Tromsø

The city stands on the island of Tromsøya in the strait between it and the mainland, joined by bridge and tunnel to Tromsdalen on one side and by a second bridge to Kvaløya on the other. Its centre holds more old wooden houses than anywhere else in Northern Norway, the oldest dating from 1789. The name is uncertain, but one reading traces it to straumr, strong current, and the Sámi name Romsa is thought to be a loan from Norse. In 2026 Tromsø became European Youth Capital, the northernmost city ever to hold the title.