Tromso may be remote โ located on a small island 344 kilometres (207 miles) north of the Arctic Circle โ but during the 19th century, visitors called it the Paris of the North.
Finely dressed gentlemen strolled past grand town houses. They owed their prosperity to the port, where merchant ships were loaded with fish, blubber and other wares.
Nowadays you are more likely to see people in Tromso wearing waterproof outdoor jackets. Hikers and skiers use the city as a base for exploring the region and climbing the mountains on the nearby island of Senja or in the Lyngen Alps, which reach heights of over 1,800 metres (5,900 feet).
Kayakers come to paddle through the Sommaroy archipelago. And during the peak winter season tourists from all over the world, in particular East Asia, come to Tromso to see the northern lights and whales, and to glide through the snow on dogsleds.
Whatโs Tromso like outside the winter season? Itโs a great destination for a city break โ especially around mid-May, when the sun does not set and remains visible at night.
Here are some recommendations for culture, gastronomy and outdoor activities.