Tromsø
The big city of Norway's far north, set between fjords and mountains, with the widest choice of organised boat and minibus aurora chases.
Aurora season: 09-01 - 03-31
Practical info
- Population
- About 59,000 residents (Tromsø, the largest in this selection)
- Airport
- Tromsø Airport (TOS), year-round direct flights from Oslo and seasonal ones from London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Brussels, Munich
- Train
- No: Norway's rail network ends at Bodø, well to the south
- Car
- Not needed in town: everything is walkable, a car adds little since aurora hunting runs as organised tours
- Temperatures
- -5°C to 0°C on average thanks to the Gulf Stream, notably milder than Finnish or Swedish Lapland
Why choose this destination
Tromso is the only destination on this list that is a real city: restaurants, bars, museums and nightlife, on top of the lights. Aurora hunting here is mostly organised via minibus or boat chases that drive away from city lights, which suits travellers who prefer a guided tour over waiting it out in a remote igloo.
Accommodation options
A real Nordic city: chain hotels near the harbour, budget hostels, and a handful of upscale spa suites.
Things to do
Boat-based aurora chases out on the fjord, a visit to the Arctic Cathedral, and the Fjellheisen cable car.
Best spots to watch the northern lights
Kvaløya island (Ersfjordbotn, Skulsfjord)
About 30-45 minutes from the centre, with open skies and frozen lakes, one of the spots locals mention most often.
Sommarøy
Further west, with noticeably darker skies and an almost completely open horizon.
Boat trip on the fjord
An organised alternative that gets away from city lights by sea rather than by road: see the activities section.
Activities to book
Boat-based aurora chase
Bookable a few days ahead; operators cancel or reschedule if the sky is too overcast, often with a second attempt included.
Minibus aurora chase
Same lead time as the boat option, a few days ahead, with departure decided on the evening's weather.
Fjellheisen cable car
No booking needed, tickets are bought on the spot or online on the same day.
Stays on the map
Where to stay
HotelHome Hotel Aurora
€€Rooftop hot tub with fjord views, right in downtown Tromso.
- Rooftop hot tub
- Downtown Tromso
- Evening meal included
from NOK 1,050 / night
HotelClarion Hotel The Edge
€€A rooftop sky bar and a glass-walled bridge over the waterfront, within walking distance of the centre.
- Sky bar with a view
- Glass bridge over the fjord
- Walk to the old town
from NOK 1,100 / night
HotelThe Dock 69°39 by Scandic
€€A large 305-room waterfront hotel, a solid base for stacking aurora and fjord excursions.
- 305 rooms, on the waterfront
- Easy pickup for excursions
- On-site restaurant and bar
from NOK 1,500 / night
HotelFirst Hotel Amalie
€€A central hotel on Sjogata, 150 m from Storgata and next to Tromso's 19th-century wooden cathedral. Free waffles and hot drinks by the fireplace.
- 150 m from Storgata
- Next to the wooden cathedral
- Free waffles and hot drinks
from NOK 3,250 / night
HotelFirst Hotel Skansen
€€On Storgata 105, close to the harbour and the centre. Some rooms have mountain views.
- Close to the harbour
- Some rooms with mountain views
- Steps from the centre
from NOK 3,450 / night
HotelThon Hotel Polar
€€100 m from the Storgata shopping street, with wooden floors in every room. Buffet breakfast and gym.
- 100 m from Storgata
- Wooden floors throughout
- On-site gym
from NOK 3,350 / night
HotelFirst Hotel Backpack
€A budget option on Parkgata, 200 m from the centre, in a quiet neighbourhood. Shared kitchen and barbecue.
- 200 m from the centre
- Quiet neighbourhood
- Shared kitchen and barbecue
from NOK 2,450 / night
HotelTromso Activities Hostel
€A family-run hostel in a traditional wooden building, Storgata 107, 700 m from the ferry terminal.
- Traditional wooden building
- 700 m from the ferry terminal
- Family-run
from NOK 700 / night
HotelFirst Hotel Viking
€€A central address on Gronnegata, with a full kitchen in every room and a 24-hour reception.
- Full kitchen in every room
- 24-hour reception
- Central location
from NOK 3,750 / night
HotelFirst Hotel City Tromsø
€€On Gronnegata, with a kitchenette in every room, close to the pedestrian street and a laundry.
- Kitchenette in every room
- Close to the pedestrian street
- On-site laundry
from NOK 4,350 / night
HotelScandic Ishavshotel
€€On the waterfront, at the end of the pier, with panoramic harbour views from most rooms. The Roast Bar looks out on the Tromso bridge and the Arctic Cathedral; Nordic Swan eco-label.
- Panoramic harbour views
- Roast Bar overlooking the Arctic Cathedral
- Nordic Swan eco-label
from NOK 4,400 / night
HotelRadisson Blu Hotel Tromsø
€€On the harbourfront at Sjogata, with a glass bridge on the 10th floor overlooking the city and mountains. Gym and sauna.
- 10th-floor glass bridge
- Harbourfront location
- Gym and sauna
from NOK 3,600 / night
HotelEnter St Elisabeth Suites & Spa
€€€An all-suite property in a converted former maternity hospital, 10 minutes from the centre. Indoor pool, spa and a kitchen in every suite. A luxury pick, priced well above the rest of this selection.
- Converted former maternity hospital
- Kitchen in every suite
- Luxury/spa positioning
from NOK 11,500 / night
Frequently asked questions
Is Tromso more expensive than Finnish Lapland?
Generally yes, the Norwegian cost of living runs higher. In exchange, the city offers far more dining and nightlife options independent of the hotels.
Do I need a tour to see the lights from Tromso?
Strongly recommended: city lights get in the way of direct viewing, so most visitors book a boat or minibus tour that drives away from downtown.
Do I need a car in Tromso?
No, it is a real walkable city with central hotels, unlike the other destinations in this guide.
What do boat aurora tours offer compared to a land-based tour?
Access to light-pollution-free spots along the fjord and a different vantage point, though the outcome still depends on the weather like any outing.
Is Tromso a good base if I don't want to rent a car?
Yes, it is the only destination in this guide where everything is reachable on foot or by public transport.