Urban experiences meets raw Arctic nature
Tromsø
Entrance ticket Polaria
Polaria
Polaria
Polaria
Polaria
Polaria
Prices from
395 NOK
per person
Polaria is an Arctic experience centre and the world’s northernmost aquarium, located in the heart of Tromsø. The iconic building, inspired by ice floes pushed ashore by the Arctic Ocean, houses interactive exhibitions and aquarium habitats filled with life from the northern seas.
General information
Experience the Arctic – in the heart of Tromsø
Welcome to Polaria, the world’s northernmost aquarium and an Arctic experience centre where nature, science and close encounters with marine life take centre stage. Your admission ticket gives you access to the entire venue: interactive exhibitions, the panoramic cinema, the seal pool, and aquariums filled with species from the northern seas.
What’s included in your visit
Explore our new interactive exhibitions, developed in collaboration with researchers at the Fram Centre. Here, you can listen to Arctic soundscapes, learn about climate and marine environments, and discover how life in the north is interconnected within a vulnerable ecosystem. The exhibitions are designed for visitors of all ages and present knowledge in a way that sparks curiosity and reflection.
Meeting our seals is one of the natural highlights of the visit. Polaria is home to seven seals – three bearded seals, three harbour seals and one ringed seal – and every day you can watch feeding and training sessions at 10:30, 12:30 and 15:30. These sessions are an essential part of the animals’ enrichment and offer a rare opportunity to see Arctic marine mammals up close.
Your ticket also includes admission to the panoramic cinema, where three films take you through the movements of the Northern Lights, the landscapes of Svalbard, and a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at life at Polaria.
The new Polaria
The expanded seal pool is three times larger than before and, with its large panoramic windows, natural daylight and an outdoor balcony, offers an even closer experience of both the animals and their environment. Here, you can follow the seals through calm moments, play and exploration – both indoors and outdoors – throughout the year.
At Polaria, you’ll experience a complete Arctic journey that brings together knowledge, visual impressions and close encounters with some of the Arctic’s most distinctive species.
Practical information
– Open daily: 10:00–17:00
– The entire visit takes place indoors and is suitable for all ages
– Universally designed with ramps, a lift, accessible toilets, baby-changing facilities and stroller access
– Light café service and a gift shop featuring local products
Prices from
395 NOK per person
- Adult: NOK 395
- Child (0-2): NOK 0
- Child (3-15): NOK 220
- Family (up to 2 adults + up to 3 children up to 15 years old): NOK 925
- Student (valid student ID required): NOK 260
- Senior citizen (67+): NOK 260
- Handicap (proof required): NOK 260
- Companion with valid companion card has free entrance
- Annual ticket from NOK 1150
Facilities
- Student price
- Wheelchair access
- Suitable for children and families
- English
- Very easy
- Norwegian
- Adapted for mobility impairment
- Easy
- 1-2 hours
- Child 0+
- Child 4+
- Child 6+
- Child 12+
About Polaria
Polaria – Arctic Experience Centre and the World’s Northernmost Aquarium.
Polaria is an Arctic experience centre and the world’s northernmost aquarium, located in the heart of Tromsø. The iconic building, inspired by ice floes pushed ashore by the Arctic Ocean, houses interactive exhibitions and aquariums filled with life from the northern seas.
Exhibitions and Purpose
The mission of the Polaria Foundation is to communicate research from the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Through knowledge-based exhibitions developed in close collaboration with researchers at the Fram – High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, visitors gain insight into how climate change, plastic pollution and environmental toxins affect life in the north.
In our new interactive exhibitions, guests can explore underwater soundscapes, discover the fragile Svalbard food web, and reflect on how all species – including humans – are interconnected and dependent on the balance of nature.
Seal Pool and Aquarium
Polaria is home to seven seals: three bearded seals, three harbour seals and one ringed seal. The seals take part in daily feeding and training sessions that stimulate them both mentally and physically. These sessions are part of their regular enrichment and are not staged shows; however, visitors are warmly welcome to watch every day at 10:30, 12:30 and 15:30.
The aquarium showcases a variety of species from the Arctic marine environment, including cod, halibut, wolffish, king crab, jellyfish and many other fascinating creatures from northern waters.
Panoramic Theatre
Our Panoramic Theatre screens three films that highlight natural wonders of the north. Experience the Northern Lights in the Tromsø region, soar above Svalbard’s glaciers and mountains, or enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at how we care for the animals and operate the aquarium at Polaria.
The New Polaria
Polaria has recently completed a major expansion that enhances both animal welfare and the guest experience. The new seal pool is three times larger than the previous one, featuring expansive panoramic windows, natural daylight, and an outdoor balcony pool where the seals can swim outside, bask in the midnight sun during summer and enjoy the snow in winter.
The expansion also includes new meeting and event spaces suitable for exclusive gatherings, tailored experiences and unique MICE events in Arctic surroundings.
In addition, we offer several bookable guest experiences, such as seal encounters, guided tours, Arctic yoga and a live theatre performance about the Northern Lights.
Gift Shop and Light Refreshments
Polaria’s gift shop offers a wide selection of high-quality local and Nordic products. We collaborate with suppliers who actively work to reduce their environmental footprint and focus on sustainable production.
We provide a simple café service at the reception, offering coffee, tea, soft drinks, ice cream and baked goods from local suppliers. Gluten- and lactose-free options are usually available, while vegetarian options may vary.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
• Open daily: 10:00–17:00
• 17 May: closed
• 24 December: 10:00–14:00
Seal Feeding and Training
• Every day at 10:30, 12:30 and 15:30
Accessibility and Families
• Fully accessible for visitors with reduced mobility, with ramps, lifts and a complimentary wheelchair available
• Two accessible toilets with baby-changing facilities
• Strollers are welcome throughout the entire centre
• Suitable for families with children of all ages, including infants
• Low physical activity – the entire visit takes place indoors
Sustainability
• Polaria is a non-profit foundation dedicated to communicating research-based knowledge about the Arctic, climate and the marine environment
• Strong focus on environmental responsibility, research and promoting sustainable use of Arctic regions
• Polaria is Eco-Lighthouse certified (Miljøfyrtårn) and is working towards further certifications (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001)
What Makes Polaria Unique
• The world’s northernmost aquarium and the only place in Europe where you can meet bearded seals up close
• Unique Arctic-inspired architecture resembling ice floes
• Close cooperation with the Fram Centre and researchers from around the world
• A year-round indoor attraction in the centre of Tromsø – perfect in any weather