Seventy North · Tromsø, Norway
The insider
guide to
Tromsø.
Everything you need to know — from northern lights hunting to the best table in town. Written by people who live here.
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Seventy North · Tromsø, Norway
Everything you need to know — from northern lights hunting to the best table in town. Written by people who live here.
September – April
Tromsø sits at the heart of the auroral oval — the ring around the magnetic pole where northern lights are most active. September to April is the season, but October through March gives the best combination of dark skies and activity.
You do not need to leave the city — during strong activity (KP 3+) the lights are visible right from Storgata. But for the full experience, head 20 minutes outside the city limits.
Space Weather Live and My Aurora Forecast are the two apps we recommend. Set an alert for KP 2+ — that is enough to see clear curtains over Tromsø on a cloudless night.
Free tipThe guides drive you to clear skies, away from city light and cloud cover. They know the valleys and viewpoints.
See & book tours → From 900 NOKTromsø gets 50+ cloud-free nights per winter. If the first night is overcast, do not give up — book a flexible tour that can rebook if the conditions are poor. Most operators offer this.
Insider tipFjellheisen cable car (open until 01:00 in winter), Prestvannet lake (15 min walk), Telegrafbukta beach (10 min by bike), and Kvaløya island (25 min drive) are the four spots we send all our guests to first.
Local favouriteNorthern lights hunting means standing still in the cold for 1–2 hours. Pack wool base layer, insulated mid-layer, waterproof outer shell, wool socks, insulated boots and warm gloves. Rent if you do not have it — all guides can help.
EssentialUse your phone in night mode or Pro mode. ISO 800–1600, shutter 5–10 seconds, wide lens. Use a small tripod — even a bag will do. The green you see with your camera is far more intense than what your eyes see. You will not be disappointed.
Free tip
May – July
From mid-May to late July the sun never sets in Tromsø. Dinner at 23:00 in broad daylight. Morning hikes at 02:00. It is disorienting, magical and unlike anything else. The city has a giddy energy during these weeks.
Eat & Drink
Tromsø punches well above its weight for food — Arctic cod, king crab, reindeer and cloudberries make it onto menus in ways you will not find anywhere else. The restaurant scene is small but serious.
Fine dining
The most celebrated restaurant in Tromsø. Chef Randi Helene Fagerhus serves Arctic produce in a warm, intimate setting. Book at least two weeks ahead for dinner. The lunch menu is excellent value.
Seafood
A Tromsø institution right on the harbour. The arctic menu changes with the seasons and the catch of the day. The king crab platter is mandatory if it is on the menu. Excellent wine list.
Breakfast & lunch
The best breakfast in the city, full stop. Generous portions of smoked salmon, local eggs, excellent bread and great coffee. Arrive early on weekends — there is always a queue. Worth every minute of waiting.
Local street food
The indoor food market on Storgata — the best place to try a range of local food without committing to a full restaurant sit-down. Reindeer hot dog, whale burger, cloudberry desserts and craft beer all under one roof.
Things to do
Yes, northern lights tours and Fjellheisen. But Tromsø rewards guests who look a little harder. Whale safari in Skjervøy, the Arctic Cathedral at dusk, hiking the ridgeline above the city — these are the ones you talk about for years.
October to January, humpback and sperm whales feed in the fjords around Tromsø — following herring shoals. Go to Skjervøy (3 hrs north) for the best experience.
See & book tours → Oct – JanThe 420m gondola gives you a panoramic view over the entire Tromsø archipelago. Go at dusk in summer (23:00) or when northern lights are forecast in winter. The hike down takes 45 minutes and is well worth doing.
Year-roundOne of the most memorable experiences in the Arctic — driving a team of huskies through a snow-covered valley in silence. Book early for Christmas and New Year.
See & book tours → Dec – AprThe Tromsdalen Church — known as the Arctic Cathedral — is the most photographed building in Tromsø. Go at dusk for the best light. The midnight sun concert series in summer is truly extraordinary. Just across the bridge from us.
5 min from usThe world's northernmost aquarium — bearded seals, arctic fish and an excellent panoramic film about the Arctic landscape. Very family-friendly. Give it 2–3 hours. The adjacent Polar Museum covers Amundsen, Nansen and Norwegian polar history.
Year-roundSami culture runs deep in northern Norway. A reindeer experience with a Sami family — feeding reindeer, traditional food, lasso throwing and storytelling around an open fire. One of the most culturally rich experiences available.
See & book tours → From 1 200 NOK“Tromsø is the last city before the ice. Everything north of here is wilderness, ocean and sky.”— Seventy North, Local perspective
When to visit
There is no bad time to visit Tromsø — only different experiences. The city is surprisingly lively year-round, with a student population that keeps restaurants and bars full even in the dead of winter.
November – February
March – May
June – August
September – October
Before you go
Tromsø is easy to navigate on foot — the entire city centre is walkable in 20 minutes. English is spoken everywhere. Norway is expensive, but the quality is uniformly high. Pay by card everywhere.
Flights: Direct from Oslo (1h 45m), Bergen (1h 55m) and many European cities. SAS, Norwegian and Widerøe. Airport bus: Flybussen runs every 20 minutes, stops 400m from our apartments. Taxi: 8–10 min, around 250 NOK.
Winter: −5 to −15°C. Wool base layer, insulated jacket, waterproof outer, insulated boots. Summer: 10–18°C but windy. Light jacket always. Layering is key — the weather changes fast. Bring sunglasses year-round.
Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK). Cards accepted everywhere — rarely need cash. Budget guide: Coffee 50–70 NOK, lunch 150–250 NOK, dinner 400–700 NOK, beer 90–130 NOK. Tap water is the best in the world — drink it.
Walk: Everything in the city centre is within 20 min on foot. Bus: Good local network, single ticket 45 NOK. Bike: City Bike (Tromsø Bysykkel) — available April to October. Taxi: Bolt app works well.
Northern lights: My Aurora Forecast, Space Weather Live. Weather: Yr.no (Norwegian Met — best in the world for this region). Transport: Ruter / TROMS app. Taxi: Bolt. Food delivery: Wolt.
Tipping: Not expected, but 10% is appreciated at restaurants. Shops: Open Mon–Sat, closed Sunday. Grocery stores stay open. Pharmacies: Apotek 1 on Storgata. Emergency: 112 (police), 113 (ambulance), 110 (fire).
Want door-to-door pickup instead of the airport bus? Ask us when you book and we'll arrange it with our local transfer partner.
Stay with us
Our 9 premium apartments are right in the middle of everything described in this guide. Book direct and save 10% with code NORTH10.