Tromsø, Norway Winter Travel Guide
A view of the Tromsø Dock, Norway, March 29, 2025.
A travel guide highlighting local excursions, cuisine, and more in Tromsø, Norway, during winter.
Tromsø, Norway, is a magical coastal town in the very northern part of the country. Visit during the winter, and you’ll be awed by the mountains of snow and gorgeous pink and purple skies. It was an incredibly surreal experience, being in a town where the weather was consistently freezing, but also hearing the jarring sounds of seagulls flying throughout the town. If you visit during December-March, you’re more likely to get a glimpse of the famous “Northern Lights,” also known as the Aurora Borealis. Norway is among the best places to see this natural phenomenom, and the biggest reason why I traveled to Norway in the first place. It was a wonderful, rejuvenating trip, and I hope you feel the same after a winter trip to Tromsø.
What to Do
Experience Sami culture and feed reindeer. If you only do one excursion in Tromsø, then this is the one you should do. With transportation included, you’ll take a bus to a Sami camp, where you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of reindeer among the mountains, snowy valleys, and frozen rivers. Under the ethical guidance of the Sami, you get to feed the reindeer and experience a short sled ride if you opt in. In Norway, the Sami are the only people who are allowed to “own” reindeer. The Sami serve delicious traditional reindeer stew for lunch, and a vegetarian option is also provided. Then, sit by the fire in a teepee for a Sami storytelling session, where you’ll learn all about Sami history and culture in Northern Norway.
Book a Northern Lights Tour. If you’re in the Arctic Circle, it’s a given that you’ll want to experience the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis. This is caused by the interaction of solar winds from the Sun with the Earth’s atmosphere, which paints the sky in mesmerizing waves of green, blue, and purple light. During your tour, your guide will explain that the Northern Lights are nearly impossible to predict and depend entirely on solar activity, cloud coverage, and light pollution. There is no guarantee that you’ll see lights, but by booking a tour, you’ll be under the guidance of experts who will go above and beyond to make sure you do see them (and help you get fantastic photos in the process!). Our guide actually drove us all the way past the border of Finland to catch the lights!
Ride the Fjellheisen Cable Car. Located on the mainland, across the Tromsø Bridge and a few blocks from the Arctic Cathedral, the Fjellheisen Cable Car takes passengers to the top of a mountain overlooking Tromsøya. You can relax at the mountaintop cafe, or hike even higher through thigh-deep snow to reach the mountain peaks (what we did). The sunset at the top is unbelievably breathtaking, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get the perfect view of the Northern Lights, too! Just make sure to pack a few extra layers because it gets really cold up there!
Take a fjord cruise, specifically the Brims Explorers Fjord Cruise. The soaring fjords of Norway are a must-see landscape, and the best way to experience it is by taking a fjord cruise, accompanied by expert guides who can identify the fjords and the wildlife that inhabit the area. The Brim cruise features a hybrid-electric catamaran, which enables silent cruising that won’t disrupt the natural environment. The course also takes a pit stop on land at a local fish racks, where you’ll learn about Norwegian fishing culture and try cod and omega-3 chips.
Take the (free!) Tromsø walking tour. This is a great, hands-on way to get to know the city. I discovered many of the activities highlighted in this guide as a part of this tour! Starting at 8 am and lasting approximately 2-3 hours, volunteer tour guide Mauricio will meet you at Tromsø Cathedral and take you on a tour all over the city, explaining its history and pointing out notable sites, such as the smallest house and the oldest theatre in Tromsø.
Brave a polar plunge at Pust Sauna. As Mauricio said, you can’t visit Norway without attempting an iconic polar plunge! Located in the heart of Tromsø, Sauna Pust is an enclosed, circular wooden sauna that floats on the Norwegian Sea. It also features a rooftop balcony, a locker room, and, of course, a roped-off portion of the sea for the plunge. It’s 150 NOK for a one-time plunge, and 113 NOK if you have a valid student ID.
Visit museums. There are numerous incredible museums in Tromsø, including (and not limited to) the Full Steam Museum, the Troll Museum, and the Arctic University Museum of Norway. However, if you can only visit one museum, the Polar Museum is my top choice. Located in an old shipyard, this museum resembles a rustic shipyard cabin from the outside and inside, but is filled with exhibits and displays that tell the story of Arctic exploration. My travel partner and I literally spent hours in this museum, reading the signs and checking out displays.
Shop in downtown Tromsø. You have to visit the 69° Sami Shop, which offers unique souvenirs crafted by local Sami artisans. Though on the more expensive side, these unique, handmade gifts, including traditional Norwegian wool-woven socks and Kuksa cups (a mug carved from a single piece of wood, often adorned in reindeer antler, meant for holding hot drinks), are worth it. You’ll also find several souvenir shops spouting red and blue Norway pride, from clothing to carved kitchenware to free samples of reindeer jerky.
Visit the Arctic Cathedral. Cross the Tromsø Bridge by foot, bike, or bus to reach the Cathedral, located on the edge of the mainland and visible from Tromsøya. This gorgeous cathedral towers over the surrounding buildings and is beautiful inside and out.
Relax and discover a new book at the Tromsø Public Library. A rounded glass building shaped like a pillow, this library, covered head-to-toe with windows offering panoramic views of the city, is a popular local spot. It features various bookshelves offering books in Norwegian and English, as well as a coffee shop serving delicious pastries. On extra cold days, Norwegians flock to the library to hang out and catch up. University students study there. Parents bring their kids to enjoy the children’s section. Photography is forbidden in this sacred public space. The library is a flourishing third place, which is vital to one’s mental wellbeing, and each time I visited the library, I could see the positive effect it was having on the people inside.
For those of you unfamiliar with sociologist Ray Oldenburg’s concept of a third place, it is essentially a free, accessible public space outside of the home (first place) and the workplace (second place), where one goes to interact socially with others and foster community.
Check out the Arctic University of Tromsø (UiT). It was a personal recommendation from my Airbnb host, and I also recommend you check out the local university. Depending on when you go, most buildings might be inaccessible, but the university library is almost always open, even if classes aren’t in session. You might see students studying, so be sure to explore quietly. To see more of the university, you should visit (respectfully) during class hours. My travel partner and I had a blast discovering our favorite books written in Norwegian.
Hike the Telegrafbukta trail, a 4.9-mile (7.8-kilometer) hike that takes you to the southern tip of Tromsøya. You’ll see everything from the city of Tromsø to stunning rock beaches with crystal blue water, to historical remains from World War II, to Sami culture relics. You’ll even pass by the Arctic University Museum of Norway and Ølhallen, the oldest pub in Tromsø, which make for great pit stops on your hike!
Presvannet Lake Loop, April 2 2025.
Or, if you need a smaller, shorter hike, try the Prestvannet Lake Loop, a mile-long trail around the beautiful Prestvannet Lake. There are benches along the way to rest (unless they’re covered in snow, which was the case when I hiked this trail).
The northernmost McDonald’s in the World, March 30, 2025.
Visit the northernmost McDonald’s in the world. It’s all in the title, and is a surprisingly popular international tourist spot. But if you visit it on a Friday or Saturday night, you’re in for a show because that’s when the nightlife is at its highest, according to guide Mauricio. McDonald's is actually a popular nightlife spot, especially with the younger crowd, and makes for an opportunity to make new friends, or at the very least, enjoy some entertaining people-watching.
Check out local nightlife. Visit Rorbua Pub, a charming, laid-back spot that features live music, or Ølhallen, which has 78 beers on tap. I recommend going on a Friday or Saturday night, adhering to the cultural norm of when local Norwegians typically drink socially.
Norway practices stricter drinking laws than in the United States, even though the legal drinking age is 18. However, you must be 20 to drink or buy anything containing over 22% alcohol, like spirits. At grocery stores, Norwegians can only buy wine and beer with a 4.7% alcohol content, and it must be purchased before 8 PM on weekdays and 6 PM on Saturdays. Anything containing more than 4.7% alcohol content is only sold at the state-run Vinmonopolet stores, which operate on even shorter hours. They open at 10 AM and close at 6 PM on weekdays. On Saturdays, they close at 4 PM, and on Sundays, alcohol sales are prohibited. Public consumption is also banned, with drinking spaces being limited to bars, restaurants, and private spaces.
Where to Eat
Raketten Bar & Pølse, April 1, 2025.
Raketten Bar & Pølse is the smallest restaurant in Tromsø, serving fantastic and authentic reindeer hotdogs and drinks. It features a small, covered patio for guests to enjoy their food and drinks right in the center of the Tromsø Square.
Reindeer burger and cod fish and chips, Kaia Bistro, March 29, 2025.
Kaia Bistro, located right on the dock, serves traditional Norwegian cuisine, including the famous reindeer burger with Norwegian brown cheese and lingonberry dressing, which I highly recommend. They also serve a variety of seafood, including cod, the most eaten fish in Norway.
Dragøy, located inside of Kystens Hus (a building housing multiple things, including a grocery store and aquarium), serves freshly caught seafood, which is on display at the bar. Though this restaurant is a bit more expensive, this is the best, most authentic seafood you’ll find in Norway, according to Mauricio (and you get a discount if you tell them you joined Mauricio’s walking tour).
Peppe’s Pizza is a cozy, candlelit spot located in the heart of Tromsø and serving both American-style and Italian-style pizza. They also offer other comfort foods, including calzones and milkshakes. The pizzas are huge, so you’ll have plenty of leftovers!
Latte at Café Sånn, March 28, 2025.
Café Sånn is a small, relaxed café on a street corner serving coffee and a variety of light meals. This is a quick, affordable stop to grab a bite if you have an especially busy day because you seat yourself and order at the bar, and the service is quick.
Meal at Pastafabrikken, March 31, 2025.
Pastafabrikken serves a variety of Italian food, especially pasta, and is one of the more affordable Italian eateries. The waiters are friendly and helpful; however, you’ll order your food through an online QR code rather than a person. They’ll bring your pasta out on beautifully crafted ceramic dishes, and the portions are surprisingly reasonable.
Kaffebønna is the most popular and common coffee shop(s) in Norway, similar to how Starbucks is in the United States. They serve delicious coffee and pastries, and multiple locations can be found all throughout Tromsøya.
Sweet Heart is a small candy shop serving all sorts of unique chocolates, etc.
It’s a great stop to grab a sweet treat after your meal, and the staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. They make all their product right there in the store!
Getting Around
Taxis are the quickest and most convenient ways to get around further distances if you don’t have a car or plan on driving. You can download the app “Taxifix,” the most convenient app to use in the Tromsø area, to easily summon a taxi to your location.
Take a walk. Depending on where you stay, many shops and restaurants will be within walking distance, as much of Tromsø is easily accessible on foot.
Take local buses. Fares are typically very affordable, and you can access many areas through public transportation. And pro tip: most bus drivers aren’t checking if you’re scanning your tickets, nor do they care because the government funds them, not ticket sales; so most of the time you can get around by bus for free (like many locals). Please note that you do this at your own risk (but it worked for me).
Rent a car, but only if you’re planning on road tripping in Norway. Driving in the winter can be dangerous, especially if you’re inexperienced in driving through deep snow and ice. My advice is to leave the driving to the experts and find an alternative way to get around.
Where to Stay
Liv Karin’s “Room with a View,” on Airbnb, was an excellent and affordable home during my time in Tromsø. Liv was friendly and accommodating, always asking us about our day and giving us local recommendations! Her dog, Sunny, is an adorable and surprisingly quiet pomeranian who greeted us each day.
