Taking a Tromso tour is an easy way to explore this Norwegian city. Located 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Tromso is surrounded by islands, fjords, and the sea, so there are lots of things to see and do in the area.
It probably comes as no surprise that Northern Lights tours from Tromso are some of the most popular tours, particularly since Tromso is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in the world. Many tourists visit Tromso in order to catch a glimpse of the dancing aurora in the sky.
Of course, you’ll also find plenty of other Tromsø tour options. Whether you want to make friends with huskies, visit the nearby fjords, or go snowmobiling, there are excursions in Tromso that will match your interests. Keep reading to find out the best guided tours in Tromso to see wildlife, discover the area’s beautiful natural landscapes, embark on sporty adventures, and more.
10 best tours in Tromso
If you’re looking for things to do in Tromso, you won’t be disappointed. The city offers a wide variety of tours of many different types. In order to help you find the top ones, I’ve narrowed down the list to the 10 best tours in Tromso:
- Northern Lights tour
- Whale watching tour
- Husky tour
- Fjord and wildlife tour
- Reindeer tour
- Midnight cruise
- Arctic nature tour
- Snowmobile tour
- Snowshoeing tour
- Tromso Ice Domes tour
1. Northern Lights tour, the most popular Tromso tour
If you visit Tromso in winter, you’ll most likely be coming to see the Northern Lights in Norway. Book this all-inclusive tour, and give yourself the best possible chance of seeing the aurora up close.
1. Northern Lights tour, the most popular Tromso tour
A minibus will pick you up from downtown Tromso and transport you far from the light pollution of the city center. Your guide will explain the science behind the aurora and share some local myths and stories.
As you’re scanning the skies for the Northern Lights, you’ll be able to cozy up around a bonfire and have some hotdogs, soup, marshmallows, and hot drinks, although the thermal suits provided to you on the tour should already keep you quite warm.
If you’re able to see the aurora, your guide will take portraits of you and the group and offer any advice you might need for taking your own photos. You can even borrow a tripod if you need one.
- Highlights: Aurora hunting with guide, hot drinks and snacks cooked over a campfire, personal aurora photos, transportation to and from Tromso
- Duration: 7 hours
- Number of participants: 21
- Price: $151+
We also have an article on the best Northern Lights tours in Tromso if you want to look at other options.
2. Whale Safari, the best Tromso tour
Booking a whale watching tour is a popular activity to do from November to early February, which is whale watching season in Tromso. This fjord cruise and whale safari boat tour is one of the best Tromso whale watching tours because, in addition to spotting marine wildlife, you get to admire the natural landscapes around Tromso.
2. Whale Safari, the best Tromso tour
As you sail through the fjords on a catamaran, a guide will explain all about local fishing culture and the local natural environment. You’ll also be able to watch presentations on whales and Arctic wildlife.
If you get lucky enough to spot any whales or orcas, you can take photos from the indoor or outdoor viewing decks while staying snug in the provided thermal winter suits. Hot coffee, tea, and biscuits are available for when you start to get a little hungry or thirsty.
- Highlights: Humpback whales, dolphins, orcas, porpoises; hot coffee, tea, and biscuits; transportation to and from Tromso
- Duration: 7 hours
- Number of participants: 12/30/144 (depends on the size of boat)
- Price: $155+
Our article on the best whale watching tours in Tromso has plenty of other options if you need them.
3. Husky Dog Sledding Adventure, a great Tromso tour
Are you a dog lover who wants to make some new canine friends? Join this self-drive husky sledding tour, one of the best Tromso husky tours, and go on an exciting sledding adventure.
3. Husky Dog Sledding Adventure, a great Tromso tour
A minibus will pick you up from downtown Tromso and drive you to the husky kennel on the nearby island of Kvaløya. After you’ve suited up in the provided winter gear, which includes thermal suits, boots, socks, hats, and mittens, you’ll get to meet the huskies.
Before you embark on your sledding trip, your guide will provide a quick demonstration and then you’ll be taken to your sled and dog team. As you set off on the trail, with the chance to switch between being a passenger and a driver, the guide will accompany you along the way.
When you arrive back at the kennel, you’ll finish up your adventure with hot drinks and chocolate cake inside a Sami lavvo with a warm fireplace.
- Highlights: Self-drive husky sledding, meeting huskies, hot drinks and chocolate cake, transportation to and from Tromso
- Duration: 4 hours
- Number of participants: 16
- Price: $210+
4. Wildlife and Bird Fjord Cruise, one of the best excursions in Tromso
See Tromso and the surrounding area from a new perspective on this all-inclusive wildlife and bird fjord cruise. Admire the fjords and mountains as you sail on the Arctic Sea and keep an eye out for marine wildlife, such as puffins, seals, sea eagles, and otters.
4. Wildlife and Bird Fjord Cruise, one of the best excursions in Tromso
As part of this Tromso boat tour, you’ll enjoy drinks, snacks, and a fish lunch. You can either stay inside the heated cabin or wrap up in one of the insulated bodysuits that are provided and head outside onto the deck. If you’re lucky, you may just see pilot whales and dolphins in the water and reindeer on the coast.
- Highlights: Wildlife spotting boat cruise; views of the fjords and mountains; beverages, snacks, and lunch; transportation to and from Tromso
- Duration: 5 hours
- Number of participants: 30
- Price: $142+
5. Reindeer Sledding with a Sami Guide, one of the most popular tours in Tromso
This Tromso reindeer tour is more than just a touristy meet-and-greet. Reindeer herding is an important part of Sami (an indigenous Scandinavian people) culture, so beyond personal interactions with these majestic animals, this reindeer sledding and feeding tour offers a valuable opportunity to learn more about the Sami way of life.
5. Reindeer Sledding with a Sami Guide, one of the most popular tours in Tromso
You’ll drive from the center of Tromso to the seaside reindeer camp, where your guide will take you on a snowy trek in a reindeer-pulled sled. When you arrive back at the camp, you’ll get the chance to see the reindeer up close and feed them lunch. Once you’ve had your fill of reindeer fun, head inside a lavvo (Sami tent) for a traditional meal.
As you’re circled around a campfire and enjoying coffee and snacks, your Sami guide will share stories and talk about Sami culture before singing some joiks (Sami songs).
- Highlights: Reindeer sledding and feeding; Sami storytelling; lunch, coffee, and snacks; transportation to and from Tromso
- Duration: 4 hours
- Number of participants: 100
- Price: $152+
6. Midnight Cruise, one of the best Tromso tours
If you visit Tromso in summer, there’s no way you’ll be able to miss seeing the midnight sun, since it’s pretty impossible to overlook 24 hours of daylight. Still, why not bask in the sun on a Tromso boat tour?
6. Midnight Cruise, one of the best Tromso tours
On this midnight cruise tour, you’ll journey through the fjords while enjoying views of mountains and a gorgeous, multi-colored sky along the way. You may even luck out and catch sight of sea eagles, eider ducks, or guillemots. Pick a spot in the heated indoor lounge or outside on the boat deck and help yourself to some hot drinks and snacks to stay energized.
- Highlights: Midnight sun boat cruise, drinks and snacks, transportation to and from Tromso
- Duration: 3 hours
- Number of participants: 25
- Price: $142+
7. Arctic Nature Tour, the best Tromso sightseeing tour
Explore the area around Tromso and see everything from stunning fjords and towering mountains to expansive beaches and quaint villages on this Arctic nature tour.
7. Arctic Nature Tour, the best Tromso sightseeing tour
As part of this small-group Tromso fjord tour that’s limited to 15 people, your guide will show you the most scenic spots in Northern Norway and give you enough time to walk around and snap as many pictures as you’d like. You can even borrow a tripod to take your photos to the next level.
When it’s time for lunch, settle in and enjoy hot beverages, a sandwich, and cookies. Your guide will take plenty of pictures of you and the group to keep as mementos of your trip, and, best of all, at the end of the tour, you’ll get dropped off at your accommodation in Tromso.
- Highlights: Fjords, mountains, beaches, villages; sandwich, cookies, and hot beverages; transportation to and from Tromso with drop-off at your accommodation
- Duration: 5 hours
- Number of participants: 15
- Price: $131+
8. Snowmobile Safari in the Lyngen Alps, the best Tromso snowmobile tour
If you’re in the mood for adventure, there’s nothing like this snowmobile safari in the Lyngen Alps. Not only will you have the chance to see amazing alpine scenery on this Tromsø tour, but you’ll also get to learn about Norwegian folklore and trolls.
8. Snowmobile Safari in the Lyngen Alps, the best Tromso snowmobile tour
You’ll take a bus from Tromso to Breivikeidet, where you’ll then catch a ferry to Svensby (the ferry ticket is included in the price of the tour). After you arrive at base camp, your guide will demonstrate how to use a snowmobile before you hop on for an exhilarating ride. Don’t forget to take pictures along the way!
When you return to base camp, you’ll be served a hot meal before you head back to Tromso.
- Highlights: Snowmobile tour of the Lyngen Alps; warm gear; hot lunch, hot beverages, and snack; transportation to and from Tromso
- Duration: 5 to 6.5 hours
- Number of participants: 20
- Price: $215+
9. Snowshoeing Tour, the best Tromso winter tour
Once it snows, it’s pretty difficult to go hiking in Tromso without snowshoes. There’s no need to let that stop you, though, especially if you take this small-group snowshoeing tour.
9. Snowshoeing Tour, the best Tromso winter tour
Head to the countryside and hike up a small, manageable mountain in snowshoes (or in just boots if there’s no snow). Enjoy the sweeping views and be on the lookout for hares, reindeer, eagles, and other wildlife.
Your Tromso tour guide will take photos of you on the hike, so you’ll never forget your sweaty trek to the top of a mountain in Norway! Once you reach the summit, recharge with a sandwich, pastry, and a hot drink before you head back down. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Tromso in winter.
- Highlights: Snowshoe hiking tour; souvenir photos; backpack with a homemade sandwich; pastry, water, and hot drinks; transportation to and from Tromso
- Duration: 5 hours
- Number of participants: 8
- Price: $125+
10. Ice Domes with Overnight Stay, the best Tromso tour package
If you had a look at the best hotels in Tromso city center and want something a little different, stay in an ice igloo and enjoy private tours and meals with this Ice Domes overnight stay and tour package.
10. Ice Domes with Overnight Stay, the best Tromso tour package
Not many Tromso tour packages include a private guided tour of the Tromso Ice Domes as well as a private snowshoe hunt for the Northern Lights. On top of that, this Tromso excursion includes a free drink at the Ice Domes’ ice bar and a warm dinner cooked over a campfire.
After a busy day of exploring, you’ll settle into your double room made of ice and snow and snuggle up under a reindeer skin. The next morning, you’ll be treated to a hearty breakfast and lunch before you’re transported back to Tromso.
- Highlights: Guided tour of the Tromso Ice Domes; snowshoe hunt for the Northern Lights; accommodation at Tromso Ice Domes; breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a drink at the ice bar; transportation to and from Tromso
- Duration: 1 day
- Number of participants: 2
- Price: $1,420+
We have a guide on where to stay in Tromso, but if you’re searching for the best Northern Lights hotels in Norway, take a look at our guide.
I hope you’ve found a Tromso tour or two to book for the next time you visit Tromso. Any of the tours in Tromso above are worth doing, and whichever one you decide to take, I’m sure you’ll enjoy exploring and learning more about the area.
Enjoy your time in Tromso!
