The Perfect 3 Day Tromso, Norway Itinerary
Dreaming of an Arctic adventure? You’ve come to the right place!
Tromso, Norway, is located in Northern Norway, about 217 miles (350 km) above the Arctic Circle, making it Norway’s most populous northern city. Being above the Arctic Circle is a feat in itself, but Tromso offers so many exciting winter activities to keep you busy through the long Polar Night.
Think mesmerizing northern lights, beautiful snowy landscapes and snow-capped mountains, whale and orca watching, epic twilight “sunsets,” hiking and outdoor adventures, and snowy landscapes that will take your breath away.
I visited in November 2024 and will be sharing my travel recommendations and itinerary ideas for Tromso, as well as how to make the most of your Arctic adventure, below.
You’ll find recommendations on what to do, where to stay, and what to bring to complete your bucket list experience.
Table of Contents
- Day 1 of your Tromso Itinerary: Arrive in Tromso; Tromso Town; DIY Northern Lights
- Day 2 of your Tromso Itinerary: Hiking to the Storsteinen Viewpoint and a Guided Northern Lights Tour
- Day 3 of Your Tromso Itinerary: Whale Watching and DIY Northern Lights
- Best Restaurants and Places to Eat in Tromso
- Best Bars in Tromso
Day 1 of your Tromso Itinerary: Arrive in Tromso; Tromso Town; DIY Northern Lights
Exploring Downtown Tromso
After settling into your accommodations, set off to explore the town of Tromso and the waterfront views at the Tromso Harbour. The downtown area is walkable and pedestrian-friendly, with Storgata Street offering many cafes, restaurants, and shops to browse.
For those interested in learning more about life and expeditions in the Arctic, the Polar Museum (link) is a must-do. The museum offers a history of Arctic exploration and expeditions, wildlife and hunting, and history from the late 1800s to the 1900s.
Since you’ll already be downtown, I recommend checking out either Casa Inferno for Italian food and pizza or Fangst for fresh fish and seafood tapas for dinner. Below, I’ll share my recommendations for the best restaurants, bars, and pubs – even tiki bars! – in Tromso.
Head out on your own to see the Northern lights
Given its location in the Arctic Circle, Norway has some of the best chances in the world to see the Northern Lights. However, it is still not guaranteed that you will see them every night. The Northern Lights require a clear sky to be seen, and making an effort to see them every night will increase your chances of seeing this magical phenomenon.
Be sure to check out my entire post dedicated to seeing the Northern Lights in Tromso for more detail!
Day 2 of your Tromso Itinerary: Hiking to the Storsteinen Viewpoint and a Guided Northern Lights Tour
Hike to the Storsteinen Viewpoint
On the second day of your Tromso holiday, visit the Storsteinen viewpoint (1,380 feet / 420 m). This viewpoint offers an unparalleled view of Tromso and the surrounding mountains and is absolutely gorgeous at “sunset” (depending on when you visit, the sun may or may not actually set) – see my note above.
You can get to the foot of the mountain by Uber or public transport. If you opt for public transportation, bus #26 will take you to the base of the mountain. We took an Uber from the apartment we were staying in, which was roughly $50 USD. Public transport would have been much cheaper, but we were running out of daylight … literally.
If an Uber isn’t within your budget, build in time for public transport. The public transport journey can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on where you are in the city. By taxi or Uber, it will only take 10 to 15 minutes.
The Fjellheisen cable car will bring you to the top of the mountain in about four minutes, but if you love hiking as we do, I’d recommend hiking up the Sherpatrappa (Sherpa stairs) just left of the cable car and taking the cable car down. The trail is only 0.9 miles (1.45 km) but takes you up 1,305 feet (398 m) in this short time. It’ll also save you 175 NOK (roughly $16 USD). When writing this blog, a one-way adult ticket on the cable car costs 320 NOK, and a return ticket costs 495 NOK.
Note
For the latest exchange rates, I use the Globe Convert App while traveling or Google on a browser to check current rates.
If you choose to hike, make sure you have sturdy winter boots and either ice spikes or crampons. When we hiked the trail, it was slippery from the snow and ice, and having the spikes was the only way we were able to get up safely. A nice lady also gave us her two huge walking sticks, but I can’t guarantee you’ll find a nice lady with two sticks on the trail. I’d also pack a headlamp, just in case.
At the top of the mountain, soak in the beautiful views of the town and surrounding area. You can also pop into the Fjellstua Cafe for a warm bite to eat or drink. If time and daylight allow, several trails at the top of the mountain are also nice to explore and snowshoe.
Guided Northern Lights Tour
Once evening arrives, set off for your guided Northern Lights tour to hopefully see the Aurora Borealis. We took a Northern Lights tour which left from the town center at 5:30 pm and dropped us off at our accommodations at 12:30 am.
While the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, the tour guides do their best to help find the best locations to see these dazzling lights. For a more detailed post and tips on visiting Tromso for the Northern Lights, check out my post on how to chase the Northern Lights in Norway.
We lucked out on our tour and not only had a clear night for viewing, which our guide said was the first clear night sky in over a month, but also had a burst of solar activity which gave us a great light show! Our guide said it was among the top five auroras he’d ever seen.
If you aren’t able to see the lights either of these two nights, I would recommend renting a car and doing a self-guided Northern Lights tour for the following day.
Day 3 of Your Tromso Itinerary: Whale Watching and DIY Northern Lights
Whale Watching in Tromso
Every year from November to late January, orca whales migrate toward the coast to Skjervøy, northeast of Tromso, in search of Herring. As far as whale watching goes, Tromso is an excellent destination for this activity, as the whales have a very distinct and predictive pattern throughout the season, almost guaranteeing that you’ll be able to see some of these ocean beauties.
You’ll start your day with the journey to Skjervøy, a 3.5-hour drive from Tromso. Some tour operators will take you entirely by boat, while others will provide a mix of transportation methods to get you there.
Whichever tour you choose, please keep in mind that these are living, breathing mammals living in a fragile environment. Not every tour company practices good-faith measures, but I recommend the following tours based on sustainability practices, eco-friendly approaches, and company ethos.
- Green Gold of Norway
- Brim Explorer
- Norwegian Travel
Relax or Look for the Northern Lights
Relax and choose your own adventure this night! On our final night in Tromso, we relaxed and ordered delivery from one of our favorite restaurants in Tromso – Casa Inferno. It felt so nice to relax and recharge before we set out for Austria the next day.
If you haven’t been able to see the Northern Lights yet, I’d recommend going out and trying to hunt them down for a final night. There’s no guarantee to see the lights any night, so you might have to go out and hunt for them every night if that is one of the main reasons why you’re visiting Norway.
After your whale-y fun day (I couldn’t resist) and depending on your Northern Lights success the previous two days, you can either grab dinner at one of my restaurant recommendations above and have a cozy night in or set out for another Northern Lights chase.
If you have opted to rent a car, head to Prestvannet Lake, Telegrafbukta Beach, or Ersfjordbotn for some prime viewing spots or take a second guided Northern Lights tour.
If you are renting a car, make sure to get one with AWD or 4WD. Driving in winter in Norway requires some winter skills, and the roads can be very icy, so be aware that stopping times and traction will be different.
Best Restaurants and Places to Eat in Tromso
Depending on your budget, I recommend the following restaurants:
Mid-Range:
- Casa Inferno for Italian and Pizza
- Fangst or Fiskekompaniet (not mid-range but worth the splurge) for fresh fish and seafood
- Elefant for Indian
- Nitty Gritty or Hildr for elevated bar food and great cocktails
- Suvi or Rå for sushi
Budget Options:
- If you are on a budget, 7-Eleven is always a safe option for budget-friendly comfort food.
- If your accommodation has a kitchen, I’d recommend grocery shopping to help save on food costs. The EuroSpar in town has everything you will need, and the Mini Kiwi Mart outside of town has good options, too. However, if you want to buy wine or alcohol, the EuroSpar has wine, and the Mini Kiwi Mart does not.
- If you stay outside Tromso, I recommend Eide Handel in Kvaloya.
Note
Going to grocery stores in foreign countries is one of my favorite things to do. Not only do you get to see all the new and unfamiliar items, but it really gives you a taste of the local and country culture. Also, it’s a great way to save money if you’re on a budget! Make sure you bring a bag with you because Europe will charge you for bags if you don’t have your own.
Best Bars in Tromso
- Ølhallen Pub – First opened in 1928 in the cellar of Mack’s Brewery, the most Northern brewery in the world
- Magic Ice Bar – Sip your ice-cold drink, from a glass made of ice, in an ice cave!
- Huken Brygg – Fun atmosphere and music
- Misfit Tiki Bar – A unique and different vibe for being in the Arctic Circle
- Vinsmak – a wine-tasting bar with snacks, a wide variety of wines, and knowledgeable staff
- On a budget? Buy wine at the EuroSpar downtown!
Where to Stay in Tromso
I recommend staying within walking distance of the downtown area. However, there are great options all around town. If you are not renting a car, I suggest staying closer to town and the main bus line locations.
Below are a few of my recommendations, ranging from budget options to more middle-range hotels and apartments.
Closing Thoughts
While the above itinerary outlines a quick trip to Tromso, there are plenty of other activities that can be added or substituted to suit your adventure level. For more ideas, I’d recommend snowshoeing, dog sledding, visiting a reindeer farm and learning more about the Sami culture, and visiting one of the many saunas around town! I hope you enjoy your trip to Tromso and can’t wait to hear about it.
