Polaria – meet the Arctic

In a distinctive building depicting ice blocks pushed on land by the rugged ocean in the Arctic, you find Polaria. Polaria is a journey of discovery for the whole family.

If you are curious about how animals, people, fish and plants are living together side by side, Polaria is the perfect place to meet and understand life in the Arctic.

Here you will experience, among other things, bearded seals and harbour seals, catfish and tiny sharks up close, and you will get to know and feel the different species that move across the ocean floor.

Seal Basin and Aquarium
We have four playful seals living in our seal pool, which train several times a day. In the aquarium section you will find most of the animals, fish species and shellfish in our polar regions, along with specimens of Arctic underwater flora. We invite you to join in on daily training sessions and feeding of the seals.

Important note. Polaria has limited capacity for seal-feeding due to Covid-19 restrictions. Unfortunately, entrance tickets do not secure space on seal-feeding. Unfortunately, they cannot guarantee all guests space to see the feeding at times with many visitors. Their highest priority is safety for guests, staff and animals.

Panorama Cinema
Our unique Panoramic cinema shows films of some of the most spectacular phenomena in the wild north. Before and after the cinema visit, you can learn more about the Arctic in our exhibitions.

Exhibitions
Polaria is a showcase for polar research from the FRAM centre next door. Through our exhibitions you will get insight into what kind of man-made challenges our region is facing and why changes in the climate and emissions of contaminants in the wild have such significant consequences for animal and plant life.

Shop
Visit our gift shop with merchandise of good craftsmanship and high quality from the North.

History and mission
Polaria was established in connection with the move of the Norwegian Polar Institute to Tromsø. Through knowledge-based exhibitions made in collaboration with researchers from The Fram Centre, Polaria will mirror some of the climate and environmental research that takes place in the Arctic area.

Opening hours: 10:00 AM (10:00) - 4:00 PM (16:00).
Seal training and feeding: 10:30 AM (10:30), 12:30 PM (12:30) & 3:30 PM (15:30).