The ultimate 5 day Tromsø winter itinerary

Tromsø

Tromsø is an Arctic city in northern Norway, located about 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. It is often called the “Gateway to the Arctic” because of its long history of polar exploration. Despite its high latitude, Tromsø has a lively cultural scene and a large student population. Tromsø is also considered one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights during winter.

To be honest, it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited because it is so different from anything I had seen before. With its fjords, cold weather, and Northern Lights, it feels absolutely magical. I still have yet to return, but it was truly an unforgettable experience.

When to go to Tromsø

The best time to visit Tromsø is definitely winter. It is usually more affordable than other destinations within the Arctic Circle, such as Rovaniemi or Levi, while offering an abundance of natural beauty.

How cold does it get in Tromsø

We visited Tromsø in late December, and the coldest temperature we experienced was around -12°C, with an average of about -6°C. It is definitely cold, so I recommend wearing several layers of clothing, along with a jacket, pants, and boots that can withstand temperatures of around -15°C to stay comfortable throughout your trip.

Remember that since it is winter and you will be in the Arctic, you will experience what is known as the Polar Night, when the sun does not rise above the horizon. Around midday, there is usually a period of twilight lasting about 3 to 5 hours before darkness returns. It is quite a unique experience and definitely something to remember, as it is not every day that you get to experience complete darkness at 2 p.m. in the middle of the afternoon.

Is Tromsø expensive?

Tromsø and Norway in general can be quite expensive. Accommodation and tours are costly, and so is food. Budget around 100 to 180 € per person per tour. If you want to save money, eating out less and staying in an Airbnb where you can cook is a good option. The savings can be significant. Overall, around 1,000 € per person, excluding flights, should be enough for a basic trip.

Down here you can check how much a plane ticket to Tromsø might cost, depending on your departure city and travel dates.

How to move around Tromsø

Getting around Tromsø is actually easier than we expected. The bus system is reliable and well connected, so you shouldn’t have any trouble moving around the city.

What to do in Tromsø

Days 1-2: Visit the city of Tromsø

There are several activities to to in the the city. One of the most popular attractions is the Arctic Cathedral which has a very modern architecture. Its dramatic triangular shape is inspired by Arctic landscapes, with sharp lines that resemble icebergs, mountains, and the northern sky.

Photo: www.lozie.com

I would also recommend you take the Fjellheisen funicular for a panoramic view of the city. Make sure you are well equipped for the cold because it can be quite windy up there.

You can also walk around the city and simply enjoy the winter and Christmas atmosphere if you are travelling in December.

View from the Airbnb we were staying at

Me making my first ever snow angel

Nights 1-2: Chase the Northern Lights

If you want to see the Northern Lights, I recommend booking a tour. You might be lucky enough to see them on your first night, but that is not always the case. That is why giving yourself several chances increases your odds significantly. A good strategy is to book a tour for your first night and then decide, depending on whether you saw the lights, if you want to book another one for the following day. That is what we did. There are many factors that can influence whether you see the lights or not, mainly cloud cover, light pollution, and the intensity of the aurora itself. So don’t be disappointed if you don’t see them on your first day.

On platforms like Tripadvisor and GetYourGuide, you will find different options such as buses, camps, and boat tours. I would recommend choosing a bus tour rather than a camp, as it gives you more flexibility to move around and increases your chances of finding clear skies. The further away from the city you go, the better, since there will be less light pollution and a higher chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis.

You might want to check out tours like this one.

I was extremely lucky to be able to see the Northern Lights from the plane. It was a truly magical moment. It was quite a funny anecdote because I was staring out of the window and, I don’t know why, I turned my head slightly to the left and there they were these beautiful, intense, green northern lights dancing across the sky. It instantly made me think of the movie Brother Bear. It was a really beautiful and magical welcome.

Being out in the Arctic cold and experiencing the Northern Lights is definitely a once in a lifetime experience.

One thing I wish I had been told sooner is that the Northern Lights don’t look the same to the naked eye as they do in images. Humans have evolved so that at night our eyes perceive mainly in black and white, so it is harder to distinguish colors. Because of this, instead of seeing the aurora as an intense green, you will most likely see it as a more gray with a faint green tint, almost like thin clouds moving across the sky.

Phones and cameras are able to capture much more light, which is why the colors appear so vivid in photos. What you see with your own eyes is usually less intense in color, which can be a bit disappointing if you are expecting something like the pictures online. This is not talked about enough, so it is something good to keep in mind. That said, it does not take away from the experience at all, because it is still incredibly magical in real life.

If I'm being truly honest, I saw more and more colorful Northern Lights in Iceland than I did in Tromsø. The colors also vary quite a lot with latitude. The further north you go, the more green the aurora tends to be, while further south you are more likely to see red and purple tones. That is why in Iceland we were able to see green and purple Northern Lights, whereas in Tromsø it was mainly green. Still, Tromsø was the very first place I ever saw the Northern Lights, so it will always have a special place in my heart and in my memories.

Day 3: Day trip to Sommarøy

Sommarøy is a small village located west of Tromsø. It is famous for its dramatic mountain scenery and it is, in my opinion, one of the best day trips you can do from Tromsø. This time as well, I recommend booking a tour.

You will make several stops along the way to admire the beautiful Norwegian fjords and the stunning winter landscapes. If you are lucky, you might also spot some wildlife. We even saw seals from a distance during our trip.

Being in the Arctic you feel like a Nat Geo explorer, it is so fun!

In case you are interested, here is the tour we booked.

Day 4: Whale watching tour

This was something I really wanted to do, but as two broke college students we simply didn’t have any money left for tours so we had to skip it. Still, I’m including it in the itinerary because it seems like an amazing experience.

Several whale watching tours from Tromsø take you out into the fjords north of the city, often toward areas like Skjervøy. This is where humpback whales, orcas, fin whales, and sometimes sperm whales gather to feed on herring. Most trips last around 6 to 9 hours and are done on large catamarans designed for Arctic waters. The main season is winter, roughly from November to January, when sightings are most reliable..

Here is one whale watching tour that you can look into

Photo: www.musement.com

Day 5: Sauna and departure

For your last day, I recommend a sauna experience. We didn’t personally have time to try it, but it looks like an amazing thing to do. Saunas originally come from Finland, but they are also very popular in Norway. We stayed at a Norwegian’s house, and he told us it’s common to warm up in the sauna and then jump straight into the sea, even when it’s -10°C outside. Honestly, that sounds pretty impressive.

The sauna Pust is pretty popular and looks nice enough