Tromsø, Norway: 8 Things to See and Do in the Gateway to the Arctic

Picture a place where snow-capped mountain peaks rise straight out of deep blue fjords and incredible green lights dance overhead all winter long. That’s exactly what you’ll find in Tromsø, Norway — a fascinating city perched high above the Arctic Circle that will completely win you over with its rugged Arctic beauty.

Tromsø has rightly earned nicknames like the Paris of the North and the gateway to the Arctic. Here you’ll discover the perfect balance between wild Norwegian nature and a surprisingly lively city, packed with cosy cafés, modern architecture and fascinating museums.

In this guide we’ll take a look together at 8 things to see and do in this magical corner of the world. You’ll find out when the best time is to go chasing the northern lights, where to base yourself strategically, and how to plan your trip to get the absolute most out of your Arctic adventure.

TL;DR

• Best experience: Take the Fjellheisen cable car up Mount Storsteinen for the most beautiful view over the whole city and the surrounding fjords.
• Northern lights: The main season runs from late September to late March. For the best chance, head out with local guides away from the lit-up city centre.
• Winter activities: Book your whale safari or dog sledding well in advance — these activities sell out fast in season.
• Summer highlight: From late May to late July the sun never sets, so you can experience the fascinating midnight sun and go hiking in the middle of the night.
• Getting there: The easiest way to reach Tromsø is to fly via Oslo. The airport (TOS) is just a short hop from the city centre.
• Onward connections: Tromsø is an ideal base for further travel, and pairing it with a visit to the breathtaking Lofoten Islands is especially popular.

Tromsø, Norway weather: when to visit

It all comes down to what exactly you want to experience in northern Norway, because winter and summer offer two completely different worlds here. If your main goal is the northern lights, plan your trip somewhere between late September and late March. The best odds of clear skies, somewhat paradoxically, tend to come in autumn and early spring, while December and January are often cloudier — but on the flip side, they deliver the real snowy fairy tale with heaps of fresh powder.

During the winter months you can experience the so-called polar night, which lasts roughly from 27 November to 15 January, when the sun never rises above the horizon. But don’t expect total darkness round the clock — around midday the landscape is bathed for a few hours in a gorgeous blue and purple twilight that creates an incredibly magical atmosphere for photography and strolls through the calm city. The winter months are also ideal for visiting the traditional saunas, the most famous being the floating Pust sauna right in the harbour, where you can cool off with a plunge into the icy fjord.

Summer, on the other hand, lures visitors with the phenomenon of the midnight sun, which reigns here from roughly 20 May to 22 July. During this period there’s daylight non-stop, which gives you endless time to explore the surrounding mountains and fjords without ever worrying about being caught out by unexpected darkness in the wild. The hiking trails are in full swing, and you can set off on a breathtaking trek at midnight if you fancy — an experience that completely throws your body clock, but is absolutely worth it.

Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the weather in Tromsø is surprisingly mild for somewhere almost 350 kilometres above the Arctic Circle. In winter temperatures most often hover around minus five to zero, while in summer you can expect a pleasant ten to fifteen degrees Celsius, although the sharp sea wind can knock the feels-like temperature down a notch. So it’s always wise to pack one extra warm layer and not forget a quality waterproof jacket — even if you’re heading out in the middle of July.

Hotels in Tromsø, Norway: where to stay

💡 Tip for accommodation and experiences: We love to look for places to stay on Booking.com, which usually has the best cancellation terms. For tickets, tours and activities, it pays to compare and book through GetYourGuide.

The best and most practical choice is to stay right in the city centre itself (the Sentrum district), because you’ll be close to all the main sights and restaurants, and on top of that, most organised tours for the northern lights or whale watching depart from here. If you stay further out of town, you’d be needlessly reliant on local buses, which don’t run very often at night, and forking out high fares for taxis.

One of the most popular and most beautiful hotels is the Clarion Hotel The Edge, which sits right on the waterfront and offers modern rooms with absolutely fabulous breakfasts full of fresh pastries and local cheeses. From the rooftop bar you’ll also get a perfect view of the harbour and the iconic Arctic Cathedral on the opposite shore, with a night for two costing roughly £160 to £215 depending on the season. It’s an ideal base for those who want to treat themselves to a little Nordic luxury after a whole day out in the cold.

If you’re after a slightly more budget-friendly option, a great choice is the Smarthotel Tromsø. The rooms are smaller and very minimalist, but the hotel is incredibly clean, stylish, and sits just a few steps from the main shopping street Storgata, so you’ll save loads of time getting around town each day. A night here usually costs around £90 to £125, which is a very decent price by Norwegian standards.

Another excellent alternative with breathtaking views is the Scandic Ishavshotel, which literally juts out into the fjord waters like a big cruise ship. As a rule, I’d recommend booking accommodation in Norway several months ahead through Booking.com, because in peak winter season the best hotels sell out very fast and last-minute prices skyrocket. If you prefer a quieter setting, you could try staying in the Tromsdalen district across the bridge — it’s a bit further from the centre, but only a stone’s throw from the Fjellheisen cable car.

8 things to see and do in Tromsø, Norway

Let’s take a look together at the top attractions and activities you definitely shouldn’t miss when visiting this Arctic city of seventy thousand inhabitants. I’ll point you to the best viewpoints and show you how to plan a winter adventure you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

1. The Fjellheisen cable car and Mount Storsteinen

If you only do one thing in Tromsø, make it a trip up Mount Storsteinen, which towers majestically over the city. The iconic Fjellheisen cable car whisks you to the top in just four minutes, with its lower station located on the mainland part of the city in the Tromsdalen district. You can easily get there on foot via the main bridge (the walk from the centre takes about 40 minutes), or hop on local bus number 26, which stops just by the entrance.

From the upper viewing terrace, 421 metres above sea level, you’ll be treated to the most iconic view of all of Tromsø. You’ll see the island with the city centre, surrounded by the dark waters of the fjord and framed by snow-capped mountain peaks in the distance — a view that simply never gets old. The cable car usually runs every half hour, and in peak winter season it operates right up until midnight, so you can watch the northern lights undisturbed from the summit, far from the harsh city lights.

A return ticket costs roughly 400 to 450 NOK depending on the season, and tickets can be conveniently bought in advance online or right at the counter. At the top you can warm up in the cosy panoramic Fjellstua restaurant, which serves excellent coffee and fresh waffles with hot berries — something you’ll definitely appreciate after a long stretch of photographing in the freezing wind.

💡 Tip: If you’re in good shape and visit Tromsø in summer or autumn, you can hike up on foot. The route is the so-called Sherpatrappa, a hugely popular trail made up of more than twelve hundred stone steps, hand-built years ago by skilled Sherpas from Nepal, with ever more beautiful views opening up as you climb.

2. The Arctic Cathedral (Ishavskatedralen)

Just beyond the enormous Tromsøbrua bridge, which safely connects the island with the mainland, stands the most famous structure in the entire region and perhaps the most photographed church in northern Norway. With its unmistakable shape, the Arctic Cathedral resembles an iceberg or a traditional Sami tent and is beautifully visible from many viewpoints across the city.

This stunning modernist building from 1965, designed by the renowned Norwegian architect Jan Inge Hovig, is made up of eleven concrete panels clad in gleaming aluminium. The cathedral is beautiful from the outside, but it’s well worth taking the time to step inside as well. Admission for an adult is around 80 NOK, and at first glance the interior will surprise you with its elegant Nordic airiness and an enormous glass mosaic by artist Victor Sparre.

The mosaic on the eastern side of the cathedral is one of the largest in Europe, and when light passes through it on sunny days, it literally plays with every colour of the rainbow, symbolising the return of Christ. The cathedral also boasts fantastic acoustics, so musical performances are held here very often, and choirs from all over the world come to record their albums.

💡 Tip: During the winter months and in the midnight sun period, the famous midnight concerts are held here regularly. The experience of sitting in this magical building accompanied by traditional Norwegian folk songs and the tones of majestic organs is absolutely unforgettable, and I’d recommend booking tickets well in advance online on the cathedral’s official website.

3. Chasing the northern lights (Aurora borealis)

Tromsø lies right in the centre of the so-called aurora oval, which makes it hands-down one of the best places in the world to watch this breathtaking phenomenon. The golden rule for a successful hunt is to get as far as possible from the light pollution of the city itself, because only in complete darkness do the colours in the sky come into their own — and you’ll capture the best photos full of bright green.

Although you can see the green dancing even right over the lit-up harbour when solar activity is really strong (the so-called KP index), you’ll have the best chance on an organised tour. Experienced guides keep a close eye on the weather forecast and won’t hesitate to drive you hundreds of kilometres — deep inland or even to the Finnish border — just to find a patch of clear, cloudless sky. A night tour like this can easily take seven to eight hours, and prices typically range from 1,200 to 2,000 NOK per person.

You can book these night-time aurora expeditions super easily, for example through the GetYourGuide platform, where you’ll find dozens of highly rated operators. You’ll often head out in a small, cosy minibus, and the guides will lend you warm Arctic thermal suits and tripods for photography. While you wait for the magic to appear, they’ll light a fire in the snowy landscape, toast marshmallows and brew up some delicious hot chocolate.

💡 Tip: Want to know more about how to prepare properly for aurora watching? Read our detailed article Iceland, Finland and Norway: northern lights, where you’ll find plenty of practical advice and mobile apps that are guaranteed to help with the hunt. Above all, don’t forget to pack spare camera batteries — they drain incredibly fast in the Arctic cold.

4. Whale safari in the winter fjords

From November to late January, the northern Norwegian fjords turn into an enormous underwater feasting hall for orcas and humpback whales. These amazing marine mammals migrate here every year in pursuit of vast shoals of herring, which makes for an absolutely unique opportunity to see them in their natural habitat, surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountain peaks and crystal-clear water.

These days most tours don’t set off straight from Tromsø harbour, because in recent years the whales have moved further north in search of food. Boats or buses therefore most often head towards the nearby island of Skjervøy or the Kvaløya area, which means a full-day trip can take anywhere from eight to twelve hours, with the sailing to the whales alone lasting several hours. The price ranges roughly from 1,500 to 1,800 NOK, but that breathtaking experience is worth every penny.

When choosing, I’d strongly recommend going with an operator that runs modern hybrid or fully electric catamarans. These advanced vessels can switch to silent running just before reaching a pod and approach the whales completely soundlessly, without disturbing the animals with engine noise and unpleasant exhaust fumes — which is far gentler on the local environment, and you’ll enjoy undisturbed peace.

💡 Tip: Up on the boat’s top deck it gets genuinely freezing thanks to the icy Arctic wind off the open sea. Even though the crew often lends you bulky insulated overalls, don’t underestimate your own layering — quality wool socks and windproof mittens are an absolute must for this full-day trip. If you suffer from seasickness, take tablets as a precaution before you set sail.

5. Dog sledding (Husky)

Another essential winter activity in Arctic Norway is the traditional dog sled ride, which instantly pulls you into the harsh but beautiful life of the north. In the surrounding snowy valleys you’ll find several well-established husky farms, where you’ll be greeted with joyful cheering by dozens of enthusiastic Alaskan huskies who are literally itching to dash out into the frosty landscape and show off their strength.

The trips, which usually last around four to five hours including transport from the city centre, are most often organised so that after a thorough safety briefing you can drive the sled entirely yourself. You’ll ride in pairs, with one person sitting comfortably wrapped in blankets and the other standing at the back as the musher, who has to balance through the bends and brake regularly. Halfway along the route you swap, of course. The experience of gliding through the silent snowy landscape, watching the surrounding forests and hearing only the panting of the dogs and the crunch of snow, is immensely calming and cleansing.

The trip usually also includes a hot drink and a traditional lunch served in a so-called lavvu (a traditional Sami tent with a fire pit in the middle). While reindeer stew is commonly served, the farms are very modern and will happily prepare an excellent vegetarian alternative in advance — a warming root vegetable soup with fresh homemade bread.

💡 Tip: Pay close attention to choosing your operator and check reviews beforehand about how the animals are treated. Fortunately, most of the large farms around Tromsø take great care over the top-notch living conditions of their dogs, placing huge emphasis on their well-deserved rest, regular veterinary care and plenty of love from their handlers.

6. Polaria and Arctic nature

Just a few minutes’ pleasant walk from the main city centre you’ll find a fascinating building whose unique architectural shape resembles falling sheets of ice that have dramatically slid onto the land one after another. This is Polaria, an Arctic experience centre that’s an absolutely ideal place to understand the fragile ecosystem of the far north and life deep beneath the surface of the sea.

Admission for an adult costs around 250 NOK, and the main attraction of the whole modern complex is the spacious glass-walled pools, home to contented bearded seals and harbour seals. Every day you can watch their narrated feeding and training, which takes place in a very playful way, naturally stimulating the intelligence of these animals while educating all visitors about their conservation in the wild and the threats associated with ocean pollution.

The centre also includes a modern panoramic cinema with five screens, where a beautiful documentary film about the rugged nature of Svalbard and the formation of the magical northern lights is regularly shown. The educational exhibition then focuses intensely on melting glaciers and global climate change, which will no doubt give you broader context on just how threatened the Arctic environment really is these days, and why it must be protected.

💡 Tip: Right next to Polaria there’s a huge glass hall housing the historic ship MS Polstjerna from 1949. This wonderfully preserved vessel was used for decades to hunt seals in Arctic waters, and today you can safely walk through its cramped interior, peer into the hold, and get a real sense of the incredibly harsh life of the brave sailors of that era.

7. Exploring the centre and Arctic gastronomy

The historic centre of Tromsø itself is fairly compact, and you’ll best take in all its charms on foot over one relaxed afternoon. The main artery is the lively pedestrian zone Storgata, lined with beautiful old wooden houses in the Nordic style and countless little shops selling souvenirs, local design and, above all, extremely high-quality woollen clothing that will reliably keep you warm in these conditions and last you for years.

On your walk, be sure to stop at the world’s northernmost Protestant cathedral, Tromsø Domkirke, which is built entirely of wood, dates from 1861 and is surrounded by a pleasant city park. You also have to stop by the iconic Raketten kiosk, the smallest bar in Tromsø and quite possibly in all of Norway, which looks like a tiny wooden rocket and serves great hot drinks.

When it comes to Arctic gastronomy, in traditional restaurants you’ll very often see local specialities like reindeer meat or the famous Arctic cod, skrei. But if you prefer to eat meat-free, there’s nothing to worry about, because Tromsø is a very progressive, modern city. The vast majority of better establishments — including the Raketten kiosk mentioned above — offer proper plant-based alternatives, including excellent vegetarian hot dogs.

💡 Tip: Head to one of the popular local bakeries for a traditional cinnamon bun (kanelbolle), which you can smell from miles off, or warm up with a hearty creamy soup or a delicious vegetarian pizza with fresh cheeses at Casa Inferno. Besides great food, this acclaimed Italian spot has an absolutely amazing steampunk interior full of industrial details.

8. The midnight sun and summer hiking

If you visit Tromsø between late May and July, you’ll experience this pulsing city in a completely different light — quite literally. The total absence of darkness gives the entire northern region a huge dose of positive energy, and after the long dark winter the locals try to squeeze the absolute most out of every sunny day, so the cafés, parks and waterfront are bursting at the seams even late in the evening, and life here is in full swing.

This unique period is absolutely ideal for hiring a car and going hiking combined with discovering wild Nordic nature. You could head, for example, to the nearby mountainous island of Kvaløya, which is full of beautiful, brilliantly marked hiking trails. Try the popular and easy Brosmetinden trek, which takes about two hours and really anyone can manage it. The trails often lead you to remote beaches with surprisingly white sand, the most beautiful of which are found on the nearby island of Sommarøy (about an hour’s drive from the centre), where you’ll feel more like you’re in the Caribbean than above the Arctic Circle.

Thanks to the midnight sun phenomenon, you don’t have to stick to any strict schedule at all. You can quite happily set off on a more demanding mountain trek when the clock strikes ten in the evening and enjoy total silence and the gorgeous golden light that floods the whole landscape so photogenically and gives it incredible depth.

💡 Tip: The summer months are also absolutely ideal for hiring a sea kayak or paddleboard. Paddling on the calm surface of a dark fjord at two in the morning in full daylight is one of the most magical experiences you can take home from summer in northern Norway, and you’ll very often come across curious seals who swim up to check out the situation.

Where to go next from Tromsø

Tromsø is a perfect starting point for discovering more of the beauty of northern Norway. A very common and popular option is to combine a visit to Tromsø with a trip to the stunning Lofoten Islands, which lie further south.

You can get there either by car, which is a fairly long but incredibly scenic drive, or by taking a local flight, for example to the town of Bodø. Our big guide to Lofoten covers travelling around this region in detail.

If sailing appeals to you, you can hop aboard one of the legendary coastal express ships, Hurtigruten or Havila. These ships sail through Tromsø daily and you can buy a ticket for just part of the journey — which, by the way, is a great way to watch the northern lights in Lofoten right from the open sea.

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