Tromsø

Arctandria

has a lot of local fish specialities, as well as a humorous menu. Before Christmas, their lutefisk buffet is heaven for some, and hell for others.

Mon–Sat from 16:00

Bastard Bar

In a cellar next to the Nerstranda shopping centre and offering one or two live concerts each week, a jam session every other Tuesday and showing English, Norwegian and European football. Bastard has a collection of international beers as well as Tromsø's own Mack.

Mon–Thu 18:00–02:00, Fri 18:00–03:30, Sat 13:00–03:30, Sun 13:00–02:00·From 129 kr

Blå Rock

The best burgers in town with their infamous fried potato skins. Don't ask for a Diet Coke with it, it makes little difference.

Daily 11:30–02:00 except Fri 11:30–03:30 and Sun 13:00–02:00

Cathedral of Our Lady

Vår Frue Kirke

This tiny church is the seat of the world's northernmost Catholic bishop, and also dates from 1861.

Compagniet

Situated in a merchant's home from the 1830s. Doubles as a nightclub in the weekends after 22:00.

Mon–Sat 17:00–23:00

Compagniet

Vastly popular with the 25–40 crowd, with lots of 1980s music. This is the place to get back in circulation after the divorce or break-up.

Fri Sat 22:00-03:30

Driv

Offers great food in a nice atmosphere, and has discounts for members of the student society.

Mon–Thu 14:00–01:30, Fri Sat 12:00–03:00

Egon Restaurant

Egon Jekta

Egon is a restaurant with vintage interior, with visible wood pillars and small nooks around the restaurant.

Emmas Drømmekjøkken

A fantastic restaurant that has got excellent reviews in the Oslo press. A main course is around 280 kr (Feb 2022), but compared to what you get and the standard of service, it's not that much. The restaurant is housed near the Tromsø Cathedral, in the house a red storefront. Look out for their excellently matched 5-course menus. The lunch menu isn't bad either, and comparatively cheap.

T–Sat from 17:00

Fiskekompaniet Sjøsiden

It has excellent fresh fish, and a menu of modern Norwegian cuisine. Seafood is considered an aphrodisiac, and after their delicious seafood platters, you're ready for anything.

Daily 15:00–23:00

Gründer By Night

In the Scandic Grand Hotel. Caters for the more mature audience, and combines style and informality. Their heated smoking terrace with a view might tempt you to pick up the habit.

Mon–Thu 18:00–02:00, Fri Sat 18:00–03:30

Mack Brewery

Macks Ølbryggeri

Offers guided tours of the brewery. Claims to be the world's northmost brewery, but Svalbard Bryggeri in Longyearbyen is further north. Established in the city centre in 1877, the brewery is still owned by the same family. Monday to Thursday, they offer guided tours at 13:00 if there are at least four visitors. So you risk coming there for your tour, and not getting it. This brewery is looking for an alternative place to set up a new factory, seemingly in Nordkjosbotn (Balsfjord municipality), 70 km (45 mi) to the south. But the city council is striving to keep the brewery in or near Tromsø, insisting on their ties with another famous place in Tromsø, Ølhallen — see below: Drink – Bars and pubs. The debate and the population's relationship with Mack is getting so passionate that some threaten to boycott the brewery’s products if they leave the city.

NO. 24

For the 20- or 30-somethings, usually well-dressed. Their sheltered outdoor terrace with winter heating circumvents the smoking ban. Have some pasta with the after-office crowd, or taste some wine in the evening.

Mon-Thu 11:00–02:00, Fri Sat 11-03:30, Sun 13:00–02:00

Peppes Pizza

Part of an international chain; the lunch specials are cheap.

daily 11:00–23:30

Perspektivet Museum

Has temporary exhibits on the North. Their location in an 1838 building in the main street is superb, and there is free admission.

Polar Museum

Polarmuseet i Tromsø

The museum is housed in an old warehouse from 1830 and displays Arctic hunting from Tromsø and expeditions to the Arctic. A guidebook is provided for English and other languages, though many of the displays are in Norwegian, so you'll need a translation app to read them such as Google Translate.

Closed · opens 11 am tomorrow·120 kr

Polstjerna

A preserved seal hunting vessel, right next door to Polaria. Combined entry with Polarmuseet, Tromsø University Museum or Polaria available.

11:00-17:00 June 15th-August 15th (Summer only)·40 kr

Skarvens Biffhus

In a 1820s wharf house. Has thick steaks, but also specialises in goat meat. The waiters are humorous and professional.

Daily from 15:30

The Arctic Alpine Botanic Garden

Arktisk-alpin botanisk hage

The world's northernmost botanic garden. Although not a particularly big garden, it has some interesting features:

Open 24 hr·Free

The Cable Car

Fjellheisen

On Mount Storsteinen. Offers a fantastic view from 421 metres above sea level. In summer, make sure you go up there at midnight. The view from the top is amazing in winter also. You can walk (less than 1h one way).

Daily 09:00-midnight·545 kr (return)

The Northern Norwegian Art Museum

Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum

Has art from Northern Norway from 1800 onwards, and Norwegian art in general. Look out for their temporary exhibits.

Troll Museum

Tromsø SeaTroll

The museum which opened in 2021 features Norwegian folklore traditions. A trip to the troll museum, which claims to be the only one of its kind in Norway, lets the audience view folklore from Norway with augmented reality tablets.

Daily 10:00–18:00·Adult 180 kr, free admission for kids under 5 yr; family ticket 2 adults+2 kids is 450 kr

Tromso Jernbanestasjon

Tromsø Railway Station

This bar established itself early as the cool place because of its complete railway thematic décor - especially since there is no train that comes to Tromsø. There are waiters in conductor uniforms and departures to places like Murmansk and Kautokeino are announced regularly through the speaker system.

Tromsø Museum

University Museum

A rather large museum with a number of different exhibits on the North. Look out for their Sami exhibits, the Archaeological Exhibit, Religious art and Northern Lights machine. Avoid Sundays, as weekend daddies let their little monsters run screaming through the exhibits.

Victoria Fun Pub

A football place, and can be a fun pub for the not overdressed during week-ends; has a billiards table.

Mon-Thu 15:00–02:00, Fri 15:00–03:30, Sat 14:00–03:30, Sun 19:00–02:00

Yonas

has good deep-pan American pizza. Taco-pizza is unknown in Mexico, but is a normal pizza with shredded Chinese cabbage and a mustard dressing. You love it, or you loathe it.

Daily 11:00–24:00

Arctic Adventure

Dog sled tours, glacier walks, kayaking expeditions and hunting. Your best bet if you are looking for more adventurous options.

Blå Rock

The place for burgers, lots of international beer, rock'n'roll and concerts. A piercing in your ear (or somewhere else) will make you fit in.

Sun-Thu 11:30–02:00, Fri 11:30-03:30, Sat 15:00–02:00

Blåst

The world's northernmost glass factory makes original glass objects. They also ship.

Bokhuset

The best place in town to look for books on Norwegian themes. Most books are in Norwegian, though.