Gateway to the mountains and fjords of northern Norway
At 69 degrees north, 350 kilometres inside the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is, by some distance, the largest city in Northern Norway. Yet for somewhere that looks so remote on a map, it’s a remarkably vibrant and cosmopolitan place, brimming with cultural attractions, eye-catching architecture, fabulous places to eat and drink, and swathes of awe-inspiring nature right on its doorstep.
The city itself is centred on the island of Tromsøya, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge that leads to the majestic Arctic Cathedral – a gleaming white, sharp-edged masterpiece which has become Tromsø’s showpiece landmark. Nearby, the Fjellheisen cable car offers easy access to Mount Storsteinen, the ultimate vantage point with sweeping views overlooking the city and beyond.
Inland, to the east, are a series of fjords and the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Lyngen Alps, while to the west lie the wild, sparsely populated islands of Kvaløya and Sommarøy, where colourful, timber-clad fishing villages and white sand beaches punctuate the windswept coastline, framed by a rugged, mountainous interior.
EPIC ARCTIC ADVENTURES
While Tromsø has lots to offer in the way of museums, shops, restaurants and bars, it’s only by getting out of the city that you can truly appreciate the region’s beguiling natural beauty. Exhilarating outdoor adventures such as skiing and whale watching cruises each offer a unique perspective on the majestic landscapes, coastal scenery and Arctic wildlife of Northern Norway.
Perhaps the most powerful draw of all, though, is the chance to see the Northern Lights swirling through the night sky. As Tromsø lies directly beneath the auroral oval – the geographical zone where the Northern Lights are most frequently active – even low levels of auroral activity can produce truly dazzling displays. Even when the weather conditions aren’t favourable in Tromsø (which is often the case), it’s often possible to find clear skies further inland, which is where booking a tour with a local guide comes in handy.
A REGION STEEPED IN SÁMI HERITAGE
It wasn’t until the 19th century that Tromsø really started to take shape as a hub for polar expeditions and the Arctic hunting trade, followed by a rapid period of growth in the 20th century with the opening of the airport and the Arctic University of Norway. The wider region, however, has been inhabited for thousands of years, including by the Vikings during the Middle Ages and by the indigenous Sámi people long before that, as far back as the end of the last Ice Age.The ancient lands of the nomadic Sámi extend across the whole of northern Scandinavia and into Russia, and their centuries-old traditions are proudly upheld by an estimated population of 80,000 today – around half of which live in Norway. To learn more about Sámi culture and mythology, consider checking out the Arctic University Museum of Norway, visiting a Sámi reindeer farm, or timing your visit to coincide with the annual Sámi Week festivities, which typically take place in the second week of February.
Need to know
Norwegian Kroner
3hrs 30mins
North Norwegian
GMT+2
* Average time from London Gatwick to Tromso
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