MS Polstjerna Tromsø: what to see and when to visit

The short answer

Is MS Polstjerna worth visiting?

Yes, when it is open, if you want to see a working Arctic ship rather than only read about one. The preserved deck and original interior make the conditions of life at sea tangible. The visit also includes SNOWHOW, an exhibition about the knowledge behind famous polar expeditions.

If you are travelling outside the summer season, the Polar Museum is the better place to start with trapping and exploration history. Polaria, next door to Polstjerna, focuses instead on Arctic marine life and living animals. These are separate attractions with their own tickets and schedules.

A working ship preserved

What is Polstjerna?

Built in 1949, MS Polstjerna sailed for 33 sealing seasons. It was part of Tromsø’s commercial Arctic hunting history, a history that includes the killing of seals. Visit Tromsø says its interior above and below deck, sailing rig and small hunting boats are original.

The vessel now sits in a glass-covered dry dock. Seeing its wooden deck, rigging and compact working spaces gives this visit a different feel from a conventional museum gallery. You are looking at the ship itself, not a reconstruction.

Below the ship

What is the SNOWHOW exhibition?

In the dock beneath Polstjerna, SNOWHOW asks what explorers such as Nansen and Amundsen learned from Inuit, Sámi and northern Norwegian seafaring communities. It adds context to the familiar polar-hero stories and connects practical Arctic knowledge to the people who developed and shared it.

Allow time for both the vessel and the exhibition. If your interest is mainly in exploration history and you only have one museum slot, compare this seasonal visit with the year-round Polar Museum before choosing.

Plan ahead

Opening season and ticket prices

Polstjerna is currently closed for the season. As checked on 16 October 2026, the UiT homepage says “Welcome back in June 2027.” The operator’s visitor page still shows the 2026 schedule of 1 June–31 August, daily 11:00–17:00. Do not assume those exact dates or hours will apply in 2027; confirm the new season before travelling.

For 2026, UiT listed adult admission at NOK 130, senior and student tickets at NOK 100, and free admission for children under 18 and UiT students. These are previous-season prices, not a quote for 2027. Check UiT’s visitor page for the next season’s fares and any special-event arrangements.

About 45–75 minutes is our estimate for exploring the ship and SNOWHOW without rushing. Add time if you like to read every display.

Find the right venue

Where is it, and what about access?

Polstjerna is at Hjalmar Johansens gate 10, at the southern end of downtown Tromsø, right beside Polaria. UiT says it is within walking distance of many central hotels. The nearest bus stop is “Polaria”. The ship has no dedicated car park; paid public parking is beside the entrance.

Be realistic about getting around aboard. Visit Tromsø warns that the ship’s stairs are very steep, with high thresholds and dim light in some areas. It advises visitors who are uncomfortable with ladders to stay on the main deck. If you need step-free access or want to visit a particular part of the exhibition, contact the operator before buying a ticket.

Common questions

MS Polstjerna FAQ