Tromso in 3 days
- Irene
- Jun 17
- 6 min read
Tromsø is the perfect destination for a short Arctic escape, offering a mix of stunning natural scenery and cosy city charm. Whether you visit in winter for snowy landscapes and the Northern Lights or in summer for hiking and fjord exploration, there’s plenty to experience in just a few days. This itinerary covers a winter weekend break, combining must-see sights in the city with unforgettable activities like fjord cruises and Northern Lights chasing.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival
Overnight flight (with Northern Lights viewing from the plane)
Transfer to accommodation
Day 2 – City centre exploration
Coffee & cinnamon bun at Vervet Bakeri
Fjellheisen cable car (panoramic views)
Walk down via Arctic Cathedral
Tromsø Cathedral & waterfront stroll
Lunch at Koseverden & Koselig Café
Ølhallen brewery visit
Polar Museum
Dinner at Fangst Restaurant
Drinks at Balthazar Bar
Day 3 – Cruises & experiences
Coffee at Kaffebønna Stortorget
Daytime fjord cruise
Lunch at Smørtorget
Pust Sauna experience
Dinner at Mathallen
Northern Lights evening cruise
Day 4 – Departure
Relaxed breakfast
Final walk around the city
Transfer to airport
Best time to go
There are two ideal times to visit Tromsø: winter (December, January, February) and summer (July and August). Which one is best depends on the activities you want to do. Summer is ideal for hiking and exploring the fjords, while winter gives you that picture-perfect snowy scenery, along with the chance to see the Northern Lights and enjoy activities such as snowmobiling.We went in winter—February, to be precise—and I absolutely loved it! In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I’m already thinking about which other winter wonderland destination we could visit next year.
General advice
This may sound obvious, but if you visit in winter… layer up! When we went in February, temperatures ranged from 2°C to -12°C, but honestly, I didn’t feel cold at all—we just had the right clothing.Temperatures can fluctuate quite a bit and occasionally drop below -12°C, in which case you may need extra layers. This is what we wore:
Base layer: Merino wool (t-shirt, thermals, and thin tall socks)
Second layer: 100% wool jumpers, corduroy trousers, and thick wool socks
Outer layer: A warm coat, gloves, and a hatMost of our clothing was 100% wool, which we made sure to check, as it’s one of the warmest fabrics.For shoes, gloves, and coats, we chose waterproof and insulated options. We did see some people wearing full ski outfits, but in my opinion, that wasn’t necessary. At the end of the day, this is still a city—it feels a bit odd going into cafés, restaurants, or bars in full ski gear!
Where to stay
The city is quite small, so try to stay as close to the centre as possible. The company “Arctic Homes” offers several rental apartments in excellent locations.If you prefer a hotel, “The Dock 69°39 by Scandic” is a great option.It’s worth noting that winter is peak tourist season, so it can get busy and expensive. I’d recommend booking your accommodation as early as possible.
Day 1: Arrival
One thing I would definitely recommend is taking either your outbound or return flight overnight and choosing a window seat. You might be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights from the plane—it could be one of the best views you’ll ever get! We flew at night, and it was incredible. The pilots were lovely and even turned off the cabin lights so we could see the Northern Lights—it was an amazing experience.
Day 2: City centre
The next day can be spent exploring the city.
Start your day at “Vervet Bakeri” for a coffee and a delicious cinnamon bun.
Then head to Fjellheisen, Tromsø’s iconic cable car. It takes you 421 metres up Mount Storsteinen in just a few minutes, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Tromsø island, the surrounding fjords, and the Arctic mountains. You can buy tickets online. You’ll also see an option to include a bus transfer to and from the base station. Personally, I don’t think this is necessary. While the cable car isn’t right in the city centre, it’s still nearby.I’d recommend taking an Uber on the way there (which also helps to avoid arriving at the same time as the bus groups), and then walking back into town. The walk is downhill, takes about 45 minutes, and is actually really pleasant through the snowy streets.The cable car operates from 09:00 to 00:00, and a return ticket costs 495 NOK.
On your way back, stop at the Arctic Cathedral. Designed by architect Jan Inge Hovig and consecrated in 1965, it’s actually a parish church despite its name. Its striking angular design, made of aluminium and concrete, is inspired by Arctic landscapes. A beautiful stained-glass mosaic was added in 1972. Entry costs 90 NOK.
Back in the city centre, visit Tromsø Cathedral and take a stroll along the waterfront—it’s very picturesque.
For lunch, try “Koseverden & Koselig Café”, a small, unpretentious place serving Scandinavian dishes.
After lunch, head to “Ølhallen”, Tromsø’s oldest pub, established in 1928. Located in the basement of the historic Mack Brewery, it’s known for its 72 taps of Norwegian beer and cosy, rustic atmosphere.
Next, visit the Polar Museum. It’s quite small but does a great job explaining Norwegian polar expeditions and local traditions. Entry is 130 NOK, and it’s open from 10:00 to 18:00.
For dinner, we went to “Fangst Restaurant”, which I would highly recommend. It has an amazing location by the pier. Make sure to book in advance during peak season—it’s not easy to get a table otherwise.
After dinner, we had a drink at “Balthazar Beer, Wine & Whiskey Bar” on the main street. They had a great selection in a relaxed atmosphere.
Day 3: Cruises and activities
Start the day with coffee and a pastry at “Kaffebønna Stortorget.”
For activities, we chose a fjord cruise (11:00–14:30). We booked through GetYourGuide, but it’s also worth checking Viator. During the cruise, you’ll see snow-capped mountains and calm, mirror-like waters. Occasionally, you may even spot wildlife, although that’s less common.In my opinion, if you have to choose between the daytime and evening cruise, I’d go for the evening one. Doing both felt a bit excessive. Prices typically range from £80 to £95 per adult.
After the cruise, we had lunch at “Smørtorget”, a casual spot serving Norwegian comfort food.
Afterwards, we visited Pust Sauna, which I highly recommend—it’s a really unique experience.There are two main options: the Original (quiet) Sauna and the Lavvo Sauna (the more Instagram-famous, pyramid-shaped one).We chose the Lavvo, but if I went again, I’d pick the Original. The changing rooms for the Lavvo are extremely small and it can get quite crowded.Tips to make your experience smoother: 1) wear your swimsuit under your clothes and 2) bring flip-flops (walking in the snow barefoot between the sea and sauna is not fun!)Sessions last one hour and must be booked in advance. Price: 360 NOK per adult.
For dinner, we went to “Mathallen”—in my opinion, the best meal we had in Tromsø. Everything was excellent, especially the fish dishes. If you’re planning to do the evening cruise, I’d suggest booking dinner around 19:00.
After dinner, we did a Northern Lights evening cruise (around 21:00, lasting ~2.5 hours).I personally really enjoyed this experience. It felt more comfortable than joining a bus tour to chase the lights. We were lucky and actually saw them, which made it even more special.A few things to keep in mind:
You’ll spend a lot of time inside the boat—it’s very cold outside
Bring something to pass the time (a small game, cards, etc.)
The sea can be rough, so consider taking motion sickness tablets
It’s not ideal for photography—the boat moves, and capturing the Northern Lights requires a steady camera
The activity costs around £90 per person.
Other activities to consider
There are plenty of activities available, but many take place far from the city centre—often requiring a full day, as travel times can be 1.5 to 2 hours each way.If you're only visiting for a couple of days, this might not be worth it. Also, these experiences can be quite expensive.
Options include:
Dog sledding
Whale watching
Visiting Sami communities and feeding reindeer
Snowmobiling
Day 4: Departure
On our final day, we took things slow—woke up late, enjoyed a relaxed breakfast, had one last stroll around town, and then headed to the airport.Tromsø is the perfect winter escape—beautiful, unique, and full of unforgettable experiences. From the Northern Lights to cosy cafés and stunning landscapes, it’s a destination that really stays with you. I’d highly recommend it—and I’m already thinking about where to go next!
