Tromso

Tromso: history & character

Tromso, founded in 1794 and nicknamed the "Paris of the North" by 19th-century polar explorers, is Norway's Arctic capital, 350 km north of the Arctic Circle. With 77,000 inhabitants it is one of the largest cities above the Circle, the historic launching point for expeditions to Svalbard and the Pole. The climate is paradoxically mild for its latitude thanks to the Gulf Stream: July highs average 14 C and January around -3 C, perfect for brachycephalic and senior dogs who suffer in continental heat. The city is famous for the Northern Lights from September to March and the Midnight Sun from May to July. Dogs are everyday companions here: the Norwegian leash law (1 April-20 August) protects nesting birds, and outside that season the Tromsdalen forest trails and the southern shore of Telegrafbukta are off-leash havens. Tromso is also the gateway to the Hurtigruten coastal ferry linking Bergen to Kirkenes with dedicated pet cabins.