10 Reasons You Should Visit Troms Before Oslo

Before booking tickets to Norway’s capital Oslo, it is worth considering Tromsø, otherwise known as the “Gateway to the Arctic.” It has a surprising amount to offer and can give you some unique and almost magical experiences. If you are interested in finding out more about the Arctic and northern Norway’s nature and culture, Tromsø is the perfect place.

The Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights Are Much Higher

Tromsø’s northern location makes it perfect for seeing the Northern Lights, and it is actually one of the places with the highest probability of experiencing them. Local tour operators offer many types of excursions to give the best possible chances of seeing this incredible phenomenon depending on conditions and the time of year.

It Allows For the Perfect Arcticc Experience—Without Being Absolutely Freezing

It Perfectly Mixes Traditional and Modern Norway

Tromsø has close links to both modern and traditional Norway. It has everything from the northernmost gay pride parade in the world to close links with the local Sami reindeer herders, the original, nomadic peoples of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. It still thrives off traditional fishing but also has a huge military base. These odd mixes make Tromsø a very interesting place from which to explore Norwegian culture.

You Can Tick Off “the World’s Northernmost…”

…city under 50,000 people; university (University of Tromsø); planetarium (Northern Light Planetarium); astronomical observatory (Skibotn Observatory); bronze age archaeological site (Sandvika); tango club (Tango Polar); lindy hop dance group (Tromsø Lindy Hop); symphony orchestra (Tromsø Symphony Orchestra); outdoor swimming pool; squash center; CrossFit center; cricket club; ski resort; 18-hole golf course (Tromsø Golfpark); football arena (Alfheim Stadium); Cathedral; Mosque (Alnor Senter); animal park (Polar Park) and botanical garden (Tromsø Botaniske Hage)—to name just a few.

Get in Touch With the Arctic Wildlife

The Sami village in Tromsø allows visitors to get up close and personal with reindeer, a quintessential part of the Arctic landscape. Tromsø also has numerous whale safaris, as whales, and in particular sperm whales, visit the Norwegian coast every year. The Polar Park leaves a safe distance between you and some of the more dangerous animals of the Arctic including wolves, bears, muskoxen, and lynx.

Pretend to Be an Arctic Explorer For the Day

There are many opportunities to channel your inner Roald Amundsen when in Tromsø. A fun place to start is with a dog sleigh trip across the peaceful snowy landscape. There are many tour operators offering these trips. A boat or kayak trip into one of the fantastic fjords should also be high on the to-do list. There is nothing quite like the immense and raw fjords in the north.

Join in on One of the Many Festivals

Tromsø plays host to many festivals each year. The Northern Lights music festival has brought together many renowned classical artists for the past 25 years, whilst the SMAK Food Festival is the place to go to try local delicacies and high-quality Norwegian produce. The Bukta-Tromsø Open Air Festival celebrates the best of rock whilst Tromsø Jazz Festival is the perfect place for jazz lovers. The Tromsø International Film Festival attracts visitors from all over the world. Reindeer racing is a well-loved feature during Sami week and is something that is hard to track down anywhere else.

Experience the Midnight Sun

From May 20 to July 20, the midnight sun hits Tromsø, which means that night is no longer really a thing. Locals do various activities around the clock and as a visitor, you are encouraged to join in. These activities include, but are not limited to, concerts, marathons, kayaking, sailing, and hiking. Experiencing the disorientating but beautiful midnight sun should be on everyone’s bucket list, and although it can take some time to fall asleep (bring a sleeping mask), it is something well worth visiting Tromsø for.

It is a Friendly, Lively, and Convenient City

Despite being 350 kilometers north of the Artic Circle, Tromsø is actually surprisingly easy to get to. It has a relatively big airport, while Hurtigruten (The Norwegian Coastal Ferry) calls there twice a day, as well as good roads into the area. The locals are friendly and always happy to see visitors. The city offers all modern conveniences and has a wide range of hotels and restaurants, making a stay there very comfortable—which is probably just what you need after a day exploring the Arctic landscape or hunting down the Northern Lights.

There is Something For Everyone

Whatever the purpose of your trip may be, Tromsø has something to suit everyone. It is the perfect setting for an active holiday exploring Norway’s nature. Those looking for a cultural trip should be more than satiated with the city’s many festivals, food places, and museums, and there are plenty of things to entertain the kids. Finally, what could be more romantic than sharing the magnificent spectacle of the Northern Lights with your loved one?

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.