Prestvannet Lake

Prestvannet Lake is Tromsø's easy nature escape—a bird reserve with a flat loop trail and big sky views. Come for a quick walk, spot Arctic birds in summer, or stake out the Northern Lights on clear winter nights.

It's also known as 'the blue hour' and only occurs during the polar night period. In the afternoon, light reflects off the sea and snow, draping everything in a magical cobalt-blue hue. The further north you go, the darker it becomes and the longer the phenomenon lasts.

Early Development and Reservoir Era (1867–1921) Prestvannet began as a man-made reservoir, created in 1867 to address Tromsø's growing need for a reliable water source. Its elevated position (96 meters above sea level) allowed for a gravity-fed water distribution system, which served the city for over 50 years.

While mainland Norway, including popular Arctic destinations like Tromsø, does not have wild polar bears, there is one remote part of the country where you can encounter them in their natural habitat: Svalbard.