We recommend you to have a walk along the harbourside in Tromsø and feel the Arctic atmosphere.

Tromsø´s architecture is a funny mix of old and new, wood and brick. Maybe it is too much to call the architectural style here for pretty, interesting fitting better.

The Arctic spirit

Many cosy wooden houses meet you if you stroll along the harbourside from the city centre. Combined with the many fishing boats and local Arctic tour boats, you start to get the local Arctic spirit of Tromsø.

Delicious seafood

Tromsø`s restaurants have an excellent reputation for serving delicious seafood dishes in Northern Norway, and some of the best seafood restaurants are located in the harbour. One of the favourites is Skirri restaurant in Kystens Mathus in the middle of the harbour. There is no better place to enjoy a nice meal if you want to enjoy the view of the harbour, the bridge and the Arctic cathedral under mount Tromsdalstinden across the Tromsø sound. 

Skansen

If you continue walking to the starting point of the 1036-meter-long bridge that connects the Tromsø island to the mainland, you will end up in Skansen. If Tromsø could claim to have a distinctive “old town”, it must be the sample of wooden houses and museums that find in this colourful area. Some houses have been removed from other parts of town, while others are still inhabited.

The café at the old customs house is an excellent place to have a coffee or a waffle before returning.

See more: Tromsø travel guide 2023