Tromso in Winter: Everything You Need to Know (and tips!)
Are you planning on visiting Tromso in winter? This is one of our favourite cities to visit in the winter, and here are all our top tips and things to do!
Tromso is an absolutely incredible city and, in our opinion, one of the most magical winter destinations in the world.
Located far above the Arctic Circle, it’s a true winter wonderland in the colder months with snowy streets, icy fjords and mountains, and the chance of spotting the northern lights almost every night!
We visited Tromsø in winter, and we absolutely loved it. Plus, there’s so much to do, from chasing the aurora to husky sledding and enjoying cosy cafés. We spent 4 nights in the city, but could easily have stayed longer
So, if you’re heading to this Arctic city, this guide covers everything you need to know to make the most of Tromsø in winter, plus our top tips for staying warm, getting around, and (of course!) seeing the Northern Lights.
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Tromso Must-Do’s!
Short on time? These are 5 bucket-list things you NEED to do in Tromso! ❤️
This is where we stayed: Total Apartments.
Where to Stay in Tromso in Winter
There are lots of wonderful places to stay in Tromso in winter, from the city centre, which means you’ll be in a prime location for tours and activities, to the outskirts for a more remote feel.
If you want to be surrounded by nature, you could even stay on the surrounding islands.
Some of our favourite central hotels include Radisson Blu, Total Apartments Vervent, Tromso Lodge and Camping, and Scandic Ishavshotel, all of which offer modern comfort and easy access to Northern Lights tours.
If your goal is to see the aurora right from your accommodation, staying somewhere like Aera Glass Cabins is the best option.
These are the only glass igloos in the Tromso area.
🏨 For more inspiration, check out our guide to where to stay in Tromso, and our guide to the best hotels in Tromso for the Northern Lights.
Getting Around in Tromso in Winter
One of the best things about Tromso is how walkable it is. For our entire 3 days in Tromso, we navigated the city entirely on foot. We also took several guided tours, which all included pickup from the bus stop in the city centre.
When it comes to the best things to do in Tromso, most of the main attractions are within walking distance. For destinations a little further out, buses and taxis are reliable, though renting a car can be helpful if you want total flexibility.
Just be aware that winter roads can be icy, so drive cautiously or opt for guided tours.
The Best Things to Do in Tromso in Winter
As we’ve mentioned, winter in Tromso is utterly magical and in our opinion, the best time to visit. There are so many things to do in Tromso in winter, and you could spend a week or longer here and not get bored.
Here are 12 of our favourite winter activities in and around Tromso:
1. Chase the Northern Lights
This is the reason many people come to Tromso in the first place! The Northern Lights are magical, and there’s no denying that going on an aurora chase is one of the best things to do in Tromso in winter.
We saw the Northern Lights in Tromso, and it was such a magical night. It was the most incredible Northern Lights display we’ve seen to date, and the aurora lit up the sky and danced before our eyes.
There are several ways you can spot the aurora in Tromso, either by heading to the outskirts of the city or to the cable car station, where it’s much darker and the aurora won’t get drowned out by the city lights or by going on a guided tour.
An aurora tour is one of the most popular tours you can take from Tromso, and there are lots of different options. We’ve been on several Tromso Northern Lights tours ourselves, from a static camp to a bus chase that took us almost to Finland!
Honestly, though, we think a guided tour is the best way of spotting the aurora. During our time in Trosmo, it was much too cloudy most of the time to see the lights, but we had the most amazing display outside the city centre.
It was unforgettable and one of the best things to do in Tromso in winter.
❤️ This was the best Northern Lights tour we booked, and we cannot recommend it enough!
2. Go Whale Watching
You might not think of going whale watching when you first think of Tromso. However, the waters surrounding the city become one of the best places to see humpback whales, orcas, and other types of whale between November and January.
There are several tours that depart from Tromso and will take you out into the fjords in search of these magnificent creatures. The guides know the best ways to spot the whales, and are very knowledgeable in the creatures’ habits and feeding patterns.
It’s a long, cold day out on the water, but seeing the whales against the snow-covered mountains will be one of the highlights of your trip.
👉 We highly recommend this whale watching tour in Tromso!
3. Husky Sledding
This is one of the most popular tours to book in Tromso and for good reason.
Husky sledding is such an exhilarating activity, and the rush of being pulled through the snow by the beautiful dogs is hard to forget.
We admit, we haven’t actually been husky sledding in Tromso before, but we’ve been in Akureyri, and it was such a magical experience.
This is also a tour that you’ll need to book in advance. It’s one of the most popular tours in Tromso and will sell out fast in the peak winter months.
👉 This is the husky sledding tour we recommend – it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
4. Ride the Tromso Cable Car
For one of the best views in Trosmo, head up the Fjellheisen Cable Car to the top of Mount Storsteinen.
The journey only takes about 5 minutes, but you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the city, the surrounding fjords, and the nearby mountains.
If we’re honest, it’s definitely not the most affordable attraction in the city, with tickets costing 595 NOK for a return ticket (which is around £44 or $60). But the views are unbeatable, and it’s one of the best things to do in the city.
In winter, the snow adds an extra layer of magic to the scenery, and if you time it right, you might even spot the aurora from the top! In fact, this is one of the best places in all of Tromso for spotting the Northern lights.
5. Go Reindeer Sledding
We absolutely loved our reindeer sledding experience in Tromso. We did a morning tour with a long sled ride, and it was so much fun.
After our pick up from Tromso city centre, we got to meet and feed the reindeer. We then went for our sled ride, which was cut a little shorter than usual due to a lack of snow (we visited Tromso in March, and you can read more about our trip here).
We then had a hot lunch of warm stew, sat around a fire with hot drinks and cookies, learning about the fascinating Sami people who are native to the Tromso region.
It was an absolutely lovely way to spend the morning. We really liked how it was more than simply sledding alone, so we highly recommend this tour.
They offer lots of different experiences, including several times of day, even late at night if you want to combine reindeer sledding with a northern lights hunt. They also offer either a long or short sleigh ride.
Once again, we recommend booking in advance as the spots can book up fast.
❤️ This was the tour that we booked, and it was such a fantastic experience!
6. See the Arctic Cathedral
One of the most stunning cathedrals in all of the Arctic, this is a must-see in Tromso during either winter or summer. Located across the bridge from the main city centre, you can see it from most of the waterfront area in Trosmo.
It’s one of the city’s most iconic landmarks with its striking triangular design, inspired by the surrounding mountains and the northern lights. Inside, the massive stained-glass window is stunning, and you can also attend winter concerts here..
It’s fairly easy to walk to and is close to the cable car station, so you can combine these two if you do decide to visit
7. Relax in a Sauna
Though not as prominent as in Finland, sauna culture is growing in Norway. Pust Sauna is located right in the heart of Tromso city centre and is a wonderful place to visit for a relaxing experience with an epic view over the fjords.
You can book a private or a shared experience and times up to 9:30pm as well, so it’s ideal if you fancy a late-night session.
Plus, if you’re feeling really brave, you could combine your sauna session with a dip in the icy fjords – a true Norwegian tradition and a sure way to wake yourself up!
The contrast between the intense heat of the sauna and the freezing plunge into the fjord is both invigorating and strangely addictive – and locals swear by the health benefits!
If you want to do something truly Norwegian, this is definitely worth adding to your Tromso itinerary.
8. Go on a Winter Fjord Tour
We absolutely loved our winter fjord tour in Tromso, and it was some of the most beautiful scenery we saw on our entire trip.
This tour departs from the city centre and takes you through the nearby fjords and mountains to Sommarory.
You’ll pass Arctic beaches, mountains, and some beautiful viewpoints over valleys and tiny fishing villages with bright red houses. We also stopped at several iconic photography spots, and our guide took photos of us with a professional camera.
About halfway through our tour, we also stopped for lunch at the Sommaroy Arctic Hotel, where we were served fresh fish soup and crusty bread, and hot drinks, which were very welcome after being in the cold all day.
The tour lasts until about 4pm where you’ll be dropped back into Tromso city centre. So, this is another great way to spend the day before heading out to chase the northern lights again in the evening.
👉 This was the tour we booked, and we had a truly amazing time!
9. Visit the Polar Museum
If you’ve been curious about the history of the city or the history of Arctic traditions in general, we highly recommend a visit to the Polar Museum.
You’ll find two stories of very interesting exhibits about the history of the region, from Polar Expeditions to Arctic explorers, hunters, and trappers, giving you a fascinating glimpse into Tromsø’s history.
We found it a great way to learn about the region and its harsh but beautiful environment.
10. Experience Polar Night
One of the things we’ve always been curious about in the Arctic is the Polar Night. In certain parts of the world, in deep winter, the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon at all.
In Tromso, this period is between November and January, and if you visit during this time, you’ll experience Polar Night. Despite what many people think, it’s not completely dark all day.
You’ll have a prolonged period of twilight where everything is bathed in a bluish glow, and the sun inches towards the horizon, but never actually crosses it, so sometimes you get pinks and sunrise colours as well.
It can be quite beautiful and is easily one of the most unique things to experience in Tromso in winter.
11. Go Skiing
Despite this not being on many people’s radars when they visit Tromso, skiing is actually quite popular in the region. When we went up the cable car, we saw several locals with ski equipment and several ski areas at the top of the mountain.
Tromsø is an absolute dream for skiing enthusiasts, offering everything from gentle cross-country trails to more adventurous downhill slopes.
The city and its surrounding mountains are often covered in snow from late November through April, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy the season.
Cross-country skiing is especially popular with locals, and you’ll find beautifully maintained trails that wind through forests, across frozen lakes, and up into the hills with incredible views of the fjords.
If you’re more into downhill skiing or snowboarding, there are nearby resorts such as Tromsø Alpinpark, which has runs for all levels.
Even if you’re a complete beginner, you can rent gear locally and take a short lesson, so this could be the perfect time to try it out!
Plus, skiing under snowy Arctic skies would be a pretty epic experience!
12. Go on a Snowshoe Hike
If skiing feels a little daunting, snowshoe hiking is a wonderful alternative that allows you to explore the winter wilderness at your own pace.
Snowshoes make walking across deep snow surprisingly easy, and guided tours are available for all fitness levels.
These hikes often take you out of the city into serene, untouched areas where the only sounds are the surrounding wildlife and the crunch of snow beneath your feet.
Many tours include a campfire stop with hot drinks or even a meal, making it a cosy and authentic Arctic experience.
Snowshoeing is also one of the best ways to truly appreciate Tromsø’s winter landscapes, from frozen forests to wide-open valleys.
❤️ A snowshoe hike like this is one of the best things to do in Tromso.
How cold is Tromso in winter?
Although you’ll undoubtedly need to wrap up warm, we didn’t find Tromso in winter to be as cold as we expected.
We’d heard of the weather in Finland reaching crazy lows of -20°C, so we came prepared for this. However, temperatures in Tromsø between November and March usually hover between -5°C and 2°C (23–36°F).
It can feel colder due to wind chill, especially out on the fjords. But overall, it was quite bearable with the right clothing.
I think the coldest we felt was on our northern lights tour, where the temperatures dropped considerably when we were in the wilderness away from the city in the middle of the night.
When it comes to what to pack, layers are essential. You’ll need to bring a thermal base layer, a warm coat, fleece mid-layers, gloves, and a hat will keep you comfortable.
👉 Check out our ultimate packing list for Norway in winter for everything you’ll need.
How dark is it in Tromso in winter?
This depends on when in winter you visit. Tromsø experiences the Polar Night from late November to mid-January, when the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon.
It’s not pitch black all day, though, and you’ll get a beautiful blue twilight glow around midday.
Outside of this period, in late October or February, daylight is limited to just a few hours, usually from around 10am to 2pm. The long nights make it perfect for Northern Lights spotting, but you’ll want to plan daytime activities carefully.
When we visited in March, the daylight was considerably longer, with the sun rising around 7am and setting around 5pm.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Tromso?
Yes! Tromsø is one of the best places in the world for aurora spotting. It’s where we saw our most amazing Northern Lights display to date, and we’ve been on several Northern Lights tours in the area.
With the right conditions, you can see the Northern Lights from Tromso itself, but to improve your chances, head to somewhere with clear skies, get away from city lights, and consider booking a guided tour.
A tour is arguably the best way to spot the aurora, as the guides know the best locations and even provide photography tips.
👉 Determined to see the Northern Lights? Check out the best Northern Lights Hotels in Tromso!
Is it expensive in Tromso in winter?
Okay, we’ll be honest with you – Tromsø isn’t cheap. Accommodation, tours, and food can quickly add up, and winter is the most popular time to visit the city, so prices tend to be inflated to reflect this.
Planning in advance and booking early can save you money, and there are budget-friendly options like hostels, apartments, and smaller guesthouses.
Plus, if you book a self-catering apartment, you can save on food costs. We did this and made ourselves breakfast and a packed lunch every day, and one night just had a few oven pizzas for dinner from the grocery store, as we didn’t fancy going out..
Tours are where the price really starts adding up, but many of the tours are bucket list things to do in Norway, so it’s all about deciding what’s worth doing and what you’d rather skip.
Final Thoughts: Is Tromso Worth Visiting in Winter?
Absolutely. Tromsø is one of the best winter trips we’ve ever done, and we loved every second of our time there.
Winter offers so many wonderful activities and turns the scenery into a snowy wonderland. We saw the most incredible Northern Lights display, met reindeer, saw panoramic views over the city, and explored the snow-covered fjords.
Yes, it can be cold, dark, and a little pricey, but the experiences make it completely worthwhile. Few places in the world let you combine adventure, natural wonders, and bucket list experiences in such a unique way.
For us, Tromsø has been one of the most memorable winter destinations we’ve ever visited, and we’d go back in a heartbeat. In our opinion, Tromsø should be at the very top of your winter bucket list.
We hope this article has helped you plan your winter trip to Tromso. If you have any other questions about visiting the Arctic, ask us anything in our Facebook Group!
👉 Wondering where to stay? Here are the best places to stay in Tromso!
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