By air
Tromsø (TOS), ~5 km
Europe · Norway
Tromsø, Norway
The northern-lights capital
Getting there
Best time to visit
September to March for the aurora; June to July for the midnight sun
Don't miss
The Arctic Cathedral
The Fjellheisen cable car
Polaria
The Polar Museum
Things to do
Northern-lights chases
Dog sledding
Whale watching (November to January)
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Jma · CC BY-SA 4.0
What to pack
Serious winter gear
A quieter corner
Sommarøy's white beaches
Questions travellers ask
When can I see the northern lights in Tromsø?
September to March is aurora season. Come June to July instead for the midnight sun.
What is there to do in Tromsø?
Northern-lights chases, dog sledding and, from November to January, whale watching. Bring serious winter gear.
Which sights in Tromsø are worth my time?
The Arctic Cathedral, the Fjellheisen cable car, Polaria and the Polar Museum. For a quieter day, head to Sommarøy's white beaches.
What local food should I try in Tromsø?
Reindeer stew and Arctic char.
About Tromsø
- Island
- Mountains
Where it is
Tromsø is the largest city in northern Norway, in Troms county, more than 300 km north of the Arctic Circle; its centre lies on the island of Tromsøya, ringed by fjords and snow-capped mountains.
History
Tromsø grew as a trading post and received its town charter in 1794. By 1850 it was the main centre of Arctic hunting, and many Arctic expeditions set out from here, including Roald Amundsen's last flight in 1928. Today it is a centre of Arctic research and home to one of the world's northernmost universities.
People
Tromsø's people speak Norwegian, and the city is also a centre of Sámi culture; the Sámi National Day on 6 February is celebrated each year at the university and city hall. Fishing, research and the university shape the city's life.
Known for
- The northern lights in winter
- The Arctic Cathedral
- The Fjellheisen cable car
- The midnight sun in summer
- Whale watching and dog sledding
Did you know?
Tromsø has the midnight sun from mid-May to late July, and in winter a polar night, when the sun stays below the horizon, from late November to mid-January.
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