After spending the night at the Blåvatnet parking lot, where we had planned to hike, but the weather was really bad, with pouring rain and strong winds, so we decided to skip the hike this time.
After making this decision, we had to come up with a new plan for the day. For a moment, we pondered what to do since going out didn’t appeal to us. Eventually, we decided to head towards the city of Tromsø.
The most sensible route from Blåvatnet to Tromsø passed through Svensby and then by ferry to Breivikeidet, from where we could drive straight to Tromsø. Taking the ferry reduced the driving distance by about 155 kilometers compared to if we hadn’t taken the ferry. The ferry ride took about 20 minutes and cost a few euros per person.
Upon arriving in Tromsø, we went straight to the hotel. We had booked a hotel in a convenient location right in the city center. The hotel was Enter City Hotel. The room was spacious and had a kitchen, but the view from the window was really bleak, facing an inner courtyard, almost as if we had arrived in the old Soviet Union 😅 But apart from this view, the hotel was quite good.
Tromsø is Norway’s northernmost and the 8th largest city, surprisingly large considering how far north we are. It’s also the largest city north of the Arctic Circle in the Nordics.
Tromsø Attractions:
Tromsø City Center
The Tromsø city center boasts beautiful and colorful old wooden houses, exuding the charming atmosphere of a fishing village despite being a city. The center features a pleasant pedestrian street lined with many small cafes, shops, and boutiques. The harbor area is also picturesque, with many old buildings and interesting museums, such as the Polar Museum.
The Arctic Cathedral
The Arctic Cathedral (officially known as Tromsdalen Church) is one of Tromsø’s most famous landmarks. The modern-looking church is located slightly away from the city center and is visible from downtown, being on the “wrong” side of the bridge, i.e., on the mainland side. The church is quite unique and striking. From here, you can also enjoy nice views of the city.
Storsteinen
Fjellheisen Cable Car / Hike to the top of Storsteinen. Storsteinen is a 421-meter-high mountain offering panoramic views of the city. There’s also a restaurant and a viewing terrace at the cable car station. We skipped this due to the rainy and foggy weather, but it’s surely a great place in better conditions.
The harbor area was our favorite part of Tromsø. Beautiful buildings, the sea, mountains, and fishing boats. A really nice place to stroll around and marvel at the city’s atmosphere. Especially after the rain, the place was atmospheric, with that typical Northern fishing town vibe. If the weather had been nice, there were some cozy-looking restaurants along the waterfront with large terraces. It would have been really nice to sit there in the sunshine.
As for cafe recommendations, Svermeri Kafé og Redesign stands out. This cafe had a really cozy atmosphere. It was an old wooden building from the outside, and the same ambiance continued inside. Definitely worth stopping by for a cup of coffee.
We spent a total of two nights in Tromsø, and from here, we continued our journey towards Senja Island.
Explore activities in Tromsø and the surrounding area, such as guided city tours through Get Your Guide.
