12 Things To Do in Tromsø: Winter Explorer’s Travel Guide

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Far above the Arctic Circle, considered by many to be the northernmost city in the world (being the northernmost city with a population of over 50,000), Tromsø, Norway, may be one of the most surreal and awe-inspiring places I have ever visited. If you want to experience some of the best things to do during a Tromsø winter, read ahead!

I spent a week in December in Tromso, and even though I am not naturally a cold-weather girl, it was one of the most fantastic travel experiences of my life. The city is also much livelier than I would have ever imagined. If you’re wondering which Tromso attractions make sense for you, this list should hopefully help you out.

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Disclosure: My visit to Tromsø was partially covered by Smarthotel Tromsø and some tour operators, however, all opinions and viewpoints expressed in this post are, as always, my own.

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An Overview of Tromsø Winter Travel

While northern Norway gets tourism year round, winter is a special time of the year. If you are visiting Tromsø during the polar night, there are plenty of options, especially as the tourism industry continues to expand in the city. I visited as many museums, went on as many wintertime activities and excursions as I could, and tried out a variety of bars and restaurants (all for you, my loyal readers), and these are the top 12 things to do in Tromsø that I would recommend.

I’ve combined a little of everything, as I think every well-rounded trip should: active excursions, dining, museums, and of course, some local experiences for when you visit Norway in winter.

What to Know Before You Visit:

• Currency: NOK (Norwegian Kroner); Exchange Rate – $1 -> 10kr (as of 2026)
• Population: 74,500
• Local Pronunciation: Sounds like “Trrrom-suh”
• Average Winter Temperatures: Highs: 28-30 F (-1 to -2 C)/Lows: 21-23 F (-5 to -6C) The coastal city has surprisingly mild weather for its latitude.
• Prices: So much money will leave your pocket. Especially on drinks. ($$$$$)
• Tipping: Not compulsory, but many Norwegians give 10+% if happy with their service.
• Safety: Ridiculously low crime rates; you can walk around alone pretty much anywhere. The real danger is slipping and falling on ice. Get spikes for your shoes to prevent this.
• Walkability: Despite the temperatures, if you are well dressed, you can walk pretty much anywhere. The center of town is pretty condensed, high-traffic sidewalks and roads are regularly cleared, and even a walk to the cable car station on the opposite coast from central Tromsø is around 30 minutes. But you may want to get some ice cleats/microspikes or watch where you’re going. There are patches of ice all around.
• Daylight Hours: In December? Zero! The sun does not rise. However, from around 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM, the sky changes to a twilight blue, with the light amplified by the ubiquitous snow. This gives you better light for getting around and for photography. See below:

• Transportation: If you want to venture outside the areas easily accessible on foot, buses run pretty regularly throughout Tromsø.

Local Tip: Pre-purchase a bus pass for NOK 30 at any local Narvesen – a chain of Norwegian convenience stores. There are plenty in Tromsø, including one right by the main town square.

For a list of gear, clothes, and other essentials you may need in Tromsø, stay tuned for my next post: the ultimate Arctic packing list!

Things to Do in Tromsø

There’s no shortage of activities in Tromso, as it’s one of the best places to visit in Norway in winter. Below are some local spots I found that I grew to love, as well as some truly unmissable Arctic activities.

Chase the Aurora – See the Tromsø Northern Lights

If you’re coming this far north in winter, I have to assume your number one priority for things to do in Tromsø is seeing the Northern Lights. Most people I spoke to were in Tromsø to go “aurora chasing”, as Northern Lights sightseeing is called here.

Though the lights can be visible from the city itself, Tromsø frequently has overcast weather thanks to its location on the coast, which prevents great aurora visibility. I compared quite a few options before picking them, and they definitely delivered. But the truth is, in order to see the Tromsø northern lights, you’ll probably have to go outside the city.

The best northern lights tour in Tromso will have several options of places to go to each night, giving you the best opportunity for seeing the Aurora Borealis.

The advantage of Tromsø Safari is that they offer an over 90% chance of seeing the Northern Lights. In order to do this, they have several base stations they can bus you to, and every night they check weather and solar patterns to determine which location offers the best chance of catching the aurora in action. When we arrived at the furthest base station (it was a 1.5-hour bus ride from Tromsø), the aurora started dancing ten minutes after our arrival, as if on cue.

You can also compare various options before you book a Northern Lights tour here.

Try the Sami Reindeer Experience

Anyone who grew up hearing about Santa loves reindeer. So why not go to an actual reindeer farm, run by the local indigenous Sami people, and meet some face to face? It’s by far one of the best Tromso winter activities you can sign up for.

The experience is completely worth the price, as you will learn a lot about Sami culture and reindeer from actual Sami reindeer farmers, feed the reindeer yourself, and eat a reindeer stew around a roaring fire while listening to stories.

Local Tip to Avoid Death by Antler: As the Sami will tell you, when feeding the reindeer, keep the bucket at a reasonable distance away from your internal organs. Though the reindeer are not aggressive to humans, and for the most part disregard your existence if you’re not carrying food, they do have very strong, pointy antlers that could embed themselves in your liver if you forget about them.

Warm Up At Risø Coffee Shop

One of the first things I look for in any destination is a warm, cozy coffee shop I can relax and people watch in during my downtime; Risø mat & kaffebar was perfect for this. With great coffee, a really friendly staff, and plenty of rustic nooks to set up a laptop in, Risø was a great place to rest my legs and relax, or get a morning jolt before starting my day.

Eat a Fantastic Norwegian Dinner at Mathallen

With an emphasis on fish and reindeer meat, northern Norwegian cuisine may not be for everyone, but Mathallen puts a wonderful gourmet twist on these Arctic flavors that will satisfy almost everyone. The delicious wine pairings don’t hurt either. Alternatively, you can also try out Emma’s Drømmekjøkken, or preferably check out both.

Visit the Polaria Museum

Of all the museums I visited in Tromsø, this was my favorite. Polaria focuses on Arctic nature, especially the flora and fauna of the area. They have bearded seals and other marine animals within the museum, as well as events and presentations throughout the day, including seal feeding and presentations on Svalbard island.

You can also sign up for a guided tour focused on polar bears that takes you around downtown, stops at various important sites, and then into the museum. Discover all there is to know about these incredible creatures, in their native habitat. Admission: NOK 395 ($39).

Take the Cable Car Up Fjellheisen

I’ve seldom seen a city look so spectacular from above. Tromsø, Norway is called the “Paris of the North” for a reason, after all. I would recommend taking the Fjellheisen cable car up in the last hour of twilight (around 1-2 PM, depending on when you go), and staying until the sky turns completely black. This way, you can see the city in two completely different kinds of light. There is an indoor area where you can sit and rest at the top of the hill while waiting for the light to change.

Explore Hungeren & Tromsdalen on Foot

If you want to get away from the city center and take a quiet walk through some cozy, residential Nord Norge (northern Norway) neighborhoods, explore Hungeren and Tromsdalen on foot. Simply cross the main arched bridge – Bruvegen – and pass the Arctic Cathedral.

You will find yourself walking through rows of picturesque, tranquil residential streets with classic Scandinavian houses partially hidden behind snow banks. It’s a great change of pace from the city center, and gives you an idea of what life is like during winter in Tromsø.

Learn to Drive a Dog Sled

Of all the things to do in Tromsø, driving a dog sled is what changed the trip from “incredibly surreal” to “I am officially in some sort of Disney tale”. I vividly remember the wind reddening my cheeks as I was pulled surprisingly fast by five energetic huskies downhill over fresh, untouched snow; hearing the soft, consistent, swish of the sled over the powder, and only silence beyond that.

DEFINITELY sign up for the dog sledding tour that lets you drive your own sled! It may seem intimidating at first – I know I was a little nervous – but it’s surprisingly simple and easy to drive the sled since these dogs know the route and what they’re doing (much better than you do, of course.

If you’re going dog sledding in Tromso, take one of the later morning tours so there will be some light for you to see the landscape.

Bar Hop Down Storgata

If you’re in Tromsø during December, take advantage of the extra booze-induced holiday cheeriness of the season to go barhopping down the main street of Storgata and meet some local Norwegians. The holiday season in Norway means a lot of parties, a lot of food, a lot of alcohol, and a lot of staying out until last call. Join the festivities.

Local Tip: Tourists and locals love to stop at Raketten Bar & Polse, a little outdoor – that’s right, outdoor bar – right on the street that serves drinks and hot dogs to go.

Explore the Tromsø Area by Snowmobile

This was the one Tromsø activity I was not able to partake in due to rainy weather on my last day. But a snowmobile safari is the best way to see the Arctic wilderness surrounding the city.

If you want to venture into the true untouched nature of the area, the mountains and lakes around Tromsø, Norway, book a snowmobile safari and get outside the city. Though the tours are pricey, I heard the best comments about them from both travelers and locals.

Visit the Arctic Cathedral

Most visitors to Tromsø take a photo or two of the Arctic Cathedral (known as Ishavskatedralen), or even a quick peek inside it, but the church offers so much more than just its beautiful architecture.

Local Tip: To really experience the beauty (and acoustics) of the Arctic Cathedral, attend one of the many nighttime concerts here. Check the cathedral calendar to see if there are any concerts during your stay in Tromsø.

Go Whale Watching

I always thought it was a summer activity, but apparently, winter is peak whale watching season in Tromso. The peak season runs from the end of October to the end of January. Orcas and humpback whales flood the waters of Norway’s fjords at this time.

Take a guided tour off the coast of northern Norway to spot one of these majestic beasts yourself! Whale watching will take an entire day – eight hours – so be sure to plan accordingly. That’s beacuse the spot where boats will take you is quite a way away from Tromso itself.

If you’re concerned about traveling sustainably and ethically – as you probably should be if you’re reading this blog – opt for a silent whale watching tour, which causes the least disturbance to the animals and the surroudning environment.

Is Tromsø expensive?

There’s no getting around it; Tromso, like the rest of Norway, is generally not an affordable destination. That’s partly due to the strength of the Norwegian economy, as well as local taxes that make items like alcohol pretty pricey.

The other part of it is that traveling in any polar region means paying a premium. It’s hard to get a lot of supplies up here, so almost everything – particularly food – is imported. Activities like dog sledding will also run you a couple of hundred dollars, as taking care of the dogs and their shelters is expensive.

That being said, it’s such a unique experience that I think it’s worth saving up for, to visit at least once in your life. I would say four days allows you to do almost everything you might want to in the area, though you might want to stay for five days if you want to go at a slower pace.

Traveling to Tromso is surprisingly not that expensive. The Scandinavian airlines that take you there tend to have affordable prices. However, unless you’re coming from London or a handful of select other nearby cities, you will probably have to connect via Oslo or Stockholm.

Best Hotels in Tromso

The following is a list of some pretty great hotels in Tromsø, if you’re planning on staying in the area.

Mid-Range Hotels in Tromso

• Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromso: This is a modern, cozy, no-frills, centrally located hotel. Everything you need for getting around the town and having someplace warm and comfortable to retire to. ($200-300)
• Smarthotel Tromso: Where I stayed; I thought it had everything I needed, including clean, comfortable rooms, a nice breakfast, and a central location. ($200-280)
• Moxy Tromso: Unlike the rest of the mid-range hotels, Moxy Tromso is a couple of miles outside the city center. What it does offer is somewhat more upscale accommodations, and a beautiful view across the bay. Couples seem to love it ($240-300)

Luxury Hotels in Tromso

• Clarion Hotel The Edge: This more upscale property has more spacious rooms, a rooftop bar, and views overlooking the water and Arctic Cathedral. ($320-400)
• The Dock 69 39 by Scandic: The rooms here have a sleek, Scandinavian design, more plush and upscale furniture, and amazing views. ($400-550)
• Radisson Blu Hotel Tromso: Stay here to enjoy the hotel’s modern design, spectacular harbor views, and top notch service. ($500-650)

Is Tromsø Worth Visiting in Winter?

At the time of writing, I have traveled to over 51 countries, and I don’t even know how many destinations within those countries. And I can confidently say that my trip to Tromsø remains one of my most unforgettable experiences to this day.

If you haven’t traveled in the Arctic in winter, there’s nothing like it. It’s hard to explain; but it feels like you’ve traveled to another planet altogether. The landscapes are breathtaking. Even the darkness has its charm – for a while. You really do want to see the sun after a few days.

Activities that in most people’s minds, are thought of as whimsical, even mythical, like feeding reindeer and dog sledding through the snow, suddenly come to life.

Tromsø will likely be a pricier – but not insanely so – trip. However, I highly, HIGHLY recommend it for those who want a totally different winter travel experience. Those who want to experience one of the most extreme places on Earth. Those looking for a winter getaway that’s not just memorable; but magical. If any of that sounds appealing winter in Tromso is for you.

And if you want something even more out of this world? Try visiting Svalbard!

Have you been to the Arctic Circle? Why do you want to go? Comment below, then pin and share away!

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