6 of the Best Hotels in Tromsø
Nestled deep in the Arctic Circle, Tromsø can be found at 69˚N. This small city is one of my favourite places to visit in Norway, where views of fjords and snow-capped mountains look like they’ve been pulled from a storybook. From hunting for the Northern Lights to enjoying a cruise through the fjords, there’s something for every type of traveller waiting to be found here.
In this article, I’m going to be sharing six of the best hotels in Tromsø with you. Hopefully they fill you with inspiration for your own trip.
Learn More: 10 of the Best Things to Do in Tromsø
Choosing the Best Hotels in Tromsø
When visiting Tromsø, I would highly recommend choosing a hotel based on the things you want to experience and your ability to move around the area. If you’re driving, you might want to stay outside of the centre. Whereas, if you’re not driving, taxis back and forth could get quite expensive.
Many visitors who come to Tromsø do stay in the centre, but I personally love staying outside of the city to experience nature at its finest. In this article, I’ve chosen to include options that are both centrally located and out in the wilderness.
1. Scandic Ishavshotel
Situated right on the quay, Scandic Ishavshotel offers a beautiful location surrounded by water. This modern hotel is home to an award-winning breakfast, as well as rooms that are incredibly comfortable.
Scandic Ishavshotel places you in great proximity to many of Tromsø’s amazing restaurants. In the summer, you can enjoy the long days that come with the midnight sun, while the winter brings with it the potential opportunity to see the Northern Lights. Within minutes, you can learn about the history of Tromsø and the Arctic at Polarmuseet i Tromsø.
I would highly recommend choosing a room that offers a view of the waterfront and Ishavskatedralen, the Arctic Cathedral, if you do visit here. Some rooms on the property don’t offer the same view so it is worth checking in advance.
Learn More: Scandic Ishavshotel (Official Website) | Scandic Ishavshotel (Booking.com)
2. Malangen Resort
Are you happy to venture away from the city centre? Malangen Resort is a personal favourite, located just over an hour south of central Tromsø. The view here is truly amazing, with every accommodation option offering floor-to-ceiling views of the fjords.
Nature lovers will feel right at home here, where the Aurora Borealis seems to love frequenting. In the warmer months, it’s easy to follow hiking trails, explore and go fishing. Later in the year, there are a variety of activities to choose from, including dog sledding in the twilight.
In terms of accommodation, there are several options available at Malangen Resort. There are hotel rooms, apartments and sea-view cabins, all overlooking the water. I would highly recommend the cabins if you’re travelling as part of a group and looking for space.
Learn More: Malangen Resort (Official Website) | Malangen Resort (Booking.com)
3. Clarion Hotel The Edge
Located just a little further south than Scandic Ishavshotel, Clarion Hotel The Edge is another fantastic option by the harbour. Centrally located, from here it’s easy to get around Tromsø and explore by foot.
Within walking distance, you can find yourself at Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum, the Northern Norwegian Museum of Art. At the time of writing, several of Edvard Munch’s pieces are currently on display. You can also reach the Polar Museum and Polaria, the northernmost aquarium in the world.
The Edge is a modern hotel, having just opened in 2014. The rooms aren’t huge, but they are all comfortable and clean. The view of Tromsø’s streets and the water from the rooftop terrace offers a lovely little escape during the day.
Learn More: Clarion Hotel The Edge (Official Website) | Clarion Hotel The Edge (Booking.com)
4. Clarion Collection Hotel With
Another little harbourside gem, Clarion Collection Hotel With is a hotel looking over the docked boats to the snowy mountains across the water. From here, you’re able to easily navigate the surrounding city.
If you would like to learn more about Norwegian folktales, I would highly recommend visiting the Troll Museum. It’s just a few minutes away from this hotel and is dedicated to trolls and fairytales. If you’re happy to venture a little further, you can also reach the Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden, the northernmost botanic garden in the world.
When walking around Clarion Collection Hotel With, it’s easy to see the maritime heritage that surrounds you. The architecture has been very much influenced by old boathouses. If you want a break from exploring, you might want to unwind in the sauna and steam rooms.
Learn More: Clarion Collection Hotel With (Official Website) | Clarion Collection Hotel With (Booking.com)
5. Radisson Blu Hotel
Are you looking forward to going on some tours while you’re in Tromsø? Radisson Blu Hotel would be one of my first recommendations to you if you are, as it’s comfortable and many of the tours pick people up right in front of the hotel.
There’s something for everyone when it comes to tours in Tromsø. Some people go whale watching, others go hunting for the Northern Lights. I would highly recommend putting some time to one side to visit the Arctic Cathedral if you stay here, a masterpiece known for its impeccable acoustics.
This hotel does occasionally book completely up with conferences so I wouldn’t be quick to recommend it if you don’t like when places are busy. The rooms are all comfortable, with some offering views of Ishavskatedralen, the Arctic Cathedral and Tromsdalstinden. There’s also a rooftop sauna overlooking the harbour, for when you want to end a cold day just right.
Learn More: Radisson Blu Hotel (Official Website) | Radisson Blu Hotel (Booking.com)
Special Pick: Sommarøy Arctic Hotel
In each of these articles, I like to include a special pick. This is always somewhere unique and somewhere I would happily go back to. Sommarøy Arctic Hotel is one of my favourite hotels near Tromsø, but it is around an hour away from the city centre. Luckily, you can book transportation with the hotel itself if you want.
Sommarøy is an old fishing village, surrounded by water and best known for its natural scenery. This sort of location is ideal for anyone who prefers being away from city streets. The lack of lights offers some amazing opportunities to see both the stars at night and the Northern Lights dancing over the water.
When staying here, I would highly recommend choosing a room with a view. From some, you can see the sea and mountains, but others have no real view at all. There are also sea houses and traditional fishermen cabins to choose from, should you prefer something a little different.
Learn More: Sommarøy Arctic Hotel (Official Website) | Sommarøy Arctic Hotel (Booking.com)
Staying in the Best Hotels in Tromsø
There’s a real natural beauty waiting to be found in Tromsø, where the fishing heritage of the city can be seen around every corner. This is where some of the world’s most famous expeditions began, including some that were led by Roald Amundsen, one of the greatest figures of polar exploration. It’s easy to see how you would leave this area inspired and eagerly awaiting what you might find.
I hope that my picks for the best hotels in Tromsø have helped to fill you with inspiration.
Do you have a favourite place to stay in Tromsø or a hotel that you would love to share? I would love to hear about it in the comments below.
