Tromsø, Norway

You’ll have the best chance to see this wonderful natural phenomenon between September and April, especially during the dark days of the Polar Night. Preferably you’d like to get away from the city and the light pollution during a new moon period on a clear day to give yourself the best view.

There are several activities available connected to watching the Northern Lights, such as dog-sledding and cruises.

Between October and February, Tromsø is the best place to watch whale and dolphin species, as the harbour porpoise, humpback whale, killer whale and fin whale migrate. The educative cruises make sure you actually see them so a trip can last anywhere between 3 to 7 hours, and they also teach you about the animals’ migration and feeding habits.

If you happen to visit during the brief summer period, you can experience the Midnight Sun, 24 hours of constant sunlight which is hard to believe until you see it for yourself! Many decide to take the Fjellheisen (Tromsø Cable Car) just across the Tromsø Bridge up to the Storsteinen mountain ledge to have an amazing view over the city, have a short walk or depart for hikes to the 1,238-metre Tromsdalstinden.

There are quite a few stunning fjords near Tromsø and you can either board a classic 5-hour cruise taking you around Kaldfjorden, Balsfjorden, Ullsfjorden and Malangen or have a guided drive to Sommarøy island. Just make sure you wear extra warm clothes so you can fully enjoy the beautiful wilderness of the snow-capped mountains and waterfalls.

This modern masterpiece opened its gates in 1965. The Arctic Cathedral is made up of 11 rectangular frames, with a glass facade fronted by a huge cross. The design was inspired by boathouses, icebergs and Sami tents, perfectly capturing the heritage of the area.

During the Midnight Sun weeks, you can attend special concerts in the cathedral, providing a truly unique experience.

The museum is dedicated to the lives of the polar pioneers, such as Roald Amundsen, who is a Norwegian national hero and was the first man to reach the south pole and to sail through the Northwest Passage. But it’s not all about explorers, you can learn about life of animal trappers from the early 20^th century and even see an authentic trapper’s cabin.

A bit more on the culture side of the city, you can visit Norway’s northernmost art museum, which was also named Norway Museum of the Year in 2017. The museum has more than 2000 paintings, ranging from landscapes about Northern Norway to the works of world-famous artists such as Edvard Munch.