Tromsø in March: What’s On, Best Activities, & Tips (2025)

Visiting Tromsø in March this year and looking for some travel tips and the best things to do? This guide has you sorted!

March in Tromsø is an epic time to visit and probably the best month to visit during the year. While I love the cotton candy skies in February, March is easily the best month to go there for northern lights viewing!

Daylight is longer and the city is starting to visualize spring on the horizon but winter is still very much around in Tromsø, especially at the beginning of the month.

In this guide, I will detail what to do on a March trip to Tromsø, including the best things to do, fun events and festivals, where to stay, and some weather information that is useful for planning.

Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments if so, or if you have anything to add. Thanks!

March Weather in Tromsø

March is one of the best winter months in Tromso, as you can expect temperatures to start warming up (although it’s still very cold) and longer daylight hours.

Average temperatures fall between -4°C to 2°C (24.8°F to 35.6°F), so they are still below freezing throughout the month. However, temperatures are warmer towards the end of March.

Snowfall levels have also decreased compared to February, with levels ranging from 22.2 cm to 32 cm (8.7 inches to 12.5 inches). Levels tend to be higher at the start of March, and you can expect more cloud cover at the start of the month as opposed to the end of it.

Best Things to Do in Tromsø in March

1. Go on a hunt for the northern lights.

March tends to have more aurora activity than other months of the year (it has more geomagnetic activity), so naturally I have to put this in the top spot on the guide!

If you’re a first-time visitor to Tromsø, I highly suggest booking a northern lights tour (and doing so on your first night!). An expert guide will drive you and a small group out of the city into the wilderness where you’ll get to search for clear skies to see the ever-elusive aurora! Snacks and warm drinks are offered along the way.

This tour with Arctic GM offers a 100% guarantee and is a top-rated aurora tour. It is a bit pricier than others, but worth the cost. If you’re searching for a slightly cheaper option, consider this northern lights tour from Arctic Breeze (around $50 cheaper).

A couple of places you can head to for viewing without a tour are Prestvannet, Telegrafbukta, and up Fjellheisen Cable Car to Storsteinen. Do be aware that the Fjellheisen Cable Car can get extremely busy in the evenings!

>> Click here to check northern lights tour rates and availability

2. Enjoy the Spis Uka food festival in Tromsø.

For the foodies out there, don’t miss out on Spis Uka! This event starts towards the end of March and runs into early April.

Spis Uka is a mini-festival that takes place in Tromso. Throughout the dates it takes place on, you can eat selected dishes for between 100 – 150 NOK ($9.50 – $14) at certain spots in the city. This is a great budget option for those traveling to Tromsø!

The event is organized by Mediehuset and dates are not released for 2025 just yet.

3. Spend half a day on a Sami experience with reindeer.

One of the experiences I constantly recommend to those visiting Tromsø is a reindeer and Sami tour!

Tromsø Arctic Reindeer runs programs outside the city a bit where you can learn more about the Sami culture, feed reindeer, go reindeer sledding (if the option is selected), and enjoy bidos (a traditional Sami stew).

While the daytime tour is the most popular, I love the evening one as you can be cozy inside a lavvu and… see the northern lights (if the skies are clear and the activity permits). I have seen the aurora on every single evening Sami experience I have done over the years.

It is an excellent combo activity that combines two tours in one!

>> Click here to check Sami experience rates and availability

4. Witness (or participate in!) the Arctic Snowshoe Race.

If you’re an avid runner why not take part in the annual Arctic Snowshoe Race? It starts and finishes at Tromsø Ski Stadion, and is made up of two distances (5 km and 10 km), so there’s an option for beginner and experienced runners.

As the name suggests, you will not be running in your usual sneakers but rather in special snowshoes! The event takes place March 29, 2025, and you will need to pre-register on their website.

If you’re keen to watch, you can easily do so at several points along the route.

5. Go museum-hopping during the day.

I know not everyone is a museum-goer (I don’t consider myself one!) but Tromsø has some pretty cool museums and I think it is a worthwhile way to spend the day. This is especially true if you have a northern lights tour or activity planned in the evening but still want to take advantage of the day.

Here are some of my guides on the museums in Tromsø. The Polar Museum and Tromsø Museum are my personal favorites, but there is a spot for everyone!

• Polar Museum
• Tromsø Museum
• Perspektivet Museum
• Troll Museum
• Northern Norwegian Art Museum

Activities It Is Too Late For

Whale watching ends in January, so that is no longer an option for visitors who are traveling to Tromsø in March. While you can’t get up to Skjervøy from Tromsø for a whale-watching tour anymore, you can take a fjord cruise that will get you out on the water.

What to Pack for March in Tromsø

March is still pretty cold and I suggest taking the warmest clothing and gear you have (especially if you’re traveling from somewhere warmer). Good base layers and boots are essential! Here are a few things I recommend taking with you:

• Heavy parka (I like ones that are a bit longer as they keep your thighs warm as well)
• Mittens or gloves (I prefer mittens as they are warmer)
• Snowboots and wool socks
• Wool sweater
• Thermals (I love Kari Traa’s base layers for women; Devold of Norway is great for men and women)
• Sunglasses (can be bright during this time of the year – especially with the snow)
• Mobile power bank (many phones drain in power with colder weather; including mine!)
• Wool hat (I like ones from Haddock, a Henningsvær brand – you can purchase at Intersport in Tromsø if you want to wait until you get there)

If you are coming from somewhere warmer like India, Australia, or even parts of the US and this is your only cold-weather trip planned, you might want to consider renting clothing! Tromsø Outdoor has Arctic clothing packages that you can rent for about $50/day.

On the other hand, if you forget a key item in your suitcase, you can head to Intersport in Tromsø (on Storgata) to purchase it. They have almost everything!

Tips for Visiting Tromsø in March

➡️ Prebook your activities and hotel in advance! March is spring break and school break time for a lot of people in Europe and the US and the places will fill up quickly. I have struggled to get on tours in March because I waited around!

➡️ While March still feels like winter, it is technically spring in Norway. Spring can be icy as the snow melts, so if you’re visiting later in the month, bring crampons or studs for your shoes. These are a good idea for any time of the year, but especially in spring.

➡️ Does Easter fall in March or early April this year? If so, be warned that places are shut during the holiday! I was in Tromsø in Easter one year (it fell in early April) and I had to eat hotdogs and kiosk candy because I arrived during the closure days from Lofoten and didn’t prepare.

I wasn’t too upset about the kiosk candy situation, on the other hand. In 2025, Easter is in late April, so this won’t be an issue. But if it falls early, know that you may experience closed restaurants, grocery stores, and places for 4 days around the holiday.

➡️ March is the best northern lights month in Tromsø but still book your tour at the beginning of your trip so you can rebook if you’re unlucky.

Tromsø in March FAQ

Can you see the northern lights in Tromsø in March?

It’s certainly possible to see the northern lights in March, as the aurora season in Tromsø runs from September to early April.

Thanks to the city’s location on the Auroral Oval, you can see the aurora here even when activity is low, as long as the sky is clear and dark.

Is there snow in Tromsø in March?

You can certainly expect to see snow in March due to the area’sclimate. During this month, snowfall levels range from 22.2 cm to 32 cm (8.7 inches to 12.5 inches).

Thanks to the amount of snow on the ground, March is a popular month for winter activities, such as skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, and dog sledding.

Is it dark in Tromsø in March?

Compared to February, you can expect more daylight hours in March. Sunrise can be as early as 7 am, while the sun sets at around 5 pm at the start of the month.

Towards the end of March, you can expect the sun to set between 6 pm to 7:45 pm. After this, the sky is very dark, so you can still spot the northern lights.

Where to Stay in Tromsø

Arctic Homes Tromsø Residence (Luxury)

Arctic Homes is one of the most luxurious properties in Tromsø. This spacious apartment sleeps up to 9 and is great for those who want more space!

With three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, a spacious lounge, and a sun terrace, it has everything you could need. The views are breathtaking too.

Clarion Hotel The Edge (Mid-range)

Clarion Hotel The Edge is a popular hotel in Tromsø. It’s set in a great location and offers modern rooms, many of which feature fantastic city views.

If you stay here, you’ll benefit from the hotel’s incredible facilities. These include a rooftop bar, restaurant, fitness center, and living room bar. Breakfast is also included.

Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromsø (Budget)

Those on a budget should check out Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromsø. This hotel offers some of the cheapest rooms in the city and is in a great location for sightseeing.

There are 192 rooms to choose from and these sleep 2-3 people making it a great option for couples. There’s also a 24-hour lobby shop which has drinks and snacks.

Do you have any questions about planning a March trip to Tromsø? Let me know below if so!

More Month-by-Month Guides

• Tromsø in January
• Tromsø in February
• Tromsø in September
• Tromsø in October
• Tromsø in November
• Tromsø in December

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