With May coming to an end and we are having the last holiday weekend for a long while I feel the urge for another trip coming up bad. Then I suddenly remember that I have yet to tell you about my trip to the northern part of Norway and the city of Tromsø, lets head for the north…

Tromsø, the biggest city of northern Norway and also called the Paris of the north ever since 1840. Going at winter time there is nothing to I can compare to Paris – well unless you count the slight disappointment. Tromsø at winter time is rather grey and icy… oh and cold (pack warm clothes and sensible shoes)

The airport considered Norway´s 5th biggest is a tiny one and if you don´t use the airport shuttle bus (you really should, no matter how long the queue is) prepare for a looooong wait for that taxi! What normally should take 10 minutes took us about an hour.

That being said and warned, Tromsø can still be a nice city to explore. Here are a few of my tips for you:

5. Paris of the North, Take a stroll along the roads of the city.

Tromsø has an extensive part of town built entirely in wood, and I imagine that in spring or summer this city is buzzing with life and shopping opportunities much like Paris. In winter, we visited in february, the weather is unpredictable. We had rain and windy days and nothing really screamed at us to lure us out. We did anyways. This was after all my first visit to Tromsø and I wanted to explore the Paris of the North.

4. The Cable car

Do you want to see all of the city in its glory head to the cable car at mount Storsteinen (421 m) and get a great photo opportunity this is where you wanna go. At summertime this it THE place to explore the midnight sun. You may even go hiking from this point.

3. The Arctic Cathedral

The Arctic Cathedral is well known in Tromsø and also very visual as it lays across the city underneath mount Storsteinen. The inside is in my opinion nothing big (I have honestly seen prettier churches) but the architecture is stunning. Particular in the blue hour or at night.

2. The Beer hall

A visit at Ølhallen (the beer hall) is a must. This is Tromsø´s oldest pub and a well known pub in the city centre. With 67 different type of beers the choice is almost endless. Open at daytime 10.00 – 1900 (mon-wed) and 10:00-23.00 (thur-sat). This is a typical brown pub including the clientell but the beer is really good. If you are interested in the history of Mack ask for the guided tour.

Tromsø has a good nightlife, being a Student City. And if you wanna do a pub to pub there are good choices.

1. The northern light chase

THE reason we came to Tromsø this winter was of course the chase of the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) and we are super lucky as I have described already here.  This is in my opinion the number one reason to come to Tromsø. The northern lights are a wonderful sight and should at least be experienced once in your lifetime. But beware – it can be addictive – you might want to go again and again…

So there you have it. My five top things to do while visiting Tromsø. There is of course many more. I can name Rorbua, another well know pub/restaurant known from TV shows in the 80´s. Skarven – for eating local food. And while visiting here why not take a dogsled trip in the grand nature. I know I would like to try that the next time around.