During your stay in Tromsø, there’s one local gem you’re almost guaranteed to stumble upon. Standing proudly in the middle of the city centre, just a five-minute walk from the congress’s main venue, this tiny octagonal kiosk has become one of Tromsø’s most beloved landmarks.
Raketten’s story began in 1911, when 18-year-old Margit Løkke opened a newspaper kiosk on the square. More than a century later, it still stands in the same spot, having witnessed everything from world wars and city growth to changing fashions and food trends. Not bad for a building that many visitors first notice because it looks a bit like a rocket.
Its official name was originally Løkkekiosken, but locals gradually nicknamed it “Raketten” (“The Rocket”) thanks to its distinctive shape. Today, the kiosk is protected as a historic cultural landmark and is considered a small but important piece of Tromsø’s history.
But Raketten is far more than a museum piece. It remains a lively meeting place, serving local sausages, hot drinks and a taste of Arctic everyday life throughout the year. The kiosk proudly describes itself as “the world’s smallest bar,” and judging by the queues that often form outside, both locals and visitors seem to agree that it’s worth a stop.
So if you find yourself with a few spare minutes between workshops, this is an easy addition to your Tromsø bucket list: visit one of the city’s most charming landmarks, grab something warm to eat or drink, and enjoy a little piece of local history in the heart of the Arctic.
Photo: Vegard Stien / Visit Tromsø-Region
