Tromsø on your own

Here we have put together tips for shore excursions in Tromsø on your own. The capital of Northern Norway is the largest city north of the Arctic Circle with about 73,000 inhabitants and a popular destination of Norway cruises. Tromsø is today a lively metropolis with a lot of history and a large cultural offer. The historic city center is dominated by two-storey, very typical for the region wooden houses. One is proud of the northernmost university and the northernmost cathedral in the world. Since 1960, a bold 1,036 meter long bridge connects the island city with the Tromsdalen district on the mainland. Tromsø is protected from the sea by the islands off the coast and is still within the reach of the Gulf Stream. The climate is therefore relatively mild for northern Norway. The midnight sun shines from May 21 to July 23 of each year. The city is called the “Gateway to the Arctic Ocean”. From here, various expeditions to study the Arctic and the North Pole started. Further information can be found on the website of Visit Tromsø.

Transport in Tromsø on your own

Tromsø is run by cruise ships and of course by the mail boats of the Hurtigruten line. Smaller cruise ships can moor directly in the city center. It is being built on a new passenger terminal, which is now nearing completion in July 2018. The city center is just around the corner. Large cruise ships make about four kilometers north of the center. This part of the harbor is called Breivika. In the picture above you can see a cruise ship from MSC Kreuzfahrten in Breivika.

On foot

Many sights around the city center can be easily reached on foot. Good for those who want to explore Tromsø on their own. City maps and information can be found at the tourist office in Kirkegata 2.

The Arctic Cathedral and the valley station of the Fjellheisen cable car to the local mountain Storsteinen lie beyond the bridge on the mainland. The approximately 1 kilometer long Tromsøbrua is also open to pedestrians. A nice way with good photo opportunities. Who wants to can hike the local mountain. The view of the city is fantastic in good weather.

shuttle service

For the passengers of the cruise ships that dock in Breivika, there is a (usually paid) shuttle bus service to the center due to the distance. In 2015 we paid 7 euros for a day ticket. The tourists are dropped off in the center at the tourist office in Kirkegata 2. Information about shuttle buses and costs you usually get on board.

Public buses

The city buses of Troms fylkestrafikk (tromskortet.no) drive on different lines through the city area. Information can be found on the website of the transport company. Also the tourist office can help.

The bus line 42 connects the port Breivika with the city center. You can buy tickets for 50 NOK on the bus. Unfortunately, you need Norwegian crowns.

City tours

If you want, you can also drive with a small tourist train through the city. The Eismeerzug starts at the hour on the market square and commutes through the city. Many sights such as the North Norwegian Art Museum, the harbor promenade, the Mack Brewery, the Contemporary Art Gallery (the former “Tromsø Museum”), the former seal ship “Polstjerna” and the “Polaria” Museum are on the route. The announcements are also in German. The fare is 180 NOK.

Cable car Fjellheisen

A Fjellheisen cable car goes up to the 421 meter high mountain Storsteinen. The valley station is located near the Arctic Cathedral. On the mountain is the Fjellstua restaurant with a great viewing deck. From the top you have a magnificent view of the city Tromsø and the big bridge. A perspective that can be found in many catalogs or books about Norway.

Taxis

Tromsø Taxi AS (tromso-taxi.no/) has more than 120 vehicles according to the tourist information office and is Northern Norway’s largest taxi station. With Din Taxi (dintaxi.no) there is even another provider. Taxi driving is convenient but expensive. The fares are determined by taximeters and depend on various factors. Information can be found on the websites of the provider. You can also preorder a taxi, which in our experience but not always reliable.

Cycles

At Tromsø Outdoor (tromsooutdoor.no) in Sjøgara 14 you can rent bicycles. The address is about 300 meters from the tourist office. Unfortunately, the prices are relatively high. For an e-bike 440 NOK are required per day. A normal city bike costs at least 275 NOK.

Book shore excursions in Tromsø

For the day in Tromsø, numerous organized shore excursions are offered aboard your cruise ship. By way of example we enclose an overview of AIDA Cruises. Other shipping companies have a more or less similar program.

Of course, there are good alternatives to the often quite expensive cruise trips on board. Guided tours and shore excursions customized by local promoters to meet customer needs can be conveniently and securely booked through GetYourGuide * or Viator *. German speaking land excursions from My shore excursions* is at the bottom of this page. Here is a punctual-back-to-ship warranty included in the price of shore excursions.

Highlights for shore excursions in Tromsø

In the attractive small town you can stroll nice. There are some interesting museums and many shops. A nice walk leads across the Tromsøbrua to the Arctic Cathedral and maybe even to the local mountain.

Tromsø is the gateway to the Arctic Ocean. Here the expeditions of the famous Norwegian explorers were equipped. The polar museum (Polar Museet) tells the exciting story of the daring polar expeditions and the difficult hunt in the Arctic Ocean. The North Pole expeditions Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansens are the focus of the exhibition. The Polaria (polaria.no) informs in an entertaining way about the ecosystems of the polar region. Here you will find a panorama cinema, various aquariums and interesting exhibitions about the polar regions. You walk in a glass tunnel under the aquarium. The architecture of the building is intended to simulate telescoping ice floes. The Polaria and the Polar Museum are within easy walking distance.

The famous Arctic Cathedral is an imposing structure from 1965 and was naturally inspired by the Arctic nature. The church is the tourist attraction of the city and impresses with a distinctive tent roof roof inspired construction. The interior of is dominated by the giant glass mosaic “The Return of Jesus”. The largest stained-glass window in Europe. Nearby is the valley station of the cable car on the 421 meter high mountain Storsteinen. In good weather you have a great view of the city from the local mountain. At the top there is a nice restaurant. If you want, you can run down the mountain again.

The Mack Brewery has long been considered the northernmost brewery ever. Visitors are invited to a guided tour and, of course, to a beer tasting at the city’s oldest pub in 1928. The Arctic Beer brewed here is delicious. Meanwhile there is also a brewery in Honningsvåg, which is even more northern. That’s why the beer from Tromsø tastes no worse.

Another recommended destination in this beautiful city is the northernmost botanical garden in the world. In the Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden, plant enthusiasts will find arctic, antarctic and high mountain plants from all continents, as well as traditional ornamental and useful plants. From Breivika you can reach the garden on foot.
last 140 NOK. You can also run a track.

Further cruise trips by local providers

The links marked with an asterisk (*) are so-called affiliate / advertising links.

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