The Polar Museum in Tromsø
Here’s my detailed guide for what you can see and do at the Polar Museum
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 78,000 / 69.4 degrees north
Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø is the largest city in Northern Norway and a major hub both for tourism but also industry. It is also a historic city, with Arctic trade, exploration and hunting a big reason for the city’s growth in the 18th century.
About Tromsø
Latitude: 69.4 degrees north
Population: 78,000
Sami name: Romsa
Hottest month: July
Coldest month: February
Wettest month: October
Windiest month: January
Annual precipitation: 639mm
Tromsø Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Map of Tromsø
Uniquely Tromsø
Here are some things that you must do and try in Tromsø
Beer Hall
Ølhallen Pub
Mack Brewery is the world’s northernmost brewery, and here you can try all the different beers they offer.
Church
Arctic Cathedral
The Arctic Cathedral is one of the icons of Tromsø and is located across the bridge from the island. Be sure to attend one of the midnight concerts! The cathedral was designed by Jan Inge Hovig and was completed in 1965. Its design is supposed to resemble the stockfish drying racks.
Cable Car
Fjellheisen
The Fjellheisen Cable Car makes the mountain of Tromsø accessible for anyone. Ride up to Storsteinen, at 421 metres (1380ft) above sea level. The two cable cars are called Selen and Bjørnen. At the top you have panoramic views of Tromsø city and the islands and mountains surrounding it. There are several hiking trails to follow around the mountaintop. Both Steinbøhytta and Fløya are moderate 1 hour hikes starting from the top station. There is a café at the top.
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Tromsø
Museum
Polar Museum
The Polar Museum is about Tromsø’s past as a centre for Arctic hunting and starting point for Arctic expeditions.
Church
Tromsø Cathedral
Tromsø Cathedral is Norway’s only wooden cathedral and dates back to 1861.
Aquarium
Polaria
Polaria is an aquarium with marine life from Northern Norway and Svalbard. There are two films that are worth seeing as they show life in the high Arctic, and then you can take a look at the fish and seals that make up the aquarium.
Museum
Tromsø University Museum
The Tromsø University Museum is a hidden gem of a museum. Here you can learn about the Sami culture, view art from the region and discover the Viking past of Tromsø. The displays on the Sami life are particularly interesting, as is the downstairs section with a replica “northern lights” machine.
Art Gallery
Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum
The Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum (North Norwegian Art Museum) is an excellent art gallery with the focus on contemporary Norwegian artists. You can see the landscape paintings of the national romantics here, including some pieces by Edvard Munch.
Museum
Perspective Museum
The Perspective Museum has temporary exhibitions on issues in Tromsø, portrayed through historic and modern photographs. The museum even commissions photographers to take modern photos of the changing city.
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
Please note – the links provided are affiliate links. I only recommend experiences that I have researched and/or tested and focus on providing unique, local things to do!
There are so, so many things to do in Tromsø. I will cover more of them in a separate article.
Experience
Sami Experience
Tromsø is an excellent place to get to know Sami culture. I recommend the company ‘Tromsø Arctic Reindeer’ for an authentic Sami experience.
Experience
Northern Lights
Tromsø is one of the best places in Norway to see the Northern Lights. There are dozens of companies and hundreds of tours for the northern lights, so I recommend reading my separate guide for booking a tour (click here).
One of the companies I recommend is Pukka Travels.
Experience
Huskies
Tromsø is one of the best places in Norway to see the Northern Lights. There are dozens of companies and hundreds of tours for the northern lights, so I recommend reading my separate guide for booking a tour (click here).
One of the companies I recommend is Pukka Travels.
Road-Trips
Follow my road-trip guides for scenic trips around Tromsø
The E6 Highway from Narvik to Kirkenes
The E6 highway is the longest highway running through Norway, beginning south of Oslo and ending at Kirkenes. This stretch of the E6 covers the entire length of Arctic Norway, passing by and including some spectacular remote places.
The E8 from the Finnish Border to Tromsø
Follow the road-less-travelled from the Finnish border to Tromsø on the E8 highway, crossing the Finnmarksvidda Plateau.
Self-Guided Walks
Tromsø from the Coastal Ferry Self-Guided Walk
Tromsø is one of the most historic cities in Northern Norway, and this self-guided walk will take you past the major attractions including the cathedral, shopping street, hotdog stand, and Polar Museum.
Tromsø on YouTube
Watch my YouTube videos featuring Tromsø
Tromsø Walk During the Polar Night
In December 2023 I filmed a walk around Tromsø at around 3pm. It was during the polar night season, meaning there was no sunrise!
Uniquely Tromsø
Here are some things that you must do and try in Tromsø
Ølhallen Pub
Mack Brewery is the world’s northernmost brewery, and here you can try all the different beers they offer.
Arctic Cathedral
The Arctic Cathedral is one of the icons of Tromsø and is located across the bridge from the island. Be sure to attend one of the midnight concerts!
History of Tromsø
Tromsø is a historic city with rich Norse and Sami heritage. The Vikings did make it to Tromsø, and the first fortress was built here around 1252. However, Tromsø didn’t develop until the 18th century, when it became a major centre for Arctic trade, hunting and exploration.
You can read my history of Tromsø article by clicking the link below.
Tromsø Today
Tromsø city centre has the biggest concentration of historic wooden houses in Northern Norway.
Tromsø is one of the largest fishing ports in Norway. Secondary to fishing, the University of Tromsø is a centre for Arctic research. Tourism has exploded as a major industry, especially winter tourism.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: Tromsø has a major international airport
Drive: Tromsø is located on the E8, which connects to the E6 about an hour south of the city.
Train: No train access
Ferry: Tromsø is a port of call for the coastal ferry. The northbound ferry stops for four hours in the middle of the day, while the southbound ferry stops in the middle of the night.
Getting Around
Tromsø’s town centre is easily walkable.
If you want to use public transport, visit this website: https://fylkestrafikk.no/
Shops
Places to Eat
Cafes & Bakeries
Smørtorget is my favourite cafe in town – great coffee, lunch dishes and it also doubles as a second hand store.
Quick Bites
Reasonable Restaurants
High End & Unique Eats
Emma’s Drømmekjøkken is a nice traditional Norwegian restaurant located across from the cathedral.
Full Steam is the place to go if you want to try traditional seafood dishes, including cod, whale, and sometimes even seal.
Places to Stay
We have a special section for where to stay in Tromsø, which you can find below.
Sunrise/Sunset & Weather Averages
January
Sunrise: 11:35am
Sunset: 12:11pm
Average Temperature: -3C (26.6F)
February
Sunrise: 8:16am
Sunset: 3:41pm
Average Temperature: -3.3C (26.1F)
March
Sunrise: 6:07am
Sunset: 5:40pm
Average Temperature: -1.9C (28.6F)
April
Sunrise: 4:44am
Sunset: 8:47pm
Average Temperature: 1.2C (34.2F)
May
Sunrise: 1:46am
Sunset: 11:44pm
Average Temperature: 5.5C (42F)
June
Midnight sun
Average Temperature: 9.4C (48.9F)
July
Midnight sun until 26 July
Average Temperature: 12.3C (54.1F)
August
Sunrise: 3:43am
Sunset: 9:50pm
Average Temperature: 11.3C (52.3F)
September
Sunrise: 5:55am
Sunset: 7:20pm
Average Temperature: 7.8C (46F)
October
Sunrise: 7:53am
Sunset: 5:04pm
Average Temperature: 31.C (37.6F)
November
Sunrise: 9:23am
Sunset: 1:32pm
Average Temperature: 0.2C (32.4F)
December
Polar night
Average Temperature: -1.7C (28.9F)
All Posts About Tromsø
How to See the Northern Lights in Tromsø
Here’s my guide to observing the northern lights in Tromsø, with tips and tricks on where to go and how to prepare.
Where to Stay in Tromsø, from a Tour Leader’s Perspective
Choose the best place to stay in Tromsø based on my experience!
A Brief History of the Pomor Trade
Discover the Pomor Trade: Uncover how Russian settlers shaped Northern Norway. Learn about the heritage left by the Pomor, a ethnographic group from Novgorod, at Vardø.
Drive it Yourself: From the Lyngen Alps to Tromsø on the E6
Here’s a practical guide for the drive from Honningsvåg to Hammerfest in the far-north of Norway.
The History of Tromsø
Everything you need to know about Tromsø’s rich history, including Arctic exploration and World War II.