Tromsø Winter Travel Guide: Northern Lights, Things To Do & Tips
September 2026
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Contents:
Is Polar Night a Good Time to see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)?
Attractions and Experiences In and Around Tromsø City Center
Day Trips and Excursions In Tromsø:
Aurora Borealis / Northern Lights Tour
Responsible Whale Watching Cruise
Reindeer Feeding and Sami Cultural Experience
Snowmobiling
Tromsø, Norway: A Complete Travel Guide
Tromsø, known as the "Gateway to the Arctic," is located around 350 km north of the Arctic Circle. This city in Northern Norway is located mainly on the island of Tromsøya, surrounded by dramatic fjords and steep mountains. It's one of the most accessible places in the world to experience genuine Arctic scenery, without needing to be a true polar explorer.
Despite its remote location, Tromsø is a city, complete with it’s own airport and a lively center full of cafés, bars and restaurants. It is a great place to visit if you want Arctic scenery and culture, the chance to see wildlife and the opportunity to chase the Aurora Borealis / Northern Lights, while still having access to the conveniences a city offers.
This guide focuses on visiting Tromsø in winter time and specifically during the polar night.
Visiting Tromsø and experiencing the Arctic winter is a bucketlist trip, it is honestly such a magical place to visit.
Before I delve into the details on what to expect and what to do in Tromsø in winter, I think it is important to recognise that since Tromsø is located above the Arctic Circle the weather is unpredictable and can be extreme. Snow storms and blizzards can occur, during which it can unsafe to be outside and therefore plans and activities may be postponed or cancelled. Given this, it's worth going into your trip with a flexible mindset. Have a backup plan for days when outdoor activities might be cancelled (museums, indoor attractions, or simply exploring the city center are good fallback options).
I was lucky with the weather on my trip; there was heavy snowfall in the days before I arrived, so the winter wonderland scene was brought to life with snow all around, but the first 3 days of my trip were dry with clear skies (perfect for Aurora viewing and activities), and on my last day there were snow showers, so I got to experience snowfall in the Arctic before leaving.
What's It Like To Visit Tromsø During Polar Night?
Experiencing polar night was special. When I told people I was visiting in December time, I got a lot of "Isn't it dark there all the time? What will you do?", but honestly I was excited to experience polar night and it lived up to, if not exceeded, my expectations.
You may already know, but during polar night, the sun doesn't rise above the horizon in this region of the world. In Tromsø though this doesn't always mean there is complete darkness 24 hours a day, as there can be a few hours of what the locals call 'blue hour' were light reflects off the sea and snow to turn the sky shades of blue, or a soft twilight were the sky can glow a mix of warm pink, orange and faint blue.
Yes, no doubt it would be tough to live in polar night for weeks, or months, at a time, but to experience it as a tourist was special.
When Does Polar Night Occur in Tromsø?
In Tromsø, polar night occurs from the end of November until mid-January.
The further north, the longer and more extreme Polar Night is. For example, in Svalbard, an archipelago and Norway's most northerly region, polar night lasts from late October to mid-February and a lot of this time the area is in complete darkness 24/7, unlike Tromsø.
In the summer time, the opposite of this phenomenon occurs, Midnight Sun, where the sun doesn't set below the horizon.
Is Polar Night a Good Time to see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)?
The long, dark nights can make for perfect Aurora Borealis / Northern Lights viewing, depending on the weather conditions. On a clear night, the Aurora can be so vivid here that you can easily see it with your naked eye.
On my first night in Tromsø, I was walking back to my hotel when I turned the corner off the main street to see the night sky alive and the Aurora Borealis dancing above me. It was honestly a pinch me moment. Planning a visit to above the Arctic Circle, I was hoping to see the Aurora Borealis, and had a guided trip booked to increase my chances of seeing them, but I certainly didn't expect to see them so brightly while I was just walking around the town. I walked down to the waters edge to watch them for a while, staying as long as I could until I literally couldn't feel my fingers with the cold. I then headed back to my hotel, The Dock 69 39 by Scandic, but the excitement was still there and after warming up, I went up to the hotel rooftop to have another look at the spectacle in the night sky, I was like a child on Christmas morning!
On my visit, I was lucky to have 3 out of 4 nights where the sky was clear and the Aurora Borealis danced across the sky right above the town center. I did also go on a Northern Lights tour, which I cover more below and in this blog post: The 3 Best Things To Do In Tromso, Norway. Plus, I have a full guide on seeing the Northern Lights here: Northern Lights In Tromsø: When, Where and How to See The Aurora.
What To Do in Tromsø?
Tromsø has a variety of attractions and experiences to offer, both in it's compact city center and in the surrounding mountainside and fjords. I have separated this into two sections: firstly, attractions and experiences in and around the city center; and, secondly, day trips and excursions from Tromsø.
Attractions and Experiences In and Around Tromsø City Center?
Fjellheisen Cable Car: a short, five minute ride up Mount Storsteinen, 420m above sea level, to access sweeping views over the city, fjords and surrounding mountains. The views of the winter wonderland landscape are breathtaking and this is well worth doing in my opinion. It is also meant to be a great platform for seeing the aurora / northern lights since you are at a higher elevation than the city below. I didn't manage to catch the aurora when I was up the mountain as it was cloudy.
The cable car is located on the other side of the Tromsøbrua bridge from Tromsø city center, but a shuttle bus operates from the Tourist Shop Tromsø Havn in the city center to the cable car station, leaving on the hour every hour between 10am and 4pm, and returning at quarter past the hour. Although the shuttle bus stops running at 4pm (4:15pm back to the city), the cable car itself operates until 11pm. If you are traveling outside the shuttle bus schedule, you can travel by taxi (approx. 10 minute drive), walking (approx. 45 minute walk), or by public bus (bus no. 26 from Torgsenteret in Tromsø city center, to "Fjellheisen" bus stop. Times and more information can be found on the Svipper App).
The Arctic Cathedral (Ishavskatedralen): recognisable for its striking, modern architecture, the triangular shaped cathedral is the parish church of the Tromsdalen district. It is located just across the Tromsøbrua bridge from the city centre.
Gateway to the Arctic: an arch with stained glass window style design, through which you can see the Arctic Cathedral and Mount Storsteinen on the opposite side of the fjord.
The Polar Museum: a museum dedicated to Tromsø's history as a base for Arctic hunting and polar expeditions, including the stories of famous polar explorers who set out from the city.
Polaria: an Arctic experience center with an aquarium, seal pool and short films on the Northern Lights and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, a good option if the weather turns unfavorable or you're travelling with kids.
Raketten Bar & Pølse: “tiniest bar in the world”, the kiosk is located in the middle of Storgata (the main street in the city center) so you can’t miss it. There was a queue anytime I passed by, sometimes a lot longer than others; one time I passed by there were only a few people in line so I stopped and got hot chocolate which was delicious.
Sauna Pust: If you are daring, go for an Arctic plunge in the fjord during a visit to Sauna Pust.
Cosy Cafes: Visit some of the cosy cafes to warm up over a hot drink and make sure to try a cinnamon bun.
Northernmost McDonald’s in the world is located in Tromsø.
Day Trips and Excursions In Tromsø:
I have a separate blog post specifically on day trips and excursions in Tromsø here which has more detail on the trips.
Aurora Borealis / Northern Lights Tour: set off from Tromsø in a minivan or bus, depending on which tour you choose, to ‘chase’ the Aurora. I had this small group tour by minvan booked before arriving in Tromsø, so despite seeing the lights in the city, I still decided to go on the tour as planned, and was glad I did. The tour guide takes professional photos of you under the Aurora and also sets up a campfire for the group to sit around and toast sausages to make hot dogs, all under the glow of the aurora dancing across the night sky.
Responsible Whale Watching Cruise: cruise the Arctic fjords to try and spot orcas and humpback whales in the wild, and maybe even another chance to see the aurora / northern lights from the fjords, on this hybrid-electric boat tour. Watching majestic orcas hunting in their natural habitat, diving beneath the water to catch their prey, was a real bucket list moment.
Reindeer Feeding and Sami Cultural Experience: go to a traditional Sami camp, feed a herd of reindeer and get an introduction to Sami culture, the indigenous people of the Arctic region, delivered by a Sami guide. I booked this tour, and it was such a wholesome and magical experience getting to see these beautiful, graceful animals up close and feed them.
Snowmobiling: explore the snow covered landscapes around Tromsø on a guided snowmobile tour. There are a variety of tours available, with different routes, through valleys, forests and/or mountain landscapes, with potential views of Arctic wildlife.
Bonus Tip: When flying into Tromsø, if you can, try and get a window seat on the plane to see the snowy Arctic landscapes before you even land and start your Arctic adventuring.
What to Pack for Winter in Tromsø?
If you are visiting Tromsø in winter, pack warm clothes and layers! It is freezing outside, but once you step into a cafe, restaurant, hotel you won't be long warming up.
Choose your footwear wisely as the footpaths can be very icy and slippery. I packed my hiking boots and wore these as they had good grip, and that was enough for me, but there are a lot of shops in the town where you can purchase spikes for your shoes if it makes you more comfortable walking around with the extra grip.
A few specifics I packed which I found great and would recommend are:
thermal layers;
merino wool socks: I got these ones from Nordic Socks;
hat, scarf and gloves; and
hand warmers (here) and foot warmers (here), these were great, especially for any trips you may be doing where you will be outside in the cold and elements for extended periods of time.
Being outside in the Arctic winter can also drain your phone battery quicker than normal, so I’d also recommend taking a portable power bank. I personally use and trust these from Anker: Power Bank Travel Essential, Built-in USB-C Cable, and, Nano Magnetic Ultra Slim Power Bank
Where to Stay in Tromsø?
Staying in the city center of Tromsø is ideal if you want to be in walking distance of restaurants, cafes, the main street, harbour and many activity meeting points.
I stayed in The Dock 69 39 by Scandic which was only newly opened when I visited (December 2025). It is a modern but cosy hotel, just what you want when stepping in off the cold wintry streets. It is ideally located just a few minutes walk from both the main street of the town, and the water's edge, with a view across the water to the Arctic Cathedral. The hotel had the added benefit of having a 12th floor rooftop terrace from which you could watch the aurora in the night sky or stargaze, while also taking in a 360 degree view of Tromsø. On the rooftop there are also igloos which can be reserved in advance for meals or drinks. Fun fact: the hotel name gives a nod to the co-ordinates of Tromsø: 66°33'39" of latitude.
The Clarion Hotel The Edge sits at the opposite end of the main street, down by the harbour where the boat day trips leave and although I wasn't in the hotel it also looks like a nice hotel and has good reviews online.
If you want to stay somewhere unique and off-the-beaten path, and are renting a car during your trip, you could consider somewhere like Aera Glass Cabins, and be able to watch the northern lights in the sky as you lie in bed.
How to Get to Tromsø?
Tromsø has it's own airport, but depending on where you are flying from you may need to connect in Oslo or Bergen, which are larger airports with more flight options. The journey time from Tromsø airport into the city is approx. 15 - 20 minutes. You can get between the airport and city center by taxi or by bus. The company, Best Arctic, operate an airport express bus between the airport and Tromsø center, with stops at several central locations serving most of the main hotels in the city. Tickets can be booked online at Best Arctic, or on the bus, and cost 125 NOK for an adult single ticket, or 200 NOK for a return ticket (prices correct as at time of writing).
Do You Need To Hire A Rental Car When Visiting Tromsø?
Tromsø is a very walkable city given it’s relative small size, and most activities all have starting locations and drop-off points in the city center, so you don’t need a rental car for exploring the city itself. Plus you can explore beyond the city by joining day trips (such as the Sami and reindeer experience, whale watching cruise, snowmobiling tours) or even dedicated sightseeing tours.
For reaching the airport, you have several options including: the Best Arctic airport express bus, the public bus, or a taxi or private transfer.
For reaching the Fjellheisen Cable Car, on the opposite side of the Tromsøbrua bridge from Tromsø city center, you again have options, including: the shuttle bus or public bus.
On my trip, I didn’t hire a rental car and I easily got around without one.
However, if you want to explore the region around Tromsø city by yourself, or indeed chase the Northern Lights independently and have the option to chase them several nights in a row without the cost of joining tours, then hiring a rental car would provide that independence and flexibility. Additionally, if you want to stay in accommodation away from the city, in a more remote location in the Arctic, then hiring a rental car would be a good option. The only caveat to this is to make sure you are comfortable driving in winter conditions in the Arctic where snowstorms frequently occur and cause hazardous driving conditions.
How Expensive is it to Visit Tromsø?
Norway is an expensive country and this region is no exception to that, in fact given it's remote Arctic location and the associated logistical challenges, it is generally even more expensive than southern areas of the country. It is worth taking this into account when planning your trip, especially if you want to do activities and day trips. That being said, in my opinion it is absolutely worth it, I would even go again.
Practical Tips for Visiting Tromsø:
Currency: Norway uses the Norwegian Krone (NOK). Card payments are widely used and accepted, I didn’t come across anywhere on my travels that specifically required cash.
Language: Norwegian is the main language, though English is very widely spoken.
Pack warm as winter temperatures regularly drop well below freezing. Layers, a warm coat, gloves and decent footwear make a big difference.
If you can, try and get a window seat on the plane to see the snowy Arctic landscapes before landing.
Book day trips or activities in advance as they can sell out.
If you're planning on visiting several attractions in the city center such as the cable car, museums and Polaria, it's worth looking into the Tromsø Pass, which bundles entry at a discounted rate.
If you're planning a trip to Tromsø, you might also find my other Tromsø guides useful:
The 3 Best Things To Do In Tromsø, Norway
Visiting Tromsø During Polar Night
Northern Lights In Tromsø: When, Where and How to See The Aurora
