Tromsø is located about 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circleand is the largest city in northern Norway, with part of the settlement stretching along the east coast of an island (Tromsøya) connected to the mainland by a graceful arched bridge.
A land of spectacular fjords, snow-covered forests and remote fishing villages, in Tromsø both urban city life and the region's unspoilt Arctic nature offer many fun and adventurous activities throughout the year, such as chasing the Northern Lights in winter or admiring the midnight sun in summer.
With a large international airport, an active harbour, a strategic location between fjords and mountains and modern accommodation facilities, Tromsø has become the hub of all tourism and commerce in the region, thanks in part to the 'Sustainable Destination' certification awarded to locations where the local heritage, economy and community have focused heavily on the environment with a commitment to work to reduce the negative effects of tourism while enhancing its positive knock-on effects.
The city of Tromsø is also known as the'gateway to the Arctic' because it is an ideal base for venturing on polar expeditions and because it enjoys more northern lights than anywhere else in the world plus two full months of midnight sun.
The vibrant capital of northern Norway combines cultural attractions such as the Arctic Cathedral, the Polaria Experience Centre and the Polar Museum with endless possibilities for unique activities among the ice such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, whale watching and dog sledding expeditions.
In addition, the city is also home to the world's northernmost university, the Arctic University of Norway, popular annual festivals such as the Tromsø International Film Festival and Northern Light Festival, and also boasts a vibrant culinary scene with menus filled with Norwegian seafood and excellent local produce.
How to get to Tromsø? 
Despite its remote location, getting to Tromsø is fairly easy with flights available on the main routes, cruise ships and long, scenic bus journeys.
There are only four airlines operating flights to Tromsø - SAS Flights, Norwegian Airlines, Wideroe and Finnair. However, if you depart from Italy, you will need to stop off in Oslo to catch another flight or embark on a cruise ship.
What to see in Tromso
Tromsø is a city with a pleasant, charming atmosphere. Its town centre is a mixture of colourful, characteristic wooden houses from the 1800s scattered along long, walkable boulevards where you can stroll to the best local attractions.
The town's main pedestrian street, Storgata, is lined with a few old houses, restaurants and souvenir shops and during the polar night is decorated with hundreds of coloured light bulbs. On Storgata's main square is the Kirke Dom, the only completely wooden cathedral in Norway.
Tromsø's most recognisable landmark is theiconic Arctic Cathedral, a true landmark for the city, which is shaped like an iceberg inspired by the small island Håja visible from the beaches of Sommaroy, with a stunning glass mosaic that glows in incredible colours thanks to the reflection of the sun's rays.
Atmospheric classical music concerts are organised for tourists at midnight in a nave characterised by the typical austerity of Protestant churches, except for the impressive stained glass windows.
A good idea to get to know the city is to start your tour from the harbour, where Tromsø's main hotels are located, stop at one of the typical breweries and then walk down the large pedestrian street to one of the most significant places in the city such as Polaria near the waterfront.
This is an Arctic adventure centre that is the world's northernmost aquarium, perfect to visit with the family because it focuses on Arctic animals and fish.
Its main attraction is the feeding of seals done in public twice a day. The museum also has an unusual cinema room with a huge panoramic screen on which images of the northern lights and Arctic nature are projected with spectacular results.
Tromsø also boasts a number of exciting museums such as the Polar Museum, which recounts major ice expeditions such as the legendary Nansen and Amundsen expeditions with some rather rare exhibits housed in this old-style building, or the University of Tromsø Museum, the oldest scientific institution in northern Norway with exhibits that delve into traditional Sami life, Viking life and ecclesiastical art.
Another major attraction in the city is the cable car to the top of Mount Storsteinen, also known as Fjellheisen .
Upon arrival at a height of 421 metres, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city, fjords and nearby mountains and set off on several hiking trails. To get to the top, one can also climb the long staircase parallel to the cable car line.
Also worth seeing is the Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden, the world's northernmost botanical garden with Arctic plants and flowers open all year round and admission is free. The flowering season starts at the end of April or May and goes on until the first snowfall.
Activities to do and when to go 
In Tromsø, you can enjoy incredible experiences in direct contact with Arctic nature, such as seeing the Northern Lights spectacle by following expert local guides through observation points just outside the city that are considered among the best in the world due to the high probability of seeing the incredible colours of the Northern Lightsbetween September and April, depending on weather conditions.
Tromsø is located on an island called Tromsøya and is surrounded by beautiful fjords.
One of the best ways to get an overview of the landscape is to join a tour of the fjords by boat, on zero-emission fishing boats that take visitors to see wild animals such as eagles, dolphins, seals and even whales.
These fjord cruises are an opportunity to see the area around Tromso from a different perspective, especially in summer, with 24 hours of daylight, to see the midnight sun and the beautiful waterways and perhaps spot the killer whales and orcas that abound in the cold local waters.
Above the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets during the summer months, approximately from May to July.
This means that Tromso offers the perfect excuse to stay out all night and enjoy memorable experiences such as a midnight kayak trip or go in search of the best spots to admire this summer phenomenon such as Floya Mountain, Telegrafbukta Beach and outside Kvaloya Island such as Sommaroy or Grotfjord.
Riding a reindeer sled and feeding the cute animals is a unique Tromso experience, also good for meeting the Sami people and learning about their traditions and culture.
Equally fun is dog sledding, or driving a sled pulled by friendly husky dogs to explore the snowy landscapes around the city.
Tromsø is surrounded by beautiful nature and the Lyngen Alps offer perhaps the most majestic landscape to explore on exciting snowmobile safaris.
For relaxation, on the other hand, there's nothing better than entering a warm and cosy floating sauna located right in the harbour in the centre of Tromso, from which you can also dive into the salt water of the sea for a temperature contrast only for the brave.
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