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.

Stakkevollan Åpen barnehage i Familiens Hus

Nordøyvegen 119, 9018 Tromsø

Phones: +47 92 64 64 56

Working hours: Mon–Tue: 09:00–14:30, Wed–Thu: Closed, Fri: 09:00–14:30, Sat–Sun: Closed

Stakkevollan Open Kindergarten offers a free and safe environment for children from 0 to 6 years old, with a focus on t…

Toftveien barnehage BA

Toftvegen 10, 9017 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 67 68 88

Toftveien kindergarten in Tromsø offers committed parental cooperation, theme-based activities and emphasizes safety in…

Trudvang Barnehage

Gimlevegen 62a, 9019 Tromsø

Trudvang Kindergarten in Tromsø offers a safe and caring learning environment for children, with a focus on development…

Gimle barnehage

Gimlevegen 37, 9019 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 64 83 60

Working hours: Mon–Fri: 07:30–16:30, Sat–Sun: Closed

Gimle kindergarten in Tromsø offers a safe and caring learning environment for children, with a focus on development an…

Universet studentbarnehage

Universitetets barnehage, Framstredet 26, 9019 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 64 90 00

Working hours: Mon–Fri: 07:30–16:30, Sat–Sun: Closed

Universet student kindergarten in Tromsø offers a safe and stimulating environment with a focus on communication, natur…

CASA INFERNO - Pizza Restaurant

Vestregata 2, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 68 09 95

Working hours: Mon–Wed: 04:00–22:00, Thu–Sat: 04:00–23:00, Sun: 04:00–22:00

Experience a varied menu of Italian dishes in a cozy atmosphere, perfect for takeaway or dinner with friends. Gift cert…

Pizza Express Tromsø

Strandvegen 90, 9007 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 64 05 00

Working hours: Mon–Sun: 12:00–00:00

Pizza Express Tromsø offers fresh pizzas with a varied menu, takeaway and delivery, perfect for lunch or dinner in a pl…

Pizza Heaven

Karlsøyvegen 12, 9015 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 63 08 12

Working hours: Mon–Fri: 10:00–21:00, Sat: 10:00–18:00, Sun: Closed

Pizza Heaven in Tromsø (pizzerias). Find address, opening hours, phone number, website and a map – Karlsøyvegen 12.

Midgard Pizza & Burger Tromsø

Stakkevollvegen 110, 9010 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 65 65 77

Working hours: Mon–Sun: 10:00–23:00

Experience delicious meals with pizzas up to 50 cm and tasty burgers in pleasant surroundings, perfect for friends and …

Peppes Pizza - Tromsø

Stortorget 2, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 22 22 55 55

Working hours: Mon–Sun: 11:00–22:00

Experience delicious pizza in the center of Tromsø with the option of takeaway, table reservations and exclusive offers…

Pizzabakeren Alfheim

Alfheimvegen 1, 9007 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 68 06 10

Working hours: Mon–Thu: 01:00–22:00, Fri–Sun: 01:00–23:00

Pizzabakeren Alfheim in Tromsø (pizzerias). Find address, opening hours, phone number, website and a map – Alfheimvegen…

Peppes Pizza

Huldervegen 8, 9016 Tromsø

Phones: +47 22 22 55 55

Working hours: Mon–Fri: 03:00–21:00, Sat–Sun: 01:00–21:00

Experience tasty pizzas with take-away and home delivery from Peppes Pizza in Tromsø, with the option of table reservat…

Pizzabakeren Langnes

Alkevegen 9E, 9015 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 68 06 00

Working hours: Mon–Thu: 00:00–22:00, Fri: 00:00–23:00, Sat: 01:00–23:00, Sun: 01:00–22:00

Pizzabakeren Langnes in Tromsø (pizzerias). Find address, opening hours, phone number, website and a map – Alkevegen 9E.

JAFS Isrenna (MIX)

Stakkevollvegen 328, 9019 Tromsø

Phones: +47 91 92 91 39

Working hours: Mon–Fri: 07:30–22:00, Sat–Sun: 10:00–22:00

Experience Tromsø's only Jafs with a varied menu of tasty fast food in a family-friendly atmosphere, perfect for both y…

Størhus

Storgata 65, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 99 07 09 99

Working hours: Mon–Sat: 00:00–22:00, Sun: 00:30–22:00

Experience a cozy atmosphere with freshly baked pastries and delicious pizzas, as well as a varied selection of wines f…

Apotek 1 Stortorget Tromsø

Storgata 87, 9008 Tromsø

Phones: +47 77 60 66 60

Working hours: Mon–Wed: 09:00–17:00, Thu: 09:00–18:00, Fri: 09:00–17:00, Sat: 10:00–15:00, Sun: Closed

Get advice on health and well-being at Apotek 1 Stortorget Tromsø, with loyalty benefits, current news and discounted i…

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.