Best Arctic

Lynx in Polar Park

Take a day trip to Polar Park, Norway and experience the wilderness

Have you always wanted to see wolves, brown bears, wolverines, or even lynxes? All these impressive animals are found at the Polar Park Arctic Wildlife Centre. Wait, there is more! You can even get a glimpse of the much admired Arctic fox! But don’t worry, there are not only carnivorous animals at Polar Park. You can also experience moose, red deer, reindeer, and muskoxen.

Polar Park, Norway

The aim of the park is to allow people to experience these animals in their natural surroundings, which means that each species has a specific kind of space to resemble its preferred habitat. The park, which opened in 1994, prioritises the well-being of its residents by creating large enclosures for all the animals, as they require a lot of space to roam around. In fact, Polar Park is one of the animal parks in the world with the most area per animal.

How to get to Polar Park from Tromsø?

The Polar Park Arctic Wildlife Centre, which is the world’s northernmost
animal park, is situated in Bardu municipality about 185 km from Tromsø. We visited
this fascinating and exotic place earlier this year from Tromsø using the Arctic
Route, which runs from 1 December to 31 March. You can buy your tour with return
transport from Tromsø here, and your admission ticket to the park here.

We started by taking our winter Arctic Route bus from Tromsø, which departed from the parking area by the Scandic Ishavshotel at 09:00. During the bus journey, we got to appreciate the beautiful winter scenery, which was truly magnificent!

After the three-hour road trip, we arrived at Polar Park around 12:00 ready
for our visit.

The bus takes you directly to the entrance of the park and from there
it’s only a few steps to the main building.

 

The Arctic animals in Polar Park

We spent the day exploring the park and seeing all the beautiful Norwegian wilderness surrounding us. We were very lucky because we saw all the animals at the park! Depending on the seasons, some of the animals such as the bears may be hibernating, so keep that in mind. As the enclosures resemble their natural habitats, some of the animals may hide when they feel like it. It was such a magical experience locking eyes with a majestic lynx, which is usually a very elusive species. The most memorable moment for us was to see the pack of imposing wolves in their territory.

The Norwegian wilderness is perfectly encapsulated in this park, no matter which season you visit. Everything is created to make you – and the animals – feel like you are in the wild Arctic nature.

 

Exploring Polar Park

This day trip is a perfect weekend activity for all. We saw families, friends and colleagues visiting the park. The atmosphere there is wonderful!

In the summer, you can even plan to camp in this great location, fish in the river that runs right through the park or grill a meal at one of the barbecue areas.

Polar Park

What to eat

If you’re feeling a bit hungry, you can enjoy a nice meal at the restaurant, located near the main entrance. It’s very cosy with wooden tables and warm interior decorations. You can enjoy traditional Norwegian dinners, sandwiches and a wide range of drinks, depending on your preferences.

There is also an excellent gift shop with plenty of options to take home to your family or friends!

At 15:00, the bus will take you back to Tromsø via the same route you travelled in the morning. You will arrive back in Tromsø around 18:15.

This concludes our amazing day trip to Polar Park on the Arctic Route! We warmly recommend you follow in our footsteps and take this wonderful tour!

What to do in Tromsø when tours are sold out or weather is bad?

What to do in Tromsø when tours are sold out or weather is bad?

Bad weather just canceled your dream whale watching? Maybe that dog sledding tour you wanted is fully booked? These setbacks shouldn’t ruin your mood – Tromsø has many exciting tours and/ or indoor activities and alternatives you can enjoy whatever the weather or tour situation.

Direct flights to Tromsø, Norway during winter 2024

Direct flights to Tromsø, Norway during winter 2024

Flying to Tromsø this winter has become easier than ever. Direct flights from Europe from different cities, have made this Arctic destination available to everyone planning northern lights adventures and winter experiences. You can reach this Norwegian gem without dealing with layovers or connecting flights through Oslo or other places.

When to see whales in Tromsø during Winter

When to see whales in Tromsø during Winter

Whale watching tours departing from Tromsø during winter is a breathtaking experience that draws visitors from around the world. From November to January, you have the chance to witness majestic orcas and humpback whales in their natural habitat as they follow herring migrations into the fjords. This unique opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures up close influences making Tromsø a top destination for winter wildlife enthusiasts.