Solo travel in Tromsø

Solo travel tips

• Group tours for the aurora, huskies and whales are the easiest way to meet other travellers.
• Stay in the centre so you can walk to tour pick-up points, which are often in the early morning or late evening.
• Hostels and budget hotels fill up fast in winter; book early.
• If hiking alone in summer, tell someone your route and check the weather forecast; conditions change quickly.
• Wear ice grips on winter walks; slips on icy pavements are the most common injury for visitors.

Where to stay

Great on your own

Religious site · Tromsdalen

Arctic Cathedral

Walk over the Tromsø Bridge in about 20–25 minutes for the classic view of the cathedral with the mountains behind, then continue to Fjellheisen.

Time needed

45 minutes

Cost

Low cost

• Iconic
• Architecture
• Photo spot
• After dark

Viewpoint · Tromsdalen

Fjellheisen cable car

Go up before sunset in winter, or late in the evening between late May and late July, for the most dramatic light.

Time needed

1–2 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Iconic
• Views
• Kids
• Couples
• Photo spot

Nature · Tromsdalen

Sherpa steps

Climb up and take the cable car down to spare your knees, and do not attempt it when the steps are icy.

Time needed

1–1.5 hours

Cost

Free

• Free
• Active
• Views
• Outdoors

Aquarium · Sentrum

Polaria

Time your visit for a seal feeding session, which children love.

Time needed

1.5–2 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Kids
• Rainy day
• Nature
• Architecture

Museum · Sentrum

Polar Museum

Combine it with a walk along the old harbour and the wooden houses around Skansen.

Time needed

1–1.5 hours

Cost

Low cost

• History
• Rainy day
• Off the beaten path

Religious site · Sentrum

Tromsø Cathedral

Look in during the day, then return at night when the church is lit against the snow.

Time needed

20–30 minutes

Cost

Low cost

• Architecture
• History

Meeting people

• Arctic menus — Several restaurants in the centre build tasting menus around Arctic char, cod, king crab, reindeer and wild berries, a good way to try northern Norwegian ingredients in one evening.
• Lavvu meal at a reindeer camp — Many reindeer visits end with bidos stew and coffee around a fire inside a lavvu, the Sami tent, while hosts tell stories and sing joik.
• Storgata — The main street and its side streets have most of the city's bars, pubs and late-night venues, all within a few minutes' walk.
• Ølhallen and the Mack brewery area — The historic beer hall and nearby bars for local beers in a traditional setting.

Sensible precautions

Tromsø is generally low-risk for visitors. The main hazards are winter conditions: icy pavements, extreme wind chill on tours, and snowy roads with reindeer and short daylight for drivers. Avalanche risk applies on mountain slopes in winter and spring, so hike or ski off-piste only with a guide, and never stop on the road to watch the aurora.

Emergency number

112 police, 113 ambulance, 110 fire

Staying connected

Mobile coverage is good in the city and along the main roads, though it can be patchy in remote valleys; card and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere.

Questions travellers ask