Top places to visit in Tromsø

• Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden

  botanic garden · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  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)

  modern church · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · entry kr75 (≈ ₹750)

  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)

  history museum · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · entry kr90 (≈ ₹900)

  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)

  cable car · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · entry kr445 (≈ ₹4,450)

  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

  brewery · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  aquarium · about 1.3 h · entry kr220 (≈ ₹2,200)

  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)

  wooden church · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  street · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 to Tromsø

Airport: Tromso (TOS)

How visitors arrive in Tromsø

• Flight to Tromsø Airport (Langnes) By air from Oslo · common

  All international and domestic flights land at Langnes Airport, with services from Oslo and other Nordic cities plus winter routes from the UK and Germany. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Hurtigruten or Havila coastal ship By ferry from Bergen / Norwegian coast · possible

  Hurtigruten ships call at Tromsø's Prostneset terminal, and Havila Voyages coastal ferries also stop here. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus from Narvik By road from Narvik · possible

  Long-distance buses connect Tromsø with Narvik, Alta and, in the tourist season, Rovaniemi in Finland. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Drive By road from Southern Norway · possible

  Roads to Tromsø are in good condition, but it is a very long drive from southern Scandinavia, with one short ferry crossing. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Flybussen airport express

  The Flybussen airport express runs straight into the city centre and calls at some hotels. It waits just outside the arrivals exit, to the left. Source: avinor.no

• Local city bus from the airport

  Local routes 40 and 42 stop at the airport. Buy tickets through the regional transport app or at the ticket machine by the stop. Luggage space is limited and buses fill up after big flights. Source: avinor.no

• Taxi or Bolt

  Taxis are available at the airport and the Bolt app also operates in Tromsø. Handy with several people or heavy bags. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Tromsø has no train. Rail travellers connect by bus from Narvik, the nearest rail link, or via Fauske or Rovaniemi. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the port to the centre

• Hurtigruten and Havila coastal ships

  Hurtigruten ships dock at the Prostneset terminal on Samuel Arnesens gate, a short walk from the cathedral. Havila Voyages coastal ferries also call. Fast passenger boats leave from the pier next to it. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Tromsø has no train. Rail travellers connect by bus from Narvik, the nearest rail link, or via Fauske or Rovaniemi. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bus

  Local buses link the island centre with the mainland across the bridge and tunnel and with the airport, and a bus goes to the Fjellheisen cable car.

  Get the Svipper app

• Walking

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.

Best time to visit Tromsø

• Jan -1°C
• Feb -1°C
• Mar 1°C
• Apr 4°C
• May 9°C
• Jun 13°C
• Jul 16°C
• Aug 15°C
• Sep 11°C
• Oct 5°C
• Nov 2°C
• Dec 0°C

More in Norway

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

Frequently asked questions about Tromsø

What are the top-rated places to visit in Tromsø?

The highest-rated places in our Tromsø guide are Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden, Fjellheisen Cable Car (Storsteinen), Ølhallen & Mack Brewery, Polar Museum (Polarmuseet), Arctic Cathedral (Ishavskatedralen).

Where should I stay in Tromsø?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Tromsø: Sentrum (Tromsøya).

How do I get around Tromsø?

Ways to get around Tromsø covered in our guide: City bus, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Tromsø?

Scams reported to us for Tromsø include Overpriced last-minute aurora tours. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Tromsø?

Average daytime highs in Tromsø run from -1°C in Feb to 16°C in Jul.

Which airport is nearest to Tromsø?

The nearest airport to Tromsø has the code TOS.