Tromsø University Museum: North Norway’s Oldest Research Institution
Museums can be many things: boring, exciting, or a convenient way to spend a few hours out of the rain or snow. But they can also provide a direct line to the soul of the city you’re visiting. The Tromsø University Museum falls under that last category. Northern Norway’s oldest research institution is made up of not one, but four museums – each of them showcasing a different facet of Tromsø’s cool (figuratively and literally) character.
The North remembers
It’s not just fictional Westeros areas that have great collective memory. The northern part of Norway is also making it its business to dig into the past, preserve knowledge and cultural heritage, and teach people the old ways. Since 1972, the main vehicle for these attempts has been the Tromsø University Museum, which nowadays constitutes Norway’s oldest research institution. The facility, which attracts 180,000 visitors on a yearly basis, comprises four museums: Tromsø Museum, The Polar Museum, MS Polstjerna, and the Tromsø Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden.
Frozen flowers
One of the most awe-inspiring offerings of the conglomerate is definitely the Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden. Voted by various media as “one of the top 10 gardens of the world,” this botanical garden will give you a chance to see how nature behaves above the Arctic circle. Think small but colorful species of plants and flowers growing among rocks and crevices, both local but also imported from areas such as the Himalayas and Patagonia. The garden is completely open-air, but there’s also a botanic station where you can get more information and see exhibits.
Probably the most interesting aspect of the botanical garden is the fact that you can see plants from South Africa in one corner, and snow-bed plants from Svalbard only a few meters away. To catch all the nuances, you can take a guided tour, where you’ll not only hear the fascinating stories behind each plant, but you’ll also get to taste some of them (a selection of wild berries and herbs). And the best time to visit? The flowering season starts in early May until October, when the snow arrives. The garden is open 24/7, so in the summer you can see the flowers under the Midnight Sun.
A slice of Arctic life
Apart from the botanical garden, you’ll find “exhibitions that provide insight in North Norwegian culture and nature” in the Tromsø Museum, stories about Arctic expeditions (Tromsø has been a key base for many polar expeditions since the 19th century) in the Polar Museum, and you’ll get a glimpse of Norway’s best-preserved sealing vessel, the MV Polstjerna. At the end of the day, you’ll leave the Tromsø University Museum armed not only with a better understanding of the city, but also of life in the Arctic circle in general. How many museums can do that?
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
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.
