Tromsø in Summer: Things to Do, Midnight Sun Tips, & More

It is no secret that people love visiting Tromsø during the darker winter months. But, I honestly think Tromsø is at its peak in the summer months, when the days are never-ending and the kittiwakes are conversing around the harbor.

In this guide, you will find everything you need to know before visiting Tromsø in summer. It will include what to do, weather information, and more.

The summer months are the low season in Tromsø and it offers a unique experience to what you’d enjoy during the winter!

If you have any questions about spending summer in Tromsø, let me know in the comments. Thanks!

Tromsø Summer Temperatures (Averages)

Tromsø’s summer technically goes from June 1 until August 31. While I usually throw May into the mix in summer guides, May still feels pretty spring-like in Tromsø, so I will still keep this a pure summer guide.

• Tromsø in June: 14C / 7C (57F / 44F)
• Tromsø in July: 17C / 10C (62F / 49F)
• Tromsø in August: 15C / 9C (59F / 48F)

The summer months average anywhere from 10-12 rainy days a month but it likely won’t rain all day during this time.

There may be residual snow hanging around in the mountains, but there shouldn’t be snowfall happening during the summer months.

Midnight Sun in Tromsø

Tromsø experiences the midnight sun and it will be very light when you are there! The midnight sun runs from May 21 until July 21, so you will not see a sunrise or sunset during this time. 

Around these days, there is also twilight and nautical twilight, which means it will not be pitch black and will still be very bright. I give you some tips for how to handle this below!

Best Things to Do in Tromsø in Summer

1. Spend half a day on a fjord cruise.

The most popular thing to do in Tromsø in summer is to head out on the water. There are plenty of fjord cruises available in Tromsø, but I love one that is operated by Polar Adventures, a family business.

On this 5 hour adventure, you will take to the sea where you will learn about the region’s history, geology, ecology, and more. Your trip will pass Rya Island, Ramfjord, and other gorgeous spots in the fjord.

There will be a little fishing in Ramfjord and some wildlife spotting along the way. Previous trips have spotted Atlantic puffins, eiders, guillemots, pilot whales, dolphins, otters, and even a few moose and reindeer along the coast!

Throughout the trip, you will have access to free snacks (cookies!), tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. You will also have a lunch of fish soup (vegan options available upon request). There are also soda and waffles available for purchase on the ship.

The trip is 5 hours long and the perfect way to kick off a summer trip in the Arctic! Click here to check boat tour rates and availability.

2. Learn more about Tromsø’s most misunderstood residents, the kittiwakes.

When you arrive in Tromsø, you may notice loud gulls hanging around the Harbor (on Full Steam’s building) or in other parts of the city. These are not seagulls, but rather a kittiwake, a bird that is currently highly endangered in Norway and only around from March until August.

Locals are learning to live with the kittiwakes and their recent urbanization due to climate change and other factors. While human and kittiwake coexistence doesn’t always go as planned in urban areas, knowledge is power, and I hope that over time, people can learn more about the kittiwake and how to live alongside it peacefully. If you can’t tell by reading this, kittiwakes are my favorite bird and I am pretty passionate about this!

Anyway, Rissa Citizen Science is doing their best to bring awareness to the kittiwake, and one of the ways they are doing it is by offering ‘Kitti-Walks’ throughout the city.

They also offer volunteer projects where you can help monitor the kittiwakes in their habitat in Tromsø city center, as well as in the new kittiwake hotel that was built. Click here to learn more about how you can get involved with the kittiwakes in Tromsø.

3. Train puppies at a local husky kennel.

While it is not possible to take the dogs on the snow during the summer (for obvious reasons!), you can still head to a husky farm and take the dogs on a walk, which is a crucial part of their fitness routine to ensure they are in good condition for the winter season!

You also get to meet the new litter of puppies who are starting their training to become sled dogs during the winter months.

This tour is 4.5 hours long and you’ll get taken out to the wilderness where the 200 Alaskan huskies and their puppies will greet you. The hike itself is only 1-1.5 hours, and this is one of my top recommendations for those visiting Tromsø in summer with kids.

Lunch is included (as is the transportation). Click here to check summer husky tour rates and availability.

4. Rejuvenate at one of the harbor’s spas.

There is nothing more relaxing than finding a cool spa and sauna in a city and recovering after a long day of exploring! Tromsø has two saunas I love, and while I have only visited them in winter, I highly recommend also stopping by in the summer!

Pust Sauna

This spa was inspired by the Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø as well as Sami lavvos, and is situated at the harbor (you can’t miss it). Private bookings run from 6am until 11pm and drop-ins currently run from the same time.

An adult session is 360 NOK (about $35) for an hour and you can see more about booking and availability on their website.

Vulkana Arctic Spa

You can read about my full experience at the Vulkana Arctic Spa here. It is one of my favorite experiences in Tromsø and in summer, they offer discounted sessions. For one hour, it is 350 NOK (about $33) and for a two-hour session it is 650 NOK (about $62). You can book directly on their website.

5. Learn more about the MS Polstjerna.

Close to Polaria aquarium is the MS Polstjerna (the Pole Star), a 1949 sealing vessel that has done several polar expeditions throughout Norway and afar.

It is one of Norway’s best preserved ships and you can visit it on your summer trip. In fact, you can only visit it in summer as it is only open from June 1 until August 15 (daily from 11am until 5pm).

You’re able to get inside the ship if you’re mobile and comfortable enough to do so, otherwise you can still visit and see the SNOWHOW exhibition that takes place in the dock under the boat. This exhibition shows what the polar explorers learned from the Sami, Inuit, and other Arctic Seafarers.

Ticket prices are 120 NOK per person (about $12). You can check out their website for additional information.

Additional Things to Do in Tromsø in Summer

While those are some of my top picks of what to do in Tromsø in summer, here are some other activities for your bucket list:

• Take a day trip to Sommerøy
• Go on an Arctic road trip
• Take a stroll through the Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden
• Hike Brosmetinden or Floya
• See the many museums of Tromsø
• Sign up for the Midnight Sun Marathon on June 21, 2025 (or cheer on the runners)
• Have a BBQ at Telegrafbukta beach
• Check out the panoramic view from Fjellheisen (closed in May 2025 but reopening June 1, 2025)

Summer Events and Festivals in Tromsø

There are plenty of events in Tromsø this summer that are worth attending or looking into! Here are a few:

• Midnight Sun Marathon (June 21, 2025)
• Tromsø Mountain Challenge (August 22-24, 2025)
• Buktafestivalen (music fest happening July 18-19, 2025)
• Santhansaften (June 23, 2025 – midsummer celebration around town)
• Tromsø Jazz Festival (August 7-10, 2025)
• Rakettnatt (music festival from August 28-30, 2025)

What to Pack for Tromsø in the Summer

Tromsø’s average temperatures are not that warm if you’re coming from somewhere that is not Northern Norway. I would recommend layering your clothing to make sure you’ll be comfortable on your trip!

Here are some things I think are worth packing:

• light jacket (that you can layer over something warmer if the temperatures are chilly)
• boots that you don’t mind getting muddy (if you head out into nature)
• sunglasses
• swimsuit (if you plan to go to the sauna or want to swim in the fjord)
• eyemask (can be disorienting with the midnight sun)
• sunscreen
• umbrella (or a waterproof jacket)

Where to Stay in Tromso

Here are some of my top picks for places to stay in Tromsø:

1. Clarion ‘The Edge’: Tromsø’s most stunning hotel! I stayed here on my latest trip, and they had an incredible breakfast and are located near Prostneset (cruise ship terminal).
2. Thon Hotel Tromsø: I have stayed here a couple of times and liked it.
3. Radisson Blu: Several tours leave from here, and it is situated by the harbor.

Do you have any questions about visiting Tromsø in summer? Let me know in the comments! Thanks.