Where to Stay in Tromso Norway: My favorite Areas and Hotels

Tromso is definitely one of the most unique places I’ve ever visited. I came to Tromso mainly to see the Northern Lights, but I was very surprised by how much I loved the city itself. The first thing I noticed was that everything is covered in a blanket of snow that dampened the sound of everything. It was really quiet outside in our neighborhood. The driveway was slanted and covered in ice, so it was scary and difficult to walk on even though I had proper boots.

What I love most about Tromso is the cozy winter atmosphere set by how everywhere looks and feels. Directly opposite my Airbnb was a huge mountain covered in snow. Behind the house was a tiny town with many small and cozy homes scattered close to each other.

With winter charm comes winter cold. I made an article on what to pack for Tromso in winter so you guys would never be lacking in the warm clothing department.

I don’t think where you stay in Tromso matters that much compared to other areas. This is because Tromso isn’t a place you’re going to be renting in car and driving about much in. You’ll be taking the bus, Ubering around and going on tours often.

Tromso is not an unpopular hidden gem of a place. It’s a really popular place and one of the most famous places for people who want to see the Northern Lights. Tromso never felt crowded with tourists, even in the city area while we were walking around exploring. This was great because I hate crowds and usually always travel in the off season.

If you want to know the best time to visit Tromso for the Northern lights, check out my article.

In this guide, I am going to help you find where to stay in Tromso Norway. I’ll talk about the best places to stay, the best areas around Tromso and the accommodations I personally recommend.

Where to stay in Tromso: My personal take

I stayed in an a quiet and cozy urban neighborhood in Tromso called Tromsdalen for 4 days. Its located just across the Tromso Bridge from the main city center. What I realized was that staying in the outskirts of the city was cheaper than being in the main city center. Nothing new here, that’s typical for almost all cities in the world. If you’re wondering if Tromso is worth visiting, read my article for motivation to visit this amazing place. The cold, long nights and far travel is all worth it to me.

From Tromsdalen, in order to get to the city center we had to take a bus or walk. We love to walk and explore places, especially on the first day. But if you’d rather save time and energy, just take the bus. If I were coming back here again, I wouldn’t stay anywhere differently. Staying outside the city center also gives you a higher chance of seeing the Northern Lights because of less light pollution.

The other area that seemed great to stay in was in the city. I loved being able to walk everywhere because Tromso was a very new and different place for me. I definitely wouldn’t stay in the city for more than 2 days. It just isn’t as quiet and cozy as Tromsdalen neighborhood. The city center was great to walk around, wander into stores and try different restaurants easy. In Tromsdalen, there’s nothing but homes, so the city is better in terms of access to more places.

Best areas to stay in Tromso Norway

Tromsdalen

Tromsdalen is a small and cozy urban neighborhood on the opposite side of the Tromso bridge to the city center. After looking at various places to stay in Tromso Norway, our favorite was Tromsdalen. You have the famous Arctic Cathedral just minutes away and the Fjellheisen cable car, where you can do hikes and see the Northern Lights from the mountains.

This area of Tromso is very quiet and mostly have only houses. There aren’t any stores, malls or restaurants here like the city center. But, Tromsdalen was much cheaper than staying in the city. To get to the city from here it’s quite easy. Just take a bus or walk across the bridge. I did both. While walking across the bridge, it got quite windy and cold because of the large open space without any cover.

You’ll find really nice Airbnbs all over Tromsdalen. Considering how expensive Tromso is, I recommend staying in one of these Airbnbs instead of a large hotel in the city center if saving money is a priority to you.

My Tromsdalen Airbnb

My Airbnb is one of the best and most affordable Airbnb’s in Tromsdalen, Tromso. It’s big enough for everyone to have their own room and cozy enough where everyone get’s to mingle and have a good time either in the living room or kitchen.

There’s parking, Wi-Fi, full kitchen, large gallery area outside. Inside was really warm and nice, even at night. I thought that the shower was really small for someone like me and it felt almost flimsy, like I would fall through it. Definitely one of the best places to stay in Tromso for the price.

Tromsø Lodge & Camping

Tromsø Lodge & Camping is a good alternative if you want something between a hotel and a cabin stay. It’s surrounded by nature in Tromsdalen but still close enough to easily reach Tromso city center.

Tromso city center

I didn’t stay in the city center, but I spent a lot of time exploring and walking around for hours, even at night. Tromso city center is great for people who want to be close to everything and have the convenience of being near to restaurants, stores and places like the harbour and Polaria.

Also, if I’m just staying one day in Tromso, this is where I’d base myself.

Most of the Arctic tours meet up at a popular location like in the lobby of a hotel. My Northern Lights tour group meeting location was at the lobby of the Radisson hotel. So, if you stayed at one of these hotels in the city center organizing tours would be a little easier. A lot of the best things to do in Tromso happen from this area.

If you’re in the city center you don’t ever really need to take uber or the bus. I really love how walkable Tromso is. It’s pretty walkable even outside of the town. Most hotels are located here, stores, groceries, pharmacies, bakeries ,cafes and restaurants are all really close to each other and in walking distance. Like a typical European town style.

On the other hand, staying in the city center is going to be more expensive than staying outside of the city. If you’re staying in one of the hotels here, expect to pay more money for the same amount of space. You’re basically paying for convenience.

Clarion Hotel The Edge

If I were recommending one hotel to someone visiting Tromsø for the first time, this would probably be it. The location is excellent right on the waterfront and within walking distance of almost everything you’ll want to explore and see.

The hotel is modern, stylish, and has some of the best harbor views in the city. A lot of travelers say the breakfast is great and that a lot of tours do meet here often. The waterfront location also means many rooms look directly towards Tromsdalen and the Arctic Cathedral.

Scandic Ishavshotel

This would probably be my other choice in the city centre. Its located right on the harbor and consistently gets recommended by people who came here on reddit and Youtube a lot.

What I like about this option is that it feels very “Arctic Norway.” You’re surrounded by the harbor, mountains, fishing boats, and winter scenery that make Tromsø special. If you’re lucky enough to get a room facing the water, you’ll wake up to one of the best views in the city.

Sommaroy

If I ever return to Tromso, Sommarøy is probably where I’d spend at least a couple of nights. I didn’t stay there during my trip, but after seeing photos, researching and speaking with other travelers that I met on my tours, it’s one of the places I regret not being able to spend time in.

Sommarøy is a tiny fishing village about an hour from Tromsø and honestly looks nothing like what most people imagine when they think of the Arctic. Instead of dark rocky coast, there are white sandy beaches and turquoise water that kind of looks like a beach in the Caribbean. I would never in a million years think that a place like this exists so far north. It’s actually crazy to me.

One thing many people don’t realize is that Sommarøy is also one of the best places near Tromso for seeing the Northern Lights. Because it’s much further away from the city’s light pollution. You can even easily see the lights without a tour here. A lot of the more expensive tours actually come here for a full day activity including Northern Lights.

Sommarøy Arctic Hotel

Man, just looking at the surroundings of this hotel makes me really wish I stayed here. The hotel is right on the white sand beaches, and it’s for sure the most famous place to stay in the area. I still can’t believe a place like this exists in the Arctic.

I think what makes this place really nice is the location. You can watch the Northern Lights from the property during winter and experience the Midnight Sun during summer if you want. The views are incredible in every direction, and the whole setting feels much more remote and authentic than staying in the city. The hotel also offers cabins, apartments, and traditional hotel rooms. I found that this hotel was actually really affordable. It’s only $227 USD a night here.

Kvaloya

During my trip to Tromso, one thing I noticed quickly was how much of a difference even a short drive away from the city made. The further you get from the lights of Tromsø, the darker the sky becomes and everything is just instantly more exciting. I remember driving away from Tromso and heading to Finland and the further and deeper we got to the forest the more my imagination ran wild. I was wondering if there are bears here or wolves and stuff like that.

Kvaloya is an island west of Tromso and is often called one of the most beautiful islands in Northern Norway. It’s full of rugged mountains, frozen lakes, cool fjords, and small fishing villages. Nothing like the city center at all. A lot of the Northern Lights tours actually head out in this direction because of the open landscapes and lower light pollution. I think that places like these are what make Tromso worth visiting.

I personally think Kvaløya is one of the best places to stay near Tromso if you’re a photographer or someone who wants to do some outdoor camping action. The only downside is that having a rental car makes life much easier, especially during winter. If you don’t mind being a little further from restaurants city conveniences, Kvaløya is great for all things nature.

Yggdrasil Farm hotel Retreat & Spa

As I mentioned before, if you want great Northern Lights and outdoors in the arctic vibe, this is probably where I’d stay. It’s located in a peaceful area of Kvaløya surrounded by mountains, fjords, and open wilderness.

The biggest advantage here is the location. You’re far enough away from Tromsø’s city lights to have a much better chance of spotting the aurora right from the property on a clear night. The hotel also has a wellness-focused atmosphere with outdoor hot tubs and spa facilities, which is insanely good after freezing in this cold weather. Also, if you’re a couple that wants a more romantic vibe this is great.

Modern Kvaløya Apartment – Airbnb

This Airbnb is a good option if you want your own kitchen and more space than a hotel room. It’s especially useful for couples or small groups renting a car and using Kvaløya as their base.

FAQ about the best places to stay in Tromso Norway