Tromsø, Nord-Troms - Exploring Norway

Tromsø is probably one of the best known cities in Norway and also in the Arctic. The city of around 68.400 inhabitants lies in Troms County in the far north of Norway. Actually around 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. The city center is on the island of Tromsøya. It is connected by a bridge to the main suburb of Tromsdalen. The city, its airport, and its harbor is for many the gateway to the Arctics. Ferries from Hurtigruten is among the most famous ferries calling port here along their routes.

Tromsø is also known by its Northern Sámi name Romsa and Kven name Tromssa. In addition, the city has had nicknames like “Paris of the North”. For tourists, it is probably most famous for the northern lights. This is a treat for anyone lucky enough to see the Aurora Borealis during the dark winter months.

A Short History of Tromsø

Tromsø has been inhabited for a long time. The first church was built here already at the mid-13th century. The settlement was important for centuries in the Pomor trade. It connected the Pomors, a people of northern Russia, with the coastal settlements of northern Norway. By 1770, the trade had found a standard flow. Grain from Russia reached a big part of Norway, while fish was brought back to Russia. Tromsø gained its town privileges in 1794.

The town developed slowly. It had only about 100 inhabitants in the early years of the 19th century. The town grew during the 19th century and the first ship from Hurtigruten came to the town in 1893. The route between Trondheim and Hammerfest had just been established with a port call in Tromsø. By the beginning of the 20th century the population had surpassed 7000.

The town was affected by the Second World War. The town became the capital of Norway for a few weeks in 1940 after the German occupation of Oslo. A few bombing raids hit establishments in the city. Three prison camps was also set up here during the war. Inmates included Jews, political prisoners and prisoners of war. It would take until the 1960s before the town regained its development speed. The world’s northernmost university was opened here in 1968. The following decades saw the establishment of institutes like the Northern Lights Planetarium and the Norwegian Polar Institute.

Things to Do and See in Tromsø

Tromsø is a tourist dream when it comes to the number of available attractions. But it can get quite expensive, as is the case in most of Norway. The surrounding area offers a lot of possibilities. That is in addition to the picturesque city center. Here you will find several hiking paths to explore in summer. In the winter, there are many possibilities for ski tours and riding snowmobiles. Boat excursions are also available in case you look to explore the fjords or the Arctic Ocean. Maybe you will be lucky to see whales, like the orca.

There are, however, two recurring events that really adds to the attraction of the Arctic region. The first is the midnight sun during the summer. Imagine being out at midnight and the sun shines as if it was daytime. The second is probably even more famous. This is the aurora borealis, or the northern lights. If you are lucky to see nordlys during your winter visit.

The Polar Museum

The Polar Museum lies in the center of Tromsø. The museum tells the story of the Arctic from the 17th century and onward. Exhibitions include topics as sealing, overwintering, polar expeditions, and Svalbard. This is where you can learn more of the Arctic region of Norway, life here, and the history of the area.

Fjellheisen

Fjellheisen is the cable cars in Tromsdalen. The four minute ride takes you up to Storsteinen, at an altitude of 421 meters. The mountain offers a view of most of Tromsø. It is also known as a good spot for seeing the northern lights. In addition to the viewpoints, there are also a cafe at the top.

Northern Light Planetarium

The Northern Light Planetarium is a part of the Nordnorsk Vitensenter – the Science Center of Northern Norway. The planetarium offers shows of the northern light and other astrological phenomenons. In addition there are several other exhibits at the science center.

The Arctic University Museum of Norway

The Arctic University Museum of Norway is a science museum. It covers diverse topics, ranging from natural history to the people of the north. Here you will find exhibitions about the Sámi culture and the cultural region of Sapmi. There are fossils and exhibits about Arctic Wildlife.

The Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden

The Tromsø Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden might not be the kind of botanical garden that you are used to. There are no huge trees or extensively green scenery to be found. It is the Arctic flora on display here in a rocky landscape. The garden is a part of the Arctic University Museum of Norway.

MS Polstjerna

MS Polstjerna is a sealing vessel that was built in 1949. It was built for hunting seals in the Arctic and took part in 33 hunting seasons. It is estimated to have brought with it more than 97.000 seals from these hunts. The ship is today a museum exhibiting the ship itself and the Norwegian polar explorers of the past.

How to Get to Tromsø

Flights: Tromsø Airport is just a few kilometers from the city center. It is the gateway for many visitors of the Arctic and has both domestic and international flights.
Car: Tromsø is located at the end of road E8 in the north of Norway. The road continues south through Finland to Turku. There is also Road E6 a bit to the south that goes through most of Norway from Kirkenes down to Oslo and eventually Trelleborg in Sweden.

The driving distance from 5 major Norwegian cities, according to Google Maps: