Tromsø (Northern Sámi: Romsa, Kven and Finnish: Tromssa) is a city of around 78,000 people (2023) in the very northernmost part of Norway. It is almost 350 km north of the Arctic Circle and is one of the best places to view the spectacular Northern Lights in winter. Tromsø is a surprise to most visitors: Here you find art, history, sophistication, good food and infamous nightlife in a bustling, tiny city. All of it, though, is surrounded by spectacular scenery that is visible from everywhere in town.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The city is home to the world's northernmost university, as well as research institutes and satellite-based industry. The population is therefore highly skilled, but retains the straightforwardness and sense of humour that the North is known for. People reached the Tromsø area 11,000 years ago. We heard about Tromsø for the first time in 1252, when the first church was built here. For the next 550 years, Tromsø was a minor religious centre, as people in a vast area regularly congregated in Tromsø to go to the only church in the area.
Generally, most things in Tromsø's compact centre are within walking distance. However, there is also a good network of buses. In summer, you can rent bikes, and in winter you can rent cross country skis, both allowing you to roam the built-up areas of Tromsø. Buses are plentiful, very reliable and generally run until midnight; some lines also operate around the clock for trips to/from the airport and on weekends. Tickets can be purchased from a range or locations or through the Entur-based Svipper smartphone app. As of May 2026, cash payment is no longer accepted on busses and only a few busses are testing onboard payment by credit card.
Tromsø's most visited attractions include Polaria, The Arctic Cathedral, the Cable Car, the Tromsø Museum, the Polar Museum and the Botanic Garden. The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights is a natural light phenomenon in the night sky. Tromsø is very favorably located for viewing the Northern Lights, but you cannot see the aurora at all times. The aurora is visible mostly between 18:00 and 00:00, occasionally between 16:00 and 02:00. It has to be dark for you to see it. Between late September and late March, it is dark after 18:00, and you have maximum chances of seeing the lights. Clouds obstruct the view of the Northern Lights.
Most activities take place in the sheltered waters around the city area, or in the mountains surrounding the city. Check out the website of the Tourist Information for all the details. The Tourist Information also has a number of organised tours on offer. Some activities are easy to do without assistance, whereas others require the guidance of a trained guide. Make sure you know what you're doing before setting off on your own. The reason people go to Tromsø in the winter is to experience the Northern Lights and the spectacular snowy landscapes through various winter activities. The most optimal time for the former is December to March.
A number of good seafood restaurants are worth the extra kroner, and especially in the winter, when the cod reaches the coast, there is a lot of good eating. It all comes at a price, though. Do note, however, that cheap food is relatively expensive in Tromsø (as in Norway in general), whereas exclusive food is relatively good value. In other words, a little extra money increases the experience immensely. Vegetarians have a hard time in Tromsø, as the knowledge of vegetarian food is limited (however, there is at least one cafe with a vegetarian menu in town, see below). Most places can cook something up, but be prepared to explain your food requests in detail.
Tromsø is known throughout Norway for its hefty nightlife, and there's always room for one more barfly. Throughout the week, people hang around in cafés, and on the weekends, it's always full on every dance floor. People in Tromsø have an emotional relationship to their beer. Mack continues to resist takeover attempts from the dark forces of Southern Norwegian capitalism, and locals expect outsiders to join in on the battle. Other Norwegian beers are difficult to get, but a few places specialise in international brands. Blanding is half a pilsner and half bayer, a dark beer, in the same glass.
Norway is a fairly safe country in general, and Tromsø is no exception. Violence is usually limited to drunk 19-year-olds fighting in the taxi queue at 04:00. However, theft is not unheard of, and don't leave your camera unattended. Earlier, the local drug addicts used to beg for money along the main street. They sell "Virkelig", a local street newspaper, although they have now been replaced by beggars from the Balkans. Neither represent a danger. Far more life-threatening are outdoor activities. Tourists occasionally try unguided glacier walks, deep sea fishing, hiking and off-piste skiing without being properly trained or equipped, once in a while with fatal results.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Tromso typically sees ~20°C daytime highs and 11 rainy days.
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