Things to do in Karlsøy

Notice the exquisite stained-glass windows as you enter the beautiful Tromsø Cathedral. Admire the open wooden interior and the stunning replica painting of Christ’s resurrection by Norwegian romantic painter Adolph Tidemand. This great church is one of the largest wooden cathedrals in Norway.

Learn about the ecology of the Arctic from a number of educational displays at Polaria. See bearded seals swimming in a large tank and view an exhibit about clams being used by researchers to identify changes in the arctic marine ecosystem. This aquarium has been designed as a resource to educate visitors on the region’s marine life and the effect of climate change on the Arctic.

See exhibits about Norway’s polar seafaring tradition in the Polar Museum. Study the ships and equipment that made these dangerous expeditions possible and learn about the courageous people involved. The Polar Museum is located in the beautiful and lively city of Tromsø in northern Norway.

The Polar-Alpine Botanical Gardens are considered the northernmost botanical gardens in the world. These gardens must support a unique diversity of plant life in order to withstand about 7 months of snow coverage in Tromsø. Discover plants from native ice beds in Svalbard, a remote terrain made up of frozen glaciers.

Tromsø University Museum, the largest museum north of the Arctic Circle, consists of four departments open to the public. Visit the Tromsø Museum department and discover displays on the Samis, the indigenous Finno-Ugric people residing in the Arctic area of Sápmi. Wander through the Arctic-Alpine Botanical Gardens and learn how these gardens function during the summer’s midnight sun phenomenon. See the MS Polstjerna, a seafaring hunting vessel.