What to see in Tromso

Tromso’s main attraction is undoubtedly the magnificent nature around the city. Situated on an island, surrounded by snow clad mountains and fjords, the location couldn’t be more exotic.

Taking the cable car up to ‘Floya’ gives you panoramic views of the city, the sea, and all the mountains in the area. The cable car stays open late and is a great place to see northern lights, or on a sunny summer’s night, taking in the midnight sun over a glass of white wine.

The City Centre

Architecturally Tromso is a mish mash of various attempts at different styles. The aesthetics are definitely up for discussion, but it does make the city an interesting place to wander around. Being the largest wooden city north of Trondheim, there are many buildings dating from the 1800s – often right next to a modern block.

The Arctic Cathedral

The most prominent building in Tromso is without doubt the Arctic Cathedral, right by the bridge on the mainland. Shaped like a giant iceberg with 11 aluminium-coated concrete panels you can’t miss it whether you are coming to Tromso by boat, car or plane. The church was built in 1965, and it also features a large glass mosaic by the artist Victor Sparre. Every night during the summer season, when the sun shines through the large glass windows, the church holds Midnight Sun Concerts.

Museums

The Polar Museum in town was voted amongst the top ten worst museums in the world by Lonely Planet. The graphic displays about life as a hunter in the arctic didn’t go down well with them, but it is actually quite interesting. And their postcard with the picture of the hunter raising his ice hack over a big-eyed seal is a winner with any unsuspecting relatives at home.

Other sights well worth a visit include Polaria, where you can meet seals not in any immediate danger, and also watch an amazing film about Svalbard. A visit to the northernmost brewery in the world, Mack, is also highly recommended.

Another ‘northernmost’, the botanical garden – featured in the BBC programme ‘Around the world in 80 gardens’ – is also quite spectacular.