Things to do in Tromso

Best Things to do in Tromso

Planning a trip and wondering about the top things to do in Tromso? From historic landmarks to modern experiences, the city offers something for every traveller, making it a perfect getaway in 2026.

With over 313 activities in Tromso, there is plenty to explore. Visit some of the most popular tourist attractions in , including iconic sites, vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural hubs. Whether you’re exploring bustling markets, sampling local delicacies or relaxing at scenic spots, every corner has something new to discover.

With experiences starting at INR 718, it’s never been easier to plan your perfect trip. Make the most of your visit to Tromso in January and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Arctic Lights, Fjords and Quiet Streets: Top Experiences in Tromsø

About Tromsø

Tromsø sits far above the Arctic Circle, a place where the sky feels like part of the adventure. Winter brings northern lights that dance through long nights, while summer flips the script with the midnight sun keeping the city awake. You’ll find fjords stretching wide, mountains cutting into the horizon, and streets that mix wooden houses with a lively student crowd.

Some of the popular activities in the city include cable car rides up Mount Storsteinen, visits to the Arctic Cathedral, and boat trips into the fjords. Each stop shows you a different face of the Arctic. Whether it’s silence on the water, a burst of music inside a church, or a wide view from above.

There are endless things to do in Tromso, and most of them feel tied to the light and the seasons. You’re either chasing colour in the sky, walking under snow, or watching the sun circle without setting.

Unique Experiences

Reindeer Sledding and Sami Culture

You can glide gently over snow, get to feed a herd of reindeer, then cozy up in a Sami tent, listening to old stories and traditional songs by a campfire. It’s quietly one of the most heartfelt and things to do in Tromso, and definitely one of the more unusual things to do in Tromso if you want real culture and calm together.

• Where: Pickup from Tromsø, heads into snowy wilds
• Pricing: It starts from INR 17,900 per person
• Timing: Around 4 hours; slots available at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM
• When to Visit: October to April, when snowy landscapes are at their moodiest, and stories feel deeper

Small-Group Northern Lights Chase

You can step into a warm van in the evening, head out beyond city glow, sip soup by a campfire, and wait for the aurora to stretch across the sky. This is the season’s calling card and one of the most memorable things to do in Tromso in winter.

• Where: Starts in Tromsø, drives north into Arctic darkness
• Pricing: It starts from INR 1,76,000 per group (up to 8)
• Timing: Between 6 to 9 hours; tour starts at 6:30 PM
• When to Visit: September to April, especially December to March when nights are long and skies wide

Whale Watching RIB Tour to Skjervøy

You can set out before dawn on a RIB boat that speeds toward Skjervøy, keep an eye out for orcas or humpbacks, and share a simple lunch before heading back. This longer outing ranks among the classic things to do in Tromso, giving you space, water, and the chance to meet whales on their own terms.

• Where: Departs Tromsø, heads north toward whale-rich waters
• Pricing: It starts from INR 30,000 per person
• Timing: About 12 hours total; tour starts at 5:30 AM
• When to Visit: October to December, when whale numbers are steady and the sea stays navigable

Top Attractions

Arctic Cathedral

The Arctic Cathedral is one of Tromsø’s most striking landmarks, with its sharp white roofline set against mountains and sky. You can step inside for stained-glass windows that glow when the sun is low, or come for a midnight concert that echoes long after you leave. It often tops the list of things to do in Tromso, especially if you’re curious about architecture that feels part of the landscape.

• Where: Tromsdalen, just across the Tromsø Bridge
• Pricing: It starts from INR 800 per person
• Timing: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (extended hours in summer; concerts in the evening)
• When to Visit: Year-round, though evenings in summer or winter add extra atmosphere

Fjellheisen Cable Car

A short ride up Mount Storsteinen gives you a wide view of Tromsø, the fjords, and islands beyond. You can head up for daylight panoramas, or later in the evening when the city lights up. It’s a simple but rewarding pick among things to do in Tromso, and fits well if you’re looking for activities that balance ease with a big payoff.

• Where: Tromsdalen, cable car base station
• Pricing: It starts from INR 1,200 per person (round trip)
• Timing: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM (summer), 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (winter)
• When to Visit: June to August for midnight sun, November to March for aurora views

Polaria

Polaria is an Arctic-themed centre with aquariums, panoramic films, and exhibitions that show the life of the north. You can watch bearded seals swim, learn about melting ice, or just enjoy a break indoors when the weather turns. It’s one of the classic things to do in Tromso, and sits high among things to do in Tromso in March when it’s still cold outside but you want time indoors.

• Where: Tromsø city centre, by the harbour
• Pricing: It starts from INR 1,400 per person
• Timing: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• When to Visit: Year-round, though it’s especially good in colder months

Sightseeing Tours

Arctic Fjord Sightseeing by Minibus

You can take off in a minibus to fjords stretching wide, spot reindeer, sea eagles or otters, and pause mid‑day for lunch by a shoreline. It’s among the unusual things to do in Tromso, because you’re meeting the landscape in a quiet, paced way.

• Where: Pick‑up in Tromsø city, loop through coastal fjords
• Pricing: It starts from INR 12,000 per person
• Timing: About 5 hours; starts at 9:30 AM
• When to Visit: Spring through late autumn, when wildlife is easier to spot and no road closures

Small-Group Aurora Hunting Northern Lights Tour from Tromsø

Chasing the northern lights around Tromsø is an unforgettable experience. This small-group tour takes you away from the city, with guides who know the best viewing spots. Warm drinks and a relaxed pace make it one of the most memorable ways to enjoy the Arctic night sky.

• Where: Departs from Tromsø city centre, heading to nearby fjords and valleys
• Pricing: It starts from INR 14,800 per person
• Timing: Daily at 6:00 PM (around 7–8 hours)
• When to Visit: September to March, when the skies are dark and conditions are best for the aurora

Day Trips

Arctic Fjord & Landscape Tour

You can ride out in a small group toward wild fjords like Ersfjord or Kvaløya, glimpse sea eagles gliding, and let coastal mountains slow your pace. This is one of the most peaceful things to do in Tromso, and it becomes quietly outstanding and memorable when you want something a bit off the beaten path and unusual things to do in Tromso.

• Where: Pickup in Tromsø, loop around scenic fjords
• Pricing: It starts from INR 12,000 per person
• Timing: Around 4 to 5 hours, typically starts at 10:00 AM
• When to Visit: September to April, when snow adds contrast and the landscape feels hushed

Arctic Nature Tour from Tromsø

You can head out by minibus toward Kvaløya island, stop at quiet beaches and fishing villages, snack on local treats, and scan for reindeer, otters, or seals, someone might even spot them near the water’s edge. This tour brings together nature and pace, making it a strong contender for things to do in Tromso in winter.

• Where: Pickup from Tromsø; loops across Kvaløya scenery
• Pricing: It starts from INR 12,000 per person
• Timing: Around 5 hours; slots available at 9:50 AM, 9:55 AM, 10:00 AM and 10:05 AM
• When to Visit: Year-round, though wildlife spotting is often richer in autumn and winter

Boat Tours

Half Day Arctic Fjord Cruise from Tromso

You can slip into a quiet ferry that feels almost eco-friendly, skim past coastal ridges, scan for wildlife, and peer into fjords that rarely change from one day to the next. It’s one of the most grounding things to do in Tromso, and a good example of experiences you’d often find in lists of things to do in Tromso that don’t hinge on crowds or cold.

• Where: Departs from Tromsø’s shoreline and heads into fjords
• Pricing: It starts from INR 13,400 per person
• Timing: Around 4 hours; slots available from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• When to Visit: June to August, when Arctic daylight makes fjords glow

Fishing & Fjord Cruise Adventure

You can cast a line from a wooden deck, maybe catch a cod, sit wrapped in blankets, and taste fish fresh from cold water with butter and flatbread beside you. This blends everyday life and nature in one calm blend, an easy example of unusual things to do in Tromso that doesn’t feel forced or touristy.

• Where: Starts from a central pier in Tromsø
• Pricing: It starts from INR 17,000 per person
• Timing: About 4 hours 30 minutes; starts at 9:00 AM
• When to Visit: All year, though colder months make the soup feel especially satisfying

Getting Around

• Local Buses: Routes cover the city and stretch out to suburbs and cable car stops. They’re useful when you’re linking together different things to do in Tromso in winter without worrying about icy roads.
• Walking: The centre is compact, and you can walk from the harbour to the Arctic Cathedral or Polaria in less than 20 minutes. It’s an easy way to tick off a few things to do in Tromso without even planning.
• Taxis: Handy late at night when buses stop running, or if you’re carrying heavy gear after a long fjord tour.
• Car Rentals: If you want fjords, villages, and coastal roads on your own schedule, driving out gives you freedom to add more things to do in Tromso in one stretch.
• Ferries: Ferries run out to the nearby islands, and hopping on one feels like slipping into a slower side of Tromsø. Some of the quietest and most local corners show up this way.
• Cycling: Not always easy in winter, but in summer, long daylight hours make it a refreshing way to move around.

Traveller Tips

• Dress in layers: The weather here doesn’t really stay put. One hour it’s calm, the next the wind cuts in. Layers help, such as base clothes, a jacket and gloves.
• Keep snacks and water with you: Tours often stretch longer than expected, and it helps to have something handy between stops. It also keeps you moving easily through your list of things to do in Tromso without hunting for food.
• Carry cash as well as cards: Most places accept cards, but smaller cafés and stalls prefer notes. Useful when you’re exploring more local corners or trying out unusual things to do in Tromso.
• Start early: Mornings tend to be quieter, so you can see more without feeling rushed. It’s often when the city feels at its calmest and lets you tick off more things to do in Tromso in one flow.