Tromsø- Norway
The tiny hot dog stand in the center
We visited Tromsø in mid-December, and one important thing to know before coming here is the light — or rather, the lack of it. During December, the sun never truly rises. There is only a short window between around 11:00 and 1:00 pm when it becomes slightly brighter, more like a soft twilight than actual daylight.
The rest of the time, this small town in the Arctic feels wrapped in complete darkness, very much like night. It’s magical in its own way, but it’s something you should be prepared for.
When it comes to Tromsø itself, we want to be completely honest. It is a charming town, but in recent years it has become heavily overcrowded with tourists. As a well-known hotspot for Northern Lights sightings, Tromsø attracts visitors from all over the world — unfortunately including many who show little interest in local traditions, people, or culture, and it shows.
The rapid growth of tourism has been challenging for the local community, and many residents are understandably overwhelmed by how quickly the town has changed. If you visit Tromsø, please do so with respect, patience, and an awareness of the current strain on the town and its people.
Helpful Tips
How do I get to Tromø
The easiest way to get to Tromsø is by plane. From Zurich, Edelweiss offers direct flights that take around four hours—available several times a week in winter, and reduced to just one or two flights per week from spring onwards. Most other flights require a connection in Norway’s capital, Oslo.
Hotel or Airbnb?
Unfortunately, we couldn’t find an Airbnb that truly suited our needs, so we decided to stay in a hotel instead. Accommodation in Tromsø is generally quite expensive, and due to the town’s small size, options are limited overall. For this reason, it’s highly recommended to book your stay as early as possible, especially if you’re visiting during the peak winter season.
Adapter needed?
In Norway, type C and F sockets are used. These are the same types as in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (with two round pins). If you're coming from a country with a different plug type (e.g. the USA, UK, or Australia), you’ll need a suitable travel adapter.
Currency
Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Getting from the Airport to Tromsø
The easiest way to get to and from the airport is by taxi or uber, as Tromsø is only about a 10–15 minute drive away. However, there are now often more tourists than available taxis, especially during peak season. For both arrival and departure, it’s a good idea to book your taxi in advance to avoid unnecessary stress or standing in the cold.
Don’t miss on some gløgg—go all in with raisins and almonds!
Tips
Tromsø is a charming little town, and even though we only spent a few days here, we still discovered some spots we absolutely loved—here’s what we tried!
P.S. Make sure to book restaurants ahead of time!
Dinner at Casa Inferno, very good pizza and friendly staff a bit further away from the main street
Traditional Norwegian food with a modern twist at Bardus Bistro—cozy and delicious
Helmersen Delikatessen is a deli and wine bar open from breakfast through dinner. Cozy atmosphere, really good food, a super cool wine selection, and very friendly staff.
The Tromsø Library is an impressive building, almost entirely made of glass. From the upper windows, you get a great view over the main street and the harbor.
One thing you absolutely have to try is waffles with brown cheese, jam, and whipped cream (yes go all the way!).
We didn’t find the perfect spot for them in town, but the ones we had on our whale-watching boat were absolutely delicious.
Whale Watching
We spent a long time looking for a whale-watching provider that checked all our boxes: a heated indoor area on the boat (since we were traveling with an 8-year-old), respectful wildlife practices that don’t disturb the whales, and a bit of comfort on board. We eventually chose Brim Explorer, as they operate boats with electric propulsion to minimize noise and avoid disturbing the whales. But here are the facts:
How long does the tour take
The tour lasts around 7–9 hours and costs approximately €170 per person (children are slightly cheaper). Departures are in the morning, with several time slots to choose from—we opted for the 7:30 a.m. boat.
Is there any food on board?
On board, there’s a small kiosk where you can buy cinnamon buns, soup, and light snacks such as tea, coffee, water wine etc... That said, I’d recommend bringing your own food, if you’re traveling with picky eaters or anyone with a big appetite.
Entertainment on board
Throughout the journey, there are regular short talks about the whales and the Tromsø region, which makes for a nice and informative way to pass the time. The scenery alone is absolutely breathtaking, and it’s worth stepping outside every now and then to fully take in the incredible Arctic landscape.
Don`t miss to check on the incredible view from times to times
Is it possible to see whales during this dark time of year?
At this time of year, the tours are planned so that you reach the whales during the brightest part of the day, giving you the best possible chance to see them clearly.
Motion sickness
If you’re prone to motion sickness, be sure to come prepared, as there’s no doctor on board and medication can’t be provided. As one of us is very prone to seasickness managed just fine with medication and travel gum brought along.
Unfortunately, we weren’t lucky with the orcas, but we did see around six humpback whales—which was just as impressive.
More Things to Explore in and Around Tromsø
From spotting the Northern Lights to dog sledding and so much more, there’s plenty to do here! Find all activities here