Some of the old warehouses have been restored along the harbor front in Tromso and turned into charming hotels shops and restaurants. They have been painted in different colours which adds to the charm.

In the summer you will find tables and chairs outside where you can enjoy a beer or coffee and take in the view, watching all the passing boats. Tromso Tourism is partially built on the chance of seeing the Northern Lights. There is lots of accommodation available in Tromso for all budgets.

Tromso was a Viking trading village dealing in fish, skins and walrus tusks. It had a network of trade routes with northern Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Greenland and even North America. Christianity arrived late in the far north and the first church was built in Tromso in 1252. it was called 'the church close to the heathens' by the Pope.

In 1794 Bergen and Trondheim lost their trade monopoly in northern Norway. This enabled Tromso to acquire town status and was released from the restricted trade rules imposed by the southern cities.

The hunting and fishing has been the main economic activity in Tromso over the past 200 years. Hunting of, seals, whales and walrus near Spitsbergen developed trade links with British, Dutch, Russian and German merchants. Tromso harbour became busy. The first Tromso whaling ship sailed northwards in 1820.

Hunting has stopped and there are now quotas on how much fish can be landed. A small ship building and repair industry took root near the harbour to service the visiting ships and to provide new ones. Now one of the big industries is tourism and lots of different cruise ships call at Tromso.

Travel books