Tromso (Romsa in Northern Sámi and Tromssa in Kvensk/Finnish) is a city in Norway’s far north. It is over 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is one of the greatest spots in winter to see the stunning Northern Lights.
Most tourists are surprised to discover art, history, elegance, delicious cuisine, and a famed nightlife in a lively, little city like Tromsø. All of it, though, is surrounded by breathtaking landscape that can be seen from wherever in town. The city is home to the world’s most northern university, as well as research institutions and satellite-based industries. As a result, the people is highly competent while retaining the straightforwardness and sense of humour that the North is renowned for.
The majority of Tromsø is located on the tiny island of Tromsya, which is sometimes shortened to “Tromsø Island” in English. This 10-kilometer-long low island is home to both built-up regions and birch woods, as well as the airport. The city center is situated in the island’s south-eastern corner. Polaria, the Polar Museum, the Art Museum of Northern Norway, the Contemporary Art Gallery, and the majority of the shopping, dining, and nightlife are all located here. The city’s principal thoroughfare is the 1 km-long Storgata, where the most of the people-watching takes place (an activity in which tourists play but a modest role).
The Tromsø Museum is located on the southern point of the island, while the Botanic Garden is located near the University on the north-eastern side.
The mainland is located east of Tromsø Island, across the Tromsø Sound, and includes the Arctic Cathedral, the Cable Car, the Military Museum, and substantial residential areas. The 3 km long Tromsø Sound Tunnel and the 1016 metre long Tromsø Bridge link the island to the mainland.
Due to the Gulf Stream, winter in Tromso is milder than in other cities at the same latitude. The average temperature in January is roughly -4 degrees. Tromso has had temperatures as low as -18°C. Even in the dead of winter, rain and temperatures as high as +6 are not uncommon. Between December and May, there is usually a lot of snow, and in April 1997, the snow depth in the city reached 2.4 meters.
Summertime brings a wide range of temperatures. Beautiful, warm, bright days are intermingled with overcast, cold, and gloomy days. The average temperature in July is +11°C, with a high of +30°C.
Tromso is Norway’s eighth-largest municipality, with a population of 71,590, and the center of the country’s ninth-largest metropolitan area, with a population of about 60,000. The city is home to the world’s most northern university, as well as the world’s most northern botanical park and planetarium.
The city center sits on the east side of Tromsya island, more than 300 kilometers (190 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, at 69°40′33′′N 18°55′10′′E. Kroken, Tromsdalen (on the mainland, east of Tromsya), the whole of Tromsya island, and the eastern half of the massive Kvalya, west of Tromsya island are all suburbs. Both the Tromso Bridge and the Tromsysund Tunnel across the Tromsysundet strait, linking the mainland to Tromsya via road. The Sandnessund Bridge joins Tromsya and Kvalya islands on the city’s western outskirts.
The municipality has numerous towering mountains, notably Hamperokken, Jiehkkevárri, Store Blmann, Store Fornestinden, and Tromsdalstinden. The mountain range of the Lyngen Alps runs along the Tromso-Lyngen municipal boundary. Hillesya,Kvalya, Rebbenesya, Ringvassya, Sommarya, and Tromsya are only a few of the islands that make up the municipality of Tromso. Tromso is also home to various fjords, including the Balsfjorden, Kaldfjorden, Malangen, and Ullsfjorden.
The Public Library in the city center offers free internet connection (ask the main desk for WiFi access). There is also free WiFi at Burger King. The student residence Driv provides eduroam, and unlike the library, it is open for a much longer period of time. Dark Light and Meieriet both have coin-operated devices.
Free wifi zones may be found in a variety of locations across town, including Peppe’s Pizza and Kafé Verdensteatret. Many hotels have it as well, although they often charge for it.
