Polaria
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Polaria is the world's most northerly aquarium. It is located in Tromsø, in northern Norway. Rather than a mainly scientific aquarium such as the one in Bergen in the Norwegian midlands, Polaria, which opened in May 1998, is designed to be an educational experience, with particular emphasis on displays for children.
attractions: Scandic Ishavshotel, Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso, Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromsø, Troll Museum, Visit Tromsø, Tromsø Cathedral, Thon Hotel Polar, Home Hotel With, Chasing Lights, Viking Hotel Tromso, restaurants: Ølhallen, Egon, Bardus Bistro, Yonas Pizzeria, Pastafabrikken, Rorbua Pub, Kaia, Risø mat og kaffebar, Fiskekompaniet, Kaffebønna Stortorget
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Description
Polaria is the world's most northerly aquarium. It is located in Tromsø, in northern Norway. Rather than a mainly scientific aquarium such as the one in Bergen in the Norwegian midlands, Polaria, which opened in May 1998, is designed to be an educational experience, with particular emphasis on displays for children.
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Educational and Entertaining Polaria Aquarium is a fantastic place to learn about Arctic marine life and the impact of climate change on the region. The educational exhibits are informative and engaging, while the aquariums provide close-up views of fascinating creatures. Highlights of the Aquarium The star attractions of Polaria are undoubtedly the playful harbor seals and bearded seals. Visitors can watch them swim, feed, and interact with their trainers during scheduled sessions. The panoramic cinema offers a breathtaking journey through the Arctic, showcasing the region's diverse landscapes and wildlife. More to Explore Beyond the seals and cinema, Polaria offers a variety of interactive exhibits that allow visitors to delve deeper into the Arctic's unique ecosystem. You can learn about the vital role of plankton, explore the icy depths of the Arctic Ocean through an augmented reality experience, and discover how climate change is affecting the region's delicate balance. Perfect for Families with Kids Polaria is a great place to visit with children. The engaging exhibits, playful seals, and interactive displays will keep them entertained and learning throughout their visit. The aquarium is relatively small, so it's manageable for young children, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. A Must-See in Tromsø Whether you're interested in marine life, conservation, or simply looking for a fun and educational activity, Polaria Aquarium is a must-see in Tromsø. It's a great way to spend a few hours and gain a deeper appreciation for the Arctic's unique wonders. Tips for Your Visit To make the most of your visit to Polaria, plan your trip around the seal feeding times. Be sure to dress warmly, as the aquarium can get chilly, especially near the seal pools. Allow enough time to explore all the exhibits and enjoy the panoramic cinema experience.
Akmad RedhaAkmad Redha
00
I highly recommend this aquarium, especially the backstage/private tour which you get with the Seal Sponsor Package. You are able to select one of the seals in the aquarium to spend one-on-one training and feeding time with (along with one of the staff members, of course) and it is absolutely worth the price. I'd like to mention that what you pay goes directly towards purchases for items that are needed to help the seals. We were told that some things they've been able to buy with funds they've received were an ice machine (the seals love to eat ice) and many of the toys you will see them play with. I got to spend time with Loffen, a sweet little male harbor seal who recently became a father. He was so intelligent, playful, and even gave me kisses on the cheek. I was told he can be shy sometimes, but not that day. You can really see just how intelligent these animals are when you get to interact with them up close. Another seal (Mai San the Bearded Seal) let me feed her some ice, which was such a joyful time for both of us I like to think. As for the exhibit tour we received from Atanas, we also found it to be incredibly informative. He was so thorough and gave us great information on all the various species. We had such a wonderful time and are already looking forward to coming back to Tromsø again in the future and will be sure to stop at Polaria when we return. All of the staff were so kind. Please don't hesitate to go here and if you can, give the Seal Sponsor Package a try. You will not regret it! Thank you for this experience, Polaria!
Ashley SAshley S
10
In the heart of Tromsø, Polaria Aquarium is a delightful escape into the underwater wonders of the Arctic. Despite its modest size, this venue packs a punch with its diverse marine life and engaging exhibits. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with a sense of wonder as you embark on a journey through the icy depths of the Arctic Ocean. The aquarium boasts a fascinating array of species native to these frigid waters, from playful seals to majestic fish. One of the highlights of my visit was witnessing the feeding time for the seals at 15:30. It was an unforgettable experience watching these graceful creatures glide effortlessly through the water as they eagerly awaited their meal. The dedication of the staff to providing enriching experiences for both visitors and animals alike was truly commendable. Despite its small size, Polaria Aquarium offers a wealth of educational opportunities for visitors of all ages. Interactive exhibits and informative displays provide insight into the unique ecosystems of the Arctic and the importance of conservation efforts to protect them. Overall, my visit to Polaria Aquarium is positive. From the friendly staff to the captivating marine life, it's a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Tromsø. I highly recommend setting aside time to witness the feeding time for the seals—it's an experience you won't soon forget!
RISTEÁRD LDNRISTEÁRD LDN
00
I had a ticket through the culture pass I purchased. I would have never come here otherwise (or to the Polar Museum). It's a small aquarium. Staff is very nice. sadly the gift shop was the best part. The tanks look murky, small and uninviting. Information is provided in English and Norsk. Movies are nice and informative. Worse part for me was seeing 5 seals confined in a really small aquarium. Low ceiling, no natural light whatsoever or fresh air. It's just wrong and very sad. They are left there for 12-16 hours a day by themselves once the aquarium is closed. I get so agitated with the conditioned feeding circus show "turn around get a fish" "clap get a fish" "play dead get a fish" etc. I left at the middle of the feeding. The rest of the space at the aquarium is small and very basic. Paid parking only. Bathrooms available. Coat and lockers available. An hour is plenty. I do not recommend it. Go on a Fjord cruise or whale watch cruise you'll enjoy mammals and local animals in their natural habitat the way it's supposed to be.
Rainbow ChaserRainbow Chaser
30
Very cozy and small museum with an interesting way of explaining how humans affect the entire planet. I think this is the most important part of the museum, to reflect on our behavior and our choices (note aside: sadly not many read or pay attention to anything but that's how it is nowadays, nobody reads in detail 😭). Cinema: The cinema part was also a nice distraction and a bit of a break from the entire crowd (it was 11:30am on a Thursday and it was super crowded). I suggest telling people beforehand to stay quiet and respect the show though, it was a bit too loud and difficult to enjoy the spectacular scenes. Feeding animals and playing: A highlight ✨ very cute. Love how they present them and show how smart they are. Store: Good 👍🏻 an opportunity to buy everything, from the museum and from Norway. It's worth a visit, with or without kids, it's very small, so expect it to last no longer than 2 hours but it is in my opinion so well presented (ecology, fish, environment issues, humans, food chain, etc).
Ely Orozco LedezmaEly Orozco Ledezma
00
A wonderful half-day trip destination if you are in Tromsø. I can definitely recommend it to anybody and especially families with kids. For me personally this was the highlight of my Tromsø visit. The aquarium in of itself is not that big, in regards to large animals/mammals it houses 2 harbour seals and 2 bearded seals. The bearded seals are rarely kept in captivity, so this is a unique chance to take a glance at their beautiful "mustaches" that give them the name bearded seal. There is a seal feeding 3× a day, which I suggest you should not miss out on! They have some smaller water tanks which house some smaller fish, starfish and shellfish. The entire place is kept at a chilly temperature so the animals feels comfortable, so I can recommend that people who run cold easily, should bring a vest with them. The aquarium offers some interactive learning stations for their guests and a cinema which shows 3 different short movies on repeat through out the day.
Ingvar EngelIngvar Engel
10
Nearby Attractions Of Polaria
Scandic Ishavshotel
Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso
Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromsø
Troll Museum
Visit Tromsø
Tromsø Cathedral
Thon Hotel Polar
Home Hotel With
Chasing Lights
Viking Hotel Tromso
Scandic Ishavshotel
4.4
(1.4K)Click for details
Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso
4.2
(1.2K)Click for details
Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromsø
4.1
(785)Click for details
Troll Museum
4.3
(577)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Polaria
Ølhallen
Egon
Bardus Bistro
Yonas Pizzeria
Pastafabrikken
Rorbua Pub
Kaia
Risø mat og kaffebar
Fiskekompaniet
Kaffebønna Stortorget
Ølhallen
4.5
(1.4K)$$
Click for details
Egon
4.0
(1.5K)$$
Click for details
Bardus Bistro
4.6
(1K)$$
Click for details
Yonas Pizzeria
4.0
(976)$$
Click for details
Reviews
Overview
4.1
(2.3K reviews)
Phone
+47 77 75 01 00
Call
Website
polaria.no
Visit
Deep Dive
A deep dive into Polaria
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