A Brief History of the Pomor Trade
Discover the Pomor Trade: Uncover how Russian settlers shaped Northern Norway. Learn about the heritage left by the Pomor, a ethnographic group from Novgorod, at Vardø.
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 78,000 / 69.4 degrees north
Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø is the largest city in Northern Norway and a major hub both for tourism but also industry. It is also a historic city, with Arctic trade, exploration and hunting a big reason for the city’s growth in the 18th century.
Fun Facts About Tromsø
Latitude: 69.4 degrees north
Population: 78,000
Sami name: Romsa
Hottest month: July
Coldest month: February
Wettest month: October
Windiest month: January
Annual precipitation: 639mm
Tromsø Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Tromsø
Polar Museum
The Polar Museum is about Tromsø’s past as a centre for Arctic hunting and starting point for Arctic expeditions.
Tromsø Cathedral
Tromsø Cathedral is Norway’s only wooden cathedral and dates back to 1861.
Polaria
Polaria is an aquarium with marine life from Northern Norway.
Tromsø Guides
Find guides to Tromsø on our online store.
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
Please note – the links provided are affiliate links. I only recommend experiences that I have researched and/or tested and focus on providing unique, local things to do!
There are so, so many things to do in Tromsø. I will cover more of them in a separate article.
Sami Experience
Tromsø is an excellent place to get to know Sami culture. I recommend the company ‘Tromsø Arctic Reindeer’ for an authentic Sami experience.
Northern Lights
Tromsø is one of the best places in Norway to see the Northern Lights. There are dozens of companies and hundreds of tours for the northern lights, so I recommend reading my separate guide for booking a tour (click here).
One of the companies I recommend is Pukka Travels. Click here to view their Northern lights tour.
Huskies
It’s possible to take a husky safari from Tromsø. There are also many companies offering husky safaris. This is one of the ones I recommend.
Road-Trips
Follow my road-trip guides for scenic trips around Tromsø
Self-Guided Walks
Highlights of Tromsø Self-Guided Walk
Here’s my self-guided walk through Tromsø city centre.
Tromsø on YouTube
Watch my YouTube videos featuring Tromsø
Uniquely Tromsø
Here are some things that you must do and try in Tromsø
Ølhallen Pub
Mack Brewery is the world’s northernmost brewery, and here you can try all the different beers they offer.
History of Tromsø
Tromsø is a historic city with rich Norse and Sami heritage. The Vikings did make it to Tromsø, and the first fortress was built here around 1252. However, Tromsø didn’t develop until the 18th century, when it became a major centre for Arctic trade, hunting and exploration.
You can read our history of Tromsø article by clicking the link below.
Tromsø Today
Tromsø city centre has the biggest concentration of historic wooden houses in Northern Norway.
Tromsø is one of the largest fishing ports in Norway. Secondary to fishing, the University of Tromsø is a centre for Arctic research. Tourism has exploded as a major industry, especially winter tourism.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: Tromsø has a major international airport
Drive: Tromsø is located on the E8, which connects to the E6 about an hour south of the city.
Train: No train access
Ferry: Tromsø is a port of call for the coastal ferry. The northbound ferry stops for four hours in the middle of the day, while the southbound ferry stops in the middle of the night.
Getting Around
Tromsø’s town centre is easily walkable.
If you want to use public transport, visit this website: https://fylkestrafikk.no/
Shops
Places to Eat
Cafes & Bakeries
Smørtorget is my favourite cafe in town – great coffee, lunch dishes and it also doubles as a second hand store.
Quick Bites
Reasonable Restaurants
High End & Unique Eats
Emma’s Drømmekjøkken is a nice traditional Norwegian restaurant located across from the cathedral.
Full Steam is the place to go if you want to try traditional seafood dishes, including cod, whale, and sometimes even seal.
Places to Stay
All my hotel recommendations are based on research and experience. I don’t recommend somewhere unless I think it is wonderful! The Hidden North focuses on accommodation that provides good quality for price or offer local or unique experiences.
Camping
Cabins & B&Bs
Chains & Mid-Range
Clarion Hotel The Edge is perfectly located across from the Hurtigruten terminal.
Click here to view rates & book
Raddison Blu Tromsø is where many of the northern lights tours start so can be a good option as well.
High End & Unique Properties
Sunrise/Sunset & Weather Averages
January
Sunrise: 11:35am
Sunset: 12:11pm
Average Temperature: -3C (26.6F)
February
Sunrise: 8:16am
Sunset: 3:41pm
Average Temperature: -3.3C (26.1F)
March
Sunrise: 6:07am
Sunset: 5:40pm
Average Temperature: -1.9C (28.6F)
April
Sunrise: 4:44am
Sunset: 8:47pm
Average Temperature: 1.2C (34.2F)
May
Sunrise: 1:46am
Sunset: 11:44pm
Average Temperature: 5.5C (42F)
June
Midnight sun
Average Temperature: 9.4C (48.9F)
July
Midnight sun until 26 July
Average Temperature: 12.3C (54.1F)
August
Sunrise: 3:43am
Sunset: 9:50pm
Average Temperature: 11.3C (52.3F)
September
Sunrise: 5:55am
Sunset: 7:20pm
Average Temperature: 7.8C (46F)
October
Sunrise: 7:53am
Sunset: 5:04pm
Average Temperature: 31.C (37.6F)
November
Sunrise: 9:23am
Sunset: 1:32pm
Average Temperature: 0.2C (32.4F)
December
Polar night
Average Temperature: -1.7C (28.9F)
All Posts About Tromsø
Drive it Yourself: From the Lyngen Alps to Tromsø on the E6
Here’s a practical guide for the drive from Honningsvåg to Hammerfest in the far-north of Norway.
The History of Tromsø
Everything you need to know about Tromsø’s rich history, including Arctic exploration and World War II.
Tromsø Self-Guided Walking Tour: Highlights & Hidden Gems
Explore Tromsø on foot with my self-guided walking tour. It’s designed for those riding Hurtigruten but can be anybody!
Tromsø Photo Diary
March 2019
February 2020
October 2023