Places with a story
Polarmuseet
Polarmuseet brings Arctic exploration and everyday survival into the old customs buildings on the waterfront of Tromsø. Its setting is itself part of the city's polar history.
The place12
The museum tells the story of Arctic expeditions, hunting and trapping, and the cultural history of Svalbard. These subjects connect famous journeys with the work that supported northern communities. The museum occupies the customs warehouse, a former boathouse and the customs office in the historic Skansen area.
History and local connections1
The warehouse was built in 1833 and extended in 1843. Goods awaiting customs clearance were stored here before the customs service left in 1970. The museum began using the waterfront buildings in 1978. Timber piles still allow the sea to flow beneath the warehouse, preserving its original relationship with the shore.
What to look for134
The permanent exhibitions include seal hunting, the journeys of Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen, and the lives of Arctic hunters. An original trapping hut from Krosspynten in Svalbard anchors the exhibition about overwintering. Outside, look for the warehouse's cargo doors and lifting wheels, reminders of its earlier working life.
Planning a visit2
The museum address is Søndre Tollbodgate 11, at the northern end of central Tromsø. UiT publishes current opening hours, ticket conditions and guided tours. The museum has no private car park; municipal paid parking is nearby. Check which tours require separate booking, and ask staff about accessibility in the historic buildings.
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