Dream stays: our top 5 must-stay hotels in Tromsø, Norway

A stay at Aera Glass Cabins feels like stepping into Tromsø’s widescreen version of reality. These sleek, all-glass lodges sit just outside the city, angled towards fjord and sky as if built for one purpose only: watching the Arctic perform. Walls dissolve into horizon lines, mornings start in blue-grey half-light and nights tilt toward aurora theatre without leaving your duvet. Interiors keep it stripped back and warm, with clean timber, smart details and zero visual noise. It’s wilderness with a plug socket, solitude with a quick route back to Tromsø’s bars and tours. If you want the Arctic without filters, Aera hands you the front row.

Tromsø keeps stretching north and Scandic just doubled down on it. In the new Vervet district – a waterfront neighbourhood carved out of former industrial land – The Dock 69°39 by Scandic, opened in 2025, rises over 12 floors, adding 305 rooms to a city already straining under winter tourism. The design leans hard into the climate: carpets made from recycled fishing nets built to survive crampons, a heated rooftop running track, a sauna with Arctic views and a brasserie on the tenth floor that feels suspended above the harbour. It is one of Scandic’s signature hotels and its boldest in Northern Norway, built for travellers chasing sky, weather and horizon.

With a prime location by Tromsø Harbour, Radisson Blu Hotel Tromsø offers an ideal setting for aurora seekers. The modern rooms feature Scandinavian design with large windows overlooking the Arctic Cathedral, fjords or city, enhancing the chance to glimpse the Northern Lights from within. Dining includes Yonas Pizzeria for Tromsø’s cult-favourite pizzas and Rorbua Pub, a cosy, fishing-hut-style bar serving craft beer and cocktails in a laid-back setting. The 10th-floor fitness centre and sauna provide panoramic views, adding to the Arctic experience. As a guest at the hotel, you can easily join Northern Lights tours departing nearby, making it a convenient base for aurora excursions.

Scandic Grand Tromsø sits right in the middle of the city, giving you an easy launch point for both urban energy and Arctic nature. Rooms follow a clean Scandinavian line with wooden floors, big windows and, in the higher categories, views over the city and fjord. Mornings start with the hotel’s generous breakfast in the Grand Restaurant, while Gründer provides the nightly buzz with drinks and a clubby atmosphere on selected evenings. Northern Lights tours are widely available in Tromsø from autumn to early spring, and staying this central means it’s simple to join an excursion or step outside to watch the sky when the forecast looks promising.