Places to stay and things to do in Hamar

In Tromsø, the fjords, reindeer feeding and the Northern Lights are experiences you can look forward to. here you get a wonderful combination of culture, history and nature – which almost guarantees a fulfilling visit.

Experience the capital of the Northern Lights

Tromsø is also often referred to as the capital of the northern lights, so the chances of seeing the magic light dance across the sky are extra high. Tromsø is also one of the best places in the country for those who want to go on a summit hike – summer and winter.

The Northern Lights are most active from September to April, and Tromsø is located in the middle of the so-called Northern Lights Oval, which makes the area a dream destination for Northern Lights enthusiasts.

Thon Hotels offers several fantastic Northern Lights experiences when you stay at one of our hotels in Tromsø. Chase the light phenomenon with Northern Lights Chase or dive into a reindeer sleigh. 

The opportunities to combine unforgettable Northern Lights experiences with other activities are there for those who want to get more out of their hotel stay.

Stay centrally in Paris of the North

As an international technology, research and student city, interspersed with a rich cultural life and small-town charm mixed with big-city vibes, Tromsø also lives up to its nickname "The Paris of the North".

Both of our hotels in Tromsø, Thon Hotel Polar and Thon Hotel Tromsø, are located in the heart of the city and are therefore a great starting point for making the most of the city.

Here you will find our favourite places and recommended activities in Tromsø, which are suitable for the active, the luxury lover, the foodie and the ones interested in culture.

Outdoor activities

Tromsdalstinden

Tromsø is truly a top hiking paradise with a wealth of hiking opportunities both on foot and on skis. A well-known classic is Tromsdalstinden, which rises 1,238 metres above sea level, with the highest peak visible from Tromsøya. The starting point is around a quarter of an hour’s drive from the city centre, and it is possible to get to the top from both Tromsdalen and Ramfjord, with the former the most common in the summer. From the top you get a 360-degree panoramic view of Tromsøya, Kvaløya, Senja and Ringvassøya. The hike takes about 5–7 hours for a round-trip, is moderately demanding and is also suitable for children who are used to hiking.

Sherpa steps

The Sherpa steps up to Fjellheisen are one of Tromsø’s most popular hiking destinations. The steps, built by Nepalese Sherpas, was completed in 2019, and since then many thousands have taken the hike up the mountainside. The trail starts just behind the Arctic Cathedral, and after climbing over 1,200 steps, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the city. There is also a cafe at the top if you need refreshment. The hike is graded as very easy and takes around 2–3 hours.

If you want to enjoy the view without walking all the way, you can take the mountain lift from Sollivegen 12. It is open from Monday to Sunday 10:00-21:00.

P.S.: The view is particularly beautiful in the midnight sun. Remember to bring a camera!

Prestvannet

A nice and easy round-trip of around 30 minutes takes you around Prestvannet lake, which is 96 metres above sea level. approximately in the middle of Tromsøya. You can get here by hopping on the bus from the city centre to the Prestvannet stop, taking the car and parking at Langnesvegen by Bymyra kindergarten or walking from the city centre. The path is suitable for bicycles, prams and wheelchairs, and there are several benches around the water that are perfect for watching the birdlife, enjoying the sun or looking out for the northern lights. As well as being a favourite destination in Tromsø all year round, Prestvannet is a popular ice skating lake in the winter. N.B. Remember to check the thickness of the ice! The area is also a habitat for a number of plants and animals, and was designated as a landscape protection area with wildlife conservation in 1995.

Lyngen Alps

The Lyngen Alps are every outdoor enthusiast's dream! Mountaineers, ski enthusiasts, northern lights chasers, mountain climbers and fishermen alike will like it here. The mountainous area is divided by the municipalities of Balsfjord, Lyngen, Storfjord and Tromsø, and consists of a number of peaks and glaciers. There are many different hiking options here, which vary in both length and difficulty. The Lyngen Alps are also known as one of Norway’s most popular offpiste destinations, with the main season normally from January to May. If you prefer ski slopes with a lift, you will find the alpine resort Tromsø Alpinpark around 15 minutes from our hotels.

Floodlit trails

You will find floodlit hiking trails in several places around Tromsø, and they are great both on foot and on cross-country skis. The floodlit trail in Tromsøya is closest to the city centre, the trail on Kvaløya has the best view and the trail in Tromsdalen offers the greatest chance of being by yourself. In other words – there’s a trail here for everyone! If you follow the floodlit trail on Tromsøya, where the centre of Tromsø is located, you can visit the Skihytta and head to the island’s highest point, Varden. If you go for a hike in the summer, the breakwater, the Telegrafbukta swimming area and the pier are great stopping points. Tromsø Alpinsenter is also located here, offering skiing and boarding on three varied slopes.

Full speed to the mountains

Since 1961, the Fjellheisen has provided the city’s best view by far, with cable cars taking you up to Storsteinen 421 metres above sea level in four minutes. In the summer, the chances of experiencing the midnight sun are high, while in winter it is a good place to hunt for the northern lights. From Fjellheisen’s upper station, Fjellstua, the city lights are distant, and the opportunities for seeing the northern lights become better. In Fjellstua, dinner is served using local ingredients, or you can choose appetisers from a cafe menu. A good tip is to take the Sherpa steps up in the summer and the cable car down, so you get to combine both hiking and sightseeing.

Wild, beautiful and woof

In the past, dog sledding was an important means of transport in the north, while today it is mostly a sport and lifestyle for many locals, as well as a fun activity for both children and adults. Between December and March, you can try out dog riding with Aurora Adventures and at the same time explore the adventurous Lyngen area. The Alaska Huskies and an experienced guide will guide you through a scenic trail in the Lyngsalpen, while you sit warm and comfortable in the sled.

Meet reindeer and experience Sami culture

Have you dreamt of meeting reindeer up close, or would you like to learn more about the history and culture of the Sami? Tromsø Safari offers a number of different experiences a short drive from Tromsø, where you can join in feeding the reindeer, ride in a reindeer sleigh, test your lasso-throwing skills, hear joik and enjoying a traditional Sami meal.

Northern lights hunt

In the winter, the hunt for the northern lights is an obvious activity. With a wide range of northern lights excursions in Tromsø, you’re sure to find something that suits you. We’ve gathered the best for you. You can choose between two types of excursions: Northern lights hunting or northern lights experiences. During a northern lights hunt you will be accompanied by an experienced and knowledgeable guide to hunt the northern lights by car, bus, minibus or boat. The northern lights experience offers a little extra adventure during your Arctic visit.

Snowmobile safari to Lyngen

Tromsø is surrounded by beautiful nature, but the Lyngen Alps offer perhaps the most majestic landscape. If you want to explore the nature here, and at the same time like speed and excitement, you can join Tromsø Safari on their snowmobile safari. During the trip, there will be time for both playing in the snow and taking pictures of the scenery, before fresh fish soup is served in the camp.

Experience the midnight sun

It’s true what they say – there is a totally different magical summer atmosphere in the north. Because with the midnight sun, which means that the sun is visible around the clock, not only is the light more beautiful, but the days are also richer in experiences. Tromsø normally has the midnight sun from the end of May to the end of July, and then you can go on a summit hike, kayaking, fishing, find a beach or go on a boat trip – in the middle of the night! In other words, it is important not to "sleep away the summer night"

Meet the giants of the sea

Whale watching is probably on every adventurer’s "bucket list", and in Tromsø there are several great ways to experience the majestic animals. Every winter, from November to January, the whales migrate to the coast of Troms in search of food, and on a whale watching trip you can experience humpback whales, killer whales, fin whales and porpoises up close. At Tromsø Safari, you can choose between whale watching in a RIB boat or on a quiet hybrid boat, equipped with an underwater drone and microphone.

Spa and bath

Breathe in, breathe out

Whether you want to soothe aching summit hiking muscles or are simply looking for a unique and relaxing experience, you should check the floating sauna Pust. The sauna is located in the middle of Tromsø harbour and offers fantastic views and bathing opportunities right outside the door. Choose between drop-in or book the whole sauna for yourself. The sauna also has its own men’s and women’s changing rooms with showers. In Telegrafbukta there is also a wood-fired sauna on wheels with room for eight people, with bathing opportunities from the pier. Perfect for your group of friends or the family!

Tromsøbadet

Whether you’re looking at the mountains of Kvaløya from the outdoor pool or get caught by the whirlpool and let the waves wash over you, the Tromsøbadet has something for everyone and is guaranteed to bring joy. You can sweat in the steam bath, solve the world’s problems in one of the saunas or cool off in the cold plunge pool. The 50-metre pool is Norway’s northernmost pool, and one of the country’s largest competition pools.

Food and drinks 

Restaurant Smak

Restaurant Smak is a small and intimate eatery on Skippergata that serves top-class food. In fact, the restaurant is listed with the masters level in the White Guide Nordic. A set menu is served here every evening based on local ingredients – and they are happy to help you with suitable beverage packages. Delicious appetisers are definitely something you should try, and you can choose between the 4, 5 and 6 course menus. N.B. Remember to book a table in advance.

Mathallen Restaurant & Delikatesser

Do you dream of Arctic treats? Head to Mathallen – where northern Norwegian elite chefs prepare food from scratch using local ingredients inspired by both local traditions and international cuisine. Mathallen is open for lunch and dinner, the menu varies according to the season and the drink menu consists of local producers as well as international influences.

Helmersen Delikatesser & Vinbar

Here you get a little bite of Europe in Tromsø. At Helmersen Delikatesser & Vinbar you can experience food and food culture from Italy, France and Spain, combined with top quality Scandinavian products. Cheeses have also become a specialty here, and you can for instance buy comté, gruyère, manchego and Norwegian Kraftkar. Drop by us and experience the great atmosphere!

Fiskecompaniet

Naturally, seafood should be on the menu on a visit to Tromsø, and at the restaurant Fiskekompaniet in the city centre you get dishes from the sea and sea views at the same time. The menu changes according to the availability of fresh ingredients and the head chef’s mood, and you can choose between shellfish and 4 and 6 course meals.

Hildr Gastrobar

Hildr Gastro Bar is a cosy neighbourhood restaurant known for its great cocktails and creative appetisers. The intimate gastropub is located in a cosy wooden house with a garden, where you can sit outside in the summer on lovely days. Choose between seasonal 3 or 5 course meals or different appetisers. The menu includes reindeer carpaccio, smørrebrød and HFC (Hildr Fried Chicken).

Casa Inferno

Feeling for an Italian? Then Casa Inferno on Vestregata is the place. Italian food and quality wine are served here, with a particular focus on pizza. The menu varies, but the pizza is of course always made in a wood-fired stone oven, as an authentic Italian pizza should.

Kaffebønna

If you want to taste really good coffee, head to Kaffebønna. There are several Kaffebønna cafes in Tromsø, which, in addition to quality coffee, serve cakes, panini, buns, pastries and fresh bread from their own artisan bakery.

Risø Mat og Kaffebar

If hunger strikes around lunchtime, head to the rustic Risø Mat and Kaffebar, which is on Strandgata. Great coffee and delicious lunch dishes are served here, which vary from day to day according to what ingredients are available.

Bryggejentene

The interiors store Bryggejentene is located on the pier in the middle of Ersfjordbotn outside Tromsø, and sells everything from creative duvet covers to decorative mobile phone covers. Bryggejentene is also known for its cafe, which offers fantastic views of both fjords and mountains, as well as homemade baked goods, coffee roasted in Ersfjordbotn and their own lunch menu. From here, there are also excellent hiking opportunities before or after the coffee break.

Ølhallen

Welcome to Tromsø’s oldest bar! The Ølhallen has been an institution and one of the most distinctive places in the city since 1928, and it is said that you have not been to Tromsø if you have not visited Ølhallen. Today it is a place where people of all ages meet and get to taste a wide range of beers from both Mack and other Norwegian breweries, serving quality beers from 72 different taps.

Bardus Bar

Have you tasted an arctic seaweed cocktail before? If not, you know what to order at Bardus Bar, which is located in historic premises from 1868. The classic cocktail bar, which is also next door to Bardus Bistro, serves cocktails, good quality wine and beer, which ensures a pleasant evening, in what was previously both a bakery and Tromsø’s first cinema.

Museums and attractions

Arctic Cathedral

Tromsdalen church – also called the Arctic Cathedral – was inaugurated on 19 November 1965, and one can safely say that the architect Jan Inge Hovig succeeded in creating a masterpiece. The church is a sea mark that can be seen both from the Tromsøysund, from the bridge and during landing by plane – and has almost become a landmark for Tromsø as the Eiffel Tower is for Paris. Here you can experience the northern lights, midnight sun and New Year’s concerts, join a church service – or just enjoy the majestic sights..

The world’s northernmost aquarium

Polaria is an Arctic adventure centre and the world’s northernmost aquarium – perfect as a family activity. The aquarium focuses on animals and fish from the Arctic, and you can enjoy their feeding and exercising every day. This is also one of two places in Europe where you can see the bearded seal up close. The centre also has its own "cinema" with a 21-metre-wide panoramic screen, which shows films where you can experience the northern lights and Arctic nature in spectacular fashion.

The Arctic University Museum of Norway

Northern Norway’s oldest scientific institution has contributed to knowledge and insight into Northern Norway’s natural and cultural history, society and livelihoods since 1872. Through their four exhibition venues, you can get to know nature, culture, history and famous personalities from the north.

Learn about the Arctic's history at the Polar Museum

Tromsø established itself as the gateway to the Arctic Ocean and Arctic from around 1850, and the city quickly became a central base for polar expeditions, hunting, science and tourism. The Polar Museum preserves and conveys stories from here, and in the permanent exhibitions you can learn about seal hunting, hunting in the winter, the stories of hunters such as Henry Rudi and Wanny Woldstad, Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen’s expeditions and Svalbard’s cultural history.

The world’s northernmost botanical garden

Tromsø Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden is home to colourful arctic species and plants from alpine and cold regions around the world, including the Himalayas and Siberia. Many of these depend on a cool climate to grow, so the garden can boast species found in few other botanical gardens. A must for all botany enthusiasts!