Tromsø holidays

How to reach Tromsø

• Flight time: Flights to Tromsø from London, via a layover in Oslo or another Scandinavian hub, typically take around 3 to 4 hours, depending on your connection times. Flights to Oslo are available from several UK cities as well as London.

• Transfer time: Tromsø Airport is just 6km from the city centre, making the transfer quick and hassle-free. The Flybussen airport shuttle gets you into town in about 15 minutes and runs frequently throughout the day. Taxis are also available and offer a faster option if you’re in a hurry.

• Price: The Flybussen shuttle costs around NOK 110 (£9) for a one-way ticket or NOK 180 (£15) for a return. Taxis are pricier, with a one-way trip costing approximately NOK 200–300 (£16–25).

Best time to visit Tromsø

If you have your heart set on seeing the northern lights or witnessing the midnight sun, then deciding when to take your trip will be relatively simple. But Tromsø has attractions all year round.

• March to May: Easter is the time of the colourful Sámi festivals, and mid-May can be delightful if your visit coincides with the brief Norwegian spring. Springtime is particularly beguiling in the fjords, with cascading waterfalls fed by the melting snow and wildflowers in abundance. Temperatures hover between -2°C and 4°C, with 30–70mm of rainfall or snow.

• June to August: This is the time of the midnight sun when Tromsø basks in 24-hour daylight. Temperatures rise to a mild 8°C to 15°C, and you’ll find ideal conditions for hiking, kayaking and exploring the fjords. Note, though, that the summer season is relatively short, stretching roughly from the beginning of June to the end of August.

• September to November: Autumn can be exquisite, with September often bathed in the soft sunshine of an Indian summer, but here in the far north it can get bitterly cold, cooling from 8°C in September to -2°C by November, with 50–100mm of rainfall. Days shorten again, making aurora spotting possible from late September.

• December to February: Winters are long and dark (just 1–2 hours in December), with reduced daylight, opening times and transport services - but seeing the phenomenal northern lights (aurora borealis) is a distinct possibility. Temperatures range from -6°C to -2°C, with around 50–90mm of snowfall monthly.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Norwegian is the official language, but nearly everyone in Tromsø speaks excellent English.

• Local habits and customs: Few Norwegians tip at cafés, but rounding your bill up by a few kroner is pretty standard and considered polite. Drinking alcohol in public places is not permitted, and being drunk on the streets can get you arrested.

• Health and safety: Tromsø is extremely safe, with low crime rates and a well-functioning healthcare system. UK travellers should bring their Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for emergency medical treatment. Winter visitors should be cautious of icy conditions and dress warmly.

• Currency: Norway uses the Norwegian Krone (NOK). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but having a little cash for smaller purchases is advisable.

• Getting around: You’ll not need to use public transport within Tromsø itself, but for outlying attractions, you’ll need to catch a municipal bus; the standard, flat-rate fare is currently NOK 50, whilst a day ticket, valid for 24 hours, costs NOK 100; pay cash on board.

• Electricity and plug types: Norway uses the standard continental 220 volts with Type C and F plugs. UK travellers will need a two-pin plug adaptor.

• Time zone: Tromsø is in Central European Time (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of GMT. It observes Daylight Saving Time from late March to late October.

• Required travel documentation: UK travellers only need a valid passport for holidays to Norway, as it’s part of the Schengen area. No visa is required for stays up to 90 days.

Best things to do in Tromsø

Perched above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is the de facto social and cultural capital of northern Norway. An urbane and engaging city, it has a fine mountain-and-fjord setting and a clutch of lively restaurants and bars.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Fjellheisen: The cable car whisks passengers up Mount Storsteinen (420m), from where the views of the city and its surroundings are extensive; it’s a smashing spot to catch the midnight sun.

The best districts

• Stortorget: With its relaxed and airy atmosphere, this is the site of a daily flower and knick-knack market, and as it nudges down towards the waterfront, fresh fish and prawns are sold directly from inshore fishing boats throughout the summer.

• Old Town Tromsø (Skansen): Wander through Tromsø’s oldest area to admire its assemblage of charming wooden houses, some dating back to the 18th century.

Museums

• Polarmuseet: The city’s most intriguing museum keeps an outstanding section on Svalbard, including archaeological finds retrieved in the 1980s from an 18th-century Russian whaling station.

• The Arctic University Museum of Norway: A varied collection; pride of place goes to the medieval religious carvings, naive but evocative pieces retrieved from various northern Norwegian churches.

• Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum: The Northern Norway Art Museum offers an enterprising programme of temporary exhibitions with special attention given to contemporary Norwegian artists. The museum also owns a handful of minor works by Edvard Munch.

Historical monuments

• Domkirke: Dating from the 1860s, the pastel-painted cathedral is a large and handsome structure whose dinky little tower and slender spire poke high into the sky above the neo-Gothic pointed windows of the nave.

• MS Polstjerna: Held within a glass greenhouse, the well-preserved sealing ship was launched in 1949, sailing for 33 seasons before being retired in 1981.

Day trips in the area

• Alta: A two-day trip really, but worth it for northern Europe’s most extensive assemblage of prehistoric rock carvings.

• Sámi experiences: Discover the indigenous Sámi culture with a day trip that includes reindeer sledding and storytelling around a traditional lavvu (tent).

Activities for families in Tromsø

Tromsø is surprisingly family-friendly, offering a range of (mostly outdoor) activities that will delight kids and parents alike.

• Polaria: A lavish waterfront complex, there’s an aquarium stocked with Arctic species, a 180-degree cinema showing a film on Svalbard shot from a helicopter, a display on the effects of global warming and several exhibitions on polar research.

• Reindeer encounters: Local tour operators offer family-friendly outings to feed and interact with reindeer, with Sámi guides sharing stories and traditions.

• Parks and beaches: Prestvannet Lake and Telegrafbukta Park are both excellent spots for families, offering space to roam and play; Telegrafbukta even has a small beach for a summer dip combined with a picnic.

Free things to do in Tromsø

Tromsø holidays don’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of activities that’ll enable you to experience the city’s culture and natural beauty at minimal cost.

• Free events: Fancy a nighttime run? Tromsø Midnight Sun Marathon in late June takes advantage of 24-hour daylight, attracting hundreds of athletes. You can opt for shorter distances too.

• Northern Lights: At once eerily disconcerting and bewitchingly beautiful, the aurora borealis flicker across northern Norway’s winter firmament at irregular and unpredictable intervals.

• Harbour strolls: Tromsø’s picturesque harbour area is perfect for an unhurried stroll, with colourful boats, stunning mountain views and plenty of photo opportunities.

Nature and outdoor activities in Tromsø

Tromsø’s extraordinary Arctic wilderness delivers on every level for those seeking outdoor adventure, whether that’s an afternoon downhill skiing or something less conventional like dog-sledding.

• Skiing and snowshoeing: The Tromsø region is one of Norway’s best for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, with marked trails everywhere; the Lyngen Alps are especially popular both for alpinists and those seeking backcountry adventures.

• Whale watching safaris: From November to January, join a boat tour to spot orcas and humpback whales feasting in the fjords near Tromsø.

• Hiking: In summer, hikers head for Tromsdalstinden, a stiff climb, but one offering sweeping views of fjords, valleys and snow-capped peaks. Easier options include the Fløya trail, accessible via the Fjellheisen cable car.

• Dog-sledding: In winter a dog-sled ride is the quintessential Arctic experience; several wilderness-tour specialists, such as Tromsø Villmarkssenter, organise such expeditions.

Local dishes in Tromsø

One of the joys of holidays to Tromsø is the chance to explore Arctic cuisine, rooted in tradition and fresh, local ingredients. From hearty reindeer dishes to sweet, cloudberry desserts, there’s plenty to excite your taste buds.

Some typical dishes

• Reindeer stew (bidos): A Sámi speciality, this warming stew comprises tender reindeer meat, potatoes and carrots.

• Lutefisk: This traditional dish of dried fish soaked in lye is certainly an acquired taste, but it’s one the locals love.

Meat dishes

• Lapskaus: Pork, venison (or other meats) and vegetable stew, common in the south and east, using salted or fresh meat, or leftovers, in a thick brown gravy.

• Kjøttkaker: Norwegian meatballs served with mashed potatoes, gravy and lingonberry jam.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Arctic char: Grilled or smoked, this local fish has a delicate flavour and is a staple in Tromsø’s seafood offerings.

• King crab: A luxurious treat, king crab is served various ways, from simple butter-dipped claws to elaborate seafood platters.

• Cod tongues: A regional delicacy, these lightly fried morsels are surprisingly tender and packed with flavour.

Sweets and desserts

• Multer: Cloudberries – wild berries mostly found north of the Arctic Circle and served with cream (med krem).

• Krumkake: Thin, rolled waffles filled with cream, perfect with a cup of coffee.

Local drinks

• Aquavit: A bitter concoction which, at 40 percent proof or more, is real head-banging stuff, arguably made more palatable with beer chasers. Linie aquavit, made in Norway from potatoes, is one of the more popular brands.

• Local beers: Tromsø’s craft breweries, like Mack Bryggeri, offer a variety of beers, from lagers to ales, reflecting Norway’s growing craft beer scene.