Polaria

Tromsø


This Arctic-themed attraction provides a multimedia introduction to northern Norway and Svalbard. Kick things off by watching the two panoramic films: Northern Lights in Arctic Norway and Svalbard – Arctic Wilderness, then follow the 'Arctic Walkway' past exhibits on shrinking sea ice, the aurora borealis, aquariums of cold-water fish and – the big draw, though they're housed in a rather bleak enclosure – a small group of harbour and bearded seals.

Knowledgeable keepers answer questions in both Norwegian and English at feeding times (12.30pm year-round, plus 3pm in winter and 3.30pm in summer).


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Nearby Tromsø attractions

1. M/S Polstjerna

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Between 1949 and 1981, this historic seal-hunting ship killed (or 'brought home', as the literature euphemistically expresses it) nearly 100,000 seals. It…

2. Tromsø Kunstforening

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3. Blåst

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Pass by the world's most northerly glass-blowing workshop to see the young team puffing their cheeks and perhaps to pick up an item or two.

4. Roald Amundsen Statue

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This statue to Norway's most famous polar explorer sits just uphill from the tourist office.

5. Domkirke

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Domkirke, the Lutheran Church of Norway's cathedral, is one of Norway's largest wooden churches. Its opening hours are erratic, but you can take a photo…

6. Art Museum of Northern Norway

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The Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum displays mainly 19th-century to present-day sculpture, photography, painting and handicrafts by artists from northern Norway.

7. Bibliotek

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Tromsø's library is a wonderful example of contemporary Norwegian architecture, airy and streaming with light. There's also free internet access here.

8. Tromsø Catholic Church

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The Tromsø Catholic Church was built in 1861 and is the world's northernmost Catholic bishopric.