Tromsø
Polaria - An Arctic Experience
Polaria is an Arctic Experience Centre and Aquarium located in the heart of Tromsø. The building itself is designed to resemble ice floes pushed up on land by the Arctic Ocean. Inside, you will find a blend of interactive exhibitions and aquarium tanks filled with fauna and flora from the region.
Exhibitions and our mission
Polaria’s mission is to showcase the research done in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Through knowledge-based exhibitions made in collaboration with scientists from the Fram - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, Polaria mirror some of the research that takes place in the Arctic. Our brand-new interactive exhibitions allow you to learn more about, and reflect over the man-made challenges our region is facing. Delve into an ocean of sound, explore the synergies of the unique food-web found on Svalbard, and reflect on how all life is connected and dependent on each other.
Seal Pool and Aquarium We have five playful seals living in our seal pool; two bearded seals and three harbour seals. The seals are fed and trained several times a day to stimulate them both mentally and physically. And while it is not done to put on a show for our guests, we welcome all to watch these feeding and training sessions every day at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM (15:30).
In our small aquarium you will find cod, king crab, halibut, wolffish, jellyfish, and plenty of other species from the polar region.
Panoramic Theatre In our Panoramic Theatre you can see three different films that showcase some of the spectacular phenomena we have here in the wild north. Experience the Northern Lights in the Tromsø region, fly over Svalbard’s glaciers and mountains, and join us behind the scenes here at Polaria.
The Gift Shop In our unique gift shop, you can find a wide range of local and Nordic high-quality products. We want our gift shop to reflect Polaria’s values regarding environmental consciousness. That’s why we have chosen to only collaborate with suppliers that limits their impact on the environment and deliver sustainable products.
Expansion We are currently expanding Polaria. An extension is being constructed at the back of our building, to make room our new seal pool. This pool will be three times as large as our current one. Panorama-windows will provide a gorgeous view of the sea and the mountains, and give the seals plenty of natural daylight. A balcony featuring an outdoor pool will allow them to swim out and bask in the sun during the summer months, and play in the snow during the winter. The expansion will also give more room for our guests to view the feeding sessions. We look forward to presenting the new Polaria in 2025.
Opening hours Opening hours summer 1st June to 31st August: daily 10:00 AM (10:00) - 5:00 PM (17:00).
Opening hours from 1st September to 31st May: daily 10:00 AM (10:00) - 4:00 PM (16:00).
Seal training and feeding: daily at 10:30 AM (10:30), 12:30 PM (12:30) & 3:30 PM (15:30).
Facilities - Recommended duration of visit: 2 hours
- Suitable for all ages and families
- Activity level: Very easy
- Wheelchair accessible
- Changing table and stroller accessible
Seal Pool and Aquarium We have five playful seals living in our seal pool; two bearded seals and three harbour seals. The seals are fed and trained several times a day to stimulate them both mentally and physically. And while it is not done to put on a show for our guests, we welcome all to watch these feeding and training sessions every day at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM (15:30).
In our small aquarium you will find cod, king crab, halibut, wolffish, jellyfish, and plenty of other species from the polar region.
Panoramic Theatre In our Panoramic Theatre you can see three different films that showcase some of the spectacular phenomena we have here in the wild north. Experience the Northern Lights in the Tromsø region, fly over Svalbard’s glaciers and mountains, and join us behind the scenes here at Polaria.
The Gift Shop In our unique gift shop, you can find a wide range of local and Nordic high-quality products. We want our gift shop to reflect Polaria’s values regarding environmental consciousness. That’s why we have chosen to only collaborate with suppliers that limits their impact on the environment and deliver sustainable products.
Expansion We are currently expanding Polaria. An extension is being constructed at the back of our building, to make room our new seal pool. This pool will be three times as large as our current one. Panorama-windows will provide a gorgeous view of the sea and the mountains, and give the seals plenty of natural daylight. A balcony featuring an outdoor pool will allow them to swim out and bask in the sun during the summer months, and play in the snow during the winter. The expansion will also give more room for our guests to view the feeding sessions. We look forward to presenting the new Polaria in 2025.
Opening hours Opening hours summer 1st June to 31st August: daily 10:00 AM (10:00) - 5:00 PM (17:00).
Opening hours from 1st September to 31st May: daily 10:00 AM (10:00) - 4:00 PM (16:00).
Seal training and feeding: daily at 10:30 AM (10:30), 12:30 PM (12:30) & 3:30 PM (15:30).
Facilities - Recommended duration of visit: 2 hours
- Suitable for all ages and families
- Activity level: Very easy
- Wheelchair accessible
- Changing table and stroller accessible
Source: Visit Tromsø-Region
Polaria - An Arctic Experience