The Hidden North
North European travel guide
self-guided walks
Tromsø
Explore the best of Tromsø with this self-guided walking tour.
What you get
Historic overview of Tromsø (with photos of what the city used to look like)
Printable map with the route and major landmarks highlighted
Link to a Google Map that can be loaded into your phone for easier navigation
Clear directions with English & Norwegian names of places, addresses, and step-by-step guides
Photos of each point of interest
This guide is 12 pages and comes in a PDF format.
Paris of the North
Tromsø – the ‘Paris of the North’ – is the largest city above the Arctic Circle in Norway. With a population of around 75,000 people, it is a major university town and regional centre for the Arctic. Tromsø was first settled by Norwegians around the mid-13th century, when the King built a fortress and church to protect Norwegians from the ‘heathens’. Tromsø later emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries as a major hub of Arctic hunting, trade and exploration. Today Tromsø is known around Norway for its stunning scenery, huge number of bars, and perfect viewing areas for the northern lights.
Trip Highlights
- Learn about Tromsø's Arctic history
- See the best-surviving wooden houses in Northern Norway
- Explore Tromsø like a local
Distance
2km
Activity Level
Level 1 – flat path, no stairs, paved.
Start Location
Coastal Ferry Terminal
End Location
Galleri Nord
Itinerary
This is a summarised itinerary. More stops are included in the walk.
Tromsø Cathedral
Completed in 1965, the Arctic Cathedral stands out over the cityscape. The white, glacier-like appearance is supposed to represent the stockfish drying racks, the Northern Lights, and the eleven Apostles that were left after the betrayal.
Tromsø Cathedral
Tromsø Cathedral is Norway’s only wooden cathedral. It was built in 1861 and seats 600 people. It’s believed that it is built on the site of the previous churches, possibly all the way back to 1252 when the first church was built here.
Tromsø Library
Tromsø Library is a modern building that opened in 2005. It was previously a cinema. The roof construction is designed as four large arcs and it’s supposed to represent a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Customs House
Across from the Polar Museum, you’ll see a green house with a bust of Roald Amundsen out the front. This is an old customs building and served as the customs house for around 100 years.
Polar Museum
Located in the old customs house from 1830, the Polar Museum is a fascinating museum about Arctic hunting, life, and exploration. The lower floor focuses on Arctic hunting, while the upper floor focuses on the Arctic explorers.
Example of what the guide looks like.