Adventuring the Best Hidden Gem in the Arctic Circle
Have you ever heard of Tromsø? This Norweigan treasure, often called the “Paris of the North,” is rapidly gaining popularity as the go-to tourist destination in the Arctic. Located 350 kilometers (217 miles) above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is renowned for its role as the ultimate vantage point for the mesmerizing Northern Lights!

Check out my blog post on the Northern Lights, but did you know that Tromsø is also renowned for a different natural wonder during summer?
Yes, Tromsø is the prime spot to witness the ‘midnight sun.’
This rare phenomenon, also known as ‘polar day,’ occurs in the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months in areas north of the Arctic Circle or south of the Antarctic Circle, when the Sun remains visible at the local midnight.
This exclusive event, occurring at latitudes ranging from approximately 65° North to exactly 90° North, can be experienced in Tromsø (latitude just shy of 70° North) from roughly May 20 to July 20 every year, making your visit truly unique!

So, if it needed to be clarified, yes! The city experiences 24 hours of continuous daylight during this time of year, which is one of the many reasons you should add it to your summer travel bucket list!
Don’t believe me?
Check out this timestamp picture of the city at 1 am!

How to Get To The Paris of The North (Tromsø)
Despite its seemingly remote location, traveling to Tromsø is a breeze.
Cruise ships dock in the city, and international and domestic bus routes operate year-round. However, air is the most common and convenient way to reach Tromsø.
Tromsø Airport (airport code: TOS) is the city’s main one, just five kilometers from the city center. There are several direct flights to Tromsø from destinations within Norway, with the most popular route being from Oslo, Norway’s capital city. The flight from Oslo to Tromsø is a comfortable 2-hour journey!
International departures from many European cities, including Frankfurt, Paris, and Helsinki, arrive in Tromsø year-round, with other European cities operating seasonal services.

Accommodations in Tromsø
Tromsø offers various accommodations, from hostels to hotels and Airbnbs, catering to every budget.
During my visit, I stayed at the Thon Polar Hotel and was thoroughly impressed.
The hotel’s central location, nine floors of stunning views, and a delicious complimentary breakfast buffet in all room rates made my stay truly enjoyable.
I highly recommend it!
The Thon Hotel Tromsø is directly across the street from Thon Polar, so I’ll link both hotels to aid your trip planning.
Trip Planning/Things to Do & See in Tromsø
I used the Visit Tromso website as a research guide to plan this experience, so I am including the link to help cover anything I may have left out.
But we are finally at the part of this post you all care about – things to see and do!
I went in the summer, so the midnight sun is the highlight! But there is so much to do in Tromsø during this time, including,
Fjellheisen
Arguably Tromsø’s most popular tourist activity, Fjellheissen, is an aerial tramway (cable car) that summits Mt. Storsteinen and offers panoramic views of the city and its neighboring fjords.
Sightseeing on Bike
It might be surprising to hear that a town in the Arctic Circle is bike-friendly! It’s actually possible to bike most of the island.
Yep, Tromso is an island connected to mainland Norway by bridge.
Pick up the city map at the bike rental facilities and follow the labeled biking path! It’s a fun, full-day activity that will not disappoint.
Sydspissen
Norweigan for “Southern Point,” Sydspissen is a beach only a 10-minute bike ride from the city center. It is a scenic spot with mountainous landscapes.
There are many walking trails and even a park to lounge in.
Arctic Cathedral
One of the city’s landmark spots, Arctic Cathedral, its noticeable design is likely to catch your eye, especially when illuminated by the midnight sun!
Kaffebønna
Tromsø has many delicious restaurants for you to try during your stay. Make sure The Kaffebønna coffee chain is on your list! If the weather is pleasant enough, sit outside and enjoy your coffee with spectacular views of the mountains and waters.
Bonus Things To Do in Tromsø
The world’s northernmost McDonalds’ and Hard Rock Cafe are located in Tromsø!
Don’t miss the opportunity to eat at the world’s northernmost restaurants.
And, of course, this is not a comprehensive list but more of a guide to provide my recommendations to get you started!
My Final Thoughts on Tromsø
As you can tell from this post, Tromsø is a vibrant city with so much to offer, and with 24 hours of daylight, there’s even more time to do extraordinary things under the Sun!
Seriously, the only thing you won’t be able to do is sleep! I cannot recommend this beautiful city enough, and I would love to do anything I can to help you get there and experience it for yourself!
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