16 Awesome Tourist Attractions to See and Things to Do in Tromsø

May 8, 2022 Mustafa Natalwala 2435 Views

Tromso is a city situated in the Troms og Finnmark county in Norway. The city is situated in the Arctic circle and is most explored during colder months. Some of the best things to do in Tromso in winter include Aurora Borealis tour, skiing, Sleigh rides, Whale Watching and so on. The arctic natural phenomenons such as Northern Lights and Midnight Sun are some of the most interesting things to see in Tromso, Norway. There are quite a few places to experience these wonders and you can get curated overnight tours for the same. Although the best place to see northern lights in Tromso, Norway is Mount Stortsteinen. The mountain is accessible by a hike trail or a cable car.

Another prominent aspect of Tromso travel is the Sami culture and regional history. The indigenous people have developed a unique lifestyle and traditions which help them adapt to the harsh Arctic environment. Some of the best places to visit in Tromso to learn and understand the Sami culture along with the region’s history include the regional museum, art museum, cultural centers and historical buildings. Many of the Tromso attractions also offer interactive experiences such as Reindeer farm tours, sleigh rides, handicraft, local cuisine, local brewing and so on. Aside from these, Tromso sightseeing includes churches, naval museum, art galleries, science centers, botanic garden and aquarium.

When it’s not covered in snow, there are some wonderful sights to see in and around the city. Hiking, mountain trails, whale watching, beach activities and bicycle tours are some of the top things to do in Tromso in summer. The city has a beautiful vibe to it and you can also find several walking tours to cover Tromso tourist attractions.

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Table of Contents

The Top 16 Tourist Places to Visit in Tromso in 3 Days (Trip Itinerary)

Day 1

1. Mount Storsteinen / Fjellheisen (Tromsø Cable Car)

This mountain is the best place to see northern lights in Tromso. It’s elevation allows for minimal light pollution and you can enjoy full glory of Aurora Borealis. The best time to see northern lights in Tromso is between September and April. This is an overnight tour so you would need 5-7 hours for this experience.

2. Arctic Cathedral / Tromsdalen Church (Ishavskatedralen / Tromsdalen kirke)

Also known as Ishavskatedralen, this Cathedral of the Arctic Sea sits atop the hill and is accessible through a cable car. It is one of the most popular Tromso attractions. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this place.

3. Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (Arktisk alpin Botanisk hage)

This is the northernmost botanical garden in the entire world. It exhibits a variety of Arctic and Alpine fauna and is part of the Tromso University Museum. You will need about an hour to explore this park.

4. Northern Norwegian Science Center

This science center is part of the Arctic University of Norway. It is one of the most fun places to visit in Tromso for its interactive exhibits concerning norhtern lights and constellations. You would need 2 hours to tour this facility.

Day 2

1. Telegrafbukta

Facing the Arctic ocean, this beach is a great place to enjoy coastal views and to relax. It is the best beach in Tromso and is well known for hosting the Bukta open-air music festival. You can easily spend a couple of hours at this beach.

2. Tromsø University Museum / The Arctic University Museum of Norway (Norges arktiske universitetsmuseum)

This museum focuses on the Sami culture, regional archeology, arctic biology and the northern lights. It is one of the most important Tromso tourist attractions as it helps you put rest of the places in perspective. You will need 2 hours to tour this museum.

3. MS Polstjerna

This ship used to be a seal hunting vessel built in 1949 and is quite well preserved. Ships of this kind are integral to Sami heritage and lifestyle. You will need about an hour from Tromso sightseeing to visit this ship.

4. Polaria

This is the northernmost aquarium in the world. You will get to see a variety of fishes, seals and other aquatic fauna found in the Arctic region. This place has some of the most interesting things to see in Tromso. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour Polaria.

5. Elverhøy Church (Elverhøy kirke)

This parish church is famous for its wonderful red wood exterior. It was first built in 1803, but has been reconstructed after that. It is an important part of cultural history of the region and can be considered a Tromso must see. You will need about 30 minutes for this church.

Day 3

1. Tromsø Center for Contemporary Art

This museum is dedicated to works of contemporary art created by celebrated artists. Though Norwegian works are primary focus of this art museum, it also exhibits works by several international artists as well. You will need an hour or so to tour this gallery when you visit Tromso.

2. Mack’s Brewery

This old brewery is a local speciality. This brewery makes a variety of beverages ranging from dark beers to strong lagers. You can tour this brewery and also taste some delicious beverages. It is one of the top things to do in Tromso in summer and winter. You will need about an hour to tour this facility.

3. Roald Amundsen Monument

This monument is dedicated to the explorations of Roald Amundsen. He was famous for exploring the Arctic and the Polar region. This monument is one of the most well-known landmarks among Tromso attractions in the city. You will need only a few minutes to see it.

4. Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum

This museum is dedicated to the history and evolution of Visual Arts in the country of Norway. It is one of the most interesting places to visit in Tromso. You will need about an hour to explore this museum.

5. Tromsø Cathedral (Tromsø domkirke)

This church is the only wooden cathedral in the country. It is known for its gothic revival architecture and is a popular stop during Tromso sightseeing owing to its significance to local history and culture. You would need 20 to 30 minutes for this cathedral.

6. Perspektivet Museum

This museum was created to encourage cultural diversity alongside social and cultural viewpoints. It is one of the most interesting Tromso tourist attractions to visit. It takes about an hour to tour this museum.

7. The Polar Museum

This museum is dedicated to polar explorations and arctic hunters. It gives insight into the lifestyle and culture of the people of the region. It also showcases how people have adopted to the geography. It is among Tromso must see places if you are interested in learning about cultural side of the region.

If you are looking for more top things to do in Tromso, check out the sections below. We have compiled exhaustive lists containing places and activities you can enjoy during Tromso travel.

Things to do in Tromso

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Tromso

Arctic Cathedral
Museum of Regional History
Arctic University Museum of Norway
Tennes Rock Carvings
Nordnorsk Kunst Museum
Perspective Museum
Folkeparken Open Air Museum
Perspective Museum
Tromso Cathedral
Northern Norway Art Museum
The Polar Museum
Roald Amundsen Monument
Northern Norwegian Science Center
Tromso Kunstforening
MS Polstjerna
Tromso Defence Museum
Troll Museum
Elverhoy Church
Our Lady Catholic Church
Hermes II Boat
Blue Vision Museum
Var Frue Kirke
Fangst Monument
Karmelittkloster Monastery
Forsvars Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Tromso

Prestvannet Lake
Mount Storsteinen
Mount Sherpatrappa
Folkeparken

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Tromso

Polaria Aquarium
Fjellheisen Cable Car
Arctic Alpine Botanic Garden
Magic Ice Bar
Polar Park
Vulkana Arctic Spa
Base Tromso AS
Charlottenlund Recreational Park
Tromso Alpine Park
Aurora Spirit Distillery
Mack’s Brewery

Shopping in Tromso

Nerstanda Center
Jekta Storsenter
Wabi Sabi

Beaches in Tromso

Tromso Southern Beach
Telegrafbukta

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Tromso

Hiking
Mountain Climbing
Cable Car Ride
Fishing
Adventure Boat Cruise
Dog Sledging
Sailing
Spa Boat
Boat Tour
Whale Watching
Skiing

Sightseeing in Tromso

Tromso Bridge

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Tromso

Emmas Dream Kitchen
Olhallen
Bardus Bistro
Yonas Pizzeria
Mathallen
Smak AS
Arctrandria Sjomat
Tapas AS
Compagniet Bistro
Casa Inferno
Fiskekompaniet
Astro
Huken Brygg
Charlys’
Roast
Fjellstua

Where to Stay in Tromsø?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Tromsø. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Tromsø.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Tromsø

How to Reach Tromso?

By Air

The easiest option for Tromso travel is with Langnes Airport. You can get direct flights from Milan, Vienna, Brussels, Zurich, Dusseldorf, Helsinki, Oslo, Frankfurt, Munich, London, Stockholm, Split, Amsterdam and more. The airport is connected with places to visit in Tromso by cabs and buses.

By Road

The closest train stations you can use to reach Tromso are Fauske, Narvik or Rovaniemi. You will have to get a bus from there onwards. If you traveling directly by bus, there are plenty of towns and cities in Norway which can take you to visit Tromso.

If you are planning to travel by road, you should head for route E8.

By Water

Tromso is one of the stops along the route of Hurtigruten voyage. Some of the major stops on this route include Bergen, Floro, Harstad, Finnsnes, Vardo and so on.

Image Reference

Mount Storsteinen / Fjellheisen (Tromsø Cable Car) – Harvey Barrison / Flickr
Arctic Cathedral / Tromsdalen Church (Ishavskatedralen / Tromsdalen kirke) – serena_tang / Flickr
Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (Arktisk alpin Botanisk hage) – Harald Groven / Flickr
Northern Norwegian Science Center – home-ion / Flickr
Telegrafbukta – Tom Fries / Flickr
Tromsø University Museum / The Arctic University Museum of Norway (Norges arktiske universitetsmuseum) – Nigel Harper / Flickr
MS Polstjerna – Bernt Rostad / Flickr
Polaria – Paula Funnell / Flickr
Elverhøy Church (Elverhøy kirke) – Harald Groven / Flickr
Tromsø Center for Contemporary Art – Harald Groven / Flickr
Mack’s Brewery – Pim GMX / Flickr
Roald Amundsen Monument – Kirk K / Flickr
Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum – Illustratedjc / Wikimedia Commons
Tromsø Cathedral (Tromsø domkirke) – Sharon Ang / PixaBay
Perspektivet Museum – Harald Groven / Flickr
The Polar Museum – Illustratedjc / Wikimedia Commons