Troms

Troms lies far north of the Arctic Circle and is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. A vacation in Troms means winter nights with a flickering green sky, whale watching in the fjords, ski touring in the Lyngen Alps and, in summer, the midnight sun over the island of Senja.

Sights in Troms

Tromsø, with around 80,000 residents, is the largest city in northern Norway and is often called the "Paris of the North." The Arctic Cathedral, with its triangular silhouette and huge glass mosaic, is the city's landmark, and the Fjellheisen cable car takes you up Mount Storsteinen for views over the city and the islands. The Polar Museum tells the story of expeditions and seal hunting, Polaria showcases Arctic nature, and the Mack Brewery is one of the northernmost in the world. On its outer coast, Senja, Norway's second-largest island, has dramatic peaks such as Segla, which rises steeply from the fjord, and small fishing villages. The Lyngen Alps east of Tromsø are considered one of the best ski touring regions in Europe. Harstad, on the island of Hinnøya, is known for Trondenes Church, one of the northernmost medieval stone churches, and for a large cultural festival in June. Colorful 19th-century wooden houses line the harbor in Tromsø, and the Northern Norway Art Museum presents art from the North.

Nature and seasons

From late November to mid-January the sun doesn't rise in Tromsø, but the blue twilight and the northern lights make the polar night special. The midnight sun shines from May to July. In winter, orcas and humpback whales follow the herring into the fjords, though the season varies from year to year. Sami reindeer herders offer sleigh rides and insights into their culture. On the island of Kvaløya, west of Tromsø, you'll find fjords and beaches that are popular with northern lights chasers.

Food, getting there and best time to visit

The cuisine is shaped by the sea: skrei (winter cod), king crab, klippfisk (dried and salted cod), salmon and reindeer, plus cloudberries. Tromsø Airport has connections to Oslo and, in winter, direct flights from Central Europe, and the Hurtigruten coastal ferry calls at Tromsø and Harstad. The best time to see the northern lights is October to March; for hiking and the midnight sun, go from June to August. In January, the film festival and the Northern Lights Festival bring concerts to the city.