3 days in Tromso: The Perfect Winter Itinerary — Bronwyn Townsend (2024)

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The gateway to the Arctic lies at the end of the E8, some 350km above the Arctic Circle. Here, Tromso sits in the belly of craggy mountain peaks and inky fjords as the social and cultural hub of Northern Norway.

Once upon a time, this charismatic city was little more than a pitstop in a sheltered bay on the ocean highway. A place for seafarers to rest their weary bones and recuperate from the wild journeys in the Norwegian Sea. Evolving throughout the centuries as a fishing town and trading port, Tromso really came into its own in the mid-19th century.

Seamen ventured further north to Svalbard, Roald Amundsen departed from Tromso to the ice cap where he died in 1928, and arctic wildlife hunting became a lucrative venture for traders. It was then that this northern Norwegian city rose to celebrity status and became the launchpad for numerous Arctic expeditions.

Now a thriving urban locale that has been dubbed the ‘Paris of the North’, Tromso is a bucket list destination for travellers searching for a sense of intrepid adventure on the edge of Europe. A place where mountains are snow capped for most of the year and whales frenzy during the herring migration season, Tromso has become a winter hotspot.

If you’re planning a 3-day winter itinerary in Tromso, this guide will help you make the most of your time and hit all the must-visit destinations in the region. From aurora hunting to silent whale watching cruises, read on to discover the adventure that awaits you in Tromso.

This itinerary requires a minimum of three full days and four nights. There are a handful of direct flights available from London to Tromso each week. From many other destinations, you’ll likely connect in Oslo which means you need to account for travel time either side of your 3 day Tromso winter itinerary.

Day 1: Get to know Tromso and its sights

Downtown Tromso

Get familiar with Tromso, from the colourful buildings that line the harbour to the various museums and sights that make it to the top of any visitors list. A compact city, it’s easily walkable and you can reach all of these destinations on foot.

I would recommend starting your day at Tromso Harbour. The mornings are typically calmer, giving glassy reflections. The days are short in Tromso in winter, which means beautiful soft light which is perfect for photography. A mixture of old and new architectural styles sit side-by-side on the harbourfront, where brick buildings cosy up against brightly painted wooden facades. If you want to warm up - stop by Kaffebonna which is just near the harbour for a coffee to go.

From there, walk around to the Polar Museum, a small building housing a permanent exhibition that highlights Tromsø's rich polar exploration history. Recounting the tales of fearless explorers and their daring expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic regions, this museum is a great way to better understand the history of the region throughout history.

Alternatively, you can head to Polaria, a bit of an architectural marvel with its slanted block-like design. This Arctic-themed museum is a great place to learn about the Arctic environment through interactive exhibits that explore the unique wildlife, climate, and indigenous culture of the region. Visitors can watch seals daily during the feeding times, learning about their habitat and conservation efforts to protect these sea animals.

Fjellheisen Cable Car

For the absolutely best views over Tromso, you can’t miss heading up the Tromso cable car to Storsteinen. I always recommend heading here at least one hour before sunset if you’re visiting in winter so you can see the landscape change from day to night. Over the course of around 3 hours, I watch the landscape go from a snowy winter wonderland by day, to soft, pink and orange accents at sunset, and eventually watch the town twinkle below in the dark.

You don’t need to stay outside the whole time either. There is a cafe and indoor area you can relax in, grab a drink or a bite to eat, and pop back out again to see the different light conditions. You can check out everything you need to know with my guide to Fjellheisen.

Arctic Cathedral

Tromsø Arctic Cathedral is perhaps one of the most iconic churches in Europe. A masterpiece of modern architecture, its design reflects the Northern Lights' mystical appearance. The best time to visit is once the sun has set and you can admire the stunning stained glass windows lit up. The glass mosaic is one of artist Victor Sparre’s most prominent works and the centrepiece of the cathedral's unique design.

Northern lights tour

You can’t come to Tromso in winter and not take a northern lights tour. While it is possible to see the aurora borealis from the city when it’s strong, you’ll have a much better chance by joining a tour with experts.

On a tour, not only will you leave behind the light pollution of the city, but your guide will chase the lights to the best possible viewing places - even if this means heading over the border into finland! Northern lights tours typically last around 7-10 hours and you’ll leave early in the evening and often arrive back to town after midnight.

Looking for a northern lights tour? These are my recommendations:

Aurora Hunt with Citizen Science including professional photos

Small group tour with food

Northern Lights tour with Green Adventure

RELATED | NORTHERN LIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE

Day 2: Head out to sea for whale watching

Whale watching tour

Winter in Tromso spells the herring migration, which means pods of orca and humpback whales travel north to feed. The best time to see whales in northern Norway is from November to January, with sights typically better the earlier you visit in the season as whales are hungrier as they arrive for their feasting season.

While orca were typically seen in Tromso years ago, they’ve since moved further north with the changing herring migration. Most tours will head a few hours north to a fishing town called Skervoy. This is where I visited and actually spent six days out on the water with the whales as part of a photography tour - but if you only have one day, don’t fear. Sightings are common.

My top recommendations for your whale watching tour are to rug up well - it gets super cold out on the water for hours, especially if you choose an open-air tour on a zodiac or similar. It’s also really important to find ethical partners when participating in any sort of wildlife encounter. Boats should keep their distance and never interfere with the whales behaviour or cause them distress. This silent whale watching tour has an eco-friendly focus and uses a silent electric engine to cause minimal disturbance to the whales.

Dinner at Bardus Bistro

Right at the heart of Northern Norwegian dining, Bardus uses the best local produce to create a seasonal menu that nods to historical traditions from the region. A little on the pricier side, you won’t be disappointed by the quality of food and service at this wonderful restaurant. Don’t miss their famous locally harvested Arctic Seaweed co*cktail for an authentic taste of Tromsø.

Day 3: Action-packed adventures

Breakfast at Risø mat og kaffebar

Get your day started right with hand-brewed craft coffee and a hearty breakfast at Risø. The top-rated coffee spot in town, it’s a cosy place to fuel up before an action-packed day of adventure. You really can’t miss their delicious house-baked cinnamon rolls.

Husky sledding

If you’ve dreamed of gliding across the Arctic tundra in a sled, then joining a husky sledding tour is perfect for action-oriented travellers. Enjoy Norway’s winter wonderland as you take turns at mushing the sled before warming up in a cosy teepee with a hot drink around the fire afterwards.

I’d recommend choosing your husky sledding adventure in the morning if possible, as it means you’ll still be able to enjoy any remaining daylight later in the day. Looking for a husky sledding recommendation? Try these:

Lapland Husky Sled Safari from Tromso

Self-drive Husky Tour

Tromso Arctic Reindeer and Sami Culture

Immersing yourself in local culture should be part of your experience in Tromso. Sami are the people who traditionally inhabited the Sapmi region which encompasses modern-day regions of Northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland. To learn more about Sami culture, head to Tromso Arctic Reindeer where you can find out about their way of life.

Run by the Oskal family, Tromso Arctic Reindeer aims to share the opportunity with visitors to combine Sami culture with getting up close and personal with the reindeer. There are a number of tours you can choose from snowshoeing and reindeer feeding, to northern lights night tours.

Dinner at Casa Inferno or Arctandria Sjømatrestaurant

If you’re looking for a reasonably priced option for dinner, Casa Inferno serves excellent wood-fired pizzas. Alternatively, if you want more traditional Arctic cuisine, from seafood to reindeer, then Arctandria is the place to go. Located in an old storehouse by Tromso quay, it’s Norwegian fare that won’t completely break the bank. Just be sure to book ahead, as it is popular.

READ | IS TROMSO EXPENSIVE? FIND OUT

Is Tromso worth visiting?

Tromso is one of my favourite places and is well-equipped for travellers with a sense of adventure and in search of some bucket list winter moments. Considered one of the best places in Europe to see the northern lights, it makes for an excellent and more accessible choice than other remote Arctic destinations.

Is three days in Tromso enough?

I would recommend spending no less than 3 days/4 nights in Tromso, especially if your top priority is seeing the northern lights. This means that if you aren’t fortunate enough to see them on the first night, you have a few more chances to do so. We had this exact experience in Finland, where we stayed for 4 nights and only saw them on our final night - but they were the best I’ve ever seen.

Weather in Tromso in winter

Thanks to the Gulf Stream, winter in Tromso is actually considerably mild. This doesn’t mean extreme weather doesn’t happen - I had a 100-year record breaking snow storm while I was there. You will still need to dress appropriately with layers and thermals, including a pair of waterproof snow boots.

The temperature typically ranges between -5 to 0 degrees celsius and the wind chill can be brutal at times. The days are also very short, and during the Arctic nights in the depths of winter, the sun doesn’t rise at all. This doesn’t mean it’s pitch black, but it will be like blue hour or dusk during the lightest time and dark for 22+ hours of the day.