Things to Do in Tromso

Choose from 4 Fun Things to Do in Tromso

Lyngen Alps

High above the Arctic Circle and northeast of the Norwegian city of Tromso, the Lyngen Alps (Lyngsalpene) stretch from Lyngenfjord in the south up to Ullsfjord, close to the Swedish border. The 56-mile-long (90-kilometer) mountain range forms a spectacular landscape of deep gorges, gleaming icy glaciers, and wild, boulder-filled rivers.

The Basics

Easily accessed on a day trip from Tromso, the Lyngen Alps offer a wide range of nature activities and tours, including snowmobile safaris, ice climbing, skiing, and dog or reindeer sledding. There are easy hiking and cycling routes around Svensby and Lake Jaegervatn, with the chance to spot birds of prey, reindeer, elk, and the occasional lynx or wolf. The Lyngenfjord region also offers cultural highlights such as the Center for Northern People, which celebrates the native Sami culture. Some guided tours offer the opportunity to meet with Sami people, learn about reindeer herding, and take a sleigh ride through the Alps.

Things to Know Before You Go

The Lyngen Alps is a must-visit destination for nature lovers as well as outdoor and winter sports enthusiasts.
The highest of the range’s peaks, Jiekkevarre, reaches 6,017 feet (1,834 meters); its challenging terrain is for experienced mountaineers only.
The Lyngsdalen valley, above the village of Furuflaten, is a more accessible area for hikers of all levels.

How to Get There

The Lyngen Alps lie 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of Tromso; the trip involves driving the E8 and RV91 to Breivikeidet before catching the ferry to Svensby. You can skip the hassle of driving by booking one of the many day tours that leave from Tromso.

When to Get There

In winter the tallest peaks of the Lyngen Alps are a paradise for experienced climbers and extreme skiers, while their gentle lower slopes are perfect for dog sledding, snow safaris, and spotting the northern lights. In summer the mountains are illuminated by the warm glow of the midnight sun, and the fjords’ calm, sheltered waters attract sailors while the lakes, teeming with salmon and trout, lure fishing enthusiasts.

Mountain Views and a Gigantic Santa

The coastal villages of the Lyngen peninsula offer dramatic views of the Alps. The charming village of Lyngseidet is home to many old buildings, including Lyngen Church, built in 1740. The village also claims the world’s tallest Santa Claus figure, Gollis, who stands behind the quay at 30 feet (9 meters) tall.

Lyngen, Norway

From $ 216

Ersfjordbotn

Ersfjordbotn is a village located at the bottom of the pristine Ersfjord, just 20 km (12.5 miles) west from the city of Tromsø on the neighboring island of Kvaløya. It is a legendary spot for catching the mythical Nordlys (Northern Lights) thanks to its clean, unpolluted air, the dark winter skies of December through February and the surrounding rugged, snow-capped peaks, which shimmer with reflected colors streaming from the lights. The village is also a winter center for skiing, snow-shoeing and dog-sledding, plus a summer destination for rock climbing and hiking in the mountains as well as kayaking, sailing and canoeing on the tranquil waters of the fjord.

Sitting on a narrow strip of land between Ersfjord and neighboring Kaldfjord to the north, Ersfjordbotn is a tiny, largely wooden-built settlement with scattering of holiday homes, although many people living there now work in Tromsø and are lucky enough to enjoy one of the most spectacular commutes in the world, past wild mountain scenery and sparkling seas, while reindeer and lemmings can often be spotted on the hills. Although the northern slopes of Ersfjord are steep and virtually inaccessible, with cliffs plummeting nearly 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) into the sea, the south side is criss-crossed with easy hiking and cycling tracks as well as climbing and bouldering routes for expert mountaineers.

Practical Info

Ersfjordbotn is easily accessible from Tromsø via the Sandnessund Bridge connecting the city to Kvaløya. Bus No. 425 makes the journey in an hour, while the car journey takes 30 minutes.

Ersfjordbotn, Norway

From $ 157

Kvaløya

Kvaløya is Norway's fifth-largest island, covering 740 square km (285 square miles), and its name translates from Sami to "Whale Island" thanks to its cluster of central mountains. Lying west of Tromsø and connected by the elegant spans of the Sandnessund Bridge, the eastern shores of Kvaløya now form a suburb of the city, known as Kvaløysletta and home to a population of about 10,000.

Of its snow-capped peaks, Store BlÃƒÂ¥mann is the highest at 1,044 meters (3,425 feet) and can be scaled by intermediate climbers. Kvaløya is also indented by fjords and wild coastal scenery, with its western fringes hitting the untamed Atlantic, while the island of Sommarøy "“ famous for its glorious white sandy beaches "“ hangs off its southwestern coast. Humpback whales can be spotted offshore from late November until January, and the little settlement of Ersfjordbotn, dominated by the sheer cliffs of its fjord, is one of Norway's top destinations for spotting the Northern Lights during the winter months.

As well as Kvaløya's untamed alpine beauty, there are prehistoric rock carvings to discover at Skavberg and a clutch of traditional wooden houses at Hella, which were moved there from Tromsø city center for conservation. The farm of Straumen GÃƒÂ¥rd near Straumsbukta was abandoned in the 1960s and now serves as a museum, complete with tools and machinery dating from that period.

Practical Info

The island of Kvaløya is 20 km (12.5 miles) west of Tromsø and is easily accessible over the Sandnessund Bridge.

Kvaløya, Norway

From $ 157

Tromso Fjords

Thanks to its spectacular setting among a series of islands and skerries laced with waterways and scalloped inlets, Tromso is the epicenter of day trips out into the fjords bordering the Norwegian Sea. These long, narrow sea inlets are characterized by steep, mountainous slopes carved out by glaciation during the last Ice Age.

The Basics

If you are staying in Tromso, you have a wide choice of half- and full-day tours into the fjords. Some cruises are focused on viewing the surrounding landscapes—such as the sharp peaks of Balsfjord—while others are dedicated wildlife-watching tours. You can book a fishing trip and catch cod, salmon, and halibut from out of the deep fjord waters, or go kayaking or canoeing in summer. If you’d like to stay on dry land, hiking and snowshoeing tours offer spectacular fjord views.

Things to Know Before You Go

The Tromso fjords are a must-see for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Dress warmly—it is cold out on the water, even in summer. Many tours include the use of waterproof clothing.
Kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and snowshoeing tours generally include equipment.

How to Get There

Trips to the Tromso fjords typically leave from Tromso city center. Alternatively, a network of ferries, buses, and interisland bridges easily connect Tromso with Grotfjord, Erdsfjord, Balsfjord, Lyngsfjord, and Kattfjord.

When to Get There

June through August, the long days and midnight sun mean you can pack more adventures into a single day and the water is (just) warm enough for swimming. Wintertime offers whale-watching, as well as nighttime trips out into the fjords to catch the shimmering pinks, yellows, and greens of the northern lights—your best chances of seeing them are from December to February.

Tromso’s Top View

One of the best views of Tromso’s surrounding islands and fjords is from the top of 2,200-foot (670-meter) Floya. To get there, ride the cable car from Solliveien in the Tromsdalen neighborhood to Storsteinen and then walk the rest of the way, or climb the 324 steps of the Sherpa Staircase.

Tromsø, Norway

From $ 96