Tromso in March: Everything You Need to Know

Are you planning on visiting Tromso in March? Here’s our experience after visiting during this month and everything you need to know!

March is one of the absolute best months to visit Tromsø. It’s the perfect in-between season when you’ll still have snow and winter vibes, but you’ll also have enough daylight to actually enjoy the views! 

We’ve recently spent 3 days in Tromso in March and absolutely loved it. The days are longer than in December and January (we were waking up in daylight instead of pitch black), but you still get that magical Arctic winter atmosphere. 

And, of course, with this comes a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights. The best ever northern lights display that we’ve seen has been in Tromso in March, so we can’t recommend it enough! 

So, if you’re planning a trip to Tromsø in March, this guide covers everything you need to know: weather, daylight, activities, what to pack, where to stay, and plenty of insider tips to help you plan the perfect Arctic adventure.

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Tromso Weather in March

So, let’s start with the weather. If you’re visiting in March and are anything like us, the thing you’re most likely wondering about is the weather conditions.

March in Tromsø is still very much winter, but it’s much milder than the darker months, possibly because there’s more daylight. The average daytime temperatures sit around -2°C to 2°C (28°F to 36°F), but it still dipped well below freezing at night. 

On our Northern Lights tour, the temperature reached -8°C and we were very grateful for the hot chocolate on the bus!

You’ll still likely see snow on the ground, but maybe not much in some areas. In the city centre in Tromso, the ground wasn’t too snowy at all in parts, and our reindeer sledding tour was almost cancelled due to not having enough snow! 

Weather-wise, you’ll likely experience a mix of clear, crisp days and overcast skies. We’ve found that March often has some of the best winter conditions for exploring.

It’s still snowy, but without that brutal cold that can make January and February tough for long days outside.

Just keep in mind that the weather in the Arctic can change fast. Pack layers, check forecasts regularly, and be prepared for both sunshine and snow on the same day.

Daylight in Tromso in March

In our opinion, this is one of the biggest perks of visiting in March.

Tromso is so far north that between the end of November and the middle of January, it experiences Polar Night. This is where the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon at all, and it’s dark 24/7. 

While this is a unique phenomenon that’s worth experiencing at least once in your life, it’s not the best when it comes to actually going outside and doing things. Husky sledding in the dark loses its charm just a little! 

However, in March, Tromso experiences 9 to 12 hours of daylight, depending on when in the month you visit. Sunrise is typically around 6:30–7:00am by the end of the month, and sunset can be as late as 6:30pm.

That means you get a full day of exploring, unlike in the dark winter months when you only get a few hours of light. But at the same time, it still gets properly dark at night, which means plenty of opportunities to see the Northern Lights.

It’s genuinely the best of both worlds!

Can you see the Northern Lights in Tromso in March?

Yes! And honestly, March is one of the best months of the year to see the Northern Lights in Tromsø. The combination of long, dark nights and clearer skies gives you an excellent chance of witnessing the aurora.

We specifically went to Tromso to see the Northern Lights and weren’t disappointed! We booked two different northern lights tours to maximise our chances. 

Unfortunately, on the first night, we got caught in a snowstorm and didn’t see anything, but on the second night, on this bus tour, we saw the most magical show of our entire lives! It was completely insane!

Many locals and guides say March is their favourite month for aurora chasing. It’s less cold than mid-winter, and the chances of cloud cover are lower.

For the best experience, you can either join a guided Northern Lights tour (which we’d recommend if you want to increase your chances) or head out on your own if you’ve rented a car.

Just make sure to check the aurora forecast (we use this app) and head away from the city lights for the best view.

❤️ This was the best Northern Lights tour we booked, and we cannot recommend it enough!

Best Things to do in Tromso in March

There are so many amazing things to do in Tromso in March, and the longer daylight hours mean fitting even more into your days. 

Here are some of our favourite winter activities in Tromso:

1. Ride the Fjellheisen Cable Car

This is definitely one of the best things to do in Tromso in March. The views from the top of Mount Storsteinen are breathtaking, especially if you get a good sunset, so we highly recommend taking the Fjellheisen Cable Car while you’re in Tromso. 

It’s definitely not cheap, and tickets cost 595 NOK for a return ticket (which is around £44 or $60). But, it’s arguably the best view in the city, and you can see the whole of Tromsø island, the fjords, and snow-covered peaks in the distance. 

The cable car runs from 9am until midnight and, if you’re lucky, you might even catch the Northern Lights from up here at night.

2. Chase the Northern Lights

This is our personal favourite thing to do in Tromso! 

It’s the reason many people visit Tromsø in winter, and March is a fantastic time to go aurora chasing.

We recommend booking a guided tour to maximise your chances; however, you can also set off on your own adventure if you hire a car. 

Nothing compares to standing under the Arctic sky as green lights swirl above you. We joined a bus tour, and it was truly unforgettable – complete with hot chocolate and cookies under the aurora.

❤️ This was the best Northern Lights tour we booked, and we cannot recommend it enough!

3. Go Husky Sledding

Husky sledding is one of the most magical experiences we’ve ever had in the Arctic, and we highly recommend booking a husky sledding tour.

In March, husky sledding is still in full swing, but there is a chance that your ride might be shorter if the snow isn’t deep enough. 

You’ll be bundled up in warm gear, racing through snowy landscapes with a team of very happy dogs. It’s a unique way to explore the Arctic wilderness.

👉 This is the husky sledding tour we recommend – it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

4. Visit the Arctic Cathedral

This striking church is one of Tromsø’s most famous landmarks. Its design is meant to mirror the landscapes and represents the mountains and fjords surrounding the city.

It’s truly unique, and it looks especially beautiful in the snow. 

If you can, catch a Northern Lights concert here in the evening for something really special.

TOP TIP: This is located across the bridge close to the cable car station, so it’s easy to combine the two into one visit.

5. Go Snowshoeing or Skiing

March is an excellent month for winter sports, and we saw plenty of locals hitting the slopes at the top of Mount Storsteinen. 

With plenty of snow still on the ground, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are both popular ways to get out into nature. You can rent gear locally or book a guided tour.

❤️ A snowshoe hike like this is one of the best things to do in Tromso.

6. Experience Sami Culture & Reindeer Sledding

This reindeer sledding tour is one of the things we enjoyed most about our trip to Tromso in March. The Sami are indigenous to Tromso and many other areas in Northern Europe, and they look after the reindeer in Tromso. 

For our reindeer sledding tour, we went to a traditional Sami camp outside the city. We fed the reindeer, went on the sledding ride, and also had a delicious lunch and hot drinks in the tent.

We also heard traditional joik singing and learn about their way of life. It’s a fantastic experience and a great way to discover more about the history and people in Tromso.

❤️ This was the tour that we booked, and it was such a fantastic experience!

7. Go on a Fjord Tour

Some of the most beautiful scenery is actually located a little outside Tromso, and that’s exactly why we went on a fjord tour. This was a great way to visit the mountains surrounding the city, and this tour didn’t disappoint.

Our fjord tour took us all the way to Sommaroy, a small island about an hour and a half’s drive from Tromso. We also visited many other scenic spots on the way, including Arctic beaches and some colourful villages.

👉 This was the tour we booked, and we had a truly amazing time!

8. Visit the Polar Museum

If the weather gets really unpleasant or you just have a little free time in between tours in Tromso, it’s well worth paying a visit to the Polar Museum. 

Located in the centre of the city, this place is fantastic for learning all about the history of the polar region’s exploration and how people used to survive in the Arctic. It’s fascinating and well worth a visit.

9. Relax in the Pust Sauna

One of the best ways to warm up after a day outside is to visit a sauna. Pust Sauna, located right in the centre of Tromsø overlooking the fjord, is our favourite. 

You can book a private or shared session, and if you’re feeling brave, pair it with a dip in the icy fjord. It’s a real shock to the system, but a proper Norwegian experience.

10. Stroll through Tromsø City Centre

Last but not least, while many of these things to do have focused on going outside of Tromso to Sami camps or the surrounding fjords, it’s also well worth just going for a wander around Tromso itself. 

The city may be small, but it has a charming, lively centre with colourful wooden buildings, shops, and cosy cafés.

We loved exploring Storgata, the main street, grabbing a traditional Norwegian hot dog from this tiny little stand, and simply soaking up the atmosphere.

What to Pack for Tromso in March

Packing properly for Tromsø in March is essential to enjoying your trip comfortably.

While it might not be as cold as mid-winter, it’s still pretty chilly, and not having the right gear could result in you being freezing for your entire trip – not a fun experience! 

So, here’s what we recommend bringing:

• Warm, insulated winter coat
• Waterproof outer layer (jacket + trousers)
• Thermal base layers
• Fleece or down mid-layers
• Insulated, waterproof boots
• Warm hat, gloves, scarf, and thermal socks
• Sunglasses (the snow glare is real!)
• Reusable hand warmers
• A good camera or smartphone tripod for Northern Lights photography

As with most winter packing, layering is key. It might be sunny during the day, but temperatures can drop well below freezing at night, especially if you’re on a Northern Lights tour!

👉Grab our complete Norway winter packing list for everything we’d take!

Getting Around Tromso in March

We typically hire a car when we explore Norway; however, during our trip to Tromso, we deliberately didn’t bother. 

We knew that the roads would be quite icy and also knew that we were basing ourselves in the city, where we could either walk to attractions or take guided tours that included pickup from the city. 

Public transport is also very good and can take you to all the major attractions. This included the cable car, which has a dedicated bus service from the city centre if you don’t want to walk.

Provided you have a centrally located hotel, getting around Tromso is fairly simple. However, if you want more flexibility or plan to chase the aurora independently, you could rent a car. 

Roads are generally well-maintained in March, but they can still be icy, so only drive if you’re comfortable with winter conditions.

FAQs

Is Tromsø cold in March?

It is cold in March, but it’s not as cold as the peak winter months of December and January. 

For us, it averaged around 2°C during the day, and we had a mixture of sun, sleet, and snow. However, it dropped dramatically at night and at one point on a Northern Lights tour, it was around -8°C.

Can you see the Northern Lights in Tromsø in March?

Yes! March is one of the best times to visit Tromso if you want to see the Northern Lights. We saw the best display of our lives here, and it was completely magical!

If you want to see the aurora, we highly recommend booking a guided tour to maximise your chances.

❤️ This was the best Northern Lights tour we booked, and we cannot recommend it enough!

Is there still snow in Tromso in March?

Yes, but not as much as peak winter. Our reindeer sledding tour was almost called off because there wasn’t enough snow on the ground.

However, there was still a lot of snow around the mountains and plenty when we went on our fjord tour. So, it’s a bit of a mixture in March.

How many days should you spend in Tromsø?

This depends on how much you want to do there. We spent 4 nights in Tromso, although we only had 3 days to do any activities because our flight landed at about 7pm in the evening. 

This was enough time to do many of the things on our list, although we could definitely have stayed an extra day for some more northern lights spotting and extra winter activities.

In our opinion, between 3 and 4 days in Tromso is enough in winter, but you could easily spend longer here if you wanted to. You could even spend just 2 days in Tromso and still see plenty!

👉 Check out our full 3-day itinerary in Tromso.

Final Thoughts: Is Tromsø Worth Visiting in March?

Yes, we absolutely loved our trip to Tromso in March, and it remains one of the best things we’ve ever done in Norway!

The city is a fantastic base for Arctic adventures, with loads of wonderful tours that leave directly from the city centre. 

It’s also a great place for Northern Lights spotting, and you can either join a tour or even see the aurora from the city centre if the KP level is strong enough. 

In March, you’ll have longer daylight hours, snowy landscapes, and a much quieter vibe than peak winter. It’s the perfect time to explore the Arctic without battling the harshest cold, and it’s one of our favourite times to visit.

Any questions about visiting Tromso in March? Ask us anything in our Facebook Group!

👉 Determined to see the Northern Lights? Check out the best Northern Lights Hotels in Tromso!

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