Polarmuseet
The Polar Museum in Tromsø is housed in the old customs buildings on Skansen and tells the story of hunting, polar expeditions and the cultural history of Svalbard.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Polarmuseet was founded in 1978 and is housed in the town’s old customs buildings on Skansen. The museum is part of the Arctic University Museum of Norway and tells of Tromsø’s role as “the gateway to the Arctic Ocean” and of polar history, including the expeditions of Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen.
The permanent exhibitions cover Arctic Ocean hunting and wintering hunting, Norwegian polar expeditions and the cultural history of Svalbard. The collection includes original finds from Barentsz’s camp and Russian Pomor stations from the 17th and 18th centuries, and an original hunting cabin from Krosspynten on Svalbard. Temporary exhibitions are created in cooperation with active research groups at UiT.
Highlights
- Original hunting cabin from Krosspynten on Svalbard
- The exhibitions on Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen
- Svalbard in the 17th and 18th centuries
- Plukkfangst (opportunistic hunting) and wintering hunting
- The old customs buildings on Skansen
Permanent exhibitions
- Overvintringsfangst – Original hunting cabin from Krosspynten on Svalbard and the history of Norwegian wintering hunting.
- Svalbard på 1600- og 1700-tallet – Original objects from Barentsz’s camp and Russian Pomor stations that show early exploration.
- Roald Amundsen – Exhibition on Amundsen’s expeditions, which put Norway on the polar map.
- Founded
- 1978
- Operated by
- UiT Norges arktiske universitet
Admission & discounts
| Adults | NOK 130 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | NOK 100Concessions (honnør), students and conscripts |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free for children under 18 |
| Seniors | NOK 100Concession (honnør) |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · A companion with documentation enters free of charge. |
| Students & apprentices | NOK 100Students at UiT enter free of charge. |
| Groups (10+ people) | NOK 100 per personPer person |
| Museum pass (365 days, 1 adult) | NOK 500Also gives free admission for one extra guest with a standard ticket. |
Free admission also for holders of the Opplevelseskortet plus one companion or adult, and for employees of tourist information offices with valid ID. The Tromsøpass from Visit Tromsø includes bus travel and museum admission.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The museum is at the northern end of Tromsø city centre, within walking distance of most hotels. Bus journeys can be planned in the regional journey planner; bus tickets are not sold at the museum but can be paid for on the bus with cash or card.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
The museum has no parking of its own. Paid municipal parking is available near the entrance; payment by card, cash or the EasyPark app.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 30 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 14:00–14:30 from 1 June to 15 August can be pre-booked via Visit Tromsø. Other tours are booked at postmaster@polarmuseum.no. The audio guide “Skjulte skatter” (Hidden Treasures) is available for smartphones. |
