Surrounded by dramatic Arctic landscapes in northern Norway, Tromsø is a city where outdoor adventure and culture come together. Best known as a prime destination for seeing the Northern Lights, it also offers museums, striking architecture, restaurants, nightlife and experiences that provide an insight into life in the Arctic.
Things to Do in Tromsø, Norway
@ Christian Roth Christensen
Combine northern Norway with Finnish and Swedish Lapland
From dog sledding through snowy landscapes to discovering Sámi culture and exploring the fjords, there are plenty of things to do in Tromsø whether you’re visiting for a winter adventure or spending longer exploring northern Norway.
Tromsø is an ideal starting point for a multi-destination Nordic journey, with easy connections that make it possible to combine northern Norway with Finnish and Swedish Lapland. Begin with fjords, Arctic culture and Northern Lights experiences around Tromsø, then continue across the north into Finland or Sweden for glass cabins, wilderness stays, husky adventures, reindeer experiences and a completely different side of Lapland. It is a great way to experience several Nordic countries in one carefully planned trip, without losing the sense of adventure along the way.
Search for the Northern Lights
Seeing the Northern Lights in Tromsø is one of the experiences that brings travellers from around the world to this Arctic city.
Joining a Northern Lights tour or safari can take you away from the city lights and increase your chances of witnessing the aurora dancing across the night sky. Surrounded by mountains and Arctic wilderness, Tromsø provides an unforgettable setting for one of nature’s most spectacular displays.
@ Fredrik Ahlsen Visit Norway
Visit the Arctic Cathedral
One of Tromsø’s most recognisable landmarks, the Arctic Cathedral is known for its striking triangular architecture, white walls and glass mosaic windows.
Its design is reminiscent of the surrounding Arctic landscape, and the cathedral also hosts concerts and other events. Visit during the day to appreciate its architecture or see it illuminated against Tromsø’s winter skies.
Private tours are available through our trusted partners who can tell you the full history of this iconic landmark.
@ Polaria Tromso
Discover the Arctic at Polaria
For an introduction to the landscapes and wildlife of northern Norway, visit Polaria.
This Arctic aquarium and science centre has interactive exhibitions covering Arctic wildlife, climate change and other aspects of the polar region. It’s an interesting addition to a Tromsø itinerary, particularly for families or anyone wanting to learn more about the environment surrounding the city.
@ Tromso Villmarkssenter
Experience Sámi Culture
A visit to Tromsø Lapland offers an opportunity to learn about the traditions and culture of the indigenous Sámi people.
Experiences can include sleigh rides through the Arctic wilderness alongside an introduction to Sámi life and traditions, adding an important cultural dimension to a stay in northern Norway. Authentic experiences with Sami traditions are our speciality, meeting those whose families have called Tromso home for generations
Head into the Arctic Wilderness
Some of the best things to do in Tromsø begin beyond the city itself, out in the surrounding Arctic landscapes. Dog sledding is one of the most memorable ways to travel through the snow, while snowmobiling takes you deeper into the wilderness and guided kayaking offers a quieter perspective on Tromsø’s fjords and coastline. Choosing the right partners for these experiences is important to us, so we work with suppliers who share our commitment to responsible, ethical tourism.
Time on the water is just as rewarding, with boat trips ranging from scenic fjord cruises to whale watching expeditions. For these experiences, we carefully select operators with strong environmental and animal welfare standards, helping you enjoy these remarkable encounters in a way that respects the wildlife and landscapes that make northern Norway so special.
Where to Eat in Tromsø
Tromsø’s dining scene provides plenty of opportunities to discover local ingredients and Norwegian flavours.
For seafood beside the harbour, Fiskekompaniet combines fresh seafood dishes with waterfront views. Bardus Bistro focuses on contemporary Norwegian cuisine using ingredients including reindeer and fish, while Emma’s Drømmekjøkken gives Norwegian cooking a modern twist using seasonal ingredients.
For breakfast, lunch or coffee, Risø Mat & Kaffebar offers freshly baked breads, cakes and sandwiches in a relaxed setting.
Walking food tours are a great way to experience all the flavours of the destination
Plan Your Tromsø Holiday with Off the Map Travel
From Northern Lights adventures and dog sledding to Sámi culture, fjord journeys and Arctic cuisine, Tromsø offers a remarkable introduction to northern Norway. Explore Tromsø with Off the Map Travel and start planning an Arctic holiday shaped around the experiences you want to enjoy.
Amy was a great help with planning this trip. Our trip turned out amazing. I also was very grateful for Off the Map’s Front Desk service, which promptly handled an on the spot issue we had.
Karen
We really enjoyed our Norwegian adventure despite the -22 days! Unfortunately no real experience of viewing the Lights but we did capture a couple of images on our last night – too much cloud otherwise so lots of snow. We really enjoyed the husky lodge – not at all what we had tentatively imagined. Thanks for your assistance, maybe next time we will see the Lights in all their glory.
Andrew
We – the whole family – loved the whole journey!!
The accommodations, the activities and especially the great people – thank you very much for this fantastic organisation !!!
Barbara
Well-organized trip to Norway and Svalbard with great accommodations and activities. Gwen was communicative and responsive to requests. Highly recommend!
Russell Snook
We did! Everything was truly wonderful! I think the Holman Husky Lodge was our favourite place. Beautiful accommodations, but best of all, wonderful people! Everyone was so friendly and accommodating, excellent food, we really enjoyed our time there. We also greatly enjoyed Bergen! Opus XVI was beautiful and we loved being able to walk to restaurants and bars and take in the sights. All of our drivers were punctual and friendly. The itinerary was full but not overfull.
Thank you so much! It was an epic trip, we are taking home wonderful memories!
Shelly
My family and I traveled to Sweden to see The Northern Lights in March of 2023. From the planning process to every detail of the trip, I could not have been more pleased with our experience. Alex was exceptional to work with. His guidance on the time of year, where to stay, activities to do and how to get to and from everything was spot on. I have never used a tour company before but thought a trip of this kind would be easier with some help. I am so glad that I did. The entire week was seamless and completely stress-free, allowing us to truly enjoy Sweden and our time together as a family. I will be recommending Off The Map travel to friends and family and will certainly be using them myself again in the future.
Emily
Arctic Retreat was simply magical. Graham and his team were superb. Their entire focus was on ensuring we had an outstanding experience. The accommodation, setting and food were all excellent. The team, experienced professionals, each brought their own personal touch and local nuance. It was faultless. The dog sledging trip directly from Arctic Retreat was also superb. We would return to Arctic Retreat in a heartbeat.
George
Exceptional service throughout the entire planning and booking process – travel agencies don’t get any better than this. A brilliant, seamless experience matched by the holiday experience itself. Would recommend ‘Off the Map Travel’ to anyone considering booking for a Nordic experience ‘par excellence’.
Chris
Fantastic trip to Svalbard which delivered the true Arctic experience we were hoping for. The hotels were excellent and the activities – dog sledding and snowmobile expedition were lead by first class guides.
Top tip! The champagne tasting in the world’s most northerly wine cellar in the exceptional Funken Lodge is not to be missed!
Faith
Amy planned a fantastic trip! Everything was very well-thought out. All transfers went smoothly, accommodations were amazing, great restaurant recommendations and the tours were once-in-a-lifetime, can’t book it yourself off the internet experiences. The guides were all fantastic. Communications were prompt and everything worked exactly the way it was supposed to. What a pleasure! Already working on our next trip.
Anonymous
We originally hired Off the Map Travel in 2020 to set up a trip to see the Northern Lights. That didn’t happen, thanks to COVID. But, we persisted and in March of 2023, we took a 16-day trip that included both Iceland and Norway. IT WAS MAGICAL! Off the Map took care of everything! We were pampered at every stage of our trip. The people they hired and the activities they planned added up to a trip that will set the standard for any we’ll ever take in the future. Alex and his team were fabulous! We recommend them without restraint!
Jim & Kris
The ease of everything stood out to me. All we had to do was be there at the right time. The dog sledding was the highlight for my daughter and sister. We had the best time! For me, Manshausen was the highlight. We were very lucky and the only guests there for the majority of our stay. The staff was amazing and the food was so delicious. We had moose steak and it was the best meal I’ve ever had.
The cabins were comfortable and we were so lucky to have 2 clear nights where we just sat and watched the northern lights. We were able to get some awesome pictures too.
I appreciate all your time and care with planning our trip! I won’t hesitate to use Off the Map travel for our next adventure.
Kelly