Going North to Tromsø
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 16
January 2026: Experiencing the first time in my life the Northern Lights around freezing midnight! Fabulous spot on the Kvaloya island close to Tromsø some 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Gateway to heaven. Cosmic dance and you feel simply humble.
Guide company I recommend: Wandering Owl
Luckily I could experience this unique trip together with my brother Jean-Claude, a passionate nature photographer, well equipped and not afraid of getting cold either.
We stayed at the The Dock 69°39 Hotel in Tromsø, centrally located, super friendly engaged international staff, excellent breakfast to start the long day, standard rooms might be too small for couples. (right: view from the room)
Some impressions from Tromsø City and I was stunned that Open Air Cinema doesn't care about subzero temperatures.
The Polar Museum doesn't look spectacular from outside but it's really worth investing two hours of your time. You get immediately a real sense of just how brutal and challenging life was in the early years in the region of Tromsø.
This brave young sailor bravely tried to fish a smartphone out of the icy harbor basin and didn't want to just stand by and watch.
Visiting Tromsø’s local mountain, Storsteinen, is an absolute must. The unforgettable view of Northern Norway’s largest city casts a magical spell over you. From the 421-meter-high summit of Storsteinen, you look down on the island of Tromsøya and the surrounding mainland. I recommend going in the morning hours or in the evening or both with your 1day ticket. Sturdy footwear is essential, as some sections are icy, and it’s also worth walking the entire way instead of taking a taxi to get a feel for the way of life in this unique city.
The connection to the sea has many facets: tragic stories, heroic pioneering achievements, and breathtaking natural beauty—and this was the source of prosperity for the greater Tromsø region.
Roald Amundsen (1872–1928) is definitely the most popular person worldwide as Norwegian pioneering explorer and a key figure in the "Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration," celebrated as the first person to reach the South Pole (1911) and the first to navigate the Northwest Passage (1903–1906). Known as "the last of the Vikings," he was the first explorer to reach both the North and South Poles.
Contrary to all the stereotypes, we met nothing but incredibly friendly, helpful locals, and you can’t help but love this city and its people.
We were told that this was the first sunshine after more then 2 months!
Definitely our favourite eating place: Restaurant EGON in Tromsø center for lunch or dinner.
Endless, untouched nature: Norskesanden Beach in Grøtfjord
Feeding Reindeers in Vågnes: they played a large part in allowing people to settle in the harsh Arctic areas, thousands of years ago. And they're still an important part of daily life for many, especially the Sami people.
An unforgettable experience: Husky sledding with AURORA HUSKY located in Moen. Sustainability is at the heart of everything they do: environmental responsibility (local food chains, minimised waste with reused equipement), cultural respect and inclusion by sharing the heritage of the Sami combined with local economic contribution.
I have often experienced how traveling broadens the horizon. Nature here in Tromsø revealed itself in an unfiltered, untouched tranquility, almost on the edge of the world. A magic that cannot be explained but only felt. The people who live and work here come from countless countries and diverse cultures. Consideration here is not a forced rule, but a natural attitude. It seems as if the cars here drive without a hood. I didn't feel like a visitor, no, I left this unique region as a humbled guest. Tusen Takk Tromsø.
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