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Looking for the best things to do in Tromso? You’re in the right place!
Situated in Northern Norway, Tromso is truly unlike any place we’ve traveled to. The vast landscape, Arctic environment, and wildlife had us itching to explore. But I must admit, we were a bit intimidated when we visited as there was a lot we didn’t know about this part of the world!
If you’re feeling the same way, don’t fret! We’ve done the research for you and put together this list of the top 10 things to do in Tromso so you don’t miss a thing. These are the bucket list experiences, and all are easy to dive in and enjoy!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did in Tromso was this guided Northern Lights tour! With the help of our expert guide, we found the elusive Aurora Borealis, explored the Arctic wilderness, and ate some yummy warm soup as we watched the show.
Check out the 1,400+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Tip: This tour is super popular, so reserve your spot now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- Things to do in Tromso, Norway
- 1. Drive your own team of husky sled dogs
- 2. Search for the Northern Lights with an expert
- 3. Take an arctic road trip to Kvaloya Island
- 4. See whales on a silent hydro-electric boat
- 5. Visit a traditional Sami village and feed reindeer
- 6. Go fishing and spot wildlife in a fjord
- 7. Learn how to cross-country ski
- 8. Go snowshoeing
- 9. Taste your way through Tromso on a food and walking tour
- 10. Take a yacht cruise through the fjord
- Where to Stay in Tromso, Norway
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Tromso, Norway
1. Drive your own team of husky sled dogs
- Price: €259
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 9 am, 11 am, or 1 pm
- Highlights: Learning how to mush a team of huskies, exploring the Arctic wilderness, playing with the dogs, refreshments to warm up at the end
- Inclusions: Thermal suits and boots, coffee/tea, snacks, sled dogs and gear
- Rating: 5 stars (see 500+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If you’re looking for a truly memorable experience while in Tromso, you can’t pass up this sled dog tour! Imagine sailing across the frozen tundra, leading your own team of huskies, and learning how to mush like a pro. I know it sounds too good to be true, but you can totally do it!
I was a little intimidated at first, but the team did a fantastic job of training us on the basics. We learned how to maneuver the sled, call out commands, and hold on for dear life. Each sled has a team of 5-7 dogs, and let’s be honest, these pups are truly the ones in charge! I was amazed at how well-trained the dogs were, and when they were clipped into their harness, it was time to work.
The guides led us on about a 1.5-hour trail ride, and we could swap between being a driver and a passenger. If you have any limited mobility or aren’t up for the responsibility of driving a team of sled dogs, being a passenger is just as fun! At the end, we warmed up with coffee and cake in a traditional lavvu (Arctic tent). They also gave us time to play with the dogs at the end, which might have been my overall favorite part!
You simply can’t miss out on this experience, and with over 500 glowing reviews, you’ll see why it’s so popular! The season for this activity is limited, and dates are in demand, so don’t wait to book this tour.
Reserve this tour now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
2. Search for the Northern Lights with an expert
- Price: €237
- Duration: 5-8 hours
- Time: 6 pm
- Highlights: Seeing the Northern Lights (if you’re lucky!), exploring with an expert guide, learning the science behind this natural wonder, enjoying a campfire and warm soup
- Inclusions: Transportation from Tromso, warm clothes and boots, dinner, complimentary photos, expert guide
- Rating: 5 stars (check 1,600+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Seeing the Aurora Borealis was high on my travel bucket list, as I’m sure it is for most travelers heading to Tromso! I quickly learned that it’s not as easy as it sounds, so taking this guided tour was our best bet.
You never exactly know where the Northern Lights will appear, so going with an expert makes your likelihood much higher. However, it’s important to know that it’s not guaranteed to see them, but from our experience, we had so much fun chasing them down and learning from our guide, Erika. We even crossed into Finland, as Erika’s expert eye and prior research led us to the best vantage point (be sure to bring your passport, just in case!).
Once we saw those dancing lights – wow. It truly is as remarkable as I thought it’d be! The experience got even better as we lit a fire and had some delicious soup, so we could sit and gaze at this amazing natural show!
We’ve tried our hand at astrophotography before, but Erika gave us tips on how to perfectly capture the Northern Lights. She also took photos for us so we could remember this experience – as if you could forget!
While there are a ton of Northern Light tours in Tromso, I am so happy we booked this one ahead of time. After reading the 1,400+ 5-star reviews we knew it’d be a good experience, and I didn’t want to risk getting on a bad tour!
Check out all the 5-star reviews and book this tour here, before it sells out!
3. Take an arctic road trip to Kvaloya Island
- Price: €132 – €145
- Duration: 5-6 hours
- Time: 9:30 am
- Highlights: Easily explore Norway’s arctic landscape with an expert guide and transportation, exploring the remote island of Kavloya, amazing photo opportunities
- Inclusions: Transportation and guide, professional photos, healthy lunch, snacks, and coffee/tea
- Rating: 5 stars (check 675+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
One of the reasons we were so excited to visit Tromso was to explore the vast Norwegian wilderness. How often do you get to wander through the Arctic landscape? We didn’t rent a car, so this arctic road trip tour made it easy to get outside and see mountains, fjords, wildlife, and so much more!
We met our guide, Michael, in central Tromso and quickly were on the road toward Kvaloya. The island isn’t a far drive from Tromso, but the landscape quickly changes. Michael made lots of stops along the way, pointing out the most stunning scenic overlooks and taking professional pictures for us, and of us!
One thing I really loved about this tour was how relaxed it was. We had a small group, so we never felt rushed and could explore at our own pace. The picnic lunch on the beach was a serious highlight of the day, we even got lucky for the sun to come out so it made the scenery look even more stunning – if at all possible!
We saw some hidden gems and Michael told us so many facts about the landscape, history, and what life is like living in an Arctic climate. If you want to get outside and see untouched wilderness – this is the best way to do it!
Dates are limited – book your tour in advance here to secure your spot!
4. See whales on a silent hydro-electric boat
- Price: €158 – €173
- Duration: 8-9 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Seeing humpback and orca whales, cruising on a hydro-electric boat that doesn’t disturb the wildlife, indoor saloons to stay warm, informative guides
- Inclusions: Wildlife spotting cruise, expert guides, wifi and restrooms on board, food and drinks available to purchase on board
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 600+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If you’re traveling to Norway hoping to see the majestic outdoors and impressive wildlife, this whale-watching tour will check all the boxes. We’ve been on plenty of whale watching cruises throughout our travels, but none were quite like this!
The boat was a hydroelectric catamaran, so it was insanely quiet – like a Prius on the water. I love this because it doesn’t disturb the whales! We were able to see a bunch of orcas as they were hunting for lunch, and our crew ventured further out so we could spot a humpback whale. The silent boat doesn’t scare off whales as easily, and it’s better for the environment – it’s a win-win!
The catamaran had indoor seating areas and outdoor observation decks, which is great because the weather can quickly turn when you’re this far north. We appreciated the on-board commentary so we never missed an animal, plus we learned a bit along the way. While no food or drinks were included in our ticket price, they had snacks and drinks available to purchase. The hot cinnamon buns and coffee hit the spot after being outside for a while!
After going on this cruise ourselves, we can attest to how awesome it is. But, don’t just take our word for it, check out the hundreds of 5-star reviews here!
Check availability and book this top-rated tour in advance here.
5. Visit a traditional Sami village and feed reindeer
- Price: €140
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 10 am or 1 pm
- Highlights: Experience the Indigenous Sami culture, share a meal with your host, hand feed reindeer, see the stunning landscape
- Inclusions: Transportation from Tromso, warm clothes, local guide, snacks, lunch, and coffee or tea
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
We love learning about the local history whenever we travel to a new place, so when this half-day tour to a Sami village popped up, we quickly jumped on it. It’s not every day that you get to dive into the Indigenous Sami culture – it’s probably safe to say this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
We were thankful for our local guide, who told us all about the Sami’s fascinating history and culture as we drove to the camp. The landscape in Northern Norway is stunning, so I was impressed right off the bat!
Once we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the local people, invited into their lavvu (a traditional-styled tent), and fed a hearty meal of reindeer stew. We learned that reindeer herding is a huge part of their culture, so they took us to see the massive herd! They let us feed the reindeer and practice throwing a lasso, which is certainly as hard as it sounds. Let’s just say I won’t be quitting my day job to become a reindeer farmer anytime soon, but I loved the experience.
We thought this was a great way to learn about Tromso during our first few days, and I appreciated that the tour was only 4 hours so we could fit other activities into our busy schedule. Our guide really made this experience top-notch, as we learned so much, felt incredibly welcomed, and were taken care of the entire day!
Reserve your spot on this tour here to get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. Go fishing and spot wildlife in a fjord
- Price: €119
- Duration: 5 hours
- Time: 10 am
- Highlights: Cruising on a traditional wooden boat, spotting wildlife, catching fish, and eating freshly caught fish
- Inclusions: Local guide, all gear necessary, lunch, snacks, hot beverages
- Rating: 5 stars (check 350+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
We’ve been on fishing excursions in tropical places, but never in the Arctic! So this fishing and fjord sightseeing cruise was an easy addition to our Tromso itinerary. It turned into a lovely morning of cruising along the scenic fjord, spotting tons of animals, and casting a line to see what we could catch!
Our crew was incredibly friendly and welcoming, you could tell that they truly enjoyed their job. We quickly set sail, and it didn’t take long for us to spot puffins, eagles, dolphins, and eventually a whale!
I especially liked that this was a hands-on wildlife cruise, so we weren’t just passively sitting and trying to spot animals. Our captain stopped the boat in a few different locations and we got to fish. I was lucky enough to catch a cod, which was later used in our traditional Norwegian soup for lunch – talk about fresh.
In addition to the wildlife, we had the chance to chat with our guides about the landscape and the history of this area, which really made the experience more immersive. We finished this cruise feeling like we had a unique experience in Tromso, it was one of the most memorable parts of our trip!
Book this tour with over 300 5-star reviews here to secure your spot!
7. Learn how to cross-country ski
- Price: €115
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 9 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm
- Highlights: Expert ski instructors, small group so you get personalized attention, exploring Tromso’s outdoors in a new way
- Inclusions: Transport from central Tromso, ski instructor, ski rentals, drinks, and snacks
- Rating: 5 stars (check 100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Growing up in Canada, I started cross-country skiing at a young age and it’s one of my favorite winter activities. I know it sounds difficult, but it’s quite doable and this beginner-friendly cross-country ski course will teach you everything you need to know!
A lot of Tromso’s beauty is outside of the city, and while you can experience it with a van or on a boat, you can’t get into those hard-to-reach places like you can on cross-country skis. During your ski lesson, your instructor will cover all the basics, like how to put on your skis and fall without hurting yourself (that’s an important skill – let me tell you!).
From my past experience, beginners often get the hang of it within minutes, so you can hit the trail and explore further into the snow-clad forest. They start out on flat terrain, but if you’re feeling confident you can practice on hills too. I always work up a sweat while skiing, but I still love the warm drinks and snacks at the end as a little reward!
This is a great place to learn a new skill, and if you fall in love with skiing, you can rent skis and hit the trails on your other days in Tromso. Cross-country skiing is Norway’s official sport, after all!
Check out all the glowing reviews and book this tour here!
8. Go snowshoeing
- Price: €137
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Time: 10 am or 11 am
- Highlights: Exploring the Arctic landscape on a nature walk, snowshoeing, small group experience
- Inclusions: Snowshoes, hiking poles, transportation from Tromso, lunch, expert guide, souvenir photos
- Rating: 5 stars (check 180+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
We love hiking and try to add it to our itinerary everywhere we go! Even in incredibly snowy places, you can hike year-round – just throw on some snowshoes and you’re ready to go. However, we were a bit unsure of where to go snowshoeing and didn’t want to get lost on the trail, so we joined this top-rated snowshoe tour and had a blast.
We met our guide, Armand, and the small group in the city center and drove out into the countryside. The snow-covered landscape was absolutely stunning, and I couldn’t believe how quiet it was as we hiked. Armand led us through trees and up a mountain, where we got amazing views of the expansive mountains from the summit.
Our guide provided a picnic lunch at the top of the mountain, then we had some time to play in the snow before journeying back to Tromso. Since this was only a half-day tour, we had time to relax in the city for the evening.
Our group was all reasonably fit, but the guide told us that they could tailor the hike to meet travelers’ needs, which we thought was really cool! Snowshoeing doesn’t have to be a super intense activity, it’s honestly so nice just being outside surrounded by mountains. We also went during the winter when there was snow on the ground, but if you take this tour during autumn or summer, it is just a normal hike – no snowshoes required!
Book your spot on this tour here to get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
9. Taste your way through Tromso on a food and walking tour
- Price: €136
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 11:30 am
- Highlights: Exploring the city with a guide, learning about Tromso’s history, eating traditional Norwegian food with a seasonally rotating menu
- Inclusions: Lunch and various tastings at local restaurants, coffee, tea, walking tour with a local guide
- Rating: 5 stars (check reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Not every single thing to do in Tromso is an outdoor adventure. We prefer to balance our fast-paced activities with plenty of relaxation and eating, which is why we loved this food tour of Tromso!
We especially love that this is a combo tour, so you get to explore the city with a local guide and learn all about its unique history and culture. Our guide took us to Dragoy, the best place to get fish, the beautiful Tromso Domkirke Cathedral, and through the art district. We snacked along the way, but the final stop was at a secret dining room for a feast – I won’t spoil anything for you but I hope you’re hungry!
You probably already know this, but fish and seafood are a large part of Norwegian cuisine, so be prepared to try various types of salmon, cod, and even whale. We also tried reindeer hotdogs, which were surprisingly good.
This is a fantastic way to experience Tromso. We took this tour during our first few days in the city so we knew where the best restaurants were and it was super helpful to learn your way around the city.
Check availability and book your spot on this food tour here!
10. Take a yacht cruise through the fjord
- Price: €210 – €258
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Time: 10 am
- Highlights: Small group cruise, expert guides, optional polar plunge and onboard hot tub, spotting wildlife, traditional Norwegian lunch
- Inclusions: Cruise, lunch, warm drinks, snacks, expert guides
- Rating: 5 stars (check reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Dive into Tromso’s scenic fjords – literally! This luxury yacht cruise not only gives you some of the best views in Tromso, but you also have the opportunity to jump into the freezing cold waters, and then warm up in a hot tub onboard.
Okay, this cruise isn’t just about doing a polar plunge, there is so much more to it! This is a fantastic way to spot wildlife, like dolphins, seals, and seabirds. You’ll cruise on the Balsfjorden, which is an impressive 57 kilometers (35 miles) long! What I really love about this yacht cruise is that it’s a small group, so it feels way more personalized and intimate.
The crew is very passionate about Northern Norway’s landscape and loves sharing all their knowledge about this unique part of the world. Plus, the yacht truly is luxury, so you can stay warm inside or enjoy the views from the outside.
You can choose to take the basic sightseeing cruise, which gives astounding views of the Balsfjorden, includes a reindeer soup lunch, and tons of history of the fjord. You can also choose to take the polar plunge/hot tub cruise, which I think is totally worth the extra money!
Regardless of which you choose, this is a unique way to experience Tromso’s incredible outdoor landscape.
Check out the dozens of 5-star reviews and book this cruise here!
Where to Stay in Tromso, Norway
Now that you’ve planned the perfect Tromso itinerary, you need somewhere comfortable to stay! I recommend booking your accommodation as far in advance as possible. There are plenty of options, but they can fill up quickly! Here are my three recommendations for a luxury, mid-range, or budget stay.
Luxury – $$$
Radisson Blu Hotel Tromsø is a modern hotel, located right on Tromso Harbor. There are a range of room options, from a superior room with a sea view, suites, or standard rooms. During the winter, you can often see the Northern Lights from the hotel! Onsite, you’ll find multiple restaurants and a fitness center, and it’s situated in downtown Tromso.
Prices range quite a bit, with standard rooms starting at €350 and superior rooms with views reaching €600+. Check availability and book your stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
If you’re looking for a cozy stay with a moderate price tag, the Scandic Grand Tromsø is a great choice! Located in the central part of Tromso this hotel makes it easy to explore the city. Rooms are basic but comfortable, and the heated bathroom floors make those cold winter days bearable!
Prices for a night are €250 to €350 on average. Check prices and book this hotel on Booking.com.
Budget – $
There aren’t heaps of cheap options in Tromso, but the Enter Backpack Hotel is a comfortable, budget-friendly stay. They offer single, double, or triple rooms with shared bathrooms, or you can opt for a private bathroom. It’s located in the city center, has a communal kitchen, and lounge areas so it’s a great way to meet other travelers.
Rooms start around €230 per night and can be booked on Booking.com.
Check out all the hotels in Tromso here for even more options!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
If you’re looking for some outdoor adventure and a trip of a lifetime, a visit to Tromso will give you that, and more! We had so much fun exploring the Arctic landscape, seeing wildlife, and experiencing the far north. Even if you only check off a few items on this list, I know you’ll have a fantastic time too!
If you found this article helpful, be sure to check out our other travel guides. We’ve been all over the world and love sharing our favorite places and travel tips. Here are a few other guides that you might find helpful as you plan your next adventure – cheers!
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