March 28, 2025, 4:14 pm | Read time: 7 minutes
Located 344 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is the northernmost university town in the world. Where Arctic explorers once set sail, the tourist attractions range from a polar museum to a fishing boat with a spa.
With its location 344 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø seems quite remote. Nevertheless, numerous travelers flocked to the so-called “Paris of the North,” especially in the 19th century. Back then, elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen strolled in front of magnificent townhouses. Their prosperity was based on the flourishing port trade in fish and fish oil.
Today, the cityscape is dominated by functional jackets. Numerous outdoor enthusiasts travel to the Norwegian city to climb the mountains in the Lyngen Alps on the neighboring island of Senja, which soar up to 1800 meters into the air. Kayakers are also drawn to Tromsø, mainly to explore the islands of the Sommarøy archipelago. Tourists from East Asia are also drawn to the town, especially in winter, to marvel at the Northern Lights, watch whales, or glide through the snow-covered landscape on dog sleds.
But Tromsø also has its charm outside the winter season — especially when the polar day begins in mid-May and the sun no longer sets. What else there is to discover:
Overview
Tromsø’s Museums Offer Fascinating Insights into the Arctic
The Polar Museum, housed in a historic wooden building on the harbor, may seem old-fashioned, but the impressive photos, exhibits, and stories of the polar expeditions of Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen still captivate visitors today. The exhibition about hunters who once spent the winter on Svalbard and killed reindeer, seals, Arctic foxes, and polar bears does not hold back on the gory details.
The Polaria Arctic Adventure Center, whose striking façade is reminiscent of stranded ice floes, offers a modern contrast. The exhibition was updated at the end of 2023 based on new findings on climate change. Highlights include the teeth of a Greenland shark and a sea butterfly whose calcareous shell is slowly disintegrating due to the increasing acidification of the oceans.
In the panorama cinema with its curved screen, visitors can immerse themselves in documentaries about the Northern Lights and the Svalbard archipelago. Nordic fish species such as spotted wolffish and halibut frolic in an open tank. Aquariums also advertise starfish and almost transparent moon jellyfish. The feeding of the bearded seals and harbor seals, which can be observed behind glass walls, is particularly fascinating.
Nordic Beer and Gambling Afterward
Another landmark of the city is “Raketten,” Tromsø’s oldest kiosk. It is located on the newly paved Storgata, the popular promenade behind the harbor. It was founded in 1911 by Margit Løkke, who was only 18 years old at the time. She sold newspapers, tobacco, and fruit from the tiny wooden pavilion here for a quarter of a century.
Despite a fire that destroyed many of the surrounding buildings, the kiosk survived. Today, it belongs to Siri Therese Lier, 51, a former city guide. She has set herself the goal of preserving the historical charm of the “Raketten.” The demand is especially high in winter: on some days, she sells up to 350 hot dogs, with customers sometimes waiting in line for an hour.
Lier compares it to the United Nations: “People from all over the world strike up conversations.” Her best-selling sausage is made from reindeer and pork, but there is also a vegan version.
Fish, Cinnamon Buns, and Beer — Something for Every Taste
If hunger strikes, consider dropping by the quaint “Burgr” restaurant, which serves up inventive burger options like the “Super Mario.” The walls are decorated with posters of classic Nintendo and Atari games, and you can experience nostalgic gaming moments on a C64 with a joystick — a paradise for generations X and Y in the far north.
Tromsø is known for its excellent fish restaurants, but many of them come at a price. A cheaper but equally delicious alternative is offered by “Dragøy” in Kystens Mathus, a restaurant with a black façade. Here, you can enjoy fresh fish soup and crispy fish and chips — with seating right by the harbor basin.
For the ideal post-meal caffeine kick, consider visiting “Kaffebønna,” the city’s oldest espresso café located on the main square, Stortorget. It goes well with a freshly baked cinnamon bun from the adjacent bakery. From the outdoor tables, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the harbor, the curved stilt bridge, and the Arctic Ocean Cathedral with its striking glass front and white, stepped roof — one of Tromsø’s landmarks.
The Mack Brewery, one of the most northerly in the world, also quenches the traveler’s thirst for beer. It was founded in 1877 by the German Ludwig Mack. In the adjoining pub “Ølhallen” — with brick walls, wooden vaults, historical photographs, and a stuffed polar bear — there are 72 types of beer on the menu. In addition to tastings, brewing seminars and guided tours are also offered, according to the motto: “At the end of the course, you will have enough knowledge to brew your own beer.”
Hiking, Paddling, and Relaxing in the Sauna on a Fishing Boat
To enjoy the view over the entire city, the best way is up Tromsø’s local mountain. The 1,300 stone steps of the Sherpa Staircase lead steeply up to the Storsteinen mountain station at 421 meters — or you can choose the more comfortable option and take the Fjellheisen cable car. From the terrace of the mountain station, the panorama is breathtaking: Tromsø, the fjords, and the distant mountain ranges on the horizon lie at your feet.
If you want to go further up, follow the narrow paths through the meadow slopes and reach the summit of Fløya after around 30 minutes. The view here is even more spectacular. At the top, you often meet mountain bikers who tell you that they regularly ride this route after work — enviable.
After a strenuous hike or bike ride, cooling off might sound tempting, but beware: Telegrafbukta, a popular bathing bay in the southwest of the city, remains icy even in midsummer. Even in August, the water temperature barely climbs above ten degrees, and in May, it even remains in the single digits.
The Midnight Sun Is a Special Highlight in Tromsø
But the sight of Telegrafbukta alone is worth the trip. Reachable by bus 33 or after a three-kilometer walk from the city center, the bay offers crystal-clear, shimmering turquoise water. Beyond the fjord, the year-round snow-capped mountains tower into the sky. Students play beach volleyball on the sand — no wonder, as Tromsø is the northernmost university town in the world. Families and friends barbecue in the adjacent birch grove.
A special highlight is the time of the midnight sun: between May 20 and July 22, the sun does not disappear behind the horizon. People are full of energy, cycling, hiking, and picnicking deep into the night.
Those who want to combine the experience of nature with relaxation can embark on a fjord cruise in a floating spa. The former fishing boat “Vulkana” has been converted into a wellness ship and offers a sauna with panoramic windows, a hammam with a cold pool, and a wood-fired whirlpool on deck. Upon request, the operators also offer midnight tours — an unparalleled experience beneath the sun that never sets.
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The Best Time to Visit
Depending on the weather conditions, the Northern Lights can be observed until April, and then they will only be visible again from September. The polar day, when the sun never sets, begins on May 20 and lasts until July 22. Numerous concerts and festivals and the midnight marathon take place around the summer solstice on June 21. In mid-July, the Bukta Open Air Festival is celebrated at Telegrafbukta, offering an unforgettable experience under the motto “Rock, Beer and Seafood.” Getting there from Germany is easy, as there are several direct flights to Tromsø.
With material from dpa