Tromsø city centre

Tromsø, Norway

The compact downtown area, home to most restaurants, bars, and hotels.

Places in Tromsø city centre

Emma's Drømmekjøkken A favourite with locals, particularly for the fish au gratin, a traditional northern Norwegian dish.
Bardus Bistro A Norwegian restaurant serving hearty reindeer sausages and stews alongside unbelievably fresh seafood.
La Famiglia An Italian restaurant reflecting the city's surprisingly eclectic food scene.
Tromsø city centre cafes Cafes throughout the compact centre, popular with the city's large student population.
Clarion Hotel The Edge bar A very modern iconic building with a bar on the eleventh floor and in-house restaurant.
Tromsø city centre nightlife bars A lively nightlife scene fuelled partly by one of Norway's biggest universities.

Best time to visit: September to March offers the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights, while the midnight sun runs from late May to late July.
Getting around: Tromsø's compact city centre is walkable; a car or organised tour is needed to reach Kvaløya Island for the best Northern Lights viewing away from city light pollution.
Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Language: Norwegian and Sámi. English is near-universal.
Timezone: CET (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer)
Current trends: Tromsø's restaurant scene continues to diversify well beyond traditional Norwegian fare, driven partly by its large student population, while hotels increasingly market Northern Lights viewing as a core part of the guest experience.

Tromsø harbourfront — The waterfront area with views across the fjord and towards the Arctic Cathedral.
Kvaløya Island — An island just outside the city with fewer lights, considered the best area for viewing the Northern Lights.