Best Airbnb In Tromsdalen: Breathtaking Panoramic View Apartment
The views from this apartment will make you think that youve died and gone to heaven. Couple that with the convenient location, close to all the best neighborhoods to stay in Tromso, its a great choice if you want to be close to the city but enjoy being surrounded by nature.
Its also a brand new, modern apartment and you can actually see the northern lights from the apartment windows or terrace!
Tromso Lodge & Camping
When talking about hotels in Tromso, Norway that are good value for your money, you canât skip Tromso Lodge & Camping. This lodge is beautifully set in Tromsdalen by the Tromsdal River, just a five-minute drive from the downtown area. Here, youâll have the privilege to have a walk in the beautiful neighborhood or hike up to Floya mountain.
Inside the cozy cottage, youâll find modern facilities that will make your time much more enjoyable. It boasts a small patio and some provide well-stocked kitchens. You can also chillax in the seating area while watching your favorite show on the flat-screen TV. The great Wi-Fi is free, and so is the parking area. When you want to relax, you can either visit the sauna or go to the bar to have some drinks.
Since there are no restaurants around this accommodation, you take the bus to the city center which is a 10-minute walk away from the lodge. A supermarket is available too, but you have to walk for around 20 minutes to get there.
Arctic Dome In Kokelv
The Arctic Dome in Kokelv might just be my top recommendation for your northern lights trip to Norway. The dome is perfect for northern lights viewing I actually had a lot of trouble going to sleep here because the lights kept appearing above my bed. Its almost the same as staying in a glass igloo hotel, but with a bit more privacy.
The dome sits at the top of a hill so youll get a full, unobstructed view of the sky, and a stay here also comes with a Sami style turf house with a fully equipped kitchen, shower, and sauna.
Kokelv is about a two hour drive from Alta so youll definitely need a car for this one, but I promise its well worth it. Plus the drive is beautiful.
Check current rates and availability here | Read about my stay in Kokelv here
Read Also: Bed And Breakfast In Winthrop Wa
Tromsoya Where To Stay In Tromso First Time
Tromsoya is the main island and its where most of the shops, restaurants, and museums are located. This makes it the best area in Tromso to stay in if you want convenient access to food and entertainment. Its also close to other popular areas in Tromso, and only a short ride from the best places to view the northern lights!
When youre staying in Tromso, youll probably want to see the northern lights. But that doesnt mean you should miss out on everything else that this cool city has to offer. Make sure you explore the attractions around the town during the day, before heading away from the city lights to watch natures light show.
Tromsoya is also the ideal place to base yourself if you want to spend most of your time outside the city because youll find lots of options for tours and activities.
Where To Stay In Troms: Troms Hotels And Accommodation
High up in the Norwegian Arctic sits the gorgeous city of Tromsø, Norway. For centuries, the city has acted as the gateway to the Arctic and the starting point for intrepid explorers who were trying to reach the North Pole.
Tromsø is the third-largest city located above the Arctic Circle in the world and is a vibrant metropolis with a rich cultural history and some of the most stunning nature on the planet.
This Arctic wonderland can be visited throughout the year with Tromsos summer bringing the joys of the midnight sun and as the night skies darken the mystical northern lights dance high above.
Dubbed the Paris of the North, you will absolutely find that any trip to Tromsø will be action-packed and nonstop fun. The only downside to this is that Norway is famous for being incredibly expensive and a trip can easily get out of hand cost-wise.
Luckily, there are plenty of options available in the city for all kinds of travelers, from the most budget-conscious to those who are looking for Nordic luxury the city will not disappoint.
The small Northern Norway city is easy to navigate and everything is centrally located, meaning you will not need to shell out on expensive taxis or work out the public transport.
As the city has long been the gateway to the Arctic, there are also plenty of places to stay within the city center.
Read Also: Best Places To Stay In Winthrop Wa
Traveling To Troms On A Budget
Is Tromsø on your bucket list and you arent sure you can afford it? I would definitely take many factors into consideration before booking a trip there and affordability is one of them. Here are a couple of generic tips I have for those on a budget:
- Travel in the off-season. Dont go to Tromsø in November, December, or January but rather in spring, summer, or autumn.
- Take advantage of your hotels breakfast by packing a to-go lunch with bread and toppings. Sorry, Scandic, Thon, and Radisson. Itll save you a little money and essentially youre eating the most Norwegian lunch ever- a boring matpakke.
- Grocery shop instead of eating out.
- Rent an Airbnb so you can cook your own food. I actually think this ends up just as expensive as eating out by the time you buy everything you need to make food for a week.
- Take larger group tours instead of smaller, private ones.
- Head to another city or area that isnt Tromsø. Alta, Hammerfest, the Lofoten Islands, Senja, or Honningsvåg are viable options. Or, even make the trek up to Svalbard.
Perhaps my biggest budget tip is to PLAN AHEAD! Tours sell out fast in Tromsø and you dont want to be stuck having to book something more expensive last minute! You can find links to the best tours in Tromsø below:
Lofoten Links Lodges In Lofoten
If you want a more luxurious escape where you can watch the northern lights from the comfort of your home, head to the Lofoten Links Lodges on the island of Gimsøy. I stayed here alone, but the cabins are really big so I think it would be fun to come here with your family or a group of friends.
Gimsøy is the best place in Lofoten to watch for the northern lights as there is a clear view north and very dark skies, and the lodges have huge floor to ceiling windows facing north for optimal aurora viewing. Plus they organize horseback riding along the beach!
Check current rates and availability here | Read about my stay at Lofoten Links Lodges here
Read Also: Hotel In Winthrop Wa
Tromsoya Thebest Places To Stay In Troms For First
The harbor front area in Tromsø
Tromsoya is known as one of the best areas to stay in Tromsø. It is the main island and thus has a number of restaurants, shops, and museums at a convenient distance. Additionally, it also gives you easy access to some of the most popular tourist attractions in Tromsø. And above all, Tromsoya is a few minutes away from the best places to view the northern lights. Of course, you wouldnt want to miss out leave Tromsø without experiencing the mesmerizing northern lights.
Moreover, Tromsoya is observed as the ideal place to stay outside the main city of Tromsø. And so, there are plenty of accommodation options in Tromsoya for you to decide where to stay in Tromsø.
And some of the best places to stay in Tromsø are located near the harbor area. Reason being, the innumerable options for tour activities available. These accommodations not only offer a comfortable stay but glorify your experience with amazing views of the waterfront. And above all, the Artic cathedral adds to the beauty.
Both areas offer convenient options to stay in Tromsø, but the harbor area takes the lead with its modern architecture and great views. Although it is slightly at the pricier side but totally worth the stay. So, if you are looking forward to spending for the views, here are some of the best hotel choices to stay in Tromsoya,
Best Tromso Hotels Top 5
Now that you know that the very best place to stay in Tromso is the town center, you may be wondering where exactly. Tromso city center is tiny, but locals still refer to the area around the main shopping street Storgata as Tromso Downtown and the area next to the water as Tromso Harbor.
In my opinion, both these areas are just as nice and both are just as convenient for sightseeing. It will take you just 5 minutes to walk from one to the other
That being said, the nicest Tromso hotels are the ones by the harbor. If you can also get a room with a view, its as good as it gets! In winter, you might even be able to see the Northern Lights from the comfort of your hotel room!
However, Tromso hotels that are a bit further from the water tend to be a bit cheaper So if you are on the tighter budget, check out my selection of the best price-quality hotels in Tromso further below.
But first, lets take a look at the very best hotels in Tromso. These hotels have an excellent location, fantastic customer reviews, and offer the very best experience in Tromso. Find out!
You May Like: Places To Stay Near Houghton Mi
Tips To Finding The Most Secret Spots
People often ask how we find all these little beauties – well it’s no secret, my best tips are:I usually start by typing into google – ‘unusual or unique places to stay in Tromso’ and work around that.Then i’ll type a destination into , have a look through the top pages for that country and see if anything stands out! is always a good one – I just type into the search bar, ‘country’ and ‘accommodation’ and see what comes up!I also scroll through lots of websites that offer activities as sometimes they offer really cool accommodation too!I use lots of different websites to find cool spots, two of my faves are www.hostunusual.com and www.canopyandstars.co.uk.
Troms Tours Often Provide Additional Winter Gear
If youre signed up for dog-sledding tours or anything else in Tromsø, you might have the option of using their additional winter gear for the journey. This is really helpful if you didnt dress properly . They are not the prettiest things, but hey, it keeps ya warm!
Dont count on this, however. If youre going whale watching or chasing the northern lights, you will be on your own so you better bring your best winter clothing along for the ride!
Also Check: Cheap Hotels In Bradenton Florida
Dog Sledding In Tromso
Being from Tromso and having owned Siberian Huskies all my life, dog sledding has been on my bucket list for years. This year for my birthday it was finally time to cross it off my list, and I contacted our dear family friend, Tore, who owns Active Tromsø.
My family and I had a fantastic day out in this winter wonderland together with Tores cute and friendly Alaskan Huskies. The best birthday I have ever had!
If you too want to experience a dog sledding adventure in the arctic nature of Tromso, the best and easiest way to get to Tromso is by plane. There are direct flights from Oslo, Helsinki, Stockholm, London, and Frankfurt, as well as several cities within Norway.
Tromso has a lot of accommodation options to choose from. If you havent yet decided on where to stay in Tromso, then to read our complete guide to our favorite Tromso areas and hotels.
Aurora Camp Tromso The Best Option To Sleep In A Lavvu In Tromso
At the Aurora Camp Tromso, you have the opportunity to sleep in a lavvu, a kind of huge tent that can hold up to 20 people. The lavvu were the temporary homes of the Sami, a nomadic people considered the first known indigenous population in Scandinavia.
8. Aurora Camp Tromso, the best option to sleep in a lavvu in Tromso
If youre looking for an original place to sleep in Tromso, curling up in a lavvu can be an excellent option. Furthermore, its not only one of the best hotels in Tromso to see Northern Lights its also considered one of the best hotels to see Northern Lights in Norway.
Read Also: Vrbo Houghton Lake
Radisson Blu Hotel Tromso
Looking for big and nice hotels in Tromso, Norway that are in the middle of everything? Look no more, because Radisson Blu Hotel Tromso is here. Set in the downtown district, this accommodation also houses Yonas Pizzeria, the cityâs popular pizza restaurant.
Almost every room in this hotel will give you access to enjoy the views of the city or the Arctic Cathedral. Each of them is decorated in soothing tones, making you feel warm and homey. With the plush bed, free Wi-Fi, and cozy seating area, youâre guaranteed a pleasant stay.
When relaxation time calls, you can visit the sauna that overlooks the harbor. Or, you can also burn some calories in the fitness center. During winter, you might want to go to the hotelâs glass bridge. If lady luck is with you, youâll witness the Northern Lights from there.
Kvaloya Where To Stay In Tromso For Northern Lights
Perhaps you are seeking more remote accommodation in Tromso? Kvaloya, or Whale Island, may be just what you are looking for. Just a few minutes from Tromsoya by bridge, Kvaloya is where many of the tours and activities from Tromso take place, including the dog sledding tours.
If you want to know where to stay in Tromsø for northern lights, Kvaloya is a great option! If you are looking for a mountain lodge, check this area it has some of the best mountains of this region. There are various spots around the island where you can stay, including Ersfjordbotn, a small village at the north end of the island.
Don’t Miss: Best Places To Stay In Bologna Italy
Kvaloya Best Neighborhood In Tromso For Families
If you want to stay in a more remote location where you can see the northern lights in all their glory, then check out the area around Kvaloya. This is the hands-down best neighborhood in Tromso to stay for natural surroundings and outdoor activities.
Kvaloya is just a few minutes from Tromsoya by bridge and there are a huge range of activities going on in this part of the world.
Simone Gramegna
Whether you want to go on dog sledding tours, skiing, or just want to experience Tromsos famous natural landscape, this area is ideal. And despite its isolation, there are great accommodation options in the area whether youre deciding where to stay for your first time or are on a repeat trip.
How To Get Around Tromso
Tromso is a small town, and its easy to get around by bus or by taxi. Theres no Uber but Tromso Taxi has their own app where you can book and pay for rides. It cost us 260 NOK to get from the airport to our lodge, and then about 160 NOK to get from the lodge to the city when we needed to move our suitcases.The bus is easy too, just download the Troms Mobillett app to pre-purchase tickets , or pay in cash when you jump on . We loaded 200 NOK at the beginning of the trip and had 68 NOK leftover after taking two trips each, including one out to the airport. You can also buy a 24 hour pass for 100 NOK but I think itd be unlikely that youd use the bus enough to make it worth it.Note that the buses dont go that often, a maximum of four times per hour in peak times, so check the timetable before you plan your transport.In summer I imagine Tromso would be very car-friendly, but I would not recommend hiring a car in winter unless youre an experienced winter/snow/ice driver.
Recommended Reading: Best Places To Stay In Bologna Italy
Dont Take Taxis In Troms
Or anywhere in Norway. Sorry, taxi companies in Norway. It is absurdly expensive and there is always a public transportation option available in almost any city, including Tromsø.
Tromsø is small, anyway, and walking around is the easiest way to get from Point A to Point B. Aram and I have used the public transportation in Tromsø and it worked wonderfully.
Ingredients Used In Northern Norwegian Cuisine
One of the most underrated things to do in Tromsø is to EAT. Many people go for northern lights and winter activities, but trust me, eating should be on your list.
Tromsø and Northern Norway are home to some unique ingredients and you should try them if you have the means to do so. While this is not to shine light on the uncommon ingredients, here are some that you might come across when traveling to Tromsø :
- Cod
- Potatoes , carrots , leek , beetroot
- Butter and bread
- Many types of berries such as blueberries , cloudberries , lingonberry , strawberries , raspberries , black currant , and red currant .
These are some of the main ingredients, or common ones, that youll see on menus in Tromsø.
Read Also: Lodging Near Winthrop Wa