18 Bucket List Things to Do in Tromsø in Winter (2025-2026)

Despite the considerable amount of time I’ve spent in Tromsø over the years, I still always discover something new when I am there. The city is evolving and tourism is exploding, offering new and exciting experiences to travelers.

In this guide, I discuss the best things to do in Tromsø in winter for first-time visitors. I cover all the bases – from northern lights tours to snowmobiling to some of the most iconic attractions in Tromsø.

This Tromsø bucket list will cover you… no matter whether you’re spending merely a few days in the city or a full week! The number of activities available in winter is mind-blowing!

But before I dive into the fun stuff, I am going to give a quick recap of what the weather is like during winter in Tromsø. I also discuss northern lights and daylight information.

Do you have any questions about what to do in Tromsø in winter? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!

Best Things to Do in Tromsø in Winter

1. Search for the northern lights near Tromsø.

🗓️ Dates available: September 1, 2025 to April 10, 2026
➡️ Check northern lights tour rates and availability

If you are reading this guide, I would place money on the fact that you’re in Tromsø to see the northern lights! It is the main reason people visit Tromsø, and fair enough… it is an epic place to witness them! So naturally, my first recommendation of things to do in Tromsø is to sign up for a northern lights tour and go on a hunt for them!

I always recommend taking an aurora tour in Tromsø on your first night. That way, if you don’t see it, you can reschedule for another night with a discount.

I like the company Polar Adventures. They take everyone out in a larger minibus away from the city and to where they see clear skies (using an app and other aurora hunters). If you don’t see the aurora, they offer 30% of the price to be reapplied to another tour on a different night.

While you can see the northern lights on your own in Tromsø, the light pollution can make it more of a challenge, so I suggest booking a tour for first-timers!

2. Learn more about Tromsø’s Indigenous Sámi people.

🗓️ Dates available: November 1, 2025 to April 4, 2026
➡️ Check Sámi experience rates and availability

Besides a northern lights tour, the other experience I think is an unmissable one is going on a Sámi cultural tour.

During this, you will visit a reindeer farm where a local Indigenous person (the Sámi) will chat about their history and way of life. You will hear them joik (a chant) while you enjoy a delicious dinner of Bidos stew.

The Sámi experiences in Tromsø go to Tromsø Arctic Reindeer, outside of the city a bit. They have a few options for tour times but I always recommend booking an evening one so you have a chance to see the aurora (since you’re away from light pollution). This excursion also offers optional reindeer sledding.

3. Go on a whale watching safari from Tromsø.

🗓️ Dates available: October 24, 2025 to January 31, 2026
➡️ Check whale safari tour rates and availability

If you are visiting Tromsø between October 24 and January 31, you are visiting during whale watching season! This is an excellent time to get out on the water with Brim Explorer and head up to Skjervøy to see the orcas in their natural environment.

Skjervøy is where the whales feed and this adventure takes the entire day, so do not book anything else alongside it. You may also get to see humpbacks on your trip.

Brim Explorer has silent catamarans that don’t interfere as much with the whales’ routines and are a more pleasant experience. The boats are spacious, wheelchair-accessible, and they serve food, drinks, and lunch for purchase on board.

4. Head out on a dog-sledding adventure.

🗓️ Dates available: November 1, 2025 to April 14, 2026
➡️ Check husky sledding tour rates and availability

Dog-sledding is one of the most popular (and highly-rated) tours in Tromsø in winter. And a self-guided tour will be your best bet so long as you’re in decent physical condition and want the full experience!

On this husky safari, you will be driven out of the city to a local husky farm where you will get to spend 4 hours meeting the dogs, taking turns ‘mushing’ (driving the sled), and enjoying warm drinks and snacks. Only 90 minutes of this is dog-sledding.

Husky tours are one of the first excursions to sell out in Tromsø, so be sure to book immediately if this is something you’re interested in doing while there. Click here to check dog-sledding rates and availability.

5. Learn new Arctic skills at the Tromsø Ice Domes.

🗓️ Dates available: December 20, 2025 to April 6, 2026
➡️ Check Tromsø Ice Domes excursion rates and availability

No attraction has undergone as many changes as the Tromsø Ice Domes have over the years. This now snow and wilderness park was once an ice hotel. But the ice hotel wasn’t anything to write home about (in my opinion), so I am glad they changed the experience.

On this Tromsø Ice Domes day trip, you will be shuttled out to Tamokdalen (Tamok Valley), where you will have a chance to walk through a snow maze, learn to build a fire, enjoy Norwegian delicacies like brown cheese, and more.

While this isn’t a tour I recommend to those who live in snowy places, I do think it is of exceptional value for those traveling in from warmer places like India, Australia, Brazil, or the southern US. Click here to check Tromsø Ice Domes rates and availability.

6. Go ice floating in the Tromsø harbor (or out of the city).

🗓️ Dates available: October 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026
➡️ Check ice floating rates and availability

Something that was always on Rovaniemi itineraries but never available in Tromsø was ice floating. Finally… Tromsø has started up trips for this, and it is one of the best-rated activities in the city!

Arctic floating just means you get to put on a floating suit (don’t worry… it keeps you warm!) where you can float in the fjord while you admire the surrounding scenery. There is a tour for this in the Tromsø harbor, or you can take this one that goes out of the city a bit.

This trip lasts for 3-3.5 hours and is probably not for the claustrophobic traveler (me!)… but fun for everyone else. After you’re done floating in your survival suit, you will get to sit by a warm campfire and enjoy snacks and warm drinks.

7. Go on a snowmobile tour through the wilderness.

🗓️ Dates available: December 1, 2025 to April 6, 2026
➡️ Check snowmobile adventure rates and availability

Snowmobiling is one of the more adventurous activities available in Tromsø and something that is fun for those with a valid driver’s license (or with an adult who has one).

This activity transports you about 1.5 hours outside of Tromsø to Tamokdalen (Tamok Valley), where you can have a hot meal inside a lavvu after you spend time exploring the Norwegian wilderness on a snowmobile.

I love this tour because you can escape the city for a bit and see the mountains around Tromsø. Camp Tamok is also where the Tromsø Ice Domes and husky farm are located! Click here to check snowmobiling rates and availability.

8. Explore the museums of Tromsø.

Tromsø has an incredibly good museum scene compared to other cities of its size. I am not the most avid of museum-goers, but I do love a few of the museums there so much that I have visited them at least 4-5 times!

Some of my favorite museums in Tromsø are the Polar Museum and the Tromsø Museum. Other ones that people love are the Troll Museum and Perspektivet Museum. I have individual guides to each of these museums that you can find linked above.

While the Tromsø Museum is a bit of a distance from the city center, the Polar Museum is located in a historic building right on the harbor by Full Steam. It is definitely worth a quick visit if you want to learn more about the polar history of Norway (which includes Tromsø).

9. Get your Polar Certificate in Tromsø.

I have written an entire guide about how to get your Polar Certificate in Tromsø if you want the details, but I highly suggest grabbing one as a souvenir if it’s your first time in the Arctic!

There are a few spots you can buy a Polar Certificate: Visit Tromsø’s main office (Storgata 83), Visit Tromsø’s Prostneset office (Samuel Arnesens 5), and the Clarion Hotel The Edge’s concierge desk. It is 200 NOK (about $20) and you can pay with a card.

10. Visit Tromsø’s iconic churches.

If you’ve Googled photos of Tromsø, you will have undoubtedly seen the Arctic Cathedral (Ishavskatedralen) in some of them. Built in 1965, this Tromsø icon sits across the fjord from the city center and is known for its design inspired by Arctic nature.

During the winter, they have concerts and are open for visitors, but this is a working church, so visitor hours are limited. You can see more on their website.

The Tromsø Cathedral, on the other hand, is more centrally located and can be found in the heart of Tromsø! The yellow wooden church also offers midnight concerts around the Christmas season and the tickets are very affordable. You can check dates and ticket prices here.

11. Take in the views from Fjellheisen.

Fjellheisen is the iconic cable car that takes you up the mountain for the best views over the city. It is a fantastic thing to do during winter in Tromsø because you can get those epic views, or even a glimpse of the northern lights from above!

It used to be that you needed to walk or take a public bus to Fjellheisen, but they have started running a shuttle bus from the city over to the cable car. You can check the details here. The shuttle departs from the Tourist Shop Tromsø Havn (Kirkegata 2) and takes 20 minutes to get there.

12. Warm up with a bowl of seafood soup.

Fish soup (and seafood soup) is one of the first things I seek out when I get to Tromsø every few months! There is nothing more satisfying (and warming!) during the winter months in Tromsø.

Two of my favorite places for seafood soup are Bårstua and Fiskekompaniet. Both will need a reservation. Bårstua is a pretty affordable spot, but Fiskekompaniet can be expensive for dinner, so you can consider going at lunch when the menu prices are far more affordable.

Art Cafe Bistro also sometimes has as seafood or fish soup on the menu, which is delicious, but it is not always available. I have also seen soup on the lunch menu at Bardus Bistro but again, it is not always there. You can check out my full Tromsø restaurant guide for more.

13. Take a photo of the fjord from Porten til Ishavet.

One of Tromsø’s newest additions is Porten til Ishavet, a colorful mosaic statue that sits behind the Vervet area on the fjord.

It was finished in September 2024 and has already become an iconic spot to take photos from, especially the token photo of the Arctic Cathedral through it!

14. Relax at one of the harbor’s famous spas.

There is nothing better than to wrap up (or start!) a long day of Arctic adventuring than to book a sauna session! There are quite a few options around Tromsø, but my two recommendations both take place at the Tromsø harbor and offer unique experiences.

Pust Sauna is located right at the Tromsø harbor in a building that is inspired by a lavvu. I have an entire guide dedicated to their offerings and Ed recaps his experience there. You can even take a dip in the fjord or book a private session!

Vulkana Arctic Spa is also one I recommend, and that, too, is located at the Tromsø harbor. This one is set in a repurposed fishing vessel called the MS Vulkana and there is a wood-fired jacuzzi on board. I recap my experience in a dedicated guide to Vulkana Arctic Spa here.

Both offer affordable sessions, so if saunas are your thing, I wouldn’t hesitate to book a session at both!

15. Indulge in a hot dog from Raketten Bar & Pølse.

Getting a hot dog at Raketten is definitely one of the more touristy things to do in Tromsø in winter, but it is worth it… I promise! Known for being Tromsø’s smallest bar and around since 1911, this tiny yellow kiosk looks like a rocket, hence the name (‘raketten’ means ‘rocket’ in Norwegian).

What they don’t tell you is that there will be a long line to get a hot dog. But Raketten Bar & Pølse is a cheap lunch spot and they have a fireplace and a tent that you can sit down to enjoy the meal in.

I am a boring hot dog eater, but Ed isn’t. He loves their signature, which is a mix of reindeer and beef.

They are open daily from 12pm until 7pm and accept cards. They usually have vegetarian options during the winter months but sometimes run out of them outside the high season. They’ll have a menu where you can see all the options available.

16. Get involved with citizen science with Rissa.

Rissa Citizen Science is a local non-profit that brings citizen science and regenerative tourism to Tromsø. I have joined them on some of their kittwalks (during the summer) and a project over in Ånderdalen National Park on Senja and I know the organizer, Delphin Ruché and he is a biologist who pours his heart into every project in Northern Norway.

While Rissa doesn’t always have projects available, you can check out their site to see what’s on when you’re there. They have kittiwalks (end of winter) where you can monitor kittiwakes in Tromsø, kelp forest restoration, restoring nest boxes for the Tromsø tits, and more. I have also highlighted my experience with the kittiwakes in Tromsø on their blog.

17. Take a cruise with Brim Explorer.

🗓️ Dates available: February 1, 2026 to September 30, 2026
➡️ Check fjord tour rates and availability

If you happen to show up to Tromsø after January 31 and miss the whale-watching season, don’t worry, you can still get on the water (minus the whales, but hey, it’s better than nothing!). Brim Explorer’s boat goes from a whale watching one to a fjord adventurer and they run tours daily out in the fjords around Tromsø.

The boat is electric and they will turn it to silent once deeper into the fjord. There is a stop at fish racks and a cod liver oil processing center nearby, where you’ll get to try a little bit of ‘tran’ (Norwegian word for cod liver oil).

The boat is wheelchair-accessible, sells lunch on board (along with several snack and drink options), and is very spacious. Click here to check fjord tour rates and availability.

18. Go on a hunt for the city’s best cinnamon bun.

If you know me, you know I live for cinnamon buns. And Tromsø has quite a few spots to try them out! I have a full Tromsø cafe guide that you can see more about each place, but here are a few of my favorite cinnamon bun spots in Tromsø:

• Risø Kaffebar (Strandgata 32)
• Smørtorget (Fredrik Langes 9; delicious cinnamon buns but I prefer their skolebrød more)
• Kaffebønna (all locations have them)
• Vervet Bakeri (Gjøastredet 1)
• Fint Kafé & Bar (Skippergata 1C)

There is a new tour offering from the Tromsø Arctic Run club where you can do a 75-minute walk and enjoy a cinnamon bun from Risø in the process. The price is pretty affordable and it is a good way to get to know the city if you have free time. I haven’t done this yet, but I will try to test it out in the near future!

Additional Things to Put on Your Tromsø Bucket List

If you have extra time in Tromsø, or want some additional suggestions, here are some other places, landmarks, and attractions around the city that I think are worth considering doing or stopping by:

• Take a walk around Telegrafbukta.
• Go on a fishing tour with Polar Adventures.
• Check out local boutiques like Rein Love and MIN Vintage.
• Take a day trip to Senja on an organized tour.
• Explore the tastiest restaurants in Tromsø.
• Learn to cross-country ski.
• Marvel at the beautiful Tromsø Bibliotek.
• Have a drink at Ølhallen.

Winter Festivals and Events in Tromsø

Tromsø has fun happenings all year, but winter time is when some of the best ones take place. Here is a quick list of some of the best things to do in Tromsø in winter if you’re looking to partake in festivals and events in the city:

• Sámi Week (February 2-8, 2026)
• Polar Night Marathon (January 3, 2026)
• Northern Lights Festival (January 26 to February 7, 2026)
• Arctic Snowshoe Race (dates not announced for March 2026 yet)
• Tromsø Film Festival TIFF (January 19-25, 2026)
• Lighting of the Christmas tree (November 30, 2025)
• Julefred Christmas concert series at the Arctic Cathedral (December 20, 21, and 22)
• Arctic Pride Festival (November 10-17, 2025)
• Ordkalotten Literature Festival (November 6-8, 2025)

Do you have any questions about the best things to do in Tromsø during the winter? Let me know in the comments!

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