{"id":31641,"date":"2021-11-09T20:42:03","date_gmt":"2021-11-09T19:42:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.sommertage.com\/?p=31641"},"modified":"2023-10-19T17:05:19","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T16:05:19","slug":"tromso-travel-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.sommertage.com\/en\/tromso-travel-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Best of Troms\u00f8 (Norway): Top Things to Do & Our Travel Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hei Troms\u00f8! <\/strong>This likeable little city in the far north of Norway is really, truly a special destination<\/strong>. Troms\u00f8 is not only the largest city in the region by far, but is also surrounded by spectacular Arctic nature. Therefore, anyone traveling to Troms\u00f8 should look forward to enjoying the city\u2019s urban flair right in the middle of the seclusion of Northern Norway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this blog article we show what to expect in Troms\u00f8. You find out which of Troms\u00f8\u2019s sights and highlights<\/strong> you shouldn\u2019t miss. And we also let you in on our personal tips for your trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"Tromso<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. Troms\u00f8: Overview of initial travel tips & FAQs <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The rugged Arctic coast meets urban flair<\/strong> \u2013 welcome to Troms\u00f8. Regardless of whether you are in Troms\u00f8 for just a few hours (perhaps because you are traveling on a Hurtigruten ship) or stay in the city for a few days, we promise you: Troms\u00f8 is one travel destination that you will not forget. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where is Troms\u00f8 and what can I expect?  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Troms\u00f8 is located in Northen Norway on the Arctic coast, more precisely almost 350 kilometres as the crow flies north of the Arctic Circle<\/strong>. That means: In summer the sun doesn\u2019t go down \u2013 not even at night \u2013 and in winter it doesn\u2019t come up for two months. (We will go more into the differences in times for travel soon.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a population of over 70,000, Troms\u00f8 is easily the largest city in Northern Norway<\/strong>. Some very special sights can be found in Troms\u00f8, for example, the striking Arctic Cathedral. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, the city is also a fantastic starting point for tours<\/strong> in the surrounding area. Northern lights expeditions are extremely popular (more about this later), but winter hiking trails, husky sled trips or kayak tours are also offered out of Troms\u00f8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the best time to visit Troms\u00f8?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can visit Troms\u00f8 all year round, but it is especially popular to travel there during these two natural wonders: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Midnight sun (summer)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The sun doesn\u2019t go down between mid-May and mid-July<\/strong>. It shines down from the sky all 24 hours long. This very special phenomenon is called midnight sun. Believe us: The whole thing is pretty confusing for the body, but the lighting atmosphere is something very special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are out of luck if you are looking to find a proper summer with hot temperatures<\/strong> in Troms\u00f8. July is the warmest month on average. Even then, you can look forward to daily highs of around 14 degrees Celsius. Our tip: You should also bring enough warm (and waterproof) clothes in summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northern lights (winter)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Seeing the northern lights once in your life \u2013 a wish that many hold dear. This could come true in Troms\u00f8 because the city is located in the heart of the so-called Aurora Oval. The possibility of seeing the northern lights is fairly large around Troms\u00f8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, Troms\u00f8 is also a rightfully popular travel destination in the winter months. The northern light season usually runs from the end of September until the end of March<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polar nights<\/strong> also occur during this time \u2013 the opposite to midnight sun. The sun doesn\u2019t come up for around two months (between the end of November and mid-January). Crazy, right? But don\u2019t worry: It\u2019s not pitch black for 24 hours, but often dusky. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much time should I plan for Troms\u00f8?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps you are traveling on a Hurtigruten ship? Then the amount of time you spend in Troms\u00f8 will be more or less fixed. No worries: Troms\u00f8 is not particularly large, and you can also get a nice impression in a few hours<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, we warmly recommend staying at least two to three nights<\/strong> in Troms\u00f8. The city flair is something quite special and there are also worthwhile destinations in the surrounding area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting there: How do I get to Troms\u00f8?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most of the flight connections to Troms\u00f8 go through Olso. There are very few direct flights from the German speaking area (and only available seasonally). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flight time from Oslo to Troms\u00f8 amounts to just under two hours \u2013 so not all that short considering that Oslo is already located quite far north. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you land in Troms\u00f8, it is very easy to get to the city centre. You can easily take the Airport Express Bus <\/strong>(\u2018Flybussen\u2019), which goes to many destinations in the centre of Troms\u00f8. The trip takes around 10 to 15 minutes. The price (one-way) amounts to around 110 NOK (approx. 10 euros). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Arctic<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Sights and highlights in Troms\u00f8: Our tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting around: The city centre is located on an island called Troms\u00f8ya<\/strong>. Everything in the city centre is within walking distance (conveniently also where most of the hotels are located) and it is quite cosy. You can reach the mainland via a striking bridge (Troms\u00f8brua). Sights such as Arctic Cathedral can be found here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walk along the port of Troms\u00f8<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What is the best way to kick off your stay in Troms\u00f8? Most definitely with a wander along the harbour. The many colourful wooden houses<\/strong> give the town a charm that we pretty much fell in love with from the first moment.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hurtigen Ship<\/strong> arrives in the harbour daily at 2.15pm. It is worthwhile to be at the port at this time and marvel at the ship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Norwegen<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Tromso<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Tromso<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Tromso<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Arctic Cathedral <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Over the bridge, after around a 20-minute walk, you can reach the most striking sight and the landmark of Troms\u00f8<\/strong>, the Arctic Cathedral. The futuristic architecture of the Arctic Cathedral is reminiscent of an iceberg and is really an eye-catcher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of its bizarre construction, it is also the special glass mosaic<\/strong> inside the Arctic Cathedral that attracts attention. It decorates the altar wall and is considered one of the largest glass mosaics in Europe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are regular midnight concerts<\/strong> performed on the stage of the Arctic Cathedral (price 200 NOK per person). These are especially popular with the guests of the southward bound Hurtigruten Ships because the concert times fit in well with the ships\u2019 arrival and departure times.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can of course visit the Arctic Cathedral on your own accord. The entrance is 50 NOK per person. You can find more information, such as opening times, on their official website: Arctic Cathedral<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Arctic<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Arctic<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Taking the cable car to Storsteinen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One highlight you should not miss in Troms\u00f8 is the view from Storsteinen<\/strong>, Troms\u00f8\u2019s 421-metre-high mountain. You can quite easily reach the top in the cable car called Fjellheisen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A gondola heads up every half hour \u2013 more often if necessary. The journey only takes 4 minutes. Once at the top, you will come to a visitor platform from which you can enjoy a fantastic view<\/strong> over Troms\u00f8. For those who would like to move around a bit, you can find some trails up here on the plateau.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of moving: If you are feeling sporty you can also walk up to the top of Storsteinen over the so-called Sherpa-Steps<\/strong>. Around 1,200 steps lead up to the mountain station of the cable car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cable car begins on the mainland about a 10-minute walk away from the Arctic Cathedral \u2013 so it makes sense to combine the two sights. The price for the cable car (up and down) comes to 230 NOK per person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fjellheisen<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Guided tour of the Macks \u00d8lbryggeri brewery <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can find the Macks Brewery right in the centre of Troms\u00f8. For a long time, this was known as the most northern brewery in the world<\/strong>, however the title was contested when the brewery\u2019s production site was relocated. It doesn\u2019t matter anyway: The in-house pub (\u2018\u00d8lhallen\u2019)<\/strong> is still very quaint and worth the visit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can visit the brewery as part of a guided tour<\/strong>. In about an hour you learn about the history of the brewery as well as the brewing process. The tour ends with a small tasting. Of course, you can also just drop by for a beer without taking a tour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tours:<\/em> Monday to Friday at 3:30pm 
Duration:<\/em> 1 hour
Price: <\/em>200 NOK per person<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Macks<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kayaking close to Troms\u00f8<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As we mentioned at the start, Troms\u00f8 is surrounded by dreamy nature. How about taking a kayak trip? Troms\u00f8s neighbouring island, H\u00e5k\u00f8ya<\/strong>, is a very popular destination for a kayak tour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayaking is of course a summer activity, but you need to plan for variable weather even at that time of year \u2013 which you can easily see from our photos. The view of the gigantic Norwegian fjords<\/strong> is still absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayak tours take around three hours and are also suitable for beginners. If you are taking the Hurtigruten, you can book a tour there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hakoya<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Tromso<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Norway<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Kayaking<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Kayaking<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Marvelling at the northern lights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Absolutely everyone would like to see: the polar lights \u2013 also called the northern lights in the northern hemisphere or the aurora borealis<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The northern lights season lasts from the end of September until the end of March<\/strong>. Important: You should be aware that there is no guarantee of seeing the northern lights. The longer you stay in Troms\u00f8, the greater the chance of having clear skies, good weather and therefore, northern lights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lights usually appear between 5am and 2am in the night \u2013 sometime just for a short time, usually around 15 to 20 minutes. You can sometimes see them directly in Troms\u00f8, but because the sky should be dark, it is better to drive into the surrounding area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We personally really recommend a guided tour run by professionals<\/strong>. There are bus tours where you really go \u2018on the hunt\u2019 for the lights. We would recommend above anything else that you keep an eye on the forecast (e.g. via an app) and then book a tour more spontaneously. A magical experience is taking a husky sled ride under the northern lights. So, in case you don\u2019t see the northern lights, at least the trip wasn\u2019t in vain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can book the tour here:<\/strong> Husky sled rides under the northern lights<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Eating & Drinking: Tips for caf\u00e9s and restaurants in Troms\u00f8<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ris\u00f8 Mat & Kaffeebar: <\/strong>In this coffee bar you will find excellent coffee, small snacks and cake. Perfect for a break from sightseeing in the centre of Troms\u00f8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fr\u00f8: <\/strong>This small caf\u00e9 exclusively serves vegan dishes. The coffee is also outstanding. Perfect for a healthy snack to keep you going. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fiskekompaniet:<\/strong> You will find this chic and excellent fish restaurant at the port (with a view over the water). The prices are high, but so is the quality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skirri in Kystens Mathus:<\/strong> If you are looking for a modern restaurant with a very nice atmosphere and a view of the port, you\u2019re in the right place. Most of the dishes on the menu are fish and meat dishes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Skirri<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Fiskekompaniet\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Staying in Troms\u00f8: Our hotel tip <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We stayed in Radisson Blu Hotel Troms\u00f8<\/a> and can really recommend it. The hotel has a very central location at the port of Troms\u00f8<\/strong> \u2013 it hardly gets better! Practically all the sights of Troms\u00f8 are within walking distance from here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some rooms have a view right over the sea. It is simply a dream to wake up to a view over the water. Talking about the rooms: They are modern and comfortably furnished. The breakfast is great, and the spa is a nice addition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our conclusion: Top price-performance ratio!<\/strong> Unfortunately, the accommodation options in Troms\u00f8 don\u2019t really comprise of hip boutique hotels, therefore we would definitely stay here again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can book the hotel here: <\/strong>Radisson Blu Hotel Troms\u00f8<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Radisson<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Raddison<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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