The Arctic Cathedral
The Arctic Cathedral
4
Architectural BuildingsReligious Sites
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
About
Duration: < 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

See what travelers are saying

  • Dan T
    London, United Kingdom91 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Prettier from the outside
    This is an interesting piece of architecture and is a good landmark to look out for if you’re in Tromsø. The walk here from the dock area across the bridge has some good views and the cathedral itself is worth the trek. If you choose to go inside it won’t improve your experience much. There is an entry fee but we didn’t find much of interest inside. I dare say we spent longer choosing which postcard we wanted in their shop than actually looking around. The stained glass window is pretty and it must also hold some kind of record for the only comfortable pew I have ever sat in. Other than that, just drink it in from the outside.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 25, 2023
  • casswife
    Dunfermline, United Kingdom1,551 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Different!
    We caught the bus from Tromso to the Arctic cathedral in Tromsdalen. It's quite stark looking but very modern and impressive in its own way from the outside, particularly once it's lit up! Inside is also quite stark but peaceful and we enjoyed a quiet time looking at the beautiful stained glass window. There is an entry fee of 70NKR but we felt it was worth it.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 9, 2023
  • Katherine B
    440 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful Christmas Service
    We went to the 12:00 service for Christmas with the locals. Despite being in Norsk, the singing was beautiful and many Christmas songs recognizable. Easy to get there by Bus #28 from Tromsø. You may want to wear your micro spikes (tho you’ll have to take them off inside the church) as it was quite icy walking from the bus stop. We went to the Fjellstrua afterwards (15 minute walk)
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written December 26, 2023
  • lefkas45
    Eden Prairie, Minnesota20 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    View of the town worth the visit, going inside is for the dedicated
    A beautiful view of Tromso across the water, the Cathedral is interesting and somewhat underwhelming compared to other Cathedrals. Still simply beautiful. The photographs in the basement show its construction and the town in earlier times. The NOK 80 may be steep for what you get.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 27, 2024
  • L0d0
    400 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful in bright light
    A spectacular modern design visible across the harbour. The triangle white building is striking against the snow. On a bright day light floods in between the layers of the roof and brings the glass window behind the altar to life. A place to come for a few moments of quiet but there is an entrance fee of 80 nok.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 25, 2024
  • Tony and Joy W
    Bridgwater, United Kingdom1,149 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting Modern Cathedral
    Quite a small cathedral and very modern. We visited as part of a tour from the cruise ship around Tromso which also took you to the cathedral. The front of the building is quite spectacular and has a character all of its own. Inside it is very modern and the back wall has a large stained glass window. From outside you get a lovely view of Tromso across the Fjord. Downstairs there are nice clean toilets and the large metal bunker doors are from the World War Two shelter, which is different in a cathedral! It is quite possible to walk across the bridge from Tromso to visit the cathedral if you are okay with walking.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 18, 2024
  • kdjama
    Perth, Australia43 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a visit but doesn’t take long
    The cathedral stained glass is lovely but there isn’t much else to do there. No guided tour or audio tour. You only need about 15 minutes which makes it feel a little overpriced We took the bus from near the Hurtigruten terminal because we were short on time but you could also walk there comfortably
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 25, 2024
  • Hils_9
    11 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not the best thing to do in Tromso.
    Shame the three central chandeliers get in the way of viewing the magnificent stained glass. Yes, the chandeliers were already there when the glass was installed - but, could have been avoided. Nothing about the building of the cathedral etc. just a few photos in the basement outside the toilets…
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 15, 2024
  • guitarman555
    Greater London, United Kingdom98 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Landmark that cannot be missed
    It has become a landmark, certainly stands out and from a distance is quite impressive. There is an entrance fee, around £5 - 6 per adult, nice inside but not a lot to see once you are there, they are fine with photos being taken, downstairs they have a few on display showing it during construction. A pleasant walk across the bridge from Tromso Island.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 25, 2024
  • Chris M
    Wetherby, United Kingdom1,675 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Probably in the "must visit" category
    This is an impressive "stand out" building with individual "statement" lines and very large stained glass window comprising the whole of one end of the building, whilst the opposite end has clear glass. The inside is very light aided by the use of light coloured wood and decoration. There is an impressive organ above the entrance which can be seen by looking back and upwards after entering. Also near the entrance is a small gift/souvenir shop and toilets are on a lower level. Also on this level when we visited was a small are exhibition. The Cathedral is definitely worth a visit to view the architecture and design.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 29, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles3,276 reviews
Excellent
969
Very good
1,201
Average
837
Poor
192
Terrible
77

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

Phil
Thessaloniki, Greece2,710 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021 • Couples
A landmark building in Tromsø. The church feels unloved, dull and in need of a facelift. Every tourist pays 55.00 NOK to enter, doesnt look as if this entry fee is spend investing in the building. Small. 5-10 minuts visit.
Written November 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lonewolf44
Kingston upon Thames, UK1,303 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023
This magnificent building is best reached on foot across Tromso Bridge. It literally is at the end of the bridge on the other side. Everyone calls it the Arctic Cathedral, but it is in fact a parish church - for Tromsdalen, the district on the other side of Tromso Sound. It reminded me of Liverpool's Catholic Cathedral and both have in common that they were built in 1965. There's a 70 krone entrance fee and I sat and gazed at its amazing triangular stained glass window for some time once I was inside. There's also a small exhibition area and toilets downstairs.
Written June 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

casswife
Dunfermline, UK1,551 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
We caught the bus from Tromso to the Arctic cathedral in Tromsdalen. It's quite stark looking but very modern and impressive in its own way from the outside, particularly once it's lit up! Inside is also quite stark but peaceful and we enjoyed a quiet time looking at the beautiful stained glass window. There is an entry fee of 70NKR but we felt it was worth it.
Written December 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Patrick D
Warsaw, Poland5,192 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Ishavskatedralen also called, arctic cathedral owes its name to the fact that it is located above the arctic circle.. The Ishavskatedralen is not really a cathedral, but a Protestant parish church, built in 1965 by architect Jan Inge Hoving.. Geometric architecture, made of glass and concrete resembling an iceberg, symbolizing summer light and winter night..Its triangular facade made of glass panels stands out against the silhouette of Mount Tromsdalstind ... Church was closed during my walk . ii's located just outside the bridge coming from the city center
Written November 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EmeraldDiva
Victoria, Australia3,697 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
We walked across the bridge in the early evening. The building looks very pretty from the outside under lights. We went back the next day to go inside and it was so disappointing. Sure it is a beautiful stained glass window, but with the altar and other bits and pieces, probably a good third of it was covered anyway! Look at the outside, enjoy the views back across the bridge, but don't bother going in.
Written April 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Zündie
Hesse, Germany195 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
On the way from the airport to our accommodation, we passed this building, which caught our eye. We did some research and decided to visit this church.
It is an Evangelical Lutheran parish and seamen's church. It is oriented to the east. The sloping roofs reach down to the ground and thus form the outer walls in the north and south of the building and look like stacked sheets of ice.
Admission is free for children up to 12 years. For those aged 12 and over, it costs 80 NOK per person. Please make sure to check the opening times.
Google
Written January 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MPHLinz
Linz, Austria1,061 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
So a photo from a distance is actually enough because that's what the church looks like. Up close, it's not such a beautiful building from the second half of the last century. As there was a funeral going on, we were able to take a look inside the church - without paying the 80 NOK entrance fee! That would have been too much. The inside of the church is disappointing, you haven't missed anything if you haven't been inside.
Google
Written May 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

chrisindevon
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
A truly wonderful experience to see it from the outside and then take in its modern, clean and light interior. Look closely at the architecture of the pews, the marvellous modern chandeliers, the sharp design on the altar cloth, and the way the organ appears to "float". A very beautiful, peaceful place where you can slow down, unwind and enjoy.
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kdjama
Perth, Australia43 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
The cathedral stained glass is lovely but there isn’t much else to do there. No guided tour or audio tour. You only need about 15 minutes which makes it feel a little overpriced
We took the bus from near the Hurtigruten terminal because we were short on time but you could also walk there comfortably
Written May 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Barbara R
Turin, Italy1,794 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
You can see it from afar with its particular, geometric shape, full of windows. Very charming, especially when lit. The interior (for a fee) has a beautiful stained glass window, a remarkable organ and some curious chandeliers. It's worth a visit even just from the outside. In front there is a beautiful view of the bridge and the old city
Google
Written October 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 1,798
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

The Arctic Cathedral, Tromsdalen

All things to do in Tromsdalen
RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars