A Guide to Exploring Tromsø: Norway's Northernmost City in the Arctic Circle
Arctic Cathedral, Tromsø, Norway (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4, 1/800 s)
(Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you click through and take action, I'll be compensated.) If you are also interested in any PRINTS from any of my posts, be sure to check out my store where you can buy prints as posters, in metal/wooden frames or on canvas.
Until I arrived on a unseasonably hot July morning in Tromsø, I had never experienced the Midnight sun before. It seems like for the entire month, the sun just never leaves the sky. This unique experience can be found in most Northern latitudes in late June through July.
What brought me to Tromsø was its location near the top of Norway, and thus a perfect place to start my road trip down to Lofoten. The Lofoten Islands possess some of most gorgeous scenery in the entire world and it had been my dream to go for years now. Therefore, I booked a flight to Tromsø and spent a few days here before picking up our camper van for our journey south.
Tromsø is the 12th most populous city in Norway, however the largest urban area in the entire country and the third largest in the Arctic Circle. The city is spread out across the two islands of Tromsøya and Kvaløya. Old historical wooden houses are aplenty in the city, making you feel like the culture is very much intact. Some of these houses are dated back to 1789.
Getting around Tromsø is quite easy by bus using the Troms Billett app (iOS and Android). This city is also easily walkable, you can even walk over the bridge from Tromsøya to Kvaløya. Overall, Tromsø is small and so the sights are limited in my opinion, but I had the best time exploring and relaxing in the Norwegian sun to start my month long work holiday. You can find a Google Map of the places I will discuss at the end of this post.
Check out my drone video of Lofoten, Norway below!
Storgata is the main thoroughfare through Tromsø. This is the main street of the city with restaurants, cafes, and souvenir/specialty shops. This is where you go for some people watching, to spend your most recent paycheck, and to have a nice meal out.
Top of Fjellheisen, Tromsø, Norway (ISO 100, 58 mm, f/4, 1/320 s)
Rådstua Teaterhus is a culture house, restaurant, and theater in Tromsø city center. Its mainly used as a space for aspiring artists but can also host concert and film screenings. I particularly enjoyed the architecture though while meandering my way through the city.
Rådstua Teaterhus, Tromsø, Norway (ISO 100, 73 mm, f/4, 1/500 s)
The statue of Norwegian King Haakon VII was also what caught my eye outside of this theater. He served as the King from 1905 to 1957, most critically during the Nazi invasion at the beginning of WWII. I remember seeing the movie ‘The King’s Choice’, whereby his actions and choices were instrumental in delaying the Nazi occupation of Norway. If you like historical dramas, I would recommend this movie!
If you like some of my photos that you have come across, just know that I have many prints showcasing a variety of landscapes, including Norway, available for purchase below! (Sold as Posters, Canvas, or in Metal-Frames and Wooden-Frames).
Within eyeshot of the theater is the Cathedral of Our Lady (Vår Frue Kirke), the northernmost Catholic cathedral in the world. It was built in a Neogothic style in 1861. I’m a sucker for gothic architecture of any type, and I particularly enjoy the color scheme of this cathedral, which in my opinion, makes it unique.
Also on Storgata street sits the Tromsø Cathedral, the only Norwegian Cathedral made of wood (fun fact!). It was built in 1861 in the Gothic style by Christian Heinrich Grosch and has the superlative of being the world’s northernmost Protestant cathedral. The surrounding grounds are replete with benches and plants making it a popular area to congregate (double entendre for the win!).
Tromsø, Norway (ISO 100, 105 mm, f/4, 1/1000 s)
The waterfront area of Tromsø is definitely worth seeing. Be aware of the ever present seagulls but besides them, take in some of the views of Tromsø Harbor. There are plenty of restaurants here as well, but perhaps on the more pricier side. The collections of boats and view of Tromsø over the water towards the East are what make this spot particularly charming during golden hour.
View from Fjellheisen, Tromsø, Norway (ISO 100, 40 mm, f/4, 1/640 s)
Also situated in the harbor is Sauna Pust, which is a swimming platform and sauna in one. You will easily be able to spot it in the summer, when the water is barely warm enough to swim in. You simply go to the website and book a time slot to use the sauna services. There is also a cafe and a yoga space a block away (part of the same brand) to complete the relaxing experience in Tromsø.
Sauna Pust, Tromsø, Norway (ISO 100, 70 mm, f/4, 1/800 s)
A short distance away sits the Polar Museum (Polarmuseet Tromsø), a museum dedicated to the history of polar exploration. Due to Tromsø’s location, it became an ideal city for planning and starting polar expeditions to the Arctic. The museum itself is contained within an old warehouse with origins dating back to the 1830s.
Polarmuseet, Tromsø, Norway (ISO 100, 47 mm, f/4, 1/1250 s)
Just beyond this museum, sits the Vervet area. My initial feeling I got while entering this part of town was that is seemed to be a bit posh. After looking at the restaurant menus, this feeling was confirmed. Nonetheless, there are a number of very high restaurants, with outdoor seating (perfect for the summer), and a bakery/cafe. Construction is still ongoing in this area, mostly on apartment complexes, next to the Tromsø bridge.
View from Fjellheisen, Tromsø, Norway (ISO 100, 105 mm, f/4, 1/400 s)
Fjellheisen is a tramway located on the east side of the city (across the bridge) and takes you up to Tromsdalstinden, the 1,238 meter high peak that towards over the area. I cannot recommend this place enough in the summer to see the midnight sun! Their hours show that they close at midnight, however I believe there are some occasions in the summer where they close a little later. I imagine that it is an incredible place to see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) over Tromsø in the winter time (all the more reason to go back!).
Arctic Cathedral, Tromsø, Norway (ISO 100, 105 mm, f/4, 1/1000 s)
It is also important to check ahead in case the tramway is closed due to wind or other adverse weather conditions. These can usually be found on their website.
Prestvannet is a lake and part of a larger nature area in the middle of Tromsøya (the island that contains Tromsø). It started off as a reservoir but has since evolved to become a nature reserve. This is exemplified by its prominence as a nesting area for a variety of bird species. Around the pond is a track for those who enjoy running and in the winter, the pond is a popular ice skating spot.
Last but certainly not least, the Arctic Cathedral is perhaps the most famous landmark that stands in Tromsø. You can see it from the top of Fjellheisen, as well as from the Tromsø harbor. This church possesses a large glass façade on its west side, and a large glass mosaic on its eastern side. There is a small fee to enter the church to see this glass mosaic in full. Nevertheless, the church was created by Jan Inge Hovig and dedicated in 1965.
Though on the smaller side, this Norwegian city is one of my favorites. I used it as a jumping off point before renting a campervan and driving down to the Lofoten Islands in Norway.
I will talk more about that trip in future posts. Stay tuned!
