3 Days in Tromso: The Perfect Winter Itinerary
Are you planning on spending 3 days in Tromso, Norway? If so, here’s our exact winter itinerary from our trip to this beautiful Arctic city.
Tromso is simply stunning. There’s no other way of putting it. Of all the cities we’ve visited in Northern Europe, this is easily one of our favourites.
It’s clean, surrounded by mountains and fjords, has some truly gorgeous views, and the people are lovely. Plus, you have cute buildings, a vibrant city centre, historic museums, and some great food spots.
We recently spent a few days exploring the city in March and fell in love with it.
So, if you’re considering heading into the Arctic this winter, here’s how to spend an amazing three days in Tromso.
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Tromso Winter Must-Do’s!
Short on time? These are 4 bucket-list things you NEED to do in Tromso! ❤️
This is where we stayed: Total Apartments.
Where to Stay for your 3 Days in Tromso
The first thing you’ll need to decide is where to stay. There are plenty of accommodation options in Tromso, from large hotels to cosy apartments.
We recommend staying close to the centre as this will make getting around much easier. Tromso is a pretty walkable city, so you shouldn’t need to hire a car unless you’re staying outside of the city.
Plus, if you’re planning on booking some tours (which we highly recommend!), then you’ll find that most offer hotel pickup within the city.
We stayed at Total Apartments. They were within walking distance of all the places we wanted to see in the city centre, and were very cosy and comfortable.
They also had self-catering facilities, which means we could prepare our own lunches and breakfast. Tromso isn’t the cheapest place to stay, so this really helped keep the costs down.
However, if you’d prefer a hotel, we recommend Thon Hotel Polar or Radisson Blu. Both are in the city centre and very highly rated.
👉 If you’d rather stay somewhere unique, check out our favourite Northern Lights Hotels in Tromso.
Day 1: Reindeers and Northern Lights
For your first day in Tromso, we’re going to cross some of the best things to do in the city off your bucket list!
10:00 – Reindeer Sledding and Sami Culture Tour
Start your day with one of the most bucket list activities in Tromso – reindeer sledding. For this option, we booked a guided tour, and it was an amazing experience.
We met our guide at the bus terminal in the city centre, around a 10-minute walk from our apartment. Once we arrived, we hopped on the bus and drove to the Sami camp.
One of the best things about this tour is that it wasn’t just reindeer sledding.
We also had the chance to feed the reindeer (who are super greedy!), had lunch provided, had hot chocolate and cookies available throughout our time at the camp, and learned all about the Sami culture, which was fascinating.
You can book either a short or long sledge ride. We opted for the long tour, which lasted about 30 minutes, and we definitely recommend this option.
After our tour, we hopped back in the bus and drove back to Tromso for around 2pm.
❤️ This was the tour that we booked, and it was such a fantastic experience!
14:30 – Admire the Arctic Cathedral
Once you arrive back in the city, you’ll have a little bit of time to chill before your evening activity, so we recommend exploring the city centre.
The Arctic Cathedral is a very impressive structure. It’s meant to resemble icebergs or the peaks of the surrounding mountains and is one of Tromso’s most iconic landmarks.
It’s a great photo stop, especially when lit up in the evening. You can also pop inside to see the stunning stained-glass windows.
15:00 – Take the Fjellheisen Cable Car
From the Arctic Cathedral, it’s just a short walk to the entrance of the Fjellheisen Cable Car. This place will give you panoramic views over Tromso from the top of Mount Storsteinen.
In our opinion, these are some of the best views in the city and are well worth the (rather expensive) cable car ride.
The ride itself is quick and only takes around four minutes, but once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views over the city, the fjords, and the surrounding snow-capped peaks. You can even watch the airplanes landing at the airport.
The cable car costs 445 NOK for a return ticket, which is around £32 or $44.
You can also buy either a 1-day or a 2-day pass for 640 NOK or 840 NOK, respectively. This will save you money if you want to go up the cable car multiple times, for example, to see the views in both day and nighttime and give you unlimited rides.
At the top, you’ll find a viewing platform, as well as a cosy café where you can warm up with a coffee or waffle while taking in the scenery.
You can visit this place all year round. If you’re visiting Tromso in summer, then you can hike to the top of the mountain via the steps instead of having to take the cable car.
If you’re visiting in winter and the skies are clear, this is also a fantastic spot to catch the Northern Lights.
16:30 – Dinner
For dinner on your first night, we recommend getting an early meal so that you’re in time for your Northern Lights pickup.
Since you’re already in the city centre, we recommend either Full Steam for delicious Norwegian food, Casa Inferno for pizza, or Suvi for Japanese cuisine.
18:00 – Northern Lights Tour
Tonight, we’re chasing the aurora, easily one of the best things to do in Tromso.
In fact, we recommend booking not one but two northern lights chases during your time there. That way, if one night doesn’t go to plan (hello, unpredictable Arctic weather!), you still have another shot.
That’s exactly what we did.
For our first night, we joined an Aurora Safari Camp experience, and we absolutely loved the setup.
These camps are located in areas with optimal viewing conditions outside the city, and your guides pick the best one for the night based on the weather forecast.
We met our guide at the bus station and drove for an hour or so outside the city to a remote lakeside house tucked into the snowy countryside.
Once there, we were welcomed with hot soup, bread, coffee, and cookies as we settled in and waited for the lights to appear. It was cosy, peaceful, and honestly, such a nice way to spend an evening.
Unfortunately, the aurora didn’t show for us that night. A snowstorm rolled in and forced us to pack up and head out in search of clearer skies.
Despite the effort, we didn’t get lucky. But full credit to the guides: they showed us an informative video about how the aurora forms, kept spirits high, and did everything they could to make the experience enjoyable.
It’s a shame because the camp setting was gorgeous, and if the skies had cleared, it would’ve been an incredible photo spot. That’s just part of the deal with chasing the lights – when nature isn’t on your side, there’s not a lot you can do!
Even with the weather, we’d 100% recommend this tour, especially if it’s your first time aurora hunting. The guides were amazing, the setting was magical, and the whole experience was totally worth it.
📌 Book the same tour we did here. Be sure to book it early as they do sell out in peak season!
Day 2: Husky Sledging and Tromso City Centre
For your next day, we’re crossing another activity off your bucket list – husky sledding. Then, head back and explore more of the city centre.
10:00 – Husky Sledging Tour
Dog sledding is one of the most popular activities you can do in Tromso and you really need to add this to your bucket list!
Once again, you’ll likely be picked up from the bus station and driven out to the husky farm. There, you’ll get a chance to meet and play with the dogs, before getting geared up and going for a ride on the sled.
You’ll also get the chance to meet the dogs, learn how the sleds work, and depending on what tour you book, you may even have a chance to drive the sled yourself, if you’re up for it. This is so much fun and a fantastic addition to the tour!
If you’re only booking one daytime adventure in Tromsø, let it be this one.
👉 This is the husky sledding tour we recommend – it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
14:30 – Visit the Polar Museum
Once you arrive back, head to the Polar Museum. Possibly the best museum in the city, this place will give you a detailed history of life in the Arctic, from rugged explorers, seal hunters, and dramatic polar expeditions.
It’s housed in an old 1830s warehouse right on the waterfront, and inside, the exhibits are immersive and surprisingly gripping. You can read detailed stories of survival, adventure, and the harsh realities of life in the Arctic.
It’s a great way to learn more about Tromso’s past as a base for polar exploration – and to escape the cold for an hour or so!
16:30 – Explore Storgata
Storgata is the main shopping street in Tromso and the lively heart of the city centre.
It’s lined with colourful wooden buildings, boutiques, cafes, and local shops; it’s the perfect place to stroll, grab a coffee, buy souvenirs, and soak up the local atmosphere.
We decided to grab dinner here on our second night and found the most unique little burger joint that’s themed around vintage video games.
Admittedly, it was quite pricey, but very cute and nostalgic, and the food was delicious.
18:00 – Second Northern Lights Tour
We will always suggest booking more than one Northern Lights tour while you’re in Tromso. We were SO GLAD that we booked this second tour because otherwise we would’ve never seen the Northern Lights.
Once again, this tour started with a pick-up from the main bus station. We then got on the bus and drove in search of clear skies.
Our driver said we would head towards the Finnish border on our Northern Lights chase and see what we could find. They also said that we might even cross into Finland if the skies over Norway weren’t looking promising.
Luckily, we didn’t have to drive that far as the skies exploded above us around 2 hours from the city. It was a truly magical night and, after the first display, we were served cookies and hot chocolate while we waited for the second display.
Our guides were super knowledgeable, took some great images, and gave us loads of facts and info about the aurora.
It was fantastic and, even though we didn’t get back to the city until about 1:30 am, it was one of the most magical moments of our entire 3 days in Tromso.
❤️ This was the second Northern Lights tour we booked and we cannot recommend it enough!
Day 3: The Fjords
For your final day on this 3-day Tromso itinerary, we’re going to be exploring the fjord region surrounding the city before a relaxing sauna by the waterfront.
11:00 – Fjord Tour Around Tromso
A lot of people miss this tour, but we think it’s one of the most underrated tours in Tromso. The landscapes surrounding the city are completely stunning, and we highly recommend going to explore them whilst on your trip.
This time, we met our guide at the tour company’s office in the city centre and waited on comfy sofas for our guide to arrive.
We had a small minibus for our fjord tour instead of the large coach that we’d had on all our other tours, and really liked the smaller size.
The tour took us out of the city centre and all the way to the island of Sommarøy, about an hour’s drive from Tromso. Along the way, we stopped at magnificent fjord views, arctic beaches, and iconic photography spots.
We also stopped for lunch at a hotel on the island where we were served delicious fish soup (or vegetarian), and crusty bread, along with tea and coffee.
If you like mountain scenery and fancy exploring some of the natural beauty surrounding Tromso, we highly recommend this tour.
👉 This was the tour we booked, and we had a truly amazing time!
16:30 – Grab a Norwegian Hot Dog
Once you’re back in the city centre, why not treat yourself to a delicious hot dog? This cute little place doesn’t look like a restaurant at all, but it’s actually a local favourite.
Tucked inside a tiny red wooden kiosk, this famous hot dog stand serves up classic Norwegian pølse with all the traditional toppings – crispy onions, mustard, and ketchup.
It’s quick, cheap, and surprisingly tasty, the perfect snack after a day of exploring. Plus, grabbing a hot dog from a street cart is practically a rite of passage in Scandinavia!
17:00 – Wander along the Harbourfront
Next, we recommend heading to the harbourfront and having a wander around.
We loved the views from here across the fjord with the cathedral in the distance and dramatic mountains rising behind it. It’s another picture-perfect spot, especially if the light hits just right.
The harbour area is full of charm, with colourful wooden buildings, fishing boats bobbing in the water, and cosy cafés. It’s a great place to soak in the atmosphere and, in our opinion, is one of the most peaceful and scenic parts of the city.
We also recommend grabbing some dinner here, as there are loads of great restaurants.
19:30 – Relax in the Pust Sauna
For your final activity, head to the city’s most beautiful sauna. Pust Sauna is located right on the waterfront, opposite the mountains and the Arctic Cathedral. The views alone should be enough to put this on your list!
You can book a drop-in session, which costs around £26 or $35 and is a great way to unwind. The sauna is glass-fronted, so you can enjoy panoramic views and, if you’re feeling brave, take a dip in the icy fjord right outside for the full Nordic experience.
It’s equal parts relaxing and invigorating, and there’s no better way to end your 3 days in Tromso.
What to pack for Tromso in Winter
Considering how far north it is, the climate in Tromso might surprise you. We visited in March, and while the temperature hovered around 2°C to -8°C (35°F to 17°F), it actually felt manageable, especially when dressed properly.
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Tromso’s winters are milder than you might expect for a city above the Arctic Circle. But don’t let that fool you! When it comes to what to pack, layering is key.
You’ll want to pack thermal base layers, a good insulating mid-layer (like fleece or wool), and a waterproof, windproof outer layer. Don’t forget a warm hat, thermal gloves, and a neck gaiter or scarf to protect your face from wind chill.
Sturdy, insulated boots with good grip are essential, especially if you plan to do any tours involving snow or ice. And if you’re heading out on a Northern Lights chase, hand warmers and thick wool socks will keep your extremities toasty.
Trust us, being warm means enjoying your trip so much more.
What is the Daylight Like?
This is an important thing to bear in mind if you’re visiting the Arctic in winter, as the light can really make or break a trip.
From late November to mid-January, the city enters Polar Night, when the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon. But, unlike what many people think, that doesn’t mean you’re in constant darkness, and it’s not pitch black 24-7.
You’ll still get a few hours of soft, blue light each day, which is known as the blue hour. This makes the landscape look pretty magical and can often make the skies glow pale pink.
By February and March, the days start getting noticeably longer, with several hours of daylight and often clear skies.
When we visited Tromso in March, the sun was rising around 8am and setting by 4pm, which was perfect for all of the activities we did on this itinerary.
Is Tromso Expensive?
This is a tricky question to answer because yes and also no. Compared to some of the other places we’ve visited in Norway, Tromso isn’t too expensive at all. However, we did find it more expensive than Iceland, for example.
For us, the most expensive part was the food and the tours.
Flights were pretty cheap as a few budget airlines from the UK now fly direct. We also managed to find a fairly reasonably priced apartment for our trip.
This also made food slightly cheaper as we bought groceries for lunch and breakfast and cooked for ourselves.
However, eating out was pricey. For one meal, we ended up paying around £50 ($67) for two burgers, two portions of chips, and a beer.
For tours, expect to pay anything from £65 ($87) per person to over £200 ($269) per person for things like reindeer and husky sledding.
So… is Tromso expensive? Yes, in many ways, but it really depends on how you travel.
If you’re savvy with flights, choose self-catering accommodation, and limit how often you eat out, Tromso can be relatively affordable, especially compared to big cities like Oslo or Bergen.
But honestly, most of the tours are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that are totally worth the splurge.
Is 3 Days Enough in Tromso?
We thought this was the perfect amount of time.
Admittedly, we could have stayed longer. There are other activities like ice hotels and snowmobiling, and even whale watching (in season) that would’ve been amazing.
However, for a first-time visit, we really enjoyed ourselves and had plenty of time.
In just three days, we managed to see the Northern Lights, go husky sledding, explore the city, and visit the surrounding fjords. And it didn’t really feel that busy either, and we had plenty of time to relax.
If you’re looking for a short Arctic escape, three days in Tromso is more than enough to fall in love with this magical northern city. Although, if you have even less time, check out our guide to spending 2 days in Tromso.
If you have any other questions about visiting the Arctic, ask us anything in our Facebook Group!
❤️ Still need a place to stay? Check out the best hotels in Tromso.
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