Tromsø looks tiny on the map. It’s an island city surrounded by stunning snow-capped fjords, 350 km above the Arctic Circle, but where you sleep here changes the trip more than any other decision you’ll make.
Before I arrive in Norway, my knowldege of Tromsø (or otherwise known as the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’) was based purely on Norwegian Nordic Noir crime dramas, Arctic explorers on Youtube and novels. It’s fair to say, I was pretty clueless.
When I was building my Actic Itinerary for Tromsø and where to stay here, there were two things I had to keep in mind. One, I won’t be driving, and two, I wanted to experience Arctic activities like Snowmobile in the Lyngen Alps and going on the Arctic Fjord Cruise for nature photography without the logistical hassle.
And perhaps, I’m not the only one. In this guide, I will share my top recomendations for travelers seeking a non-resort experience in Tromsø.
1. Tromsøya – Best for First-Timers Without a Car
If it’s your first time visiting, the best area to stay without a car in Tromsø is the city centre on Tromsøya. It’s also where you stay if convenience and practicality matter more than price for you. It’s a small walkable island where the harbour, Storgata’s shops and restaurants, the Polar Museum, and the vast majority of hotels are clustered within about a 15-minute walk of each other.
You’ll also be able to walk to almost everything, and every northern lights, dog sledding transfers and pick-up points are just a few blocks away from your hotel door. The one thing I appreciate about the location is that it removes a whole layer of logistics in your trip. The trade-off on the other hand is know that this is the most expensive real estate in Tromsø and rooms usually book out first.
I recommend planning and booking ahead of time for stays in the city centre.
Recommended Stays in Tromsøya:
Yasmin’s Pick: Entire Condo in Tromsø, Norway
Best Smart & Budget-Friendly Hotel: Smarthotel Tromsø
Best Aparthotel-Style Near Storgata & The Harbor: Skaret by VANDER
Best Luxury Family-Friendly Hotel: The Dock 69 39 by Scandic
2. Tromsdalen – Best for Easy Access to Fjellheisen Cable Car
Tromsdalen, just across the bridge, east of the city centre is ideal if you don’t mind trading a short commute for lower prices and a quieter base. The good news is if you plan on chasing the dark skies for aurora photography, there’s a likelihood you’ll be able to catch it without booking an aurora tour. Tromsladen sits slightly outside of the densest city light polution, which gives it a small but real edge for spoting the aurora right from the window of your accomodation.
It’s also a 15-20 walk accross the bridge into the city centre, and a 10-minute ride by local bus.
Recommended Stays in Tromsladen
Ski-to-Door & Nature Lodge: Tromsø Lodge & Camping
Best Luxury & Family-Friendly Apartment: Arctic Aurora Apartment
If you’re still conflicted between the two neighbourhoods, here’s how to help you make a quick decision:
Choose Tromsøya if:
- This is your first-time to Tromsø
- You don’t plan on renting a car
- You want close proximity to restaurants, bars, and tour pickup points
- You’re only staying 1–3 nights and want zero friction
Choose Tromsladen if:
- You want a genuine stay in nature without leaving civilization
- The Arctic Cathedral and Fjellheisen cable car are in your itinerary
- A 15-minute walk or short bus ride doesn’t bother you
- You want a slightly better shot at aurora visibility from your accommodation
3. Kvaløya – A Hiker’s Paradise
Kvaløya is known as the “Norway in Miniature” because it concentrates Norway’s most iconinc nature, lofty peaks, majestic fjords, sandy beaches and wild valleys. They are all easily accessible in one island and if you’re feeling some sort of cosmic connection as you read this, than this is probably an ideal base.
Ersfjordbotn an iconic fjord, a quiet, dramatic location surrounded by breathtaking mountains offerring solitude, accompanied by dancing winter skies to endless summer evenings by the fjords. This place is ideal for travelers seeking activities right outside your apartment like deep-sea fishing, whale watching, kayaking calmly on crystal-clear waters surrounded by towering peaks then Ersfjordbotn place is meant for you.
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There are also hiking routes you can explore here directly from Ersfjordbotn:
- Ersfjordbotn Nattmålsfjellet – Easy mountain hike with stunning mountain views and Fjord
- Rødtinden – Hard popular summit among locals for summer and winter.
- Tromtinden – A moderate hike with breathtaking view.
- Skamtinden (nearby) – One of the most iconic peaks in the region.
- Coastal trails around Ersfjordstranda – Easy family-friendly.
While many travelers include Ersfjordbotn as a day-trip within their Kvaløya itinerary, I recommend making this as your base while in Tromsø, especially if you’re not bothered about the city centre at all. It’s reachable by bus from the airport via route 425 (sometimes with a change in EidkJosen). And if at any point in your itinerary you want to see the city centre of Tromsøya, it is only 21km drive out.
Recommended Stays in Kvaløya
Yasmin’s Pick: Ersfjordbotn Brygge
Best Cabin Stay: Lauklines
Best Stay with Fjord View: House of Ellie
4. Sommarøy – Best for a Remote, Scenic Base
Sommarøy is a real working fishing village with 300 people, and blessed with Riviera-like beaches surrounded by snow-capped Arctic mountains. It’s also a non-resort like destination, a more lived-in feel rather than feeling built for tourists. It’s main produce, is herring and it has a state of the art fish processing industry, where the produce is frozen and packed for global export. And yes, this tiny fishing village also happens to be a significant contributor to the Norwegian economy. So if this is a wish-dream you’ve had for quite some time – discovering local culture and way of life in Tromsø, I recommend making Sommarøy your base.
A logistical note to keep in mind is that it’s 36km or roughly an hour’s drive from Tromso, connected by the bridge. There are bus services but infrequent and limited. So be sure to check bus schedules before you rely entirely on this mode of transport.
If you do decide to make this your base, it’s probably worth renting a car to avoid your day from being disrupted. I recommend looking and booking from AutoEurope or RentalCar to secure the best deals.
Although, Sommarøy’s remoteness may be appealing to some, bare in mind that it is a small fishing village after all and there is not many accommodation to choose from.
Sommarøy vs. Tromsøya: The Tradeoffs
Choose Sommarøy if:
- You have a rental car
- You want remote coastline against the backdrop of Arctic mountains sceneries over restaurants and nightlife
- You’re visiting in summer for the midnight sun or in winter for low-light polution aurora viewing
- You’re not bothered with the limited choice of eateries. Sommarøy doesn’t have that many restaurants or cafes.
Recommended Stay in Sommarøy
Best Arctic Coastline Hotel & Cabins: Sommarøy Arctic Hotel Tromsø
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Tromsø.
Related Guide:
Norway, Finland & Estonia: 16 Days No-Driving Arctic Itinerary
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