Family Travel Ideas in Tromso

There are plenty of Tromso family travel attractions available to keep everyone in the family occupied and having a great time. The weather is always chilly and very cold in the winter, so visiting in the spring, summer and autumn is the best. Due to Tromso's northern location (on the northern coast of Norway), you will have almost complete sunshine and no night during these seasons.

Polaria

One of the best attractions in Tromso is Polaria, which is an arctic aquarium.  This is perfect for children, as they love to see the bearded seals. These seals are very intelligent despite their quiet nature. There are also large fish tanks that contain fish from near Svalbard and the Barents Sea. The panoramic film is also a good choice, as this is one of the easiest ways to "fly" around the Spitsbergen Archipelago.

The Midnight Sun

The Arctic Cathedral provides the perfect place for viewing the midnight sun. One of the most famous landmarks in town, this cathedral features a glass mosaic that was inspired by the northern landscape. In the summer you should not miss the Midnight Sun concerts, as these are a great build-up to seeing the midnight sun.

Another way to view the midnight sun or the northern lights is by taking the cable car up to the top of Storsteinen Mountain. Here you can view some of the best panoramas of the city and surrounding scenery. This is a great little trip, and one that should not be missed.

Museums

Tromso has the most northern botanical garden in the world, with plants that are quite different from what you are used to: they all have Alpine and Arctic plants.  These plants are heat-sensitive and do not grow in warmer climates. The local primrose, a local medicinal plant, can be found alongside Blue Poppies from the Himalayas, and Lewisias from the Rocky Mountains.

For a very cold or rainy day, you should stop in the University Museum of Tromso. This museum has exhibits and artifacts that center around the indigenous Sami culture and North Norwegian culture. At this museum, you can learn about local geology and archaeology as well as the famous Northern Lights.

The Polar Museum is another fun visit, as it descibes--in detail--the Arctic explorers and the hardships they had to endure. This museum is in one of the oldest buildings in town, the traditional wharf house. The Art Museum of Northern Norway is also a sight to see, with exhibits that run the gamut from contemporary pieces to 19th-century works of art.