22 Things to Do in Tromso in Winter (and 2 You Can Skip!)

Every year, I meet several people who have booked a trip to Tromso in winter and wonder if there is enough to do to keep occupied for a few days.

Well, I am here to declare that there is MORE than enough to keep occupied in Norway’s Arctic capital! And these are some of the best things to do in Tromso in winter!

I have done everything on this list (except visit the brand new art installation which was just recently put up but is on my Tromso bucket list for next time!) and can recommend them all. 

At the end of the guide, I will also include a map of where to find the attractions and also discuss a few things I omitted from this winter travel guide and why.

While this guide is written for the first-time visitor to Tromso, please know that I have spent a significant time in Tromso over the years (and even a month in 2024) and want to ensure you have the best trip possible!

I have done most of this guide more than one time and have trialed different companies for many of the tours so I can give the best recommendations possible.

Before diving into the top things to do during winter in Tromso, I will give a quick overview of what to expect weather-wise. And, of course, a little bit of information regarding the daylight situation.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or tips by leaving a comment below. I will do my best to answer quickly. Thanks!

Tromso Winter Temperatures (Averages)

Since winter kind of drags on in Tromso, I have decided to include temperatures from November until March below (temperatures in Celcius):

• Tromso in November: 2C / -2C (35F / 28F)
• Tromso in December: 0C / -4C (32F / 25F)
• Tromso in January: -1C / -5C (30F / 23F)
• Tromso in February: -1C / -5C (30F / 23F)
• Tromso in March: 1C / -4C (34F / 25F)

While the temperatures may surprise people as not being all that cold (sorry, Canadians!), it is actually colder inland.

Many tours will head toward the Swedish border which is much colder than the coastal and fjord areas! Be sure to dress accordingly!

When does it snow in Tromso?

Each year can be drastically different from the next. However, you can be fairly certain that you will see snow in Tromso at some point during the winter months.

Snow starts arriving in Tromso as early as September and stops in mid-May, generally. The snowiest month is January with an average snowfall of 41.1cm (16.2in). 

During the year, there are 120 days of snowfall, which makes this an epic winter destination!

Is it completely dark in Tromso during the winter?

Not entirely! So, the sun sets around November 28 and rises again around January 14… but during the middle of December, it is not completely dark all day. The sun just never pops over that horizon!

So, during the middle of the day for a couple of hours, it looks like dusk (or a neverending sunset).

The snow will illuminate things a bit… but you can count on it being pretty dark when you’re there. But, darkness gives a lot more opportunity to see the aurora, so it is a win in winter.

Best Things to Do in Tromso in Winter

1. Take a tour to see the northern lights.

🗓️ Dates available: September 15, 2024 to April 15, 2025
➡️ Check aurora tour rates and availability

To no one’s surprise, the first thing on almost every Tromso bucket list is to see the northern lights. So, naturally, it is the first activity on my guide!

You can see the northern lights in Tromso from the very end of September until the end of March (give or take some days). I have seen them on every trip to Tromso during these seasons and I know that is likely your main objective too.

There are a few ways to see the northern lights there.

First, you can take a tour. I highly recommend doing this on your FIRST night in Tromso because you can rebook a second (or third, fourth, etc) tour if you do not see them for another night.

Second, you can take a combo tour. These are tours that are in the evening that will take you out of the city and also give you a chance to see the northern lights. One example is an evening Sami experience.

Third, you can try to view them on your own. But, Tromso does have a lot of light pollution so that can often hinder viewing them.

For the sake of this guide, I recommend the first option (and on your first night). This tour is operated by Polar Adventures and is the exact one I took on my last trip.

You will meet at their office by the harbor and they will put you and a small group of others into minivans and you will drive out to the wilderness with an expert guide to search for the aurora!

If you are unlucky and do not get to see them, they will give you a 30% discount toward another tour, which you can book on the spot. You can apply that toward another northern lights tour, or you can switch it up and use it toward another tour they offer.

📖 FURTHER READING: I have written an entire guide comparing the different northern lights tours in Tromso that you can check out to decide which tour is best for you.

2. Sign up for a Sami experience at a reindeer farm.

🗓️ Dates available: November 1, 2024 to April 6, 2025
➡️ Check Sami experience rates and availability

Another one of the top things to do in Tromso is to visit a reindeer farm and partake in a Sami experience! This is a pretty relaxing activity and one for all ages.

Each Sami cultural experience offers visitors a chance to learn about Norway’s Indigenous people while feeding reindeer (and even reindeer sledding depending on the excursion you book).

I, personally, like to recommend an evening tour to Tromso Arctic Reindeer, the reindeer ranch you will be visiting. The reason I suggest this is because you have a chance to see the northern lights at the same time! I think combo tours are so good for this reason!

Another perk of these tours is that they include lunch or dinner (depending on which tour you book). This means you can save a little money and don’t have to scour around Tromso for a place to eat.

Tromso Arctic Reindeer is a wheelchair-accessible location and while not all places on the ranch can be reached by wheelchair, the main cabin can. Just let them know beforehand so they can arrange everything.

📖 FURTHER READING: There are four different Sami experiences I recommend and I have broken them all down in a dedicated guide to the best Sami tours in Tromso here.

3. Take a whale-watching tour to Skjervøy.

🗓️ Dates available: October 25, 2024 to January 31, 2025
➡️ Check whale-watching tour rates and availability

If you are visiting Tromso from November until the end of January, you have to book a whale-watching safari!

For the last handful of years, the whales have made Skjervøy area their feeding grounds and you can embark on a full-day adventure to this fjord to check them out.

The two types of whales you tend to see on the trip are orcas and humpbacks. You will be on a boat with a captain and crew who are experts at spotting them and making your day a memorable one!

The company that I recommend is Brim Explorer because their boats are spacious (my first Tromso whale watching experience was on an older vessel that was cramped and I would not recommend it to anyone) and they are silent, which does not interfere as much with the whales and their daily routine.

Beware that this is an all-day tour and there is no guarantee that you will see whales (hey, wildlife can be like that). I would not recommend booking any other tours on the day you take a whale-watching cruise.

📖 FURTHER READING: You will find quite a few whale safari options in Tromso. I have a whole guide discussing these options (from silent catamarans to RIB boats and more!). You can find my guide to whale watching tours in Tromso here.

4. Visit the famous Tromso Ice Domes.

🗓️ Dates available: December 10, 2024 to April 6, 2025
➡️ Check Tromso Ice Domes tour rates and availability

If you have never visited an ice castle or igloo, visiting the Tromso Ice Domes is a must! While I think you can skip it if you have been to an ice hotel before, I do recommend it as a ‘must-do’ for those who have not.

The Tromso Ice Domes are located a bit outside of the city but your transportation will be included in your tour.

Once there, you will be briefed on your itinerary which will include learning about the construction of the ice domes, eating a full lunch, and touring the premises.

This is the first year that the Tromso Ice Domes have done away with the hotel part of the complex – so I am not 100% sure how they will construct it for the 2024-2025 season!

They used to allow you to go into individual rooms to see a themed design throughout. I assume the design this year will be even more intricate and beautiful, but just not applied to hotel rooms! They are calling themselves a ‘Snow Park’ now.

5. Go dog sledding through the wilderness.

🗓️ Dates available: November 15, 2024 to April 14, 2025
➡️ Check dog sledding tour rates and availability

Another adventurous activity in Tromso that is worth putting on your itinerary is dog sledding! Dog sledding can be done by people of (almost) any age and is one of the best morning or afternoon excursions.

You will be driven out to the husky farm where you will get to meet the dogs before being briefed on your adventure ahead.

The dog sledding tour is 4 hours long but you will spend only 90 minutes of that sledding (trust me, it will be cold!). You and a partner will switch back and forth as mushers driving the sled before warming up by the fire with some snacks and a hot drink.

If you are participating solo, the guides will place you with another solo traveler as your sled partner. Participants will be given a suit to wear but still need to dress warm.

Please note that dog-sledding is one of the tours in Tromso that sells out the fastest (you can’t just add ‘more dogs’ like increasing capacity for other tours!). If dog-sledding is something you’re keen to do when visiting Tromso, book immediately!

📖 FURTHER READING: Dog sledding is one of the most popular tours but there are different options you should be aware of before booking your trip. You can read more about this in my guide to dog sledding in Tromso.

6. Step back in time at the Polar Museum.

The Polar Museum is my favorite museum in Tromso! It is situated in a historic red building along the harbor and showcases the history of the Arctic with a large emphasis on polar adventure.

The museum has been around since 1978 (the building since 1830!) and is open daily from 11am until 5pm during the winter months (August 16-May 31). Tickets are 110 NOK (about $10) for adults and children under 18 are free.

The Polar Museum is only wheelchair-accessible on the ground floor. There is a wonderful gift shop you can visit at the front desk, as well.

7. Check out the Arctic Cathedral.

The most iconic church in Tromso is the Arctic Cathedral (or Ishavskatedralen). Dating back to 1965, this church seats about 600 people and is located right across the famous Tromso bridge on the other side of the fjord from the city center.

Do note that this is a working church and will close for weddings and funerals, so be sure to check beforehand to see whether or not it’s open. You can see more about its opening hours here.

I usually visit as I pass by on my way to Fjellheisen, the best view in Tromso!

8. Visit Tromso’s best viewpoint at Fjellheisen.

🗓️ Dates available: Year-round
➡️ Check Fjellheisen ticket rates and availability

The most beautiful view of Tromso is from Fjellheisen, the city’s cable car across the fjord.

I have visited Fjellheisen a few times in multiple seasons and it is absolutely beautiful during the winter months!

You can see the city during the day (which is a bit dark, let’s be honest!) or at night (which is most of the day) or in the evening… which may offer a glimpse of the northern lights!

The cable car station can be reached across the fjord by taxi, on foot, or by taking the bus to the station of the same name.

At the top, you’ll find a cafe and some hiking trails (I would not advise hiking unless you are skilled and know what you’re doing). Try to visit when there are no cruise ships in port as it will be less crowded.

9. Explore some delicious restaurants in Tromso.

Tromso has an insanely good food scene and it does not get nearly enough attention when compared to its winter activities!

While I could ramble on and on about my favorite places to eat in Tromso, I will just list a few of them so you can see what suits your palate.

• Fiskekompaniet (somewhat high-end seafood spot
• Restaurant Smak (the closest thing to Michelin-star dining in Tromso)
• RUDA (Smak’s sister restaurant; much cheaper but outside the city center)
• Art Cafe Bistro (cute place in the center with tasty delicious and a rotating daily special)
• Bardus Bistro (delicious local fare with an upscale twist)
• Dragøy (great lunch spot for fresh seafood)
• Full Steam (Norwegian fare with an on-site museum and food tastings inside)
• Størhus (really good wood-fired pizza)

One thing to note is that many of the restaurants in Tromso offer lunch specials! Including my favorite restaurant, Fiskekompaniet. These deals are far cheaper than going in the evening.

10. Take a fjord cruise with Brim Explorer.

🗓️ Dates available: February 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025
➡️ Check fjord cruise rates and availability

I stated right above this, but please note that this excursion is only offered from February 1 until September 30. The same boat that will take you on the fjord cruise is the one used for whale watching (and that season runs until January 31).

This Arctic fjord cruise takes people through the fjords around Tromso where they can see wildlife and stunning scenery, and even learn a bit about Norwegian cod and taste a little bit of cod liver oil (‘tran’ in Norwegian).

It is a wheelchair-accessible boat (let them know beforehand) and a great way to spend a few hours of your time in Tromso! The catamaran is silent and it is just an overall relaxing experience.

11. Grab a Norwegian pastry at Smørtorget.

Norwegian baked goods are one of my favorite things on the planet and I could eat a cinnamon bun every day for the rest of my life and die happy.

You’ll find several cafes in Tromso, but there is something I just love about Smørtorget that has had me going there every time I am in the city (they even have a loyalty card you can fill up).

At Smørtorget, you’ll find delicious baked goods from cinnamon buns to skolebrød and beyond. They also offer small eats for lunch such as soup and sandwiches.

I loved nothing more than to spend my morning there with a black coffee and pastry before heading out on a tour for the day.

They are open daily from 8am until 6pm on weekdays and open later on weekends (Saturdays at 10am and Sundays at 11am).

Smørtorget gets very busy and it is also a place where locals frequent. So, if you see it getting packed and you’re done eating, be sure to free up your table so that others get to enjoy the place as much as you did!

12. Feel the adrenaline on a snowmobile tour.

🗓️ Dates available: December 1, 2024 to April 6, 2025
➡️ Check snowmobile tour rates and availability

If soft adventure isn’t your thing, snowmobiling is a must when traveling to Tromso! This snowmobile tour takes you out to Camp Tamok, where the Tromso Ice Domes are located for 7 hours of adventure through the snowy Norwegian landscapes.

You will be picked up and taken out to Camp Tamok (about 1.5 hours away) where you will be briefed before starting your adventure.

After your tour, you will get a warm meal inside a lavvu at the camp before being transported back to Tromso.

Please note that you will be sharing your snowmobile with another person and both will have the opportunity to drive (if they have a valid driver’s license).

All clothing will be provided but make sure you dress warm before and after the snowmobiling (it is SO cold in Camp Tamok).

📖 FURTHER READING: Snowmobiling is another popular adventure activity in Northern Norway. Check out my guide to the best snowmobile tours in Tromso to learn more about the top options!

13. Indulge in a hot dog at Raketten Bar & Pølse.

Having a hotdog should be on every bucket list for Tromso! And while you can have one in many places in the city, the most famous spot to grab one is at Raketten Bar & Pølse.

Famed for being Norway’s smallest bar since 2014 (and Tromso’s favorite spot to meet since 1911), Raketten can be found along Storgata in a small yellow little kiosk. It will inevitably have a line, but trust me, it is worth the wait!

They offer a variety of hotdogs and toppings and are open from 12pm until 7pm daily. If you do not have time to wait in the queue for a hotdog, there are Narvesens and 7-11s nearby where you can also find hotdogs (and at a cheaper price).

While I would still recommend Raketten, having a hotdog in Norway is a must, even if you grab one from a kiosk.

14. See the brand new Porten til Ishavet at Vervet.

So here is the one thing I have yet to do in Tromso, but I am including it anyway as it looks beautiful!

The Porten til Ishavet is a colorful, new statue along the Vervet area of the city. It was just unveiled on September 7 and is a mosaic by Marit Bockelie. Porten til Ishavet translates to ‘The Portal to the Arctic Ocean’ and you can see the Arctic Cathedral across the fjord from it.

I can’t wait to check it out when I return to Tromso this winter! You can see a photo of Porten til Ishavet here.

15. Peruse the Tromso Library.

Located at Grønnegata 94, the Tromso Library (Tromso Bibliotek & Byarkiv) has become one of the most recognizable buildings in the city.

You will see the library (built in 2005) as you are strolling down Storgata and you are welcome to go inside when it is open. I actually worked from there a few days when I was in Tromso earlier this year.

It is open from 9am until 7pm except on weekends when it is open from 9am until 4pm (Fridays), 11am until 3pm (Saturdays), and 12pm until 4pm (Sundays).

16. See a midnight concert at the Tromso Cathedral.

If you are visiting during the shoulder season or just would like an easy nighttime activity, look no further than going to a midnight concert at the yellow Tromso Cathedral (not to be confused with the white Arctic Cathedral across the fjord).

Tickets are pretty affordable, priced at only around $25 per person for this 30-minute concert where you’ll get to listen to psalms, traditional Sami music, folk tunes, and music from the north of Norway.

This is a wheelchair-accessible experience. The Tromso Cathedral is very easy to find and you’ll meet at Kirkegata 7 at 10:45pm.

17. Discover the Perspektivet Museum.

Easily the most unique museum in Tromso, Perspektivet Museum is located in a historic wooden building at Storgata 95.

While the museum is split over three sites (the one just mentioned, Perspektivet Folkeparken, and Straumen Farm), the one most people visit during the winter months is the one in the city center.

There are permanent and rotating exhibitions inside and there is always something going on! The museum is open from Tuesday until Sunday and tickets are currently 80 NOK (about $7.40) for adults and free for kids under 18.

18. Rejuvenate yourself at the Vulkana Arctic Spa.

One of my favorite new experiences in Tromso is spending some time at the spa on the MS Vulkana! This retired and repurposed fishing vessel is located at the Tromso Harbor right outside of Full Steam and by the Polar Museum.

You can book a timeslot at the Vulkana Arctic Spa and enjoy what they have to offer – from a sauna to a hot tub to a Japanese-inspired Zen lounge.

Honestly, it is worth the price and is the perfect thing to do for those visiting Tromso during the winter months!

19. Support locals at Rein Love and MIN + Vintage.

I love finding cute local clothing shops when I travel and Rein Love and MIN + Vintage are a must for those visiting Tromso.

Rein Love is a clothing brand started by locals that is located on Storgata. Their logo has a white reindeer which represents renewal and purity and they put a lot of emphasis on local elements as well as Sami phrases and meanings in their clothing.

When you head into their shop, be sure to grab a coffee (they have special beans roasted just for them). You can find them at Storgata 98 in Tromso.

MIN + Vintage is not local, per se, but it is a Henningsvær brand that was started by partners Nils and Marlene.

I have met Nils at the Tromso boutique and also at his boutique in Henningsvær and I can promise you that your money will be going to some of the kindest people I have had the pleasure of meeting.

I went to their opening party for the new boutique in Henningsvær this past March and picked up a couple of items there (as well as some new boots at the Tromso shop). You can find them at Sjøgata 14 in Tromso.

20. Take the bus to peaceful Telegrafbukta.

Telegrafbukta (‘Telegraph Bay’ translated) is one of the most popular places to visit in Tromso that wildly a lot of people still skip.

It is not located in the city center and involves a bit of a walk or a bus ride to get to, but I think it is well worth the trek! It sits 3 kilometers from the center (almost 2 miles).

Located at the southern tip of Tromsoya, you will find BBQ spots, benches, and a swimming beach. But, let’s be honest, that is not useful in winter!

During the winter it is beautiful for its views and it is also a good place to get away from the light pollution for some aurora watching.

One thing I think that makes it worth the visit is that it is located beside the Tromso Museum, my second favorite museum in the city (I dive into that next on the guide!).

21. Check out the Tromso Museum.

The Tromso Museum, or the Arctic University Museum of Norway, is one of the top museums to visit in the city and one I think is worth the journey to (despite being located 3 km / 2 mi from the city center).

At the museum, you can interact with the science-based exhibitions and check out the nature-focused ones. It is also a good place to learn more about the Sami culture. There is a gift shop on-site, as well as a small cafe.

You can find the Tromso Museum at Søndre Tollbodgate 11. It is open from 11am until 5pm daily.

22. Wander about one of Tromso’s newest areas at Vervet.

One of the newest spots in Tromso is called Vervet and it is a modern development right along the harbor in the city.

This is an epic place to watch the northern lights, enjoy dinner, or grab one of the best cinnamon buns in the city at Vervet Bakeri.

Here are a few places you can visit at Vervet:

• Vervet Bakeri (such great sandwiches to-go and cinnamon buns)
• Skansen Festningsverk (historical landmark – not much to see but yellow houses and cannons)
• Maskinverkstedet (restaurant where I had the tastiest lamb dish)
• Porten til Ishavet (the new artistic mosaic sculpture I discussed above)
• Vinsmak (wine bar)
• BrewYard Brewing Co. (craft beer in a vibrantly-designed bar)

Bonus: Sami Week

Sami Week is centered around Sami National Day and it takes place from February 3 until February 9 in 2025. If you are visiting during this time, I highly recommend checking out their page so you can go to some events or workshops!

The event offers everything from Sami language classes at the Tromso Library to reindeer racing down Grønnegata (and more). It was so much fun!

Tromso Attractions That I Think Are Worth Skipping

I don’t particularly like to ‘not recommend’ certain attractions in a city because I feel like someone out there may like them and we all travel a little differently.

However, I am going to not recommend two places in the city and they are the Magic Ice Bar and the Tromso Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden.

I do not recommend the Tromso Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden because it will be covered in snow during the winter months. Simple as that. During the summer months, it is beautiful!

I do not recommend the Magic Ice Bar because I think it is a waste of money. I have visited the Magic Ice Bar in Tromso, Bergen, Svolvær, and Reykjavik and I think they all are lousy these days (and poorly maintained).

I keep going just so I can double-check to see if things improve but as of now, the Tromso Magic Ice Bar is still lame and a waste of money.

If you want to spend money visiting something with ice, head to the Tromso Ice Domes instead.

Another attraction I left off of this guide is Polaria. It is an aquarium and I tend to not recommend zoos or aquariums on this blog.

With that being said, I did have a pass to Polaria included in my Tromso Culture Pass so I popped in to check out their film about Svalbard. I never went into any animal enclosures or shows, however.

Places to Visit in Tromso (On a Map!)

Where to Stay in Tromso

There are a variety of places to stay in Tromso… and something for most budgets!

I have written a guide to the best Tromso hotels here, but if you want a quick few options that I recommend depending on your budget, here are my top choices:

• Clarion ‘The Edge’ (Tromso’s most beautiful hotel – on the sea!)
• Thon Hotel Tromso (I stayed here twice and recommend it!)
• Radisson Blu (many tours leave from here – by harbor)

Do you have any questions about the best things to do in Tromso in winter? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!

More Tromso Travel Guides

• Where to stay in Tromso
• Tromso airport to city
• Snowmobiling in Tromso
• Best coffee shops in Tromso
• How much is a trip to Tromso?
• Best ice hotels in Norway
• Best Tromso northern lights tours
• How to book a husky safari in Tromso
• Reindeer and Sami experiences in Tromso
• Taking the Hurtigruten to Tromso
• Tromso itinerary
• Ethical whale watching tours in Tromso
• What to pack for winter in Norway
• Tromso Airbnb options
• Tromso in summer travel guide
• Tromso museums
• Tromso travel tips
• Camping in Tromso
• Best day trips from Tromso

Pin this Tromso Bucket List

Megan Starr

Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now lives in Finnish Lapland after previous stints in Norway, Germany, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ (2020) and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.