Surrounded by Norway's unique Arctic landscape, the small town of Tromsø is on an island in the Arctic waters. Whether you want to see the Northern Lights, experience Norwegian culture, or enjoy Norway's beautiful nature, Tromsø is the perfect starting point for a trip to Scandinavia. In this article, I will share important tips for your visit and show you the most beautiful sights in Tromsø and the surrounding area.
As always, at the end of this article, you will find a map of Tromsø, Norway, where I have marked all the sights and my favorite spots.
When is the best time to travel to Tromsø?
The best time to visit Tromsø depends on what you want to do. To see the amazing Northern Lights, the best time is between September and March, when the nights are long and dark. But remember, in December and January, there is no daylight because Tromsø is 350 km north of the Arctic Circle. We chose February for our trip to have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights and still have some daylight.
If you like warmer weather and want to go hiking, then June to August is the best time.
Getting to Tromsø
Traveling to Tromsø in Norway is most conveniently and quickly done by air. Tromsø Airport (TOS) has connections to key cities in Norway such as Oslo and Bergen, as well as to international airports like London, Stockholm, and Berlin. The sight upon arrival is breathtaking and ranks among the most stunning I've witnessed, making it advisable to secure a window seat. The Arctic snow-covered peaks surrounding Tromsø are truly a sight to behold!
Alternatively, you can also reach Tromsø by ferry from different places in Norway.
How much time should you plan for Tromsø?
To explore the city and nearby areas, I suggest spending three to four days in Tromsø. This will give you enough time to see the best sights in Tromsø and check out the surrounding landscape.
Is it worth renting a car in Tromsø?
While the city is easy to explore on foot, it's worth getting a rental car for a road trip through the countryside and to see the Northern Lights at night. However, rental car prices in Tromsø are very high, so you might not want to rent one for your whole stay. In the city, buses are an easy and cheap way to get around, while taxis are very expensive.
The most beautiful sights in Tromsø, Norway
The city center of Tromsø
The small and charming city center of Tromsø is a great place to stroll around and explore. There are many cute cafés where you can warm up and stores with local products. There are several sights in Tromsø that you should not miss during your city tour.
I'm not usually a fan of museums when I travel, but during our winter walk in Tromsø, we were so cold that we wanted to warm up, and the Polar Museum was perfect for that. Looking back, I'm really glad we went. The museum shows in an interesting way how people settled in the Arctic from the 17th century and survived on expeditions. The exhibits and the museum's building take visitors back to a tough and cold time. Even though some details about seal and bear hunting weren't pleasant to see, they are an important part of Arctic history (and thankfully, they are banned today).
Admission prices & opening hours of the Polar Museum in Tromsø:
Admission is NOK 110 (about EUR 9.50) for adults, while children and young people aged 0-18 years enter for free. The venue is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Aurora Borealis – See the Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø is a great place to see the magical Northern Lights. However, several things need to happen for this to be possible. Besides strong solar activity, seeing the Aurora Borealis depends on many factors: Where are you? Is it dark enough? Can you see the northern sky clearly? Is it cloudy? Are the lights bright enough to see without equipment?
You can see the most amazing Northern Lights in one place, while a person just a few kilometers away from you may only see a dark sky.
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