Tromsø, Norway

Arctic Cathedral

The most famous and popular place in Tromsø is the renowned Arctic Cathedral. While admiring it from a distance, you catch yourself thinking that the Cathedral looks like a giant iceberg-somehow miraculously endowed with these majestic features. This magnificent work of art, made of glass and shining in the rays of the rising Sun, is a symbol of Scandinavian cultural heritage and the city’s calling card. The Arctic Cathedral is famous for its stained-glass windows, which are considered the largest in Europe. The building was designed in 1964 by the architect Jan Inge Hovig. The sounds of the modern organ located near the altar wonderfully complement the interior atmosphere of the cathedral, especially since organ-music concerts are held here regularly.

Old wooden houses

During World War II, the city was luckily spared from bombings, which is why so many historic wooden houses have been preserved in the center. This is the largest wooden town center north of Trondheim; the oldest house here was built in 1789, and the “newest” one dates back to 1904. Wealthy merchants, settling in the growing city, built not just houses, but entire complexes, whose main buildings were painted in gray, white, or yellow. In the inner courtyards, there were quarters for livestock and servants. These structures had a more modest appearance and color scheme-they were coated with cheap red paint made on the basis of fish oil. When the workers could afford it, they expanded their living space, which is why some houses have peculiar, fanciful shapes.

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption

Santuario de Nuestra Señora la Virgen María - the most northerly Catholic cathedral in the world, built in 1861 in the Neo-Gothic style. It is the oldest wooden building that has survived to this day.

Museum Ship “Polar Star”

Today, this seal-hunting vessel has become an engaging, distinctive museum where you can feel like a true polar explorer and hunter. The cabins and ship fittings preserved in their original condition let you breathe in the full freedom of travel and adventure. The ship is located inside a gigantic glass structure, which looks very unusual and beautiful. The only drawback of the “Polar Star” is that you can visit it only during a short period-from June 15 to August 15 daily, from 10:00 to 17:00.

Polaria Science and Discovery Center

Housed in a building made of ice blocks, this center features a huge aquarium with Arctic marine animals and fish (eelpouts, sea stars, halibut, sea anemones), an panoramic cinema, several themed exhibitions, and plenty of souvenir shops. Under the auspices of the Norwegian Polar Institute and created on the initiative of the Department for the Protection of the Environment, the center gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the animal and plant life of the Arctic. Here you can watch an engaging film about this harsh region, take a helicopter ride over Svalbard, and even feed the seals with your own hands. During the summer season, Polaria is open daily from 10:00 to 19:00 (seal feeding at 12:30 and 15:00).

Mack Bryggeri Brewery

Here’s exactly where true beer lovers simply have to go! This is a unique opportunity to taste 16 varieties of this foamy, hop-filled marvel, paired with excellent Norwegian fish. And 13 varieties of non-alcoholic drinks and environmentally friendly mineral water will keep everyone entertained who doesn’t drink beer at all. At the brewery, there are interesting guided tours where visitors learn about the beer-making process, see the equipment, and visit the Beer Hall Ølhallen, built in 1928. The tour is highly spectacular and fascinating, and the process of brewing beer is both captivating and even aesthetic. The brewery was opened more than a hundred years ago, and to this day they still make the best dark beer in Norway.

Stursteynen Mountain

In Tromsø there is a wonderful opportunity to admire the city from above from the mountain summit of Storsteinen (420 m above sea level), sitting at a restaurant table. From there you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city, rivers and mountains, and if you’re lucky-midnight sun or the Northern Lights. You can get there by funicular, which operates from 20 May to 9 August from 10.00 to 01.00. On good days you can sit on the restaurant’s open-air terrace, savoring hearty Norwegian cuisine. There is also a children’s playground and a small souvenir shop.

Kwalay Island

Quale(y), the “Whale Island” - the fifth largest island in Norway, connected to the main part of Tromsø by a bridge. This is the most popular destination for a beach holiday in Tromsø during the summer. The island of Quale(y) is also home to the fishing village of Sommarøy in its western part, known for its sandy beaches as well as excellent fishing conditions. What’s more, from here you can enjoy great views of the island of Senja and the endless expanse of the North Sea. Nearby there are beaches Sandvik and Uttervik.

Senyatrollet Park

Senja is the second largest island in Norway. In terms of natural beauty, it can compete with the Lofoten Islands. Most of the island consists of hills covered with forest. The west coast features a beautiful and, in places, quite unusual terrain. Here you’ll find the Senja Trolls-themed park-Norway’s most visited park. The world’s largest stone troll is located here; it is almost 18 meters tall and weighs an impressive 125 tons. It was built in 1993 and immediately added to the Guinness World Records. Inside each troll in the park there are plenty of attractions and a real colorful adventure world. Everything around you is so unreal and magical that it feels as though you’re surrounded by sets for filming a fairy-tale movie.

University Museum

If you even for a little while dream of becoming the master of the most beautiful phenomenon of nature- the northern lights-by creating it with your own hands, you absolutely have to visit this museum! For this, it has a special plasma room where the sacred ritual takes place. Exhibits dedicated to the life of the northern peoples are very colorful and will definitely catch your attention. Just the collection of Viking treasures is worth it alone. If you come here with children, remember that taking them away from here will be a huge problem-if only because of the enormous dinosaur that kids climb on, getting a great deal of fun. The museum also has a charming botanical garden-you can stroll through it at any time of year completely free of charge.

Whale Watching

Whale watching is a pleasure that only a few get to enjoy. Those who would like to watch whales in their natural habitat set off to the most diverse locations around our planet. Moreover, depending on the region, different types of whales appear at different times of the year. Undoubtedly, seeing a gigantic animal and hearing its distinctive sounds is an unforgettable event. As a rule, you can most often photograph only the whale’s tail and dorsal fins. That’s why, for non-professionals, it’s best to simply watch, so you don’t miss the most interesting moments. Off the coast of Norway, you can encounter the North Atlantic right whale, the sperm whale, the Biscayan whale, the blue whale, the rorquals, and orcas.

Sea fishing

The most popular type of vacation in Tromsø is fishing. The ocean waters that wash this coastline are extraordinarily rich in fish. It was here that a cod weighing 40.5 kg was caught on a fishing rod. “To blame” for that is the warm Gulf Stream current. The variety of commercial fish in the waters of Tromsø is impressive: cod, ling, haddock, halibut, plaice, and tusk. You can fish from the rocky shore of one of the fjords. Or you can take a sea fishing trip aboard a rented or specially equipped cruise ship. By making such a “fishing” cruise, you can enjoy magnificent scenery of the Norwegian fjords.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can check after booking the cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.