Tromso (Tromsø)

Tromso (Tromsø)

Small seaside town in the northernmost region of Norway, Tromso is a gateway to arctic nature at its best. It is here you can admire the northern lights and enjoy the phenomenal midnight sun. Tromso offers you also good facilities for outdoor life and adventure sports such as trekking, skiing, and mountaineering, and if you want to take it easy, the landscape around Tromso is amazing enough to take your breath away even if you do nothing but drive across the area.

Tromsö city and mountains

Tromso, arctic seaside town in the northernmost corner of Norway

Located almost as far up in the north as you can go by road, Tromso (Tromsø in Norwegian) is one of the best places on earth to see the famous northern lights (Aurora Borealis), which color the arctic sky with miraculous shades of light. Another specific thing about the nature of Tromso is the Midnight Sun, which means the sun never goes below the horizon between the period of May 18th and July 26th.

Summer activities such as trekking in Tromso and fishing in Tromso are very popular here. For culture loving visitors, the fishing villages in the surroundings of the town offer lots to see. While in town, check at least the Tromso museum and the Polar Museum, which are both interesting for understanding local Sami culture and northern nature. Tromsø also hosts a popular music festival and an international film festival.

Tromsö city with snowy mountains in the background

Sightseeing. If you want to concentrate on enjoying the landscapes, there is a cable car available lifting you up to the coastal mountains around Tromso, to enjoy great views over the city and the scenic Norwegian coast. Organized outdoor activities in Tromso are available through the local tourist office that offers anything from dogsled tours and snowmobile safaris in Tromso to off-piste skiing and a wide range of other winter sports in Tromso. Wildlife such as whales, seabirds, and musk ox can be seen around Tromso as well. Tromsø is also a common stop in the ferry route Hurtigruten, which goes along the Norwegian coast. This means you can easily find also scenic fjord cruises from Tromso to be enjoyed.

Practical information for your trip to Tromso

Even though Tromso is located more than 300 km north from the Arctic Circle, local climate is not quite as severe some might expect. Although winters in Tromso are cold and snowy, temperatures are not at all extreme, with average monthly high temperatures during the winter ranging from -2 to 0°C.

However, hot sunny days are very rare in Tromso and average monthly high temperatures stay below 15°C also during the warmest time of the year, which in Tromso means the period between June and August.

Hiking in the mountains around

How to get there. Located in the northern region of Norway in the northernmost part of Europe, Tromso is a long way north from almost anywhere in the world. However, flights to Tromso are available not only through Oslo, but also other alternatives are offered. Tromso is a common stop in the popular ferry route Hurtigruten, going along the Norwegian coast and offering you a possibility to travel to Tromso also by ferry. There are buses as well as rental bikes available for moving around in the area of Tromso. Car rental in Tromso is available at the airport.

Tromso landscapes, shot in November

Services. Due to its northern location, Tromsø is not one of the most common choices for a holiday destination. However, if you do choose this arctic coastal town, you will get to enjoy quite modern services. Although hotels in Tromso and restaurants in Tromso are not that many, they are of good quality, and in spite of being a small town, Tromso has also lively nightlife available, including a popular beer hall. Tourist services of Norway have one unpleasant feature, which is their high price. Norway is generally a very expensive country. However, it offers excellent use for your money. Tromso is also a very safe destination, where English is commonly spoken.