Feeling burnt out in February, I was desperate for a change of scenery. I asked myself, “Where can I go that’s the complete opposite of here?” The answer was clear: Tromsø, Norway!
A Tromsø holiday is the ultimate way to experience the ethereal beauty of the Arctic Circle.
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Tromsø, located in the north of Norway, is a bewitching place. I’ve always had a soft spot for Norway, having explored Olso and journeyed across the country by train, passing by picturesque meadows, majestic glaciers, and traditional turf-topped houses, until I reached the beautiful coastal city of Bergen (but that’s a story for another time!). However, my holiday in Tromsø was on a whole new level!
The natural beauty there is simply breathtaking, and as a solo female traveller, I felt completely safe. There’s just something about the Norwegian vibe that is incredibly cool!
Just a heads up, if you have a layover in Oslo for only an hour, it’s probably not enough time for your luggage to change planes. I learned this the hard way as my luggage got delayed on both sides of my trip. This meant that I had to endure the first 24 hours in Tromsø without any warm clothing or suitable footwear!
TROMSØ TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
This post is all about planning your dream Tromsø holiday and things to do in Tromsø
The Essential Guide for your Tromsø Holiday
1. Do like the Norwegians do and sauna
I must admit I feel a bit of a fraud mentioning the Pust Sauna since I never actually got the chance to experience it, through no fault of my own, I might add, as I did book myself a slot the first night I arrived in Tromsø but as my luggage went AWOL I had no swimwear.
This small wooden sauna is situated on the water in the harbour and I’d reserved a spot after seeing photos and videos on Instagram of people enjoying a sauna followed by a bracing dip in the icy water of the harbour.
I was totally up for giving this one-of-a-kind experience a shot, but upon reaching Tromsø, I must admit, a tiny part of me was secretly delighted that my luggage had been delayed – I am such a wimp when it comes to the cold!
You can book a slot at the Pust Sauna here
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2. Discover the raw natural beauty of Tromso’s fjords
On my first morning in Tromsø, I went on a polar cruise with Polar Adventures. I didn’t have any warm clothing due to my delayed luggage, but luckily, I was able to borrow a thermal suit which kept me super toasty.
The breathtaking panoramic views of the Arctic landscapes will forever be etched in my memory. As we sailed through certain areas, the sea had already begun to freeze over, creating a twinkling sound like broken glass.
The crew were amazing and made sure we had plenty of hot drinks and biscuits to keep us going. They even made us a delicious warming soup for lunch. It was great to chat with the crew and my fellow passengers from all over the world and share stories.
I kept my eyes peeled for a whale, but unfortunately, the main season is from November to January.
3. Dog Sledding Adventure
I had always dreamed of going dog sledding and after doing my research, I decided to book with Tromsø Villmarkssenter, located just outside the city centre on Kvaloya (the whale island). This family-run business has over 30 years of experience and their team has competed in major dog sledding races like the Iditarod in Alaska and Finnmarkslopet in Europe.
I decided if I was going to do this I was going to do this properly so I went all out and booked their Aurora camping and dog sledding overnight package, which included transfers from Tromsø city centre.
Despite my delayed luggage, the centre had everything I needed, including thermal suits and boots, and camping equipment. We arrived at Villmarkssenter in the early evening and were greeted by the excited howls of the 200 beautiful Alaskan huskies.
Our group of 6 shared a traditional Lavvu tent with a fire pit in the centre and our sleeping bags surrounding it in a circle.
After a guided tour of the dog yard and lavishing its occupants with lots of love and attention, we had some hot soup, before sitting around a bonfire hoping to see the aurora borealis.
The group started to flake off to bed one by one the later it got, but there was a die-hard crew of 4 of us who stayed up and drank freezing wine and got ridiculously excited at any hint of aurora in the sky, but at about 3 am we decided to call it quits as we had to be up early for dog sledding. I got into my sleeping bag in my thermals it was so cold!
After a hearty breakfast, we were all set for our sledding adventure. The stunning landscapes that were hidden in the darkness when we arrived were now in full view and they were spectacular.
I decided to take on the challenge of driving, or mushing as it’s known, the dog sled, which made me slightly anxious, but I didn’t have much time to dwell on it as my partner and I were paired up with a group of enthusiastic huskies who were raring to go.
The excitement in the air was electric as we set off, picking up speed and tackling hills together as a team.
Although I was focused on driving the sled, I couldn’t resist taking in the incredible views of the Arctic winter wonderland around us. Eventually, I handed over the reins to my partner and enjoyed the views back to the centre where we enjoyed a hot lunch before reluctantly leaving the huskies behind for our transfer back to Tromsø.
4. Chase the Northern Lights
Like dog sledding, seeing the northern lights or aurora borealis had been on my bucket list since I was young. If you have your heart set on seeing the lights, it’s crucial to plan your trip during the right time of the year, between mid-September and mid-April. Giving yourself multiple opportunities is also wise, as numerous factors can influence your chances of seeing this natural phenomenon.
During my visit, I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the lights at the husky dog camp. However, it wasn’t enough, I wanted more!! I had also booked a dedicated light chaser trip with Enjoy the Arctic via the Get Your Guide app. They picked us up from a city centre location and took us out into the beautiful Nordic wilderness.
The tour guides constantly communicated with each other, ensuring that we were taken to the best spots for viewing the lights that night. Despite heavy snowfall, we were able to find breaks in the clouds and witness the incredible green glow of the aurora borealis. It’s important to note that what you see with your naked eye is quite different from what your camera captures – the colours are much more vibrant on camera.
I felt incredibly lucky to see the northern lights that night, especially with the heavy snowfall. We managed to stay warm by a fire our guide made, sipped on hot drinks and ate cake. Despite feeling tired when I got back to the hotel late that night, I went to bed with a big smile on my face.
5. Explore Tromsø city centre and Storgata Street
On my last morning, I was gutted because my snowmobile adventure in the Lyngen Alps got cancelled due to the heavy snowstorm. So, I decided to make the most of my day by exploring the main shopping street called Storgata. As the snow started coming down hard, I found solace in a cosy coffee shop, just chilling and enjoying the super hygge vibes!
While I was there, I decided to check out the Perspektivet Museum on Storgata. They had this awesome exhibition called Hyperborea Stories from the Arctic, which showcased some stunningly curated photographs capturing life in the Arctic.
At one point, I stumbled upon this cute little stand selling mulled wine. I couldn’t resist getting a cup and warming myself up by their fire pit and I had a lovely chat with an elderly British gentleman.
This photo reminded me of an Edward Hopper painting. I think it’s the colours and the lighting – very Nighthawks-esque!
I couldn’t leave Tromsø without treating myself to a chunky Nordic wool sweater and also a few t-shirts from Rein Love Clothing as I loved their wildlife designs.
Tromsø Packing List
Where I Stayed
I had the advantage of staying in a central location, making it incredibly convenient for me to reach all the different meeting points for my tours and activities. I chose to stay at Radisson Blu, which is situated near the harbour, and Comfort Hotel Xpress, located on the opposite side of town. This also allowed me to easily access the main shopping street, Storgata.
I also had a unique experience spending a night in a traditional Lavvu tent at Villmarkssenter while dog sledding.
Tip#1
To save some money, I decided to book a ticket for the Best Arctic coach instead of taking a taxi to the airport. It only cost me 125KK, and I had the option to purchase the ticket online or directly on the bus. The coach also had multiple stops in the city centre, making it super easy.
Tip#2
I used Get Your Guide app to book the majority of my trips and activities. It’s so convenient to have everything saved in one place, and they offer an incredible selection of awesome experiences.
From chasing the northern lights and enjoying campfire-roasted marshmallows to sledding with huskies and reindeer, learning about Sami culture, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, visiting the Ice Domes, whale watching, fishing, wildlife tours, and cruises – the options are endless!
Tromsø Essential Items
As my luggage was delayed I had to venture out of the airport in the same clothes I had worn on my flight. Although I managed to bring gloves in my hand luggage, I didn’t have a hat and had to navigate the slippery streets in a pair of Ugg boots that offered zero traction.
The city centre of Tromsø was covered in ice, except for the main shopping streets that had been cleared. Snow boots are a total lifesaver – I love my Sorel Snow Angel Winter Boots.
Fortunately, there were numerous fantastic outdoor shops along Storgata, the main shopping street. These shops offered top-notch outdoor gear of excellent quality. To tide me over until my luggage arrived, I purchased some Merino wool base layer leggings and a top, along with wool socks and a hat.
When spending long periods chasing the northern lights, hand warmers that can be placed inside gloves are another lifesaver.
Additionally, I decided to buy some inexpensive crampons to wear over my hiking boots while walking around the city centre. This way, I could avoid wearing my snow boots all the time.
