Discovering Tromsø, the Arctic Capital

Most people put sunny countries right at the top of their list of favourite destinations. And yet, a trip to the Far North remains an unforgettable experience. For those seeking (wild) nature, ancestral traditions and culture, and healthy, delicious food, Lapland is definitely a top choice. It's certainly one of the Check Out Sam blogger's favourite European regions!
In this article, he explains how to get to the best-known city in the far north of Norway, and what to do and discover there.

Tromsø, the Arctic capital

Tromsø is sometimes called "the Arctic capital". In terms of size, however, it's not the largest, but rather the second-largest city north of the Arctic Circle. It probably owes its nickname to its tourist appeal, as it holds plenty of interesting things for visitors.

However, before heading to Lapland, you should know that this destination isn't among the cheapest. Flights to this natural paradise are generally not too expensive, but hotel, restaurant, and excursion costs are (very) high. Expect to pay roughly double the prices you'd pay in Belgium.

Where is Tromsø?

Tromsø is located in Lapland, in the far north of Norway, and has close to 70,000 inhabitants. It sits at 70 degrees north latitude, meaning you're about 350 kilometres above the Arctic Circle. There's snow for 7.5 months of the year, and the days are very long in summer and short in winter.

At this latitude, rain isn't really an issue (thankfully) - but frequent snowfall is. Fortunately, there are also plenty of sunny days, when the blue sky contrasts beautifully with the snowy landscape.

How do you get to Tromsø?

By car, the journey will take you at least 35 hours. From Belgium, you first need to travel through Germany towards Denmark. From there, expect a further 25 hours of driving before reaching Tromsø.

There's no train station in Tromsø, so you won't be able to get there using public transport alone.

For a short stay, a car certainly isn't necessary in this city. Everything is easily accessible on foot, and for most excursions or trips, you'll need to rely on a local operator anyway.
That's exactly why I'd recommend travelling by plane. That way, you might even be lucky enough to spot the Northern Lights during the flight. There are no direct flights between Belgium and Tromsø. You'll usually need to connect via Oslo. There are also options departing from other cities such as Bergen, Stavanger and Trondheim.
The airlines offering these connections from Brussels are SAS, Norwegian Airlines and Wideroe.

What is there to do in Tromsø?

There really is a lot to do and discover in Tromsø. You could easily spend a week there without ever getting bored. Below, I've listed my favourite activities. On my blog, you'll find more ideas for things to visit. (Click here and read my site using automatic translation)

The magic of the Northern Lights

© Shutterstock

Most people who travel to the Far North dream of admiring the Northern Lights there. And for good reason - this phenomenal natural show is absolutely worth the trip.

Waves of green (and, with a bit of luck, other colours too!) dance across the sky, putting on a phenomenal light show. You only truly feel the power of this natural phenomenon once you see it with your own eyes.

The Northern Lights are nicknamed "the difficult lady" by some locals. As graceful as they are, they're also very fickle. To see the most spectacular bursts of this light, the sky needs to be clear. Clouds can easily ruin the experience, and you need to be in the right place at the right time.

That's why I'd recommend booking a "Northern Lights Safari". These tours take local meteorologists' forecasts into account, so they know exactly where to go and when. If you're only in Tromsø for a short stay, this can save you a lot of disappointment. What's more, the guides will also show you how to take the most beautiful photos of this shimmering light, which isn't as easy as it looks.

Go sledging with your pack of huskies

Sledging through thick snow, pulled by a dozen enthusiastic huskies, is a very special experience. An event not to be missed.

From Tromsø, you'll head to a husky farm, where you'll meet dozens of hyped-up dogs. These animals need a lot of exercise, and a run through the snow is the ideal way to help them burn off that extra energy. After the safety briefing, you'll be able to take your place behind the huskies (as the driver) or in the sledge (just for the fun of it!).

I'd recommend trying both. You'll be surprised at just how hard it can be to master and control these dogs' energy.

This isn't a cheap excursion. Expect to pay a little under two hundred euros (per person). For that price, you'll get a one-hour sledge ride, a hot meal with coffee or tea, and you'll also be able to borrow extra warm clothing and waterproof boots. Transport to and from Tromsø is also included. If there are a lot of participants, they're split into small groups of two people (or sometimes one) per sledge.

This excursion sometimes sells out during high season, so I'd recommend checking availability and booking in advance.

Travelling with young children, or would you rather take it easy? In that case, you can also go reindeer sledging. And who knows, you might even bump into Santa Claus along the way.

As with the husky sledge rides, there are several options. In any case, expect to pay around €150 per person for a one-hour ride. For the rest of the time, you can watch the reindeer being fed, or take part in other activities.

There are a large number of operators offering this type of activity in Tromsø. I'd recommend doing a bit of research on Google and seeing which one suits you best.

Another option I can recommend is "GetYourGuide". This booking platform brings together tours and excursions and offers a wide range of options. You'll find plenty of reviews and recommendations online, and you can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance. For husky and reindeer sledge rides, this cancellation option is especially useful if the weather turns bad.

Spot whales and orcas off the coast of Tromsø

Tromsø sits on the edge of nutrient-rich waters. An ideal spot not only for fishing boats, but also for large pods of humpback whales and orcas.

You can take a boat trip in small inflatable boats or in slightly more comfortable, larger boats. The advantage of an inflatable boat is that it lets you get much closer to the whales.

Whichever you choose, you'll never forget this adventure on Tromsø's dark seas. In no time at all, you'll be greeted and splashed by impressive marine animals, and you'll jump at the sound of their blowholes. While the whales feed, hungry seabirds also come to join the feast. You'll have a front-row seat. The black-and-white landscape on the water is also phenomenally beautiful, as if all colour had suddenly vanished from that spot.

The excursion lasts one to two hours. Here too, expect to pay €150 per person. Coffee, tea and biscuits, warm clothing, and transport to and from Tromsø are also included.

Many "Whale Safari" options are offered by Viator. Please note that it's not always possible to cancel this type of booking.

Visit the Tromsø Polar Museum

The Tromsø Polar Museum tells the story of this unique city. Just a few centuries ago, it was mainly known as the gateway to the Arctic, but also as the capital of seal hunting.

The exhibition shows you just how hard it was to live in these regions (and also in Svalbard, an island located roughly 1,000 kilometres further north), and above all how hard it was to survive there. Photographs, objects and site reconstructions let you picture what life was like back then.

"The Arctic Cathedral"

One of the most remarkable buildings in Tromsø is without a doubt the Arctic Cathedral. It's built in a very modern style and blends perfectly into the white landscape surrounding it. The coloured windows mimic the Northern Lights.

This modern building sits on the other side of the (enormous) bridge, making for a pleasant walk to get there. From Tromsoebrua, you get a phenomenal view of the city, and with a bit of luck, you might even spot real Northern Lights.

Skiing or cross-country skiing

In such a snowy region, it goes without saying that you can also enjoy snow sports!

Downhill skiing: Unfortunately, the ski slopes aren't very extensive. In the Tromsø area, there are only four kilometres of slopes, reaching a maximum height of 430 metres.
There are a few other ski slopes in the region, but the total length never exceeds 10 kilometres. So I'd recommend doing other winter sports in this area.

Cross-country skiing: This is possible almost everywhere (there are even special routes for it), but ski touring is even more fun.

With a guide, you'll discover the most beautiful landscapes around Tromsø and learn to ski on flat terrain. If you're after a longer experience, there are multi-day excursions during which you cross the border into Swedish Lapland.

Traditional cuisine

You absolutely have to try the local Lapland specialities. Restaurants here are anything but cheap, but the quality is always there. Expect to pay between €25 and €35 for a single main course. Alcohol is also very expensive, with a beer costing at least €7 and a glass of wine at least €10.

Norwegian salmon is of course the star of this country's cuisine, but other fish are also deliciously prepared here. Specialities include tørrfisk (dried cod), king crab, and lobster dishes.

Personally, I found the reindeer dishes the most delicious. Especially when served with a sweet Lapland blueberry sauce!

Don't forget these things on your trip to Lapland

- Bring plenty of warm clothing. It can get several degrees below zero here. So it's best to be well prepared! Dress in layers, so you can more easily regulate your body temperature.
Naturally, you'll need warm, waterproof shoes, along with gloves and a comfortable hat. Thermal underwear, and even ski clothing, aren't an unnecessary luxury here. In winter, temperatures can drop below -15°C.

- Travelling to Lapland by car? Winter tyres are mandatory. And snow chains are recommended.
If you rent a car in Norway, it'll be fitted with almost invisible spikes on the tyres. They provide excellent road grip. You barely feel like you're driving on snow or ice.

- As mentioned above, Lapland isn't a cheap destination. Whether you're in Norwegian, Finnish or Swedish Lapland, all these regions are in Scandinavia. And as you probably know, this part of Europe is very expensive. For any expense, expect to pay one and a half to two times what we're used to in Belgium.

- It's always handy to carry a power bank with you. Because of the extreme cold, your smartphone or camera battery can drain in no time. A power bank will help you avoid this inconvenience.

- Try to schedule your visits for the morning... apart from a night safari to see the Northern Lights, of course. In the morning and afternoon, you'll always have daylight. This lets you enjoy what you're doing even more, and take beautiful photos.

If you're looking for a relatively little-known winter destination that still has a lot to offer, Tromsø will not disappoint.
Personally, I even think it's one of the best destinations in Europe. There are other stunning regions in Lapland, but I'll cover those in another article.

Unless stated otherwise, photos © Sam van den Haute

About "Check Out Sam"

Sam is a globetrotter at heart. Since the age of 18, he has been travelling the continents as a true "digital nomad". Sometimes he stays put for a while, but he never sits idle for long. Wherever he goes, he gathers information which he turns into practical travel guides on his blog: places to visit, useful tips, unusual places to stay and, of course, wonderful travel stories with stunning photos. To find the inspiration and information you're missing, just head over to Check Out Sam!