Polaria is an Arctic experience centre and the world’s northernmost aquarium, located at Hjalmar Johansens gate 12 in central Tromsø, Norway. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, how to get there, parking, accessibility, and practical tips to help you plan your visit.
To skip the queues, book tickets online in advance.
Last updated: April 2026. This guide reflects Polaria’s recently completed major expansion, which includes a new seal pool three times larger than the previous one and a new interactive exhibition area. Other guides may reference the older, smaller seal enclosure or the former café, which is no longer operating in its previous form.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 10:00–17:00 |
| Address | Hjalmar Johansens gate 12, 9007 Tromsø |
| Adult ticket | 395 NOK |
| Child ticket (3–15) | 220 NOK |
| Family ticket (2 adults + 3 children) | 925 NOK |
| Nearest bus routes | 33, 40 and 42 (stop nearby) |
| Parking | Paid car park directly in front of building |
| Typical visit length | 1.5–2.5 hours |
Polaria opening hours
Polaria is open every day of the year from 10:00 to 17:00, with two exceptions: it closes entirely on 17 May (Norwegian Constitution Day), and opens from 10:00 to 16:00 on 24 December. There are no seasonal variations in standard opening hours.
Seal feeding and training sessions take place daily at 10:30, 12:30 and 15:30. These sessions are part of the animals’ regular enrichment programme and are open for all visitors to watch at no extra cost.
Five great things to do in Tromso
- 🌌 Head out in search of the Northern Lights – on a guided tour with bonfire, dinner and winter suits.
- 🚤 Combine an Arctic fjord cruise – with wildlife-watching and a guided fishing experience.
- 🐋 Go silent whale-watching – in a hybrid electric boat.
- 🦌 On a Sami culture tour – feed reindeer and go reindeer-sledding.
- 📸 Take a fjord photographic tour – to Sommaroy with a professional photographer.
Polaria ticket prices
A single admission ticket covers all areas of the attraction: the interactive exhibitions, panoramic cinema, seal pool and aquarium. There is no separate charge for the cinema films or the seal sessions.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | 395 NOK |
| Child (3–15 years) | 220 NOK |
| Child (under 3) | Free |
| Student (with valid student ID) | 260 NOK |
| Pensioner (aged 67+) | 260 NOK |
| Family (2 adults + 3 children) | 925 NOK |
Tickets can be purchased online in advance or on the door. Customers of Coop Nord, Ishavskraft, or subscribers of iTromsø are entitled to 50% off adult and child tickets when booking online.
Polaria is included in the Tromsø Pass Classic, a multi-attraction pass sold by Visit Tromsø. Other attractions included in the same pass are: Fjellheisen Cable Car, the Polar Museum, the Arctic University Museum of Norway, the Science Centre of Northern Norway, and the Arctic Cathedral. The Tromsø Pass may represent good value if you plan to visit at least four of these attractions.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official Polaria website and last updated in April 2026.
How to get to Polaria
Polaria is located a short distance from Tromsø city centre, approximately five minutes on foot from the Tourist Information office. The most direct route from the centre follows the waterfront.
Bus routes 33, 40 and 42 all stop near Polaria. Check current timetables at the Troms og Finnmark transport authority website before travelling, as schedules vary by season and day.
Parking at Polaria
There is a paid car park directly in front of the building, operated by a third party and not managed by Polaria. Payment is by machine. Additional paid car parks are available in the city centre a short walk away. Motorhomes can use the car park temporarily but there is no dedicated motorhome parking.
How long to spend at Polaria
Most visitors spend between one and a half and two and a half hours at Polaria. This allows time to walk through the interactive exhibitions, watch one or more panoramic films, and observe a seal feeding session.
Visitors who want to see a feeding session at the start of their visit should aim to arrive before 10:30. Those who prefer a quieter experience may find mid-morning on weekdays less busy than weekends or peak summer afternoons.
Accessibility at Polaria
Polaria is fully accessible to wheelchair users. The building has ramps and a lift inside the aquarium section that gives access to the seal pool level. One wheelchair is available to borrow free of charge; contact reception on arrival.
Prams and pushchairs can be used throughout the entire building. There are two accessible toilets with baby-changing facilities. The entire visit takes place indoors, which makes it suitable in any weather.
Inside Polaria: what to see
Interactive exhibitions — The main exhibition area presents research-based content developed in partnership with the Fram Centre for Climate and the Environment. Topics include Arctic soundscapes, the Svalbard food web, climate change and marine pollution. A new Researcher’s Room (Forskerrommet) opened in March 2026.
Seal pool — Polaria is home to seven seals: three bearded seals, three harbour seals and one ringed seal. The expanded pool, completed as part of the 2025–2026 renovation, is three times larger than the previous enclosure. It features panoramic windows, natural daylight and an outdoor balcony section where the seals can swim outside. Feeding and training sessions take place at 10:30, 12:30 and 15:30 daily.
Arctic aquarium — The aquarium holds species native to northern Norwegian waters, including cod, halibut, wolffish, king crab and jellyfish. A shallow touch pool gives younger visitors the opportunity to handle certain sea creatures under staff supervision.
Panoramic cinema — The cinema screens three short films on rotation, covering the northern lights in the Tromsø region, aerial footage of Svalbard, and a behind-the-scenes look at life at Polaria. Films run approximately every 30 minutes and are included in the standard admission price.
Gift shop — A gift shop (Smelt) sells products from local producers. Tax-free purchases (Global Blue) are available on souvenir goods costing 315 NOK or more; this does not apply to entry tickets, food or books.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Arrive before 10:30 | This allows you to catch the first seal feeding session shortly after the attraction opens, before the largest midday crowds arrive. |
| Book online if using a discount | Customer benefit discounts (Ishavskraft, iTromsø, Coop Nord) are only available when purchasing tickets online in advance; they cannot be applied at the door. |
| Food and drink | The main café is currently closed. Light refreshments including coffee, tea, soft drinks, ice cream and fresh bakery items from Kaffebønna are available at reception. There are no full meal options on site. |
| Storage | An open cloakroom and a small number of lockers are available for bags and luggage near the entrance; ask at reception. |
| Free Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi is available throughout the building; request the network name and password at reception on arrival. |
Frequently asked questions about Polaria
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Polaria suitable for children? | Yes. The attraction is designed with families in mind. Children under three enter free. Prams are welcome throughout. Staff recommend children under 12 are accompanied by an adult. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Polaria? | Advance booking is not required but is available online. It is strongly recommended if you want to use a discount scheme, as these cannot be applied at the door. |
| Is Polaria open on Sundays? | Yes. Polaria is open every day of the week from 10:00 to 17:00, including Sundays. The only exceptions are 17 May (closed) and 24 December (closes at 16:00). |
| Are dogs allowed at Polaria? | No. Pets are not permitted inside the building due to the risk of infection to the animals. Registered guide dogs are an exception and are permitted with valid documentation. |
| Can you pay by card at Polaria? | Yes. Card payments (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and others) are accepted. Cash payments are accepted in Norwegian krone only; euro is not accepted. |
Things to do near Polaria
Fjellheisen Cable Car — Located approximately ten minutes’ walk from Polaria, Fjellheisen provides a four-minute cable car ride to a viewing platform at 421 metres above sea level, with views over Tromsø and the surrounding fjords and mountains. It’s considerably easier than ascending the notorious Sherpa Stairs…
The Polar Museum (Polarmuseet) — A short walk along the waterfront from Polaria, this museum focuses on the history of Arctic hunters, trappers and polar explorers, including Roald Amundsen.
The Arctic University Museum of Norway (Tromsø University Museum) — A short bus or taxi ride from the centre, this museum covers natural history and cultural heritage of northern Norway, including a Northern Lights exhibition.
The Arctic Cathedral (Ishavskatedralen) — Located across the Tromsø Bridge in Tromsdalen, this distinctive triangular church is one of the most photographed buildings in northern Norway. A short bus journey from Polaria.
Magic Ice Bar — A short walk from Polaria along the harbourfront, this indoor ice sculpture gallery and bar is open year-round and requires no advance booking for general admission.
What to visit next: similar attractions within the region
Tromsø is relatively remote, so comparable Arctic wildlife and aquarium attractions require at least a day trip or an overnight stay. The following are the most practical options within a few hours of the city.
Tromsø Zoo and Arctic Wildlife Park (Ytterøyane, Balsfjord) — Approximately 40 minutes south of Tromsø by car, this wildlife park houses Arctic and Nordic animals including wolverines, lynx, wolves, reindeer and musk oxen in a natural landscape setting.
Alta Museum (Alta) — Around two and a half hours east of Tromsø, the Alta Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring one of the world’s largest concentrations of prehistoric rock carvings alongside a regional history museum.
Sealife Bergen Aquarium (Bergen) — Norway’s most visited aquarium, home to penguins, seals, crocodiles and a wide range of marine species. Bergen is well over ten hours by road, but reachable by a short domestic flight from Tromsø.
Ålesund Aquarium (Atlantic Sea Park, Ålesund) — One of Norway’s largest aquariums, with a focus on the North Atlantic marine environment. Ålesund is also accessible by domestic flight from Tromsø.
Svalbard Global Seed Vault visitor area and Longyearbyen Museum (Longyearbyen, Svalbard) — For visitors seeking a deeper Arctic experience, Longyearbyen on Svalbard is reachable by a 45-minute flight from Tromsø and offers museums, guided glacier walks and Arctic wildlife tours in a genuine High Arctic setting.
