Tromsø

Tromsø at a glance

Tromsø lies north of the Arctic Circle and is the largest city in Northern Norway. It was granted town rights in 1794, the Tromsø Bridge opened in 1960 and the university in 1972 — today UiT The Arctic University of Norway (Store norske leksikon).

Population (municipality): 79,943 (2026)
Land area: 2,472 km²
County: Troms
Polar night: about six weeks in winter (Visit Arctic Norway)
Midnight sun: 20 May–22 July (Visit Norway)

What to see

The Arctic Cathedral (Tromsdalen church): consecrated in 1965, designed by Jan Inge Hovig. Its glass mosaic from 1972 is the largest in Europe (Store norske leksikon).
Northern lights: Tromsø is the main hub for aurora trips in Norway. The season runs from late August to late March — see northern lights in Norway.
Midnight sun and polar night: from 20 May to 22 July the sun does not set, and in winter the polar night lasts about six weeks (Visit Norway and Visit Arctic Norway).

Practical

Public transport, tickets and apps in Norwegian cities: see our public transport guide.
Winter clothing: the city has outdoor shops and gear rental — see the table below.
Aurora tours: many operators run a "chase" for clear skies; read more in the northern lights guide.

Businesses and places in Tromsø

Number of listings in the directory, checked 27.09.2026:

Public transport stops and bus terminals	438
Tourism and travel companies	101
Grocery stores and supermarkets	74
Parking facilities	64
Restaurants	57
Hotels and resorts	56
Landmarks and historic sites	46
Nature parks and recreational areas	46
Cafés and canteens	30
Hospitals	25
Bars and lounges	23
Car rental	23
Outdoor and sports stores	22
Gift and souvenir shops	19
Art galleries and exhibition centres	11
Guesthouses, cabins and campsites	11
Pharmacies	11
Museums	9
Bakeries	6
Public toilets	6
Shopping centres	6
Dry cleaning and laundry	5
Sports and outdoor gear rental	4
Hostels	3
Wine and spirits shops (Vinmonopolet)	3

Sources: Store norske leksikon (checked 27.09.2026), Visit Norway and Visit Arctic Norway (checked 26.09.2026).

Last checked 27.09.2026 by Redaksjonen NorgeGuide.

Bybowling Bowling Tromsø

Storgata 68A, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 92 09 21 81

Working hours: Mon–Thu: 13:00–00:00, Fri: 13:00–02:00, Sat: 11:00–02:00, Sun: 11:00–00:00

Experience modern entertainment with bowling, darts and billiards in the center of Tromsø, perfect for families, friend…

Polaria

Hjalmar Johansens gate 12, 9007 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 75 01 00

Working hours: Mon–Sun: 10:00–17:00

Experience Polaria in Tromsø, a unique Arctic aquarium with giant coppers, exciting exhibitions and a focus on sustaina…

Tromsø Airport

Flyplassvegen 31, 9016 Tromsø

Phones: +47 67 03 00 00

Tromsø Airport offers modern facilities, free WiFi, tax-free shopping and direct flights to several destinations, with …

Helipad Hospital

Sykehusvegen 38, 9019 Tromsø

Helipad Hospital in Tromsø offers healthcare services with a focus on accessibility and patient safety, but currently h…

Tromsø Heliport, University Hospital

Sykehusvegen 38, 9019 Tromsø

Tromsø Heliport at the University Hospital offers an efficient transport solution for patients and visitors, with a foc…

Apollo Hårsenter Tromso

Strandgata 22, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 68 86 10

Working hours: Mon–Fri: 09:00–16:00, Sat–Sun: Closed

Apollo Hair Center Tromsø offers expertise in hair loss and scalp problems, with tailored solutions for all ages and ge…

Balanse Skin & Health Spa

Grønnegata 82, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 48 42 60 00

Working hours: Mon: 09:00–17:00, Tue: 09:00–18:00, Wed: 09:00–17:00, Thu: 09:00–18:00, Fri: 09:00–17:00, Sat: 09:00–15:00, Sun: Closed

Experience an oasis of well-being in Tromsø with tailored treatments from experienced therapists, including skincare, m…

Bloomed Skin Clinic

Grønnegata 3b, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 90 65 15 00

Working hours: Mon–Tue: 09:00–16:00, Wed: 09:00–17:00, Thu: 10:00–18:00, Fri: 09:00–16:00, Sat–Sun: Closed

Experience professional skincare with a focus on natural beauty from experienced therapists who offer tailored treatmen…

Essens Dagspa

Storgata 85, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 75 34 00

Working hours: Mon–Tue: 09:00–16:30, Wed: 09:00–18:00, Thu–Fri: 09:00–16:30, Sat: 10:00–16:00, Sun: Closed

Experience an oasis of well-being in Tromsø with facials, massages and microneedling, all in a relaxing atmosphere for …

Divine by Linda.

Grønnegata 32, 4 etg, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 92 49 16 58

Working hours: Mon–Fri: 09:00–16:00, Sat: 10:00–15:00, Sun: Closed

Discover tailor-made beauty treatments at Divine by Linda in Tromsø, with a focus on permanent make-up, eyebrows and ey…

Volvat medisinske senter Tromsø

Skippergata 7, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 66 48 50

Working hours: Mon–Fri: 08:00–16:30, Sat–Sun: Closed

Volvat Medical Center in Tromsø offers a wide range of services within dermatology and plastic surgery, with a focus on…

Privatklinikken Tromsø

Fiskergata 2, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 91 91 91 00

Working hours: Mon–Fri: 08:00–17:00, Sat–Sun: Closed

The Tromsø Private Clinic offers tailor-made plastic surgery and cosmetic treatments with a high level of expertise and…

MEDIVA AS

Grønnegata 10, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 45 43 97 87

MEDIVA AS in Tromsø offers safe and effective beauty treatments such as Restylane, Dermapen and chemical peels in a pro…

Velbehag Medisinsk Hudklinikk

Grønnegata 40, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 48 86 23 84

Working hours: Mon–Tue: 08:00–16:00, Wed: 08:00–19:00, Thu–Fri: 08:00–16:00, Sat: 09:00–17:00, Sun: Closed

Velbehag Medisinsk Hudklinikk in Tromsø offers specialized treatments such as botox, fillers and laser hair removal, wi…

Volvat Hud Tromsø (tidl. Volvat Jekta)

Skippergata 7, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 66 48 50

Working hours: Mon–Fri: 08:00–16:30, Sat–Sun: Closed

Volvat Hud Tromsø offers comprehensive treatments for skin problems, including medical and cosmetic services, with expe…

Hudlegekontoret Akutten

Skippergata 7A, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 68 62 51

The Dermatology Clinic Akutten in Tromsø offers specialized services within skin health, with a focus on treatments and…

All categories in Tromsø

When can I see the northern lights in Tromsø?

The season runs from late August to late March, when the sky is dark and clear. Most often between 11 pm and 2 am (Visit Norway, checked 26.09.2026).

When is the polar night in Tromsø?

The polar night lasts about six weeks in winter (Visit Arctic Norway, checked 26.09.2026).

When is the midnight sun in Tromsø?

From 20 May to 22 July the sun does not set (Visit Norway, checked 26.09.2026).

What is the Arctic Cathedral?

Tromsdalen church, consecrated in 1965 and designed by Jan Inge Hovig. Its glass mosaic from 1972 is the largest in Europe (Store norske leksikon, checked 27.09.2026).

How many people live in Tromsø?

79,943 inhabitants in the municipality in 2026. The land area is 2,472 km² (Store norske leksikon, checked 27.09.2026).

When did Tromsø become a town?

It was granted town rights in 1794. The Tromsø Bridge opened in 1960 and the university in 1972 (Store norske leksikon, checked 27.09.2026).

Do I need a rental car in Tromsø?

Not to see the city: the centre is small and walkable. For aurora hunting or trips out of town in winter it means driving on winter roads in the dark — many people take a guided tour instead. Car rental and tour operators are in the table above.