Where to stay · Tromsø · Norway
Where to stay in Tromsø
6 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Henrik at English Wikipedia, CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Sentrum. Wooden houses, Storgata's bars and the harbour where tours depart. Best alternatives — families: Tromsdalen; budget: Tromsdalen.
Key facts
- First visit
- Sentrum
- Families
- Tromsdalen
- Budget
- Tromsdalen
- Nightlife
- Sentrum
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Sentrum | Wooden houses, Storgata's bars and the harbour where tours depart |
| Families | Tromsdalen | The mainland side across the bridge, with the Arctic Cathedral and cable car |
| Couples | Sentrum | Wooden houses, Storgata's bars and the harbour where tours depart |
| Budget | Tromsdalen | The mainland side across the bridge, with the Arctic Cathedral and cable car |
| Nightlife | Sentrum | Wooden houses, Storgata's bars and the harbour where tours depart |
| Food lovers | Sentrum | Wooden houses, Storgata's bars and the harbour where tours depart |
| Solo travellers | Breivika | University district on northern Tromsøya with the botanic garden |
| Quiet stays | Tromsdalen | The mainland side across the bridge, with the Arctic Cathedral and cable car |
| Beach | Sommarøy | A small fishing village of white-sand islands about an hour west |
Tromsø neighbourhoods in detail
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, food lovers and couples
Sentrum
The city centre on the east side of Tromsøya runs along Storgata and the harbourfront, with 19th-century wooden houses, the wooden Tromsø Cathedral, the Polar Museum and Polaria. Most hotels are here, and almost every northern lights, whale and husky tour picks up from the centre or the harbour, so it is the most practical base.
- Good
- Tour pick-ups on the doorstep; Restaurants and bars within a few minutes; Walk to the Arctic Cathedral over the bridge
- Watch out
- Expensive hotels, especially in winter; City lights mean you need a tour to see the aurora well
- Nearby
- Storgata, Polaria, Polar Museum, Tromsø Cathedral
$$ · Best for budget, quiet stays and families
Tromsdalen
Across the Tromsø Bridge on the mainland, Tromsdalen is a residential area at the foot of the mountains, with the Arctic Cathedral, the Fjellheisen cable car lower station and the Sherpa steps. Apartments and a few hotels here are cheaper than the centre, which is about a 20–25 minute walk over the bridge or a short bus ride away.
- Good
- Cheaper apartments; Next to the cable car and cathedral; Views back over the city
- Watch out
- Walk or bus over the bridge to the centre; Few restaurants
- Nearby
- Arctic Cathedral, Fjellheisen, Sherpa steps, Tromsø Bridge
$$ · Best for quiet stays, couples and families
Southern Tromsøya and Telegrafbukta
South of the centre, residential Tromsøya stretches to Telegrafbukta, a small beach and coastal park facing the mountains of Kvaløya, and the woods of Folkeparken. Guesthouses and apartments here are quieter and darker at night than the centre, and buses run along the shore to town in about 10 minutes.
- Good
- Quiet and close to nature; Sea and mountain views; Short bus to the centre
- Watch out
- Few shops and restaurants; Icy, hilly walks in winter
- Nearby
- Telegrafbukta, Folkeparken, Polaria
$$ · Best for budget, solo travellers and quiet stays
Breivika
Northern Tromsøya is home to UiT The Arctic University of Norway, the university hospital and the summer-only Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden. It is mostly residential and student-oriented, with apartments and student-style accommodation, about 10–15 minutes by bus from the centre.
- Good
- Better-value apartments; Botanic garden and lake walks; Frequent buses
- Watch out
- Bus needed for the centre and tour pick-ups; Little evening life
- Nearby
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden, Prestvannet, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and families
Kvaløya
Joined to Tromsøya by a bridge, Kvaløya is a big, sparsely populated island of jagged peaks and fjords such as Ersfjorden and Kaldfjorden. Cabins and lodges here are far from city light, so on clear nights the northern lights can be watched from the doorstep, and several husky and reindeer farms are on the island. A car is close to essential.
- Good
- Dark skies for the aurora; Fjord and mountain scenery; Cabins with space and privacy
- Watch out
- Car needed, with winter driving skills; Far from restaurants and tour pick-ups
- Nearby
- Ersfjordbotn, Grøtfjord, Kattfjord
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and beach
Sommarøy
Sommarøy, reached by bridge across Kvaløya, is a fishing community spread over low islands with white beaches and turquoise water facing the open sea. A hotel and holiday cabins make it a quiet base for the northern lights in winter and midnight-sun evenings in summer, though most visitors come as a day trip.
- Good
- Dark skies and open sea views; Beaches and island walks; Very peaceful
- Watch out
- About an hour from the city; Limited dining and services
- Nearby
- Hillesøy, Kvaløya
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Sentrum | $$$$ | Storgata, Polaria, Polar Museum, Tromsø Cathedral |
| Tromsdalen | $$ | Arctic Cathedral, Fjellheisen, Sherpa steps, Tromsø Bridge |
| Southern Tromsøya and Telegrafbukta | $$ | Telegrafbukta, Folkeparken, Polaria |
| Breivika | $$ | Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden, Prestvannet, UiT The Arctic University of Norway |
| Kvaløya | $$$ | Ersfjordbotn, Grøtfjord, Kattfjord |
| Sommarøy | $$$ | Hillesøy, Kvaløya |
Getting to your hotel
Tromsø Airport (TOS) is about 5 km from the centre on the west side of Tromsøya. The airport bus and local buses reach the centre in about 15 minutes, and taxis take about 10 minutes. Most international travellers connect via Oslo, though some direct seasonal flights operate from other European cities in winter.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Tromsø for first-time visitors?
Sentrum. The city centre on the east side of Tromsøya runs along Storgata and the harbourfront, with 19th-century wooden houses, the wooden Tromsø Cathedral, the Polar Museum and Polaria.
+Where should families stay in Tromsø?
Tromsdalen: Cheaper apartments.
+Which area of Tromsø is best for a budget stay?
Tromsdalen ($$): The mainland side across the bridge, with the Arctic Cathedral and cable car.