Our journey north brought us to Tromsø, often called the “Gateway to the Arctic.” Located well above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø has long been a base for explorers, scientists, and adventurers heading into the far north.
Surrounded by mountains, fjords, and islands, it’s also one of Norway’s most beautiful cities — and a perfect place to explore by bike.
We were excited to spend the day on a guided e-bike tour, combining gentle exercise with nonstop scenery.
🚴♀️ Setting Out: A Perfect Way to Explore
After meeting our guides and getting fitted with our electric bikes, we set off around the island. The e-bikes made riding much easier to cover the entire island and tackle the steep hills, allowing us to focus on the views instead of the workout.
Almost immediately, we realized how ideal this was for sightseeing. We could cover far more ground than on foot, while still stopping easily for photos and explanations.
With the fresh Arctic air and clear skies, it was shaping up to be a perfect day.
⚓ The Harbor front & Arctic Maritime Life
One of our first highlights was riding along Tromsø’s harbor front, where fishing boats, research vessels, and cruise ships share the waterfront.
This area reflects Tromsø’s long maritime heritage — from fishing and trade to polar expeditions and modern Arctic research. Cafés, museums, and historic buildings line the shore, creating a lively but relaxed atmosphere.
It was easy to see why this part of the city is a favorite gathering place for both locals and visitors.
🚢 Polstjerna: A Window Into Polar Exploration
We stopped near Polstjerna, a preserved polar expedition ship that now serves as part of Tromsø’s museum complex.
Polstjerna once hunted seals in Arctic waters and later became an important research vessel. Today, it stands as a reminder of Norway’s deep connection to polar exploration and survival in extreme conditions.
Seeing this ship in person added powerful context to Tromsø’s role in Arctic history. We would get a closer look at the Polstejerna and learn more of its role in Norwegian sealing history, during our afternoon city tour.
🎿 The Ski Jump Center & Panoramic Views
Another memorable stop was near the ski jump and winter sports area, where we enjoyed sweeping views over the city, surrounding islands, and distant mountains.
This site reflects Tromsø’s strong outdoor culture — from skiing and snowboarding in winter to hiking and biking in summer.
From this vantage point, the scale of the landscape really became clear. It felt like the city was cradled between sea and mountains.
🌞 The Return of the Sun Mosaic
We also visited the beautiful Return of the Sun Mosaic, which commemorates the moment each year when the sun finally returns to Tromsø after weeks of polar night.
For several months in winter, the sun never rises above the horizon. When it returns in January, locals gather to celebrate — a powerful reminder of how closely life here is tied to nature and seasonal rhythms.
Standing there in bright summer light made the contrast even more meaningful.
🌿 Riding Through Neighborhoods & Coastal Paths
Between major stops, we rode through quiet neighborhoods, coastal paths, and scenic overlooks.
These in-between moments were some of my favorites — seeing everyday life unfold against such dramatic backdrops. Colorful houses, small docks, and mountain views were everywhere.
It felt less like a tour and more like being shown around by a knowledgeable local friend.
🌌 Northern Lights Planetarium: Understanding the Aurora
After lunch, we took advantage of one of Vikings complimentary tours around the City of Tromso. One of the most interesting stops, was to the Northern Lights Planetarium, where we learned more about the science and beauty behind the aurora borealis.
Through immersive visuals and expert explanations, we gained insight into:
- How solar winds create auroras
- Why Tromsø is such a prime viewing location
- The cultural significance of the Northern Lights
Even though we were visiting during the Midnight Sun season, this experience deepened our appreciation for why Tromsø is world-famous in winter.
🛳️ Returning to the Ship
As the afternoon came to a close, we made our way back toward the port.
After hours of riding, learning, and photographing, we were happily tired. The e-bike tour had given us a deep, well-rounded understanding of Tromsø — far beyond what we could have seen on our own.
Back on board, we reviewed photos and shared stories, amazed by how much we had experienced in one day.
❤️ Final Thoughts: One of Our Favorite City Tours
Our Tromsø e-bike tour turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and informative excursions of our entire Midnight Sun cruise.
From polar ships and ski jumps to mosaics and planetariums, the day blended:
- History
- Culture
- Nature
- Adventure
All in one seamless experience.
If you enjoy active sightseeing and meaningful local insight, this is an excursion not to miss.
🌞 Continuing Our Land of the Midnight Sun Journey
Our time in Tromsø was another unforgettable chapter in our northern adventure.
Follow the rest of our journey here:
- ➡️ Bergen: Highlights, Seafood & Friends
- ➡️ Eidsdal & Geirangerfjord RIB Safari
- ➡️ Exploring Above and Below the North Sea in Lofoten, Norway
- ➡️ Tromsø E-Bike Tour: Exploring Norway’s Arctic Island by Land and Sea (You’re here)
- ➡️ Gateway to the Arctic: Honningsvåg & the North Cape Adventure
- ➡️ Discovering Orkney: Wartime History & Hidden Beauty in Scotland
- ➡️ Discovering Lerwick Scotland & the Shetland Ponies
- ➡️ Three Days in Greenwich and London After a Viking Cruise
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