A visit to the Arctic Circle, why not? Tromsø has become an increasingly popular tourist destination for its legendary northern lights. While it is not necessarily a playground for shoppers or foodies, it is definitely an amazing trip for those who want to explore all the Arctic Circle has to offer.
The best time to see the northern lights is in winter between October and early April.
Tromsø is a two hour flight from Oslo and the local airport is about 7 kilometers from the city center. The Flybussen takes approximately 15 minutes to the city center. Alternatively, take a taxi given the short distance.
EAT
Emmas Drømmekjøkken Traditional, Norwegian cuisine
Rå Sushi & Bar Central location for fresh sushi.
DRINK
Huken Pub Cozy, Nordic bar with a vintage vibe. The perfect escape from chilly, Nordic temps. Also has delicious bar food!
Ølhallen Brewing at 69° North since 1877, the oldest pub in Tromsø is a chill, local spot. Over 70 beers on tap.
PLAY
Chasing Lights Northern Lights Tour Our experience with this company was excellent. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and made several stops for potential northern lights photo opps. The company provided the necessary winter gear, tips on camera settings and afterwards emailed photos taken with their professional cameras. We chose the mini-bus tour to be with a smaller group of people. Book in advance.
Fjellheisen Cable car which offers scenic views over the city. Also a local viewing spot for northern lights if the sky is clear.
The Polar Museum This museum showcases expeditions and snippets of daily life in the Arctic Circle. Not a must-do but something to fill time if you need a break between outdoor excursions.
Villmarkssenter Dog Sledding Highly recommended! The day-long dog sledding excursion allows for 1+ hour of self-drive on the dog sleds, winter gear, lunch and puppy play time. We enjoyed this and wished we had booked a longer excursion.
STAY
Tromsø is very small and anything near the city center, Tromsoya, will be convenient. We enjoyed Scandic Ishavshotel, a nice hotel overlooking the harbor with an amazing breakfast.
