Things to see and do on your trip to Tromso?

Tromso is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Norway as it is the best location to see the famous and rare Northern Lights, so every year hundreds of cold-weather tourists flock to the city between October and March, while in the summer it is full of hikers and nature lovers touring the mountains and fjords. The summer, on the other hand, is full of hikers and nature lovers who take to the mountains and fjords. Do you want to know more? Then read on as we tell you all about what things to do in Tromso, Norway.

What things to do in Tromso?

Tromso is considered the capital of the Arctic as it is the best connected to the rest of the country and is the gateway to the main attractions in Lapland. The surrounding countryside is spectacular, unlike anything you’ve seen before, but there are also a few places to see in Tromso, as we’ll tell you below.

Telegrafbukta Beach

Telegrafbukta beach is a nice place to have a picnic in summer and enjoy the nature, the view of the fjords and the island of Kvaløya in the background. From the centre of Tromso you can walk to the beach, which takes about 30 minutes, or take bus 33 and 34 behind the cathedral.

Museums to see in Tromso

There are three museums worth visiting in Tromso. The most famous is the Tromso Polar Museum, which tells the story of expeditions to the Arctic and how different explorers discovered its geography. It also has an exhibition of stuffed animals.

Another lesser-known museum is the photography museum, which houses a collection of images of the city throughout history. And finally, there’s the Tromso University Museum, where you’ll learn about the Sami culture (indigenous people) and the northern lights.

Funicular de Fjellheisen

The best views of Tromso are from the top of Mount Storsteinen, just over 400 metres high. You can walk up, but in winter it’s especially recommended to take the funicular up to the top. The views from the top are truly spectacular in both summer and winter.

The funicular ticket costs 260 kr return and 170 kr one way. A cost-saving option is to take the funicular up and walk down.

Central Tromso, a must-see

The city centre is a very pleasant place to stroll around, and walking through it will only take you a morning. The main street is Storgata, and around it you’ll find some of the most beautiful buildings, such as Verdensteateret, Europe’s oldest cinema.

It’s best to start at the market square and wander around the old town. On the square itself there is a statue “Fangstmonument” in honour of the whalers who lost their lives in the Arctic and a yellow Art Nouveau kiosk “Raketten Bar” which was once the world’s smallest bar and is now a hot dog stand.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What things to do around Tromso

While there is plenty to see in Tromso, it’s true that tourists visiting the city go in search of the Northern Lights. That’s why we’ve picked out the following day trips to some of the best places to see this incredible phenomenon in the wilderness.

Islands of Kvaløya and Sommarøya

The islands of Kvaløya and Sommarøya are among the best places for aurora sightings. The islands are connected by the Sandnessund Bridge to the mainland, a 1-hour drive or bus ride from Tromso. The two islands are also connected, and it takes just 10 minutes to get from one to the other.

Once you’re there you’ll find activities to do in both summer and winter. You can kayak, scuba dive or go whale-watching on a boat. During the summer it becomes a destination for relaxation, as it has magnificent beaches of white sand and crystal-clear waters where there are also saunas and small cafés where you can have a snack. There’s also an interpretive centre and a farm on the islands to visit with the little ones.

Island of Senja

Senja, located above the Arctic Circle, is Norway’s second largest island and a natural destination that will leave you speechless. It is linked to the mainland by a 1,200-metre-long bridge and is a 3-hour drive from Tromso.

The island is characterized by a wide variety of landscapes, ranging from lush forests to steep, jagged cliffs along the coast. In the centre is the Ånderdalen National Park with more than 500 species. There is a tourist route known as the National Tourist Route that covers the entire east coast and will take you through the main villages and fjords to see on the island.

Lake Blåisvannet

Lake Blåisvannet is a little further from Tromso, a 2.5-hour drive by ferry from Breivikeidet to Svensby  however, it is well worth the trip to see this true spectacle of nature. The lake is on the Lyngen peninsula, surrounded by mountains and at the foot of the Lenangsbreen glacier.

The hike around the blue lake takes between 2 and 3 hours and is perfect for the whole family. The views are truly breathtaking and from the lake itself you can link to longer, higher altitude routes for more experienced mountaineers.

Visit Tromso in 3 days

The city of Tromso as such is easily visited in one day, however, the city generally serves as a strategic enclave for getting around the surrounding area, so it is recommended that you spend at least three days in Tromso. Plus, the longer you spend, the more likely you are to see the northern lights.

One day will be spent touring all the sights to see in Tromso, such as the Polar Museum, the Fjellheisen funicular, the Arctic Cathedral or strolling around the city centre. Nearby, you can also see Lake Prestvannet and Telegrafbukta beach.

The rest of the days can be spent dog sledding, watching the aurorae or relaxing in the sauna. You can also go on excursions to the places mentioned in the previous section: Lake Blåisvannet, Senja Island or the islands of Kvaløya and Sommarøya.

How to get to Tromso, Norway?

Tromso is one of the most visited cities in Norway because of its famous Northern Lights, so it is very well-connected, especially with the capital. There are several ways to get to Tromso:

• Aeroplane: aeroplane is the fastest way. From Oslo there are several daily flights to Langnes airport, so if you’re flying from Spain, you can expect to change in the capital. The flight from one city to the other takes just over an hour.
• Train and bus: Trains and buses depart from Oslo Airport itself in the direction of Tromso. However, they take about 30 hours to get there.
• Boat: The Hurtigruten boat is another fairly common option, departing from Bergen harbour.
• Car: Another option is to go by private car. The drive takes 30 hours and make sure you have winter tyres if you’re going at this time of year.

Where to eat in Tromso, Norway?

Nordic cuisine isn’t exactly varied, and as you get closer to the north it’s even less so due to the adverse conditions. However, there are two typical products that you won’t be able to try in many other places: reindeer and whale. Here are some of the restaurants that serve them.

• Aunegården: this restaurant with more than 130 years of history has grown from a butcher’s shop to one of the city’s best cafés. There, in addition to coffee and cake, you can have a sandwich or the menu of the day.
• Ølhallen: the oldest pub in the city. There you can taste more than 50 types of beer and even visit the brewery opposite. Beer prices start at 40 kroner.
• Fiskekompaniet; is a famous restaurant specialising in fish and seafood. The cuisine is rather avant-garde and the price per person is around 60€.
• Full Steam Tromsø AS: the best place to try whale or reindeer. It specialises in local dishes and the prices are not exorbitant for Norway.

Where to stay in Tromso?

Curiously, although Tromso is one of the largest and most touristy cities in the country, the hotel accommodation is quite limited, and during the Northern Lights season even more so. So book well in advance, especially if you’re travelling between November and January. Here are some of the best places to stay in the city.

• Tromsø Lodge & Camping: is a bungalow complex five minutes’ drive from the centre of Tromso. Each cottage has its own kitchen and garden, and the campsite also offers a football pitch, sauna, barbecue area and bar. The price per night starts from €72.
• Radisson Blu Hotel Tromsø is a 5-star hotel in the centre of Tromsø. The rooms are well equipped and the hotel also offers a sauna and fitness room. However, the best thing is the view from the upper floors. The room costs €170 a night.
• Enter Hotel Vikingo: a simple, well-located hotel. It has its own bar and organizes excursions in the area. The room costs €96.
• Tromso Activities Hostel: is the perfect place for backpackers who want to meet people and travel cheap. It’s located right in the historic centre and has common areas such as a lounge and kitchen. The price per night is 57€.

Tromso travel tips

• Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country.
• Alcohol can only be bought in specialised “Vinmonopolet” shops with very limited opening hours.
• If you’re travelling by private car, be aware that there are many toll roads. Please check before you set off for Tromso, Norway.
• The official currency of Norway is the Norwegian krone.
• We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as it will be cheaper.
• As European citizens, we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just an ID card or passport is enough.
• Winter tyres are compulsory in the car at this time of year.
• Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured.
• The best time to see auroras is from October to March, and for hiking the summer months.

Plan your trip to Tromso

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Tromso Norway.

If you have any doubts about how to do this, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions when travelling to Tromso, Norway