Things to do in Tromso
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Cross-Country Skiing in Tromsø: Learn from Local ExpertsCross-country skiing instruction in Tromsø runs 2.5 to 3 hours on snowy trails with a local guide, covering balance, glide and uphill and downhill technique. The session includes skis, poles and boots fitted to your size, a warm drink and sweet snacks at a scenic rest stop, and time to photograph the forest and mountain views. Children are welcome from age 8.Is it for me?You'll ski actual Arctic trails guided by locals who know Tromsø's landscape and adjust the route to your pace, so the day shapes itself around what you came to do rather than following a standard script.
Tromso: Husky Puppy Training Hike & Arctic LunchYou’ll join husky handlers in Tromso for a puppy training hike through Arctic scenery, helping socialize future sled dogs before sharing lunch around an open fire in a traditional hut. Expect muddy boots, puppy cuddles, and real conversation—the kind of day that leaves you smiling long after it ends.
Tromso: Arctic Fjord Floating Tour with Neoprene Suits & WafflesYou’ll slip into a neoprene suit and float in the icy Arctic fjord near Tromsø with a local guide by your side. Learn how to relax and trust yourself in cold water, then warm up afterward with hot drinks and Norwegian waffles. Photos are included so you can actually prove you did it — but it’s really that feeling of quiet out on the water that stays with you.
Tromsø: Northern Lights Chase, Sámi Campfire & PhotosYou’ll chase the northern lights out of Tromsø with a local Sámi guide who knows where clear skies hide—even if it means crossing into Finland. Warm up by a campfire with grilled sausages and hot drinks while waiting for the aurora to appear overhead. Photos are taken for you throughout this unpredictable night under Arctic skies.
Tromsø Kvaløya: Snowshoe hike with local guide & snackYou’ll ride from Tromsø along icy fjords before learning how to use snowshoes on Kvaløya island. With a local guide leading the way, you’ll climb through crisp Arctic air, pause for photos and stories about Norway’s nature, then share hot tea and sweet lefse at the summit—a memory that lingers long after you’re back in town.
Sami Reindeer Experience in Tromso: Feed & Lasso with FamilyThis small-group activity takes you 30 minutes by bus from Tromso to Lavangsdalen, where a Sami family teaches you how they live and work with reindeer. You'll throw lasso on reindeer antlers the way herders do, feed the animals by hand, and warm up with hot juice and snacks in a heated cabin. Groups stay under 32 people, and children from age 6 are welcome.Is it for me?The 3.5-hour duration leaves room for other activities in your day—a morning slot fits before lunch, or an afternoon visit leaves your evening free. If you want to experience reindeer herding up close without committing to a full-day expedition or a sledding tour, this small-group format with a Sami family is built for that half-day window.
Sommarøy Island Road Trip from Tromsø: Arctic fjord photo stopsA 4–5 hour minibus tour from Tromsø to Sommarøy Island follows the panoramic outer coast of Kvaløya, stopping at fjord viewpoints and photo spots along the way. Your English-speaking guide drives a small group (typically 8–15 people) through the wilderness, sharing local history and culture while you photograph Arctic fjords, dramatic coastline and a sandy beach. Coffee and tea are included; you can add a meal at a local restaurant on the island. The guide may alter the route due to weather, road closures or avalanches, and reindeer sightings are possible but not guaranteed.Is it for me?Book the shared minibus if you want to travel with other guests and hear your guide's local stories; choose private if your group prefers not to share the minibus with others.
Tromso Fjord Cruise on Luxury Sailing Yacht: BalsfjordenA 4.5-hour fjord cruise on S/Y Stella Oceana sails through Balsfjorden near Tromso with a live guide in English, Norwegian, or Japanese. The yacht carries up to 12 guests and includes a local reindeer soup lunch with vegetarian option, unlimited hot beverages and cookies, and access to the outdoor decks to watch for eagles, dolphins, seals and birds. You can upgrade to add a polar plunge and private time in the outdoor hot tub; routes adjust with weather and your choices.Is it for me?Book this if you want to watch from the water rather than hike—the yacht brings the fjords and wildlife to you, and the crew adjusts course for sightings that larger tour boats miss.
Tromso Fjord Cruise on Historic Wooden Boat Hermes IIThe Fjord & History Cruise is a boat tour of the Tromso Fjords and surrounding islands aboard Hermes II, a beautifully restored wooden vessel, with a live guide in English or Norwegian sharing the boat's history and the places you pass. The tour runs 2.5 hours and includes thermal suits and coffee or tea. Departures run from pier 10 (June–August 21) or pier 12 (from August 22) in central Tromso.Is it for me?At 2.5 hours, the cruise fits into a morning or afternoon without taking over your whole day, leaving room for other Tromso activities. Book this one if you want to see the fjords and the Arctic Cathedral from the water rather than from land, and if the history of a restored wooden boat adds something to the experience.
Tromsø Beer Safari: 10 beers and Arctic tapas on footThe Tromsø Beer Safari is a 3-hour walking tour through the city's beer scene, stopping at three atmospheric pubs and bars to sample ten locally produced beers paired with Arctic seafood tapas. A qualified guide leads groups of 4–8 people, sharing the history of Tromsø's brewing traditions and pointing out the city's most important sights along the way. The tour starts at the Tromsø Visitor Center at the port terminal and includes entry to all three venues, all samples, and an insider's perspective on where locals eat and drink in Norway's far north.Is it for me?Book this if you want a guided walk that stops at three specific breweries with curated tastings, rather than navigating bars on your own and choosing what to order.
Tromsø: Northern Lights Small Group Tour & Campfire PhotosYou’ll join a tiny group in Tromsø for an Arctic night chasing the Northern Lights with a local guide who knows every trick for finding clear skies. Warm up by a real campfire with grilled corn and marshmallows (vegetarian-friendly), sip hot drinks, and get professional aurora photos sent to you after. It’s quiet, personal, sometimes funny — you’ll feel it long after you’re home.
Tromsø: Aurora Hunt Express Tour & Early Return GuaranteeYou’ll leave Tromsø behind quickly on this express aurora hunt, chasing northern lights with a local guide who shares stories and science while you wait in the Arctic dark. Stay warm with ponchos as you watch for that first shimmer of green—then return to town before midnight so you can actually enjoy tomorrow.
Tromsø Whale Watching: Killer & Humpback Whales RIB BoatYou board a RIB boat at Skjervøy with an experienced skipper and search for killer and humpback whales in their winter feeding grounds. The 12-hour day includes a thermal suit, safety gear, hot chocolate, and a light sandwich; you dress in warm layers from home and stay on the boat throughout. The bus picks you up at Tromsø's terminal at 5:20 AM and returns you by early evening, so plan the rest of your day around the full commitment.Is it for me?Book this if you want to search for Arctic whales with a skipper who knows the feeding grounds and can read the water — the 12-hour day and small-group format are what make a real encounter possible in winter.
Snowmobile Safari from Tromsø: Drive through Arctic wildernessA snowmobile safari from Tromsø takes you 90 minutes by bus to Camp Tamok in Tamokdalen, where you drive a snowmobile yourself through snowy trails, mountains, valleys and frozen rivers. You share the vehicle with one other person and alternate between driver and passenger with a midway break. The day includes thermal gear, safety instruction from an English-speaking guide, and a warm meal in a traditional Sámi lavvu tent around an open fire before the return bus to Tromsø.Is it for me?Book this if you want to drive the snowmobile yourself—you'll switch roles with a partner throughout the day, so you get genuine trail time at the controls rather than watching from a passenger seat.
Tromsø Fjord Tour by Eco Tesla: 3 Fjords & Local Café StopYou’ll get up close to three unique fjords around Tromsø in a comfy electric Tesla, with stories from a local guide and time to relax at a cozy seaside café. It’s an easy way to see wild landscapes without crowds or noise.
Tromsø: Dog Sledding Tour with Local Guide & PickupYou’ll drive your own team of Alaskan huskies through snowy forests near Tromsø with guidance from a local musher. Thermal suits keep you warm as you swap turns steering and soaking up views of the Lyngen Alps. Afterward, share coffee and stories back at camp — an Arctic adventure you’ll remember long after you leave Norway.
Tromso city and island tour in electric Tesla: 3 hoursThis is a city sightseeing tour of Tromso and Tromso Island by electric Tesla, with a live English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, and three hours of stops at landmarks and nature sites. The tour includes Polaria (live sea animals), Telegraf bukta beach with mountain views, Prestvannet lake for a short walk, the Polar Museum, Ishavskatedralen church, and a final stop at a local handcraft shop or ice bar. Coffee, tea and cake are provided. Groups stay small—a maximum of five people per booking.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're staying in Tromso without a car—pickup from your accommodation means you don't arrange transport, and the small group (five people maximum) keeps the pace flexible enough to linger at views or walks that catch your interest.
Arctic Combo: Dog Sledding, Snowmobiling & Reindeer from TromsøThis seven-hour Arctic activity combines dog sledding, snowmobiling, reindeer visit, and fire crafting at Camp Tamok near Tromsø. Small groups rotate through each station so every traveler experiences all four activities. Bus transfer from Tromsø, English-speaking guide, thermal suits, boots, mittens and helmet are included; you return to the city by 14:30, leaving time for an evening Northern Lights tour.Is it for me?The day runs seven hours with continuous activity and outdoor time in Arctic cold, so you need moderate physical fitness and comfort with the pace. If you want to drive the snowmobile yourself, you must be at least 18 with a valid driver's license and at least 130cm tall; passengers on the snowmobile and dog sled riders have the same height requirement for safety.
Tromsø: Snowshoe walk with local café stop in KvaløyaYou’ll step into Kvaløya’s peaceful winter with an easy snowshoe walk led by a local guide, pausing for hot drinks and stories along the way. Afterward, relax at Bryggejentene café on Ersfjord’s shore — try their homemade cakes and soak in that cozy Norwegian feeling you’ll remember long after you leave.
Guided Snowmobile Tour Lyngen Alps from Tromso: Includes expedition mealA guided snowmobile tour from Tromso into the Lyngen Alps where you operate the snowmobile yourself on approved trails through mountain terrain, with thermal suit, boots, helmet and safety instruction included. The ride runs 60 to 90 minutes and covers varied Arctic landscape—peaks, forests, fjords—with photo stops and time to switch places with your co-rider. You'll need a valid driver's license (car, moped or motorcycle), be at least 16, and have moderate fitness; snowmobiles are shared in pairs, one driver and one passenger per machine.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're comfortable in a small group and want to drive the snowmobile yourself rather than ride as a passenger—you'll need a valid driver's license and moderate fitness, and you'll share the machine with one co-rider who can take turns at the controls.
