Best Museums in Tromsø, Ranked – The Ones Worth Visiting (& the Ones I’d Skip)

During this long Norwegian summer in the capital of the Arctic, I visited many museums (partially with VisitTromso pass and partially paying on my own) – from the best museums in Tromsø that I’d happily go back to, to a few I wouldn’t bother with again.

Here’s my personal ranking from best to worst, so you can go straight to the ones that are actually worth it.

And if you’ve read my post about summer holidays in Tromsø, you already know I am all about mixing outdoor adventures with slower moments, which is exactly how I found myself museum-hopping here.

Things to Know Before Visiting Museums in Tromsø

Tromsø isn’t a museum destination. Most museums here are small, focused on a very specific topic, and can be seen in under an hour. Don’t expect big exhibitions or a full-day experience – that’s not what Tromsø’s museums are about.

Some are worth visiting, but many feel overpriced for what they offer. Considering overall Tromsø trip costs, entrance fees are on the higher side, and not all museums deliver much in return. Opening hours are also limited, especially outside of summer, so always double-check before going.

The good news: you usually don’t need to book in advance. Just show up and go where you prefer most.

NOTE: All opinions in this post are based on my personal experience, and of course, they are subjective. You might have a completely different impression. What felt overrated or underwhelming to me could be exactly what you are looking for. But if you’ve been to a lot of museums, enjoy learning something meaningful, and expect more than just a pretty setup, I believe this list will help you decide which ones are truly worth your time.

Tromso Museums Personal Guide – From Best to Least Interesting Ones

1. The Arctic University Museum of Norway

Rating: 5/5
Location: Lars Thørings veg 10 (a bit away from the center, need to take a bus/taxi or go by car to reach it)

This was hands down my favorite and probably one of the most informative museums in Tromso. It’s packed with real content: detailed exhibitions on Sámi culture, Arctic wildlife, geology, and the history of Northern Norway.

There’s also a whole section on witch trials in the region, which I didn’t expect and found genuinely fascinating (especially the original court documents and stories of local women accused of witchcraft).

One thing I appreciated is how well the museum connects science and local history. You don’t just walk past random artifacts – everything is explained clearly, with context and depth, and in a way that actually keeps your interest. You’ll leave knowing a lot more about the north than when you came in.

Аlso, perhaps because of the location (it is about 30–40 minutes on foot or a short bus ride from the city center), there are no crowds here, which is nice.

2. The Polar Museum (Polarmuseet)

Rating: 4/5
Location: Søndre Tollbodgate 11B (in the very center, easy to reach on foot from many locations)

This museum is focused on Arctic exploration and lives of hunters, trappers, and scientists. I found it deeply interesting as there’s something fascinating about learning how people actually survived in this harsh region.

What I liked most was that it actually tells real stories, not just dates and names, but what life was like for those who went out into the Arctic. Old tools, rough equipment, handwritten logs… you literally can feel what kind of conditions they worked and lived in.

The only disadvantage – it is very crowded pretty much all the time (because it is one of the most popular museums in Tromso), which makes it harder to take everything in. And some parts are a bit outdated in how the information is presented.

But I still think it’s a strong museum, especially if you care more about the content than design. I left feeling like I actually learned something, which was great.

3. Perspektivet Museum

Rating: 4/5
Location: Storgata 95 (central, near the Polar museum, easy to combine them together)

This museum surprised me, in a good way. It’s not big or fancy, but what it does really well is make you think. It’s a photography and cultural museum housed in a historic wooden building.

Exhibitions here dig into real social and cultural issues, both from the region and the world. When I visited, there was a photo series that stopped me in my tracks – a black-and-white photo series about post-war daily life in Tromso, which was interesting.

If you are into deeper, more thoughtful exhibitions (not just facts or timelines), I think you will enjoy visiting this museum. Some reviews for some reason say it is free to enter, but when we were here in 2025 during our summer in Tromso, it wasn’t (the price was 85 NOK).

4. MS Polstjerna

Rating: 4/5
Location: Hjalmar Johansens gate 10 (within easy walking distance from many central locations in summer. There is an affordable parking lot next to it if you arrive by car)

This is a real seal-hunting ship from the 1900s. You walk inside and see exactly how the crew lived – tiny sleeping bunks, worn tools, old gear still hanging. It’s rough, cramped, and very real. I liked that it wasn’t just a display behind glass but a walk-through experience, even if it’s small.

Here, you kind of get a clear picture of what Arctic hunting looked like back then in the last century, with no glamour, just hard work and cold metal.

The reason I put 4 points out of 5 is the ticket price, which felt steep for the size, especially considering it’s just one boat. Still, if you’re curious about Norway’s Arctic hunting history and don’t mind paying this much, it’s worth seeing.

5. Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum

Rating: 3/5
Location: Sjøgata 1 (in the city center)

A decent art museum with rotating exhibitions of northern and Norwegian art, Sami people, and Svalbard photography. It didn’t wow me, but I appreciated the effort to present local and indigenous voices through art.

What I actually liked was an exposition about everyday life in Svalbard, which was shown very interestingly through photos. But I believe it is a temporary exhibit (which is a pity) and besides it, other paintings (for someone who doesn’t understand art well enough) are difficult to understand.

Art lovers will probably find value here (although I wouldn’t expect much since there is really not much in this museum). But if art isn’t your thing or you’re short on time, better skip it altogether.

6. Tromsø Kunstforening (TKF)

Rating: 3/5 (for art lovers), less if you’re not into art
Location: Mellomvegen 82 (outside city center on a hill. Easily walkable in summer, but in winter may be challenging for some people and you’d need a ride)

This is a small contemporary art space showing local independent artists. What I loved most was the warmth of the person working at the entrance, free coffee, and atmosphere, which was really welcoming overall.

That said, this is a niche space. I’d only recommend it for those who appreciate modern or experimental art and who are spending a week or more in Tromso. Otherwise, you can skip it.

7. Nordnorsk Vitensenter (Science Center)

Rating: 2/5
Location: Hansine Hansens veg 17 (away from all tourist sights, you need to reach it by bus)

This is a hands-on science center clearly designed for kids, and for that purpose, it deserves 5 out of 5 points. Lots of interactive exhibits and playful science experiments. There is also a pretty decent interactive movie about the aurora.

But as an adult traveler with no kids, I found it boring. Not sure what the reason was for that… either the fact that I visited larger science centers around Europe and the U.S. or that the exhibits here felt too basic and aimed mostly at children.

Everything is designed to be hands-on and playful, which is great if you’re a parent, but if you’re traveling solo or as a couple and have seen more advanced science museums, this one will likely feel underwhelming.

8. Polaria

Rating: 1/5
Location: Hjalmar Johansens gate 12 (next to MS Polstjerna. In winter, depending on the starting point, you’d need to catch a bus to come here.)

If I knew what I was getting into, I wouldn’t have gone. It’s marketed as an Arctic experience center with movies and exhibits, but in reality, it is an underwhelming and overpriced place with a tiny aquarium where poor fish have so little space, they can’t move freely.

I came here for only one reason — to watch the two films (one on Svalbard, the other about the northern lights) that were promoted as a big deal. In reality, they were just basic drone footage compilations you could easily find on YouTube. The exhibits themselves were limited and quite basic.

The only mildly entertaining part was the seal feeding, but if you’ve ever been to a proper animal park (like Loro Parque in Tenerife, for example, where animals live in environments that mimic their natural habitat, unlike in this small museum where they have so little space), it’s far from impressive.

I honestly wouldn’t recommend spending money on this museum unless the weather is really bad all day long and you’ve seen all the other museums in the city.

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Museums I’d Personally Skip Entirely

Troll Museum – Overhyped and gimmicky. It’s supposed to be fun and magical, but it felt more like a tourist trap than anything meaningful. Kids might enjoy it, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone else.

Tromsø War Museum – Very small and basic. There are a few artifacts and photos, but it lacks depth and context. If you are interested in WWII history, you are better off visiting war museums elsewhere in Norway or in other places in Europe.

Other Guides to Activities in Norway

• Road Trips in Southwest Norway – epic drives everyone loves
• Renting a Car in Norway – tips for the best experience depending on the season
• Spending Time in Bergen – unique things to do & places to visit
• Visiting Modalen – hidden gem between Bergen and Mostaumen fjord
• Weekend in Ulvik – lesser-known town near Bergen

If you are interested in more museum experiences, check out my tried-and-tested guide to the best museums in Estonia — another place where I personally visited them all before recommending.