 24 hours with Francisco de Green Gold Of Norway, and we all have absolutely unforgettable memories; the landscapes are so beautiful… Here I have found my article about this beautiful adventure in the Lyngen Alps 😉
Where to go out in Tromso in the evening?
Remember, Tromso is a student city! As for student population, that means very lively evenings in the restaurants, bars and pubs of Tromso. And we who thought that the atmosphere might not be up to par once night fell… We were very wrong!
There are many restaurants in the city that offer international and varied cuisine. You’ll find classic establishments like pizzerias, but there are also excellent gourmet restaurants where you can enjoy local specialties.
This is the case of Hildr, which offers a discovery menu for 60€ with a multitude of small dishes all equally delicious, prepared with very fresh local products.
The prices are high but the cuisine is very good, the service excellent, the staff friendly and the setting very pleasant (nice decor, warm and intimate atmosphere).
After a good dinner, you can continue to the Hildr bar, or head to the Scandic Hotel bar, the meeting place for all the students who come to party. Music, delicious cocktails and a great atmosphere guaranteed!
Where to sleep in Tromsø?
In winter, remember to book your accommodation in advance because prices quickly rise! We went to Comfort Express, a contemporary hotel with a design-inspired decor, located right in the city center. By booking 10 days in advance, we paid a little over 70€ per night per person. You can also opt for apartment rental, sleeping in a youth hostel or in a beautiful 4-star hotel. There is something for everyone and every budget.
Our accommodation deals for a trip to Tromsø
Transfer from Tromso Airport to the city center
The Flybussen is a direct line. The journey takes about 15 minutes. 90 NOK per journey (9.60 €) and 140 NOK return (15 €) More information bus schedules
By taxi
Practical if you are traveling with several people but not interesting if you are alone or with two people. The price of the ride is 200 NOK (21 €).
Comments
Travel Me Happy
22 July 2019
Hello Dominique,
I haven’t had the opportunity to see any of them. But I recommend you go here to get more information on the subject. https://voyageursgourmands.fr/rennes-a-tromso-norvege/
See you soon!
Christine
16 December 2018
Hello,
We are leaving next Saturday with our family to Tromso for the Christmas week. We haven’t booked any activities; we’ll see on the spot. We are renting a car. Do you think it’s better to book in advance?Laura
15 October 2018
Hello,
Thanks for your article. Top.
And regarding the meal budget, are the restaurants expensive? Is life expensive down there?
Thank you.Travel Me Happy
16 October 2018
Hello Laura,
Thanks for your comment. It makes me happy. As for life there, it is indeed quite expensive, but you can always minimize the costs by doing a little research on the spot.
Jp94
13 October 2018
Hello
This city and region look really beautiful.
A little advice for the northern lights in late October and February – is that correct?
It seems that sometimes you have to head towards the Finnish border.No direct flight?
Finally, you don't mention a trip to see orcas?
Thank you
And well done for your photosI agree with you about Tromso. I went there last week and I really enjoyed visiting this city 🙂
Hello Thibault, I read your article about your trip to Tromso. I plan to go there in the first week of October next year, and I was wondering which company you took the excursion with to see the whales? Thank you very much for your reply.
OphélieTravel Me Happy
16 August 2018
Hello Ophélie,
Thank you very much for your message. I’m glad to hear that you’re going to Tromsø! I dream of going back there…! For the excursion, it was with the company Artic Explorer: http://www.arcticexplorer.no
Cynthia/Queen of the Snows
14 February 2018
Thanks for the info; I just saw that for the second half of February: 511 euros
I had seen much more expensive prices with the comparison sites.Capucine & Thibault
13 February 2018
Hello, I travelled with the SAS company; I recommend you to use a flight comparison site to get the best price.
melody by Cornu
20 August 2017
Hello,
I would like to go to Tromso on November 20th. Is that a good time for the northern lights? But I saw that there were only 3 hours of daylight. Do you think we could still do things even then? Thank you very much.Capucine & Thibault
26 August 2017
Hello!
Logically, the aurora borealis season begins at this time… I invite you to visit specialized sites to get more details 🙂
Gwenaelle Pauly
12 March 2017
Hello, could you tell me what is the best time to see the auroras? I suppose that the beginning of March is over and that we have to wait until the end of the year?
Capucine & Thibault
12 March 2017
Hello Gwenaelle, It depends on the regions, but in Tromsø you can see the northern lights until the end of March 🙂
Jihyo (@ZeroWasteTeen)
8 February 2017
From the airport to the city center, I would recommend taking bus 40 or 42, which is much cheaper: 50 nok / adult on the bus or 32.40 nok if purchased through the app.
Doriane
18 January 2017
With friends, we are going to spend a good week in this region, moving from city to city! A priori, you went there in early February? I would have loved to know your experience in terms of clothing.. Thank you in advance and thank you for these beautiful photos!
Capucine & Thibault
25 January 2017
Hello Doriane,
Thanks for your comment 🙂 You’re going to be in for a treat, I really want to go back there!
It wasn’t that cold there, about 0-2 degrees. In fact, I expected it to be less! From -15 or -20… we had brought ski pants, tights, thermolacets, a coat, thick sweaters, etc.
Have a nice trip!
Isabelle
3 December 2022
Very nice article to read. I also discovered Tromso and its surroundings by chance and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s a very pleasant place. It’s beautiful in winter.