Visiting Tromsø During Polar Night: What It’s Really Like
September 2026
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Tromsø, known as the "Gateway to the Arctic," is located about 350 km north of the Arctic Circle, where in winter the natural phenomenon of the polar night occurs.
This is a unique and magical time to visit Tromsø.
What is Polar Night and Is It Actually Dark All Day?
Polar Night (mørketid in Norwegian) is a natural phenomenon that occurs in winter, both north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Antarctic Circle, when the sun doesn't rise above the horizon for more than 24 hours.
In Tromsø, 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 from below the horizon 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.
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.
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. There was something special and otherworldly about experiencing this natural phenomenon, and exploring the quaint city of Tromsø and surrounding snowy landscapes in the soft light of twilight, or under the night sky alight with the glow of the stars and sometimes even the Northern Lights! Visiting Tromsø during polar night was the ideal time to check off some bucketlist activities; from chasing the Northern Lights, to whale watching and reindeer feeding: more on these below.
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.
Before planning your trip to Tromsø, 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.
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 Borealis 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, where guides take a small group to chase the Northern Lights, to maximise your chances of seeing them. I cover this in more detail in these two blog posts: Northern Lights In Tromsø: When, Where and How to See The Aurora, and The 3 Best Things To Do In Tromso, Norway.
What To Do in Tromsø During Polar Night?
In addition to being a great time for potential Aurora Borealis / Northern Lights viewing, a visit to Tromsø during polar night can also be an ideal time for whale watching. Orcas and humpback whales are generally found in the fjords in Northern Norway between late October to late January: see more information in this blog post on the Whale Watching Cruise I booked for my trip.
The winter season in Tromsø opens the door to additional winter activities including:
Reindeer feeding and Sami cultural experiences - more information on the one I booked and my experience is in this post;
Snowmobiling tours;
Snowshoeing tours;
Skiing.
I have a complete travel guide to Tromsø which includes more things to do in Tromsø, along with practical tips: Tromso Winter Travel Guide: Northern Lights, Things to Do & Tips
Would I Visit Tromsø During Polar Night Again?
Yes absolutely! Visiting Tromsø and experiencing the Arctic winter is a bucketlist trip, it is honestly such a magical place to visit. Given a lot of the trip highlights are completely dependent on nature: from the wildlife to the aurora activity to the weather, I feel like each trip to Tromso is unique and I would visit again if the opportunity arose. I also think it would be great to see it during the season of Midnight Sun in summer.
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.