An Arctic city more than 300 km north of the Arctic Circle, and the main base for chasing the northern lights.
Tromsø sits on the island of Tromsøya, at about 69 degrees 40 minutes north, more than 300 km north of the Arctic Circle. It is the largest city in Northern Norway, with about 78,700 residents in the municipality (2024). Visit Norway also notes it has the world's northernmost university.
Wikipedia gives the midnight sun as about 18 May to 26 July and the polar night as about 26 November to 15 January. Visit Norway's own table puts the midnight sun at 20 May to 22 July. Treat both as approximate. Because of the midnight sun the lights cannot be seen from late April to mid-August, and Wikipedia notes coastal cloud often hides them even when they are active.
Visit Norway: most international flights connect via Oslo, and the airport is about 5 km from the centre. There is no train to Tromsø: the rail line runs to Fauske, with a bus on via Narvik. Hurtigruten calls twice a day, and driving from Oslo takes about 30 hours.
Visit Norway gives 20 May to 22 July. Wikipedia gives slightly wider dates, so treat them as approximate.
No. Visit Norway says there is no train to Tromsø. The rail line runs to Fauske, then a bus goes via Narvik.
Visit Tromsø says mainly early November to the end of January, but it varies year to year.
Facts on this site come from Visit Norway, the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, UNESCO, gov.uk and the operators named, each listed at the foot of the page. Check dates, prices and entry rules with the provider before you book.