Guidebook for Tromsø
Essentials
Grocery store with lokal food, warm dishes, and fresh fish and meat. Often they also have delicious fresh schrimps, and also lots of different cheeses! 250 meter from the house.
Eurospar Strandvegen
108 StrandvegenGrocery store with lokal food, warm dishes, and fresh fish and meat. Often they also have delicious fresh schrimps, and also lots of different cheeses! 250 meter from the house.
Kiwi Balsfjordgata
2 BalsfjordgataGrocery store close to our house. In the same building there is a Pharmacy as well
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REMA 1000 STRANDVEGEN
106 StrandvegenGrocery store close to our house. In the same building there is a Pharmacy as well
Coop Prix Strandkanten
27 Hjalmar Johansens gateGrocery store on the way to Town centre
Food Scene
Closest place to have a cheap meal, hamburger, pasta and pizza. Only 100 meters from our house.
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Pizza Express Tromsø
90 StrandvegenClosest place to have a cheap meal, hamburger, pasta and pizza. Only 100 meters from our house.
A local pub with lunch dishes, and small dinner dishes till 18.00 o'clock. Good fish soup, shrimps, and fish burger.
In second floor is a fish restaurant - ARCTANDRIA, and next door is BIFFHUSET, - a beef restaurant.
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Skarven Kro
1 StrandtorgetA local pub with lunch dishes, and small dinner dishes till 18.00 o'clock. Good fish soup, shrimps, and fish burger.
In second floor is a fish restaurant - ARCTANDRIA, and next door is BIFFHUSET, - a beef restaurant.
Small restaurant that often serve local seasonal food. One of my favorites. Quite expensive.
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Bardus Bistro
4 Cora Sandels gateSmall restaurant that often serve local seasonal food. One of my favorites. Quite expensive.
This is a both a restaurant and a museum. In the restaurant you find local food made of seasonal food. Often you can get whalemeat courses and also reinderer meat.
There are also three different exhibitions in the building, a Sami exhibition, a northern light exhibition and also an expedition about fisheries in the north of Norway.
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Full Steam Tromsø AS
3 Søndre TollbodgateThis is a both a restaurant and a museum. In the restaurant you find local food made of seasonal food. Often you can get whalemeat courses and also reinderer meat.
There are also three different exhibitions in the building, a Sami exhibition, a northern light exhibition and also an expedition about fisheries in the north of Norway.
Cafe Sånn
1 Erling Bangsunds plassNice cafe with small dishes.
This is the place to eat good fish. Quite expensive...
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Fiskekompaniet
Killengreens gateThis is the place to eat good fish. Quite expensive...
Peppes Pizza - Tromsø
2 StortorgetKids favorite place to eat pizza
Lotus Mat og vinhus
39 SjøgataDelicious asian food, and also good sushi.
A highly renowned restaurant with a most welcoming atmosphere, Emmas Dream Kitchen. This is queen Sonjas favorite restaurant in Tromsø. Book table in the weekends.
It is situated across the road from the beautiful cathedral in the centre of Tromsø, in Kirkegata 8.
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Emmas Dream Kitchen
8 KirkegataA highly renowned restaurant with a most welcoming atmosphere, Emmas Dream Kitchen. This is queen Sonjas favorite restaurant in Tromsø. Book table in the weekends.
It is situated across the road from the beautiful cathedral in the centre of Tromsø, in Kirkegata 8.
Delicious food and a Nice place to have a drink or glass of wine. The area is Great, with lots of history. This area was earlier a shipyard, and is today a trendy area with winebars, kafees and restaurants.
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Maskinverkstedet
49 NordøstpassasjenDelicious food and a Nice place to have a drink or glass of wine. The area is Great, with lots of history. This area was earlier a shipyard, and is today a trendy area with winebars, kafees and restaurants.
Japanese restaurant with sushi and other japanese dishes. I recommend to order many small dishes with traditional japanese food. Quite expensive, but well worth the money!
Hibana Tromsø
73 StorgataJapanese restaurant with sushi and other japanese dishes. I recommend to order many small dishes with traditional japanese food. Quite expensive, but well worth the money!
CASA INFERNO - Pizza Restaurant
2 VestregataBest pizza in town - the Italian way
Cheap lunch and dinner. Pizza, pasta and Hamburgers. Check: egon-no.translate.goog/restauranter/troms%2Bog%2Bfinnmark/restaurant-tromso?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=no
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Egon
50 StorgataCheap lunch and dinner. Pizza, pasta and Hamburgers. Check: egon-no.translate.goog/restauranter/troms%2Bog%2Bfinnmark/restaurant-tromso?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=no
ØLHALLEN – THE OLDEST PUB IN TROMSO
A trip to Tromso wouldn’t be complete without a drink in its oldest pub. Ølhallen’s rich history dates back to 1928 when it was a popular watering hole for fishermen and farmers, later becoming a spot for Arctic explorers to share tales of derring-do over a candle-lit beer. Today, it’s one of the most well-known and popular pubs in Tromso. You pass the pub on your way to Town, walking the main Road.
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Ølhallen
4 StorgataØLHALLEN – THE OLDEST PUB IN TROMSO
A trip to Tromso wouldn’t be complete without a drink in its oldest pub. Ølhallen’s rich history dates back to 1928 when it was a popular watering hole for fishermen and farmers, later becoming a spot for Arctic explorers to share tales of derring-do over a candle-lit beer. Today, it’s one of the most well-known and popular pubs in Tromso. You pass the pub on your way to Town, walking the main Road.
Parks & Nature
Park area and beach. The perfect place to see the northern lights in winter on clear evenings/nights, and nice area to walk, relax in summer. On Fridays in winter there is ice bathing at noon.
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Telegrafbukta
Park area and beach. The perfect place to see the northern lights in winter on clear evenings/nights, and nice area to walk, relax in summer. On Fridays in winter there is ice bathing at noon.
Nice area with a lake and lots of birds in summer time, when it gets dark, this is a good place to see the northern lights.
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Prestvannet Lake
Nice area with a lake and lots of birds in summer time, when it gets dark, this is a good place to see the northern lights.
A fantastic experience!
In the Garden you will find small and colourful arctic species along with plants from alpine and cold areas around the whole world. They are cultivated in crevices and among rocks and boulders brought in with their original natural cover of lichens and mosses. Free entrance
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Giardino botanico artico-alpino di Tromsø
A fantastic experience!
In the Garden you will find small and colourful arctic species along with plants from alpine and cold areas around the whole world. They are cultivated in crevices and among rocks and boulders brought in with their original natural cover of lichens and mosses. Free entrance
Nice park area at the top of the Island. In winter this is a popular place to go skiing, sledding and skating (when there is ice). Here you can go cross-country skiing in with well prepaired 10 km long tracks, or in summertime have a nice walk in the forest.
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Charlottenlund Recreational Park
89 Conrad Holmboes vegNice park area at the top of the Island. In winter this is a popular place to go skiing, sledding and skating (when there is ice). Here you can go cross-country skiing in with well prepaired 10 km long tracks, or in summertime have a nice walk in the forest.
ERSFJORDEN is a beautiful place for hiking in daytime (to Nattmålsfjellet), and watching aurora in evenings with clear sky. It is possible to go on foot in both summer and winter. There is a cafe in the harbour area: BRYGGEJENTENE.
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Ersfjorden
ERSFJORDEN is a beautiful place for hiking in daytime (to Nattmålsfjellet), and watching aurora in evenings with clear sky. It is possible to go on foot in both summer and winter. There is a cafe in the harbour area: BRYGGEJENTENE.
If you rent a car, a drive to SOMMARØY is highly recommended. It takes at least one hour to go there from Tromsø, and there is a hotel or cafe where you can have lunch or dinner. Then you can take another way back. A total distance of 140 km in beautiful surroundings. Recommended in summer and winter!
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Sommarøy
If you rent a car, a drive to SOMMARØY is highly recommended. It takes at least one hour to go there from Tromsø, and there is a hotel or cafe where you can have lunch or dinner. Then you can take another way back. A total distance of 140 km in beautiful surroundings. Recommended in summer and winter!
My favorite hike is to Blåvatnet in Lyngen. You need a car to get there, and you have to take the ferry from Breivikeidet to Svensby and then drive 10 minutes to get to the point where you start walking. It is 4,5 km to the glacier walk, not any up-hill. The view to the lake underneath the glacier is stunning. The color of the lake is beautiful. Recommended in spring, summer and autumn.
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Blåvatnet
My favorite hike is to Blåvatnet in Lyngen. You need a car to get there, and you have to take the ferry from Breivikeidet to Svensby and then drive 10 minutes to get to the point where you start walking. It is 4,5 km to the glacier walk, not any up-hill. The view to the lake underneath the glacier is stunning. The color of the lake is beautiful. Recommended in spring, summer and autumn.
Nice hike, with stunning view. You will need a car to get to the starting point at Kvaløya. Easy to walk, only 45 minutes to get to the top. On your way out with the car you will pass EIDE HANDEL, the best food shop in the area, with a cafe with cheap meals. We use to buy some food here for the hike. Guide to hike to Brosmetinden: https://nerdnomads.com/hikes-in-tromso
Brosmetinden trail head
Nice hike, with stunning view. You will need a car to get to the starting point at Kvaløya. Easy to walk, only 45 minutes to get to the top. On your way out with the car you will pass EIDE HANDEL, the best food shop in the area, with a cafe with cheap meals. We use to buy some food here for the hike. Guide to hike to Brosmetinden: https://nerdnomads.com/hikes-in-tromso
A nice drive to Oldervik with all rocks close to the sea is recommended. We bring with us some food and have a camp fire looking at the view. A popular place to photograph waves and rocks. Takes an hour to get there.
Oldervik
A nice drive to Oldervik with all rocks close to the sea is recommended. We bring with us some food and have a camp fire looking at the view. A popular place to photograph waves and rocks. Takes an hour to get there.
Entertainment & Activities
Hålogaland Teater
1 TeaterplassenLocal theatre and bar
Meet the bearded seals at the aquarium at Polaria. Best time early in the morning when it opens. The seals and fished responds on your activity. Try to wave to the seals, and fish, and see what happens. A good time to go there is also when the seals are fed.
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Polaria
Meet the bearded seals at the aquarium at Polaria. Best time early in the morning when it opens. The seals and fished responds on your activity. Try to wave to the seals, and fish, and see what happens. A good time to go there is also when the seals are fed.
My best tip is to go to a REINDEER CAMP in winter, where you can feed the reindeers. You will visit a sami Reindeer family. In winter time they keep 150-200 reindeers close to Tromsø to feed them, so that they will survive the tough winter. We go there every winter!
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Renne Artiche di Tromso / Renne Artiche Sami
1570 Fv53My best tip is to go to a REINDEER CAMP in winter, where you can feed the reindeers. You will visit a sami Reindeer family. In winter time they keep 150-200 reindeers close to Tromsø to feed them, so that they will survive the tough winter. We go there every winter!
VULKANA is an old norwegian fishing vessel rebuilt for arctic adventures and a world class spa experience: Have a soak in the salt water hot tub on deck. Make the most of your time aboard and unwind in the warm and soothing steam of the Hamam before you take a refreshing swim in the sea.
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Vulkana Arctic Spa And Adventure Boat
3 Søndre TollbodgateVULKANA is an old norwegian fishing vessel rebuilt for arctic adventures and a world class spa experience: Have a soak in the salt water hot tub on deck. Make the most of your time aboard and unwind in the warm and soothing steam of the Hamam before you take a refreshing swim in the sea.
WHALE SAFARI; The whales come to the fiords and islands north of Tromsø in November - January. I went on a tour in November in 2019 and we saw lots of orcas, and some humpback whales. Since the whales are some distance away from Tromsø, it is important to go with big boats with a greater range. The tour took 7 hours. You can check the group “hvaler i nord “ at FB, when you arrive, to make sure the whales are still in the area. I would recommend to wait with booking till you are in Tromsø, to make sure the weather forecast is good. Remember that the days are short in winter. And if it is overcast it is darker, and even harder to see the whales.
Arctic Explorers AS
100E Hjalmar Johansens gateWHALE SAFARI; The whales come to the fiords and islands north of Tromsø in November - January. I went on a tour in November in 2019 and we saw lots of orcas, and some humpback whales. Since the whales are some distance away from Tromsø, it is important to go with big boats with a greater range. The tour took 7 hours. You can check the group “hvaler i nord “ at FB, when you arrive, to make sure the whales are still in the area. I would recommend to wait with booking till you are in Tromsø, to make sure the weather forecast is good. Remember that the days are short in winter. And if it is overcast it is darker, and even harder to see the whales.
DOG SLEDDING: A few years ago our whole family went on a dog sled tour. We were transported with bus to Breivikeidet, through scenic landscape. We got instructions, and warm clothes, before we set out with the dogs. We shared a sled, two and two, and swapped so that all 4 of us got the chance to drive. The dog sled tour took about 2 hours, and the whole tour took about 6 hours. We thought this was so fun, so for our birthday anniversary in 2020, we went on a five-day dog sled tour in Finnmark. That was AMAZING!
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Tromsø Safari
7 Fredrik Langes gateDOG SLEDDING: A few years ago our whole family went on a dog sled tour. We were transported with bus to Breivikeidet, through scenic landscape. We got instructions, and warm clothes, before we set out with the dogs. We shared a sled, two and two, and swapped so that all 4 of us got the chance to drive. The dog sled tour took about 2 hours, and the whole tour took about 6 hours. We thought this was so fun, so for our birthday anniversary in 2020, we went on a five-day dog sled tour in Finnmark. That was AMAZING!
Sauna in the harbour. Nice trendy place to relax and have an outdoor bath
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Pust Tromsø
41 SjøgataSauna in the harbour. Nice trendy place to relax and have an outdoor bath
The most known company offering dog sledding in Tromsø is Tromsø Villmarkssenter. Tromsø Villmarkssenter is a big professional company , with dog sledding as their main activity.
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Centro natura di Tromso - Slitta trainata da cani
601 StraumsvegenThe most known company offering dog sledding in Tromsø is Tromsø Villmarkssenter. Tromsø Villmarkssenter is a big professional company , with dog sledding as their main activity.
Arts & Culture
Artgallery with art from northern Norway
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Museo d'Arte della Norvegia Settentrionale
1 SjøgataArtgallery with art from northern Norway
Two Sami exhibitions, one telling about their traditional life in the past, the other telling about the Sami recent history and culture of today. Recommended!
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Museo di Tromsø - Museo universitario
10 Lars Thørings vegTwo Sami exhibitions, one telling about their traditional life in the past, the other telling about the Sami recent history and culture of today. Recommended!
Visit a vessel that was used for seal hunt. In the dock is the SNOWHOW exhibition, showing how the famous polar explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen used local knowhow from the samis, and the inuits in order to survive in these harsh areas. I was involved in making the exhibition some years ago
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MS Polstjerna
10 Hjalmar Johansens gateVisit a vessel that was used for seal hunt. In the dock is the SNOWHOW exhibition, showing how the famous polar explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen used local knowhow from the samis, and the inuits in order to survive in these harsh areas. I was involved in making the exhibition some years ago
Best place to go with active kids on rainy days. Lots of things to see, experience and to do there!
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Northern Norwegian Science Center
17 Hansine Hansens vegBest place to go with active kids on rainy days. Lots of things to see, experience and to do there!
Tromsø Kunstforening is the oldest art institution in Northern Norway and is still a vital space for contemporary art in the region. Their program includes and combines internationally recognised and less established artists, with special attention to projects that are rooted in the region.
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Centro d'arte contemporanea di Tromsø
82 MuségataTromsø Kunstforening is the oldest art institution in Northern Norway and is still a vital space for contemporary art in the region. Their program includes and combines internationally recognised and less established artists, with special attention to projects that are rooted in the region.
Shopping
The northernmost glassblowers in Norway, and perhaps in the world. Unique glass sculptures!
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Blown Glass Factory in Tromsø AS
6 Peder Hansens gateThe northernmost glassblowers in Norway, and perhaps in the world. Unique glass sculptures!
You will find Nerstranda shopping centre centrally located in downtown Tromsø. With 39 stores and restaurants/cafés, and 2 million annual visitors, this place is the centre of Tromsø for fashion and shopping.
Monday-Friday: 09:00 (9 AM) - 20:00 (8 PM)
Saturday: 10:00 (10 AM) - 18:00 (6 PM)
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Nerstranda Shopping
9 StorgataYou will find Nerstranda shopping centre centrally located in downtown Tromsø. With 39 stores and restaurants/cafés, and 2 million annual visitors, this place is the centre of Tromsø for fashion and shopping.
Monday-Friday: 09:00 (9 AM) - 20:00 (8 PM)
Saturday: 10:00 (10 AM) - 18:00 (6 PM)
Sightseeing
You get the best view over Tromsø from the Fløya mountain. You can either walk up the sherpa steps, or take the cable car. There is a cafe which serve lunch and dinner.
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Tromsø Cable Car
12 SollivegenYou get the best view over Tromsø from the Fløya mountain. You can either walk up the sherpa steps, or take the cable car. There is a cafe which serve lunch and dinner.
The northern lights go in the direction from east to west, and it comes for 5-15 minutes before it can disappear for a while before it comes back again. Patience is important to see the northern lights, and dress warm. Remember a good torch when you are out looking for aurora, especially if you are walking off road. I would not recommend to book a northern light tour before you come to Tromsø, or before you have checked the weather forecast, because you need a clear sky to see the northern lights..., and of course northern light activity...
In order to see the northern lights, it often shows up in the evening when the sky is clear. I would recommend to load down the app: AURORA, in order to be notified when there is northern light activity. It is possible to see it outside our house. But There are many great locations, where you can see it reflected in the ocean or water:
TELEGRAFBUKTA: a beach and nice park area, 1,7 km away from our house:
FJELLHEISEN: a fantastic view point over town. You go there with a cable car or by walking the Sherpa stairs. At the Top there is a cafe where you can sit indoors, and have a snack, hot drinks, cakes, or a meal.
But you might have a better chance to see the northern lights if you go on an arranged tour. They drive to places where the chance to see aurora is higher. They often offer warm clothes, warm local food and hot drinks. I would recommend to go with a small group.
Northern Lights Safari
57 ÅsvegenThe northern lights go in the direction from east to west, and it comes for 5-15 minutes before it can disappear for a while before it comes back again. Patience is important to see the northern lights, and dress warm. Remember a good torch when you are out looking for aurora, especially if you are walking off road. I would not recommend to book a northern light tour before you come to Tromsø, or before you have checked the weather forecast, because you need a clear sky to see the northern lights..., and of course northern light activity...
In order to see the northern lights, it often shows up in the evening when the sky is clear. I would recommend to load down the app: AURORA, in order to be notified when there is northern light activity. It is possible to see it outside our house. But There are many great locations, where you can see it reflected in the ocean or water:
TELEGRAFBUKTA: a beach and nice park area, 1,7 km away from our house:
FJELLHEISEN: a fantastic view point over town. You go there with a cable car or by walking the Sherpa stairs. At the Top there is a cafe where you can sit indoors, and have a snack, hot drinks, cakes, or a meal.
But you might have a better chance to see the northern lights if you go on an arranged tour. They drive to places where the chance to see aurora is higher. They often offer warm clothes, warm local food and hot drinks. I would recommend to go with a small group.