Why go
The old waterfront tells only part of Tromsø’s story. The airport opened on Tromsøya in 1964, the university followed in 1972, and the Norwegian Polar Institute moved here in 1998. These institutions help explain today’s mix of historic streets, student life and research on an Arctic coast.
The full story
After the Second World War, Tromsø expanded in both territory and function. In 1964, the city joined with Tromsøysund, Ullsfjord and most of Hillesøy to form a much larger municipality. The change brought mainland and island districts under the same name, so municipal figures and descriptions should not be read as if they describe only the compact centre. Tromsø Airport opened that year on the main island, strengthening connections beyond the region. The University of Tromsø opened in 1972, becoming a major institution for northern Norway. A local teacher-training college and museum later became part of the university. In 1998 the Norwegian Polar Institute moved from Oslo to Tromsø, extending the city’s role in Arctic research. University mergers in 2009 and 2013 widened that role further. For a visitor, the result is a city with several visible layers: 19th-century trade buildings near the harbour, postwar infrastructure tying shores together, and modern educational and research institutions. The urban area now stretches over Tromsøya, mainland districts and part of Kvaløya.