Top 5 Family-Friendly Activities in Tromsø

Choose from activities the whole family will love. Get up close to Arctic marine life at Polaria, enjoy nature experiences in the mountains and forests, and visit the science center or local museums.

1. Polaria

Polaria is not only the world’s northernmost aquarium—it’s an experience center filled with hands-on learning and activities. The whole family can embark on a sensory journey that explores life beneath the Arctic surface and how it depends on the ecosystems on land.

Inside, you’ll find Arctic-themed exhibits, aquariums of various sizes, and two species of seals. You can also enjoy spectacular films from Northern Norway and Svalbard in Polaria’s panoramic cinema. Even the building itself is worth a look—its striking design resembles ice floes pushed ashore. It’s a perfect spot for a shared family outing.

One of Polaria’s most popular moments is the training and feeding of their four seals—two bearded seals and two harbor (common) seals. There are only two places in the world where you can meet bearded seals up close, and Polaria is one of them. The aquariums also showcase northern species such as fish, plants, starfish, sea urchins, and shellfish in all shapes and sizes, giving adults and kids a rare, close-up encounter with Arctic marine life.

This summer, Polaria also offers tailored activities for children ages 6–12. Through Arctic-themed, knowledge-based play, kids can become a seal specialist, mini-biologist, or environmental expert at Polaria—fun, engaging programs that blend learning and play. These activities are included in the admission ticket at no extra cost.

2. Sherpa Steps (Sherpatrappa)

The Sherpa Steps are Tromsø’s most popular hike and a must-do on your visit. It’s a fantastic way to see the city and a family-friendly activity. The stone steps make the terrain easy to walk, and there are benches along the way where you can pause while little legs take a break.

At the top—410 meters above sea level—you’re rewarded with the city’s best panorama: islands, fjords, mountains, and sea. Stop at Fjellstua Café for lunch or a drink, or enjoy your own packed snack while soaking in the view.

If the round-trip feels like too much for adults or kids, you can take the Fjellheisen cable car down—or do the reverse: ride up and walk the steps down. It’s a fun way to get to and from the mountain.

This route has long been a favorite among locals, even before the steps were built, which led to heavy wear on the original trail. To create a more sustainable path that can handle many visitors, the Sherpa Steps were constructed with 1,300 steps—one of the longest stairways of its kind in Norway—and an attraction in itself. Don’t miss it on your Tromsø holiday!

The mountain with the Sherpa Steps is on the mainland in Tromsdalen. If you’re traveling with children, consider bus route 26, which stops near the lower Fjellheisen station. If you’re driving, paid parking is available at the lower station.

3. Science Center of Northern Norway (Nordnorsk Vitensenter)

Explore, play, and learn at the world’s northernmost science center and planetarium. The center offers nearly a hundred interactive exhibits covering themes and scientific phenomena such as energy and the environment in the North, climate and weather, the sky above us, and the human body and brain. You’ll also find Norway’s largest digital planetarium, where knowledge about the northern lights and astronomy is presented through immersive 360° dome films.

A visit to the Science Center suits curious minds of all ages and offers exciting, family-friendly activities. Kids and adults can play and discover together. The many hands-on installations are organized into four themes across three floors, giving you plenty of space to explore.

Whether you want to dive deeper into the magic of the aurora, study Earth’s magnetism, learn more about weather phenomena, explore ways to generate energy, or find out how the human body looks and works—this is the place. Both young and old are sure to learn something new. This summer, the center also features fresh activities such as a makerspace and an experiment lab. In the makerspace, you can create your own vinyl print on a T-shirt or tote bag—bring a garment to make a take-home summer souvenir. The whole family can also tackle engaging building projects, experiments, and challenges.

There’s a cozy break corner where adults can enjoy a coffee and kids an ice cream while taking in beautiful views toward Tromsdalstinden and the mountain ranges to the east. You’re welcome to bring your own packed lunch.

The Science Center of Northern Norway is located by the university district in Tromsø, with convenient bus connections and parking for those arriving by car. Walking from the city center takes about 40 brisk minutes.

4. The Arctic University Museum of Norway (Tromsø Museum)

The Arctic University Museum of Norway—also known as Tromsø Museum—takes you on a journey through the social, natural, and cultural history of Northern Norway. Stories are conveyed through images and text, sound and light, and significant finds displayed across the museum’s many exhibitions—an experience that’s both exciting and educational for adults and children alike.

The museum is designed for hands-on discovery: try things out, explore, and experience for yourself. It’s a great family activity, with buttons and objects you can press and touch, plus questions and tasks to solve—either on your own or together as a team.

Across its different sections, the museum offers insight into the North’s history, culture, and nature. Exhibits span Arctic wildlife, Sámi culture, archaeology, geology, church art, and the northern lights. Permanent exhibitions include Arctic fauna and how human evolution has influenced animals and nature; Sámi culture and its development into a modern Indigenous people; and ecclesiastical art and artifacts from historic Northern Norwegian churches. You can also learn about the aurora and experience the phenomenon year-round.

The museum hosts temporary exhibitions as well. This summer features a language exhibit on heritage languages, multilingualism, and dialects based on research from Northern Norway—complete with playful, hands-on activities to test the whole family’s language knowledge.

5. Charlottenlund Activity and Recreation Park

Right in the middle of Tromsøya you’ll find Charlottenlund, a popular outdoor activity area loved by locals year-round and packed with things to do for the whole family.

Summer highlights include a 9-hole disc golf course, two sand volleyball courts, a climbing tower, multi-use ball court, artificial-turf pitch (also marked for dodgeball), pump track for bikes and skateboards, bouldering and climbing rocks, a running track, single-track cycling trails, and an outdoor gym (Tuftepark).

Winter brings groomed cross-country ski trails, a small jump, an ice rink, a mogul run, and several sledding hills—making it one of the best places in town for outdoor fun for both kids and adults.

Around the park you’ll also find spots for a cozy break: two shelters (gapahuker) with fire pits, plus additional fire pits with tables and benches—perfect for a snack between activities or even an open-air dinner.

Charlottenlund is a little gem just a short distance from the city center and easy to reach on foot, by bike, bus, or car. The park is free to use and spread out over a large area, so it rarely feels crowded. There’s also a fenced dog park if you’ve brought a four-legged friend.

The park is operated by Bydrift Park. On-site you’ll find a service building with two toilets and an outdoor water tap, as well as a waste silo and a bin for disposable grills.

At Arctic Guide Service, our deep local knowledge—combined with years of experience and close collaboration with local partners—means we can arrange exciting, unforgettable activities in Tromsø. We organize tours for groups of all sizes: solo travelers, families, friends, coach groups, cruise guests, and Hurtigruten passengers. Choose from experiences lasting a few hours to several days. Get in touch for details—we’re happy to share our local insight with curious visitors.