Tromsø

Tromsø
lies in Northern Norway. The 2,521-square-kilometre (973 sq mi) municipality is the 18th largest by area out of the 422 municipalities in Norway. Tromsø is the 9th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of about 70,000. Its population has increased by 15.6% over the last decade.  It is the largest urban area in Northern Norway.  Most of Tromsø, including the city centre, is located on the island of Tromsøya, 350 kilometres (217 mi) north of the Arctic Circle. The city of Tromsø's population is spread out over Tromsøya and parts of Kvaløya and the mainland, Tromsdalen.  Tromsøya is connected to the mainland by the Tromsø Bridge and the Tromsøysund Tunnel, and to the island of Kvaløya by the Sandnessund Bridge.

The municipality is warmer than most other places located on the same latitude, due to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream. Tromsø, with the warm-water currents of the ocean and fjords allows for both relatively mild winters and tree growth in spite of its very high latitude.

The city centre of Tromsø contains the highest number of old wooden houses in Northern Norway, the oldest house dating from 1789. 

We love the Miller's - They were so gracious to us when we came to visit in June and now as they prepared us for our new adventures.  It was sad to send them off at the airport after only one day with them.

Our first morning walk...just to prove we made it safely

Thought we would let you see all the tracks you may see in Tromsø on your hike.

These are some of the sights we see on our morning walks and jaunts around town as we try to become familiar with the area.

fok museum

one of our favourite walks is along the southern tip of Tromsøya.   It is about a 15 minute walk from our apartment.

Tromsø museum - History of Northern Norway

Sami hut

late summer flowers were beautiful even if there is a short season for everything but winter up North

Botanical Gardens - would have been more beautiful in mid July.

Tromsø Domkirke

Church meets on the 2nd floor of this building

city wharf

City library

Tromsø & the Arctic Chapel in Fall

homes on Kvaløya 

view of island from on top of Kvaløya - taken by some of our YSA, on a hike

snow on some of the mountains never melts even with 24 hour daylight for a couple of months.

home we liked in town on one of our walks

bridge to Kvaløya

stores downtown

This is hilarious - This is the Tromsoø train station but the train never came here.  There were plans but they were abandoned when the war ended before they were finished.

Polaria aquarium

another interesting manhole cover - this time in Tromsø

colorful building by Polaria museum 

looking up city streets from the church

whaling statue in center of town square - tribute to the first settlers and their livelihood

interesting statues in a parking lot near town

city wharf

Polar Museum

wharf where the hurtigruten cruise ship docks

homes in town

arctic chapel

polar bear ourside polar museum

whale statue

domkirke

city shops

statue memorial for Helmer Hanssen from Tromsø who was with Amundsen on excursions to the South Pole & discovery of the Northwest passage

Hurtigruten (coastal cruise ship from Bergen to Hammerfest comes through the fjord every day at 2pm.  This is our view from our apartment.

view from our apartment - many ships pass through the fjord each day - this is a our view looking towards Tromsdalen

Reindyr on Kvaløya is a common site..they are not afraid of human element around them.

Tromsø at night from our apartment