Tromsø, Norway, is also known as the “Gateway to the Arctic,” attributable to its location 220 miles (350 kilometers) above The Arctic Circle in Northern Norway. And whereas Tromsø was once the jumping-off level for expeditions additional north into the Arctic, as we speak it is a worthy vacation spot in and of itself.
Tromsø is a year-round vacation spot that’s nice to go to in all seasons of the 12 months – you possibly can expertise the Midnight Solar right here throughout the summer season months, and see the Northern Lights at the hours of darkness winter months.
I’ve visited Tromsø in every of these seasons. And whereas I did benefit from the metropolis within the brighter summer season months, I feel I really want Tromsø within the winter! Winter is a good time to go to Tromsø if you wish to expertise wintertime actions like cross-country snowboarding, dogsledding, and naturally chasing the Northern Lights.
Learn on for my preferrred 3 days in Tromso itinerary that can assist you plan your individual journey!
(Need to embrace Tromsø in an extended Norway in winter itinerary? I’ve acquired you coated there, too! Try my 10 days in Norway in winter itinerary, too.)
When to go to Tromsø in winter
You would possibly assume that “winter is winter, clearly,” however winter within the northern a part of Norway can fluctuate vastly relying on which winter month we’re speaking about!
Attributable to its far-north location, Tromsø experiences Polar Evening starting in late November and lasting by way of mid-January. Presently of 12 months, the solar by no means totally rises, and Tromsø solely experiences just a few hours of twilight-like “daylight” every day.
By mid-February, nonetheless, the solar is correctly rising round 7:30 a.m. and setting round 4:30 p.m., with the times getting longer by about 10 minutes day-after-day.
So, for my part, one of the best time to go to Tromsø in winter is in February or March, once you nonetheless have snow and an opportunity to see the Northern Lights, however when the times are lengthy sufficient so that you can really get exterior and do issues.
3 days in Tromso in winter itinerary
Tromsø is positioned at 69.6492° N latitude above the Arctic Circle. The town of 75,000 individuals is the “capital” of Northern Norway, and is likely one of the largest cities discovered within the Arctic. There’s loads to do right here – particularly throughout the winter months.
You might simply spend a complete week in Tromso in winter and nonetheless discover issues to do. However for this itinerary, we’ll cowl the highlights in simply 3 days.
Day 1: Tromso outside adventures
I like to recommend both arriving this morning (each Norwegian and SAS have direct flights to Tromsø from Oslo, and you will get there in simply 2 hours), or arriving the night earlier than so you possibly can match a full day in as we speak. (Keep in mind, daylight are restricted in winter, relying on which month you go to in.)
In your first day in Tromsø, I like to recommend embracing Norway’s love of outside winter journey. I might make your first exercise both cross-country snowboarding or dogsledding – get the blood pumping to heat you up a bit!
Cross-country snowboarding in Tromso
Cross-country snowboarding is not only a sport in Norway; it is a nationwide pastime! Youngsters discover ways to ski at school, and it is commonplace to see individuals out on skis always of the day in winter. If you are going to attempt just one bodily outside exercise in Tromsø, make it cross-country snowboarding.
Tromsø Outside provides a fantastic 3-hour course for beginners. (They usually additionally supply enjoyable showshoeing tours if that is extra your pace.)
Dogsledding in Tromso
An alternative choice is to check out dogsledding, which is one other common winter sport in Norway. And sure, it’s most undoubtedly a sport. Sled canines aren’t simply any canines – they’re particularly bred to like to RUN, and are thought-about athletes.
If you wish to attempt the game out, I can advocate the Tromsø Villmarkssenter for dogsledding excursions. They decide you up from Tromsø and take you out to their middle on Kvaløya, the place you possibly can rise up shut with the canines. You see precisely the place the canines reside and the way they’re cared for – after I visited, I noticed pleased and playful canines who had been excited on the likelihood to get hooked as much as a sled.
The sled journey itself lasts for about an hour, with a cease midway by way of to take pictures. The surroundings is beautiful, and afterwards you will return to the middle for a lunch of reindeer stew. (Book this tour here.)
There’s an choice to drive your own dogsled in Tromsø, too, however I can be completely trustworthy and inform you that that is NOT straightforward work! It is far more than simply standing in the back of the sled – you must push and pull and lean, and typically run up snowy hills to assist the canines. I do not advocate the driving until you are in good bodily form and are prepared for a exercise!
Northern Lights tour
Tonight, if the climate cooperates and the excursions are going out, join your first Northern Lights tour! There are a LOT of Northern Lights excursions in Tromsø to select from, so I like to recommend searching for one which guarantees a small group and a information who will help you’re taking pictures.
Small-group Northern Lights excursions to take a look at embrace this one and this one, each of that are “chase”-style excursions, that means you will have one of the best likelihood of recognizing the aurora, even when the climate is not one of the best.
RELATED: Chasing the Northern Lights in Arctic Norway
My prime Tromsø tip: Most of the sidewalks in Tromsø are literally heated with the intention to shed the snow and ice. However different components of town will nonetheless be very slippery! Ensure you’ve acquired boots with good gripping soles, or spend money on some Yaktrax to assist in giving you higher traction.
Day 2: Get to know Tromso metropolis
Right now I like to recommend taking a while to discover Tromsø itself. So many individuals come to this metropolis for the Northern Lights, however then spend all their time reserving actions exterior of town. The town itself, although, is fairly cool, and undoubtedly value exploring.
Some issues you are able to do embrace:
- Go to the Arctic Cathedral (formally Tromsdalen Church) throughout the sound from the principle a part of Tromsø. It is an iconic constructing in Northern Norway, and typically you possibly can hear concert events contained in the church.
- Trip the Fjellheisen aerial tramway up above Tromsø for one of the best view within the metropolis. The vehicles run from 10 a.m. to midnight all through the winter months, and the views are significantly nice day or night time.
- Try the Polar Museum, which provides a captivating look into Arctic trapping and searching and the early polar explorers.
- Go to the Polaria aquarium, which is housed in a constructing that resembles an ice floe and has reveals about Arctic sea life.
- Cozy up in a espresso store. Tromsø has a really giant variety of espresso outlets, contemplating how small (comparatively) town middle is. There are two Risø areas (one a espresso bar, the opposite a full cafe) that I like.
In case you’re searching for one thing distinctive to do within the afternoon, take into account a Tromsø Beer Safari, which incorporates tasting some native beers and snacks.
Extra Northern Lights
Tonight, if circumstances are good (or if circumstances had been dangerous on Day 1), take into account one other Northern Lights tour! (I promise, you will by no means get uninterested in seeing them.)
Once more, small-group chase-style Northern Lights excursions like this one and this one are those I might personally advocate making an attempt.
RELATED: How to Photograph the Northern Lights
Day 3: Journey from Tromso
In your final day in Tromsø, let’s have a “select your individual journey” form of day! There are a whole lot of cool adventures you possibly can have from town, together with:
Personally, I might select the Sami tradition/reindeer sledding expertise, because it’s one thing distinctive to this a part of the world.
One other final likelihood at Northern Lights
And, lastly, tonight you will have yet one more likelihood to go on a Northern Lights tour in Tromsø. In case you’ve already executed one or two small-group chases, you would possibly take into account a Northern Lights boat tour tonight.
This boat tour consists of an Arctic tapas dinner on a hybrid-electric boat, whereas this boat tour is extra of a chase-style crusing with scorching drinks.
However observe: You will not be capable to get the identical form of Northern Lights pictures from a ship as you possibly can on land, as a result of lengthy publicity pictures can be blurry due to the motion of the boat! So this may be extra for the distinctive expertise somewhat than for pictures.
A observe on excursions in Tromsø: For many of the excursions advisable on this itinerary (together with dogsledding, snowmobiling, and most Northern Lights excursions), the tour corporations will provide heat thermal jumpsuits, and typically thermal boots, as effectively! So don’t fret about placing 17 layers of clothes on.
The place to Keep in Tromso
I like to recommend the Scandic Ishavshotel, which is positioned proper on the Tromsø Sound. Many rooms have nice views, and so they all include free wifi and included breakfast. The on-site restaurant right here can also be fairly good.
To prime it off, the Scandic Ishavshotel is considered one of two predominant lodges on the town the place many of the tour corporations do free pickups from. (Read reviews on TripAdvisor | Book a room at the Scandic Ishavshotel here!)
In case you’re searching for another choice, Thon Hotel Polar is one other good lodge in Tromso. It is additional up from the harbor, however near town’s predominant procuring avenue. I beloved the smooth and well-designed rooms, and the Egon Restaurant downstairs was good, too.
In case you have extra time…
In case you have extra time to spend in Northern Norway in winter, you could have some nice choices. You might add just a few nights in Alta, which is even additional north than Tromsø, and thought to be the “City of the Northern Lights.”
Or you may head barely south to the well-known Lofoten Islands, that are common in winter with photographers. Simply observe that you simply WILL want a rental automobile within the Lofoten Islands in winter, as there’s not likely public transport out there that can assist you get round. (And I do NOT advocate driving in Norway in winter until you could have expertise driving in snow/on ice.)
Climate in Tromsø in winter
As you would possibly guess, winter is chilly in Tromsø. However as Norwegians like to say, “There isn’t a such factor as dangerous climate, solely dangerous clothes.” So long as you come ready with correct clothes and equipment, you will do exactly effective in Tromsø throughout winter.
- The coldest months are January and February, the place the imply temperature hovers round 26° F and the common excessive is round 31° F.
- December is barely hotter, with a imply temperature of 29° F and a median excessive of 34° F, however as talked about above, there’s little or no daylight at the moment of 12 months.
- The “warmest” month of winter to go to Tromsø is March, when the imply temperature is 29° F and the common excessive is 34° F.
Regardless, you are going to want a superb winter coat, heat snow boots, a comfortable hat and gloves, and maybe some hand/toe heaters to sort out Tromso in winter.
Try my full Northern Norway in winter packing list for precise strategies.
READ NEXT: 10 Reasons Why Northern Norway in Winter is Awesome
Who’s able to plan a winter journey to Tromsø?
