The 10 things to do in Tromsø

From Norway, are you looking for what to do in the country? Don't look anymore! Visit Tromsø, one of the most charming town in Lapland!

Located on the island of Tromsøya in Norwegian Lapland, Tromsø is the city of more than 50,000 most northern inhabitants of the world. It is 350 km north of the Arctic Circle. Dynamic and multicultural thanks to the presence of scientists from all over the world, it is full of assets to be discovered in both summer and winter. Visiting Tromsø is discovering a breathtaking, magical and wonderful place!

En route for the 10 must-have things to do during your stay in Tromsø! Follow the guide!

1. Observer the Northern Lights

No way to visit Tromsø in winter without hoping to see the Northern Lights! Several options are available to you to enjoy this majestic show:

• Cruise at sea: It is a unique experience to live, but it will not allow you to make exceptional photographs: on board a boat, it moves! The output will cost you about 150€ per person.
• Join a bus tour: This is the most convenient option as you can visit Tromsø by discovering several spots chosen by the attendants, depending on the weather of the day. The output will cost you about 150€ per person.
• You manage by your own means: that is, rent a car, and go on adventure. The tourist office will inform you about the best places to observe.

In any case, you will have to get away a little from the city so you will not be embarrassed by light pollution.

The phenomenon is the most visible between September and March , so get hot clothes! In addition, the polar night significantly increases your hunting time for Northern Lights. Indeed, from late November to mid-January, the sun does not rise, plunging the surrounding area into a permanent perennial. Then, the days are gradually extended, to arrive at eight hours of day at the end of February.

2. Observe whales

The Norwegian waters are full of very dense aquatic fauna, and the capital of the Arctic is not missing. All year round, you can see different species of whales, orques, and even dolphins! However, it is in winter that mammals are the most present.

Between October and March , go to the port of Tromsø to embark on a cruise that will take you near the sites where you have the most chance to observe these giants of the seas. After 30 to 40 minutes drive in the middle of the snowy fjords, you will approach the places where cetacean families feed. It’s an expensive trip, about 150€ per person , but who will guarantee you stars full of eyes.

Good to know: According to the years, whales, orques and other cetaceans do not venture to Tromsø. On the other hand, many companies offer to observe in Skjervøy, an island 150 km from Tromsø. The departure is from the city center.

3. Visit ice domes

In the Tamok Valley there is a remarkable site: ice domes. Built every year just before the polar night, they resume ancestral art sami snow and ice. Ice domes offer visitors a bar, a cinema, a hotel and a restaurant, all carved in the ice. On site, you will discover the construction process of the hotel, and the importance of snow for the survival of Arctic fauna and flora.

The visit lasts 5h and costs 879 NOK (439.50NOK children), or 88€ and 44€ . The bravest can even stay asleep at night, for the modest sum of 12500 NOK, or 1250€ !

4. Walking around a sled dog

At the start of Tromsø, you can explore the surroundings in different ways, but the most remarkable are sled dog excursions. This is an experience that will allow you to discover the wild nature surrounding the city accompanied by faithful companions. So for you who would like to discover Tromsø with a sled dog, we recommend Explora Project , the agency that organizes unforgettable stays for you.

The agency offers you to put in the skin of a Norwegian musher , this passionate person who drives the snow sleds pulled by a dog sling. For 7 days, you will discover the routings of a caterpillar by helping life on the farm, drive your own attelage, observe the aurora boreals and enjoy gentle nights with a sauna and a chalet in roundabouts, in the head with nature.

5. Make an exit snowmobile

Are you wondering how to visit Tromsø in an original way? Here is another way to enjoy the city's outdoors: the snowmobile safari. It is an ideal activity to explore the surrounding mountains and fjords, or try driving on the Finn frozen lake and test ice fishing. Attention, you must absolutely be over 18 years old and be in possession of your driver's license to take part in this tour as a driver.

As for sled dog exit, snowmobile safari costs about €200 per person for half a day. It is accessible to children from 7 years old .

6. Go to the fjords

During your stay in Tromsø, you cannot miss a boat trip in the middle of the fjords. On a sailboat, a zodiac or a silent hybrid ship, enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.

May to September , you can even board for a cruise under the midnight sun: a unique and unforgettable experience! This output costs between 100€ and 150€ per person , from the port of Tromsø.

7. Take the Fjellheisen

Visit Tromsø without taking the Fjellheisen It's unthinkable! Indeed, it is the cable car that connects Tromsø to the top of the Storsteinen mountain . During your crossing, you will enjoy the most beautiful panoramic view of the city, islands, fjords and surrounding summits. There is a restaurant at the top, so you can stop by enjoying a hot drink or a meal!

The return ticket costs 230 NOK (23€) . Departures take place every day:

• In summer: from 10:00 to midnight.
• In winter: from 10:00 to 11:00.

8. Visit the Polaria

Visiting Tromsø is also discovering the few museums there! Among these, the Polaria stands out by offering a unique concept of aquarium-museum. Located in 15 minutes walk from the city centre , it plunges you into the discovery of arctic life and offers some ponds in which you can admire seals and many fish species. A second part presents the Arctic fauna and flora, as well as the consequences of climate change on the region through small films broadcast in a panoramic cinema and various exhibitions.

This is really an interesting visit to occupy children in the event of bad weather! The entrance costs about 20€ .

9. Discover the Polar Museum

Not to be confused with the previous one, the Polar Museum is a museum that retraces the history of the city, from the first seal hunters to current explorers and scientists. Stuffed animals, traditional objects, photos, reconstructions, you have been diving into the harsh daily lives of the inhabitants of this corner of Norway for decades. You will also discover the history of famous local figures, as Wanny Woldstad Trapper woman.

The entrance costs 60 NOK (6€) and the visit is free.

10. Explore the Arctic Cathedral

Tromsø is a walking accessible city since most of the infrastructure is concentrated in the centre. As you walk, don't miss the arctic cathedral, or Ishavskatedralen Norwegian. Built in 1965, it is actually a Protestant church with surprising architecture (very).

If you want to visit it, it will cost you 50 NOK, about 5€. We highly recommend it because it is a must to do in Tromsø!

How to get to Tromsø?

Joining Tromsø is already a journey in itself. To visit Tromsø, this land at the edge of the world, 4 options are available to you: the plane, the bus, the car or the boat.

Good to know: Tromsø is a city that doesn't have a... train station!

The plane

There is no direct flight from the France To go to Tromso. So you have to make a stopover Oslo , then take an internal flight to reach the capital of the arctic. Prices vary greatly by companies and seasons. To find your flights at the best price, use flight comparisons like Ulysses to enjoy the most affordable rates.

The airport is located only 5 km from downtown . The transfer can be made by bus or taxi for the same price: about 20€ for 2 people.

The bus and the car

Tromsø is extremely well served by the buses. It is accessible from many cities in Norway, and even from Finland summer. In exchange for several hours of travel, you will travel economically, less than 100€ per person .

By car, the journey time and the price will be substantially the same.

The boat

The ferry Hurtigruten tour of Norway, Bergen in Kirkenes by regular stopovers. The Express Côtier spends twice a day in Tromsø, at 14:15 in the north dock, and at 23:45 in the south dock .

Still count 24 hours to reach the city from Bodø. What to enjoy the idyllic landscapes of Norway! The Bodø-Tromsø trip costs between 300€ and 500€ per person.

Where to stay in Tromsø?

Visiting Tromsø is no rest, so you will need quality accommodation for the night. Don’t worry, the city of Tromsø offers all kinds of accommodation, from the hostel to the 4-star hotel, to the apartments or the campsite. As in the rest of Norway, prices are high and the important demand.

• In the city centre, a night in a double room in an average hotel cost between 140€ and 175€.
• Strandkanten, a 20-minute walk south of the city centre, offers slightly more affordable housing. Indeed, you will find some Airbnb affordable. And why not opt for a night in a cottage in a campsite? It will cost you between 60€ and 170€.

To find the best value for money, do not hesitate to use Compare hotels to know the offer in real time.