A guide to Tromsø
Tromsø is a small city with a big reputation, and once you've spent a few days here, it's easy to see why. Set among fjords and mountains well above the Arctic Circle, it's compact enough to explore on foot yet packed with things to do throughout the darker months. Whether you're here to chase the aurora or just take in the scenery, here's what you need to know before you visit.
Where to Stay
Our recommended areas to stay are on the island of Tromsøya, as close to Sentrum as you can manage, keeping you close to the action without needing to think much about transport.
City centre (Sentrum) is the most convenient base for most visitors, and where most of the city's hotels are. It's walkable, close to everything, and easy to get around without a car, with plenty of accommodation options in every price range.
The rest of Tromsøya island beyond Sentrum is still well connected but a little quieter, a good option if you don't mind a walk or bus ride into town rather than being right in the middle of it.
A couple of other areas come up often and are worth a mention, though we'd flag the same thing about each: getting into the city, and back again after an evening tour, takes a bit more planning.
Tromsdalen, across the bridge from the city centre, is close enough that a taxi or bus ride in is quick and straightforward, but it's still worth checking your accommodation's distance from a bus stop, especially for late returns after dark.
Kvaløya, the larger island to the west, offers more rural, scenic surroundings if that appeals to you, but it's worth thinking through transport before booking. You'll need a car or to rely on buses to get into the city centre and back, and if you're joining an evening tour, getting back out to Kvaløya afterwards, often quite late at night, is worth factoring into your plans.
Wherever you stay, book with the season in mind. Winter accommodation fills up quickly around the darkest, most popular aurora months, so it's worth booking well ahead if you're visiting between December and February.
Things to Do, by season
Tromsø changes dramatically throughout the year, and a lot of the best activities are weather and snow dependent. Here's roughly how the season unfolds, from September through to April.
September and October bring milder temperatures and less snow dependency, making it a great window for hiking before the snow properly sets in. The nights are also dark enough for aurora viewing from mid-September onward. This period also overlaps with whale watching season, which typically runs from around November through January, when whales move into the fjords north of Tromsø to feed.
As the season moves into November and December, snow cover typically starts to build and darkness deepens, with polar night beginning in late November. This is when snow-based activities really get going: dog sledding and reindeer sledding tours run through the winter months, offering a genuinely magical way to see the Arctic landscape, alongside snowshoeing and cross-country skiing once there's enough snow on the ground.
December through February are typically considered peak winter, with the darkest, longest nights and the best conditions for aurora viewing. From March into early April, the snow is still very much around, but the days start stretching out again, keeping the winter activities going while easing into slightly milder conditions.
Other Things to Do
Beyond the seasonal activities, Tromsø has plenty to offer regardless of weather:
Arctic Cathedral. The city's most recognisable landmark, with its striking triangular architecture and stained glass. Worth visiting both for the building itself and for concerts held inside.
Fjellheisen cable car. Takes you up Mount Storsteinen for panoramic views over the city and surrounding fjords, weather permitting. A great spot for both daytime views and a different vantage point on a clear aurora night.
The Polar Museum. For a look into Arctic wildlife, exploration history, and the science behind the aurora itself.
Wander the harbour and old town. Tromsø's compact centre is easy and enjoyable to explore on foot, with colourful wooden buildings and a genuinely charming small-city atmosphere.
The local food and drink scene. Tromsø has a lively, varied scene of cafes, restaurants, and bars, worth exploring and discovering for yourself once you're here.
Our Own Guide to the City
Once you book a tour with us, we send over our own homemade guide to Tromsø, put together from our own experience living and working here. It covers our personal recommendations for places to eat, things to see, and a few slightly more off-the-beaten-track spots that don't always make it into the standard guidebooks.
Browse our Northern Lights Adventure tours and find a date that works for your trip.