Every Activity We Did in Tromsø (Ranked From Best to Worst)

Living in Norway for four years, I finally got the chance to visit one of the most popular destinations in Northern Scandinavia:

Tromsø.

Most people visit Tromsø for its breathtaking Arctic scenery, winter activities, and, of course, the chance to see the Northern Lights.

Since we visited in January, we got to experience Tromsø at its coolest and most magical time of the year.

In this article, I’m ranking every activity we tried during our trip, from the ones I would book again in a heartbeat to the ones I enjoyed a little less.

Of course, this is entirely based on my personal experience, so your ranking might look completely different.We’ll talk more about the best time to visit Tromsø in another article, but for now, let’s dive into the activities that made our trip unforgettable.

Northern Lights Tour

Dog Sledding

Whale Watching

Fjellheisen Cable Car

1. Northern Lights Organised Tour

Let’s be honest: for many people, visiting Northern Norway has one main purpose : seeing the Northern Lights.

Every year, travelers fly from all around the world hoping to witness this incredible natural phenomenon.

What many people don’t realize, however, is that even Norwegians can go years without seeing a really good Northern Lights display. The aurora is never guaranteed, and everything depends on solar activity and weather conditions.This is also why booking a Northern Lights tour can be a bit controversial.

If the aurora activity is strong and the sky is clear, you can often see the lights on your own without paying for an organised tour. In that case, spending several hundred kroner on a tour might not feel necessary.

On the other hand, if the weather in Tromsø is cloudy, the guides will often drive far away from the city in search of clear skies. Sometimes that even means crossing into Finland. Their experience, local knowledge, and constant monitoring of weather conditions can significantly increase your chances of seeing the aurora.

But is it actually worth the price and the long hours spent driving around in the Arctic darkness?

For us, the answer was no.

Our Experience

We booked our tour with Norwegian Travel AS.

Let me make a quick side note here.

We happened to visit Tromsø during what was supposed to be one of the strongest weeks of solar activity of the year, with the KP index reaching over 8 on several nights.

Naturally, with my luck, all that solar activity came with cloudy skies and thick fog.

We did get lucky enough to spot a weak aurora while walking around town the night before our tour.

But chasing the Northern Lights has something in common with a good plate of pasta:

It’s never enough. You always want more.

So after seeing a small glimpse of the aurora, our expectations for the organised tour were sky-high.

And that’s exactly why we ended up disappointed.The tour lasted around six hours in total.

We spent almost two hours driving before stopping at a location where several other tour buses had gathered. We then stayed there for nearly another two hours waiting for the sky to clear.

My first piece of advice: bring snacks. Lots of snacks.

To be honest, I was hoping we would drive all the way into Finland if necessary, but according to our guide the weather conditions weren’t much better further away, so we never attempted it.

The funny thing is that the photos looked amazing.As most Northern Lights photos do, the camera picked up colours and details that our eyes simply couldn’t see.Looking at the pictures afterwards, you would think we had witnessed an incredible display. The reality was very different.

Adding to that, it was freezing cold. Temperatures dropped to around -25°C. I’ll talk more about what to wear in Tromsø in another article, but trust me when I say that standing still in those temperatures for hours is not exactly fun.

A photographer from the tour took photos of everyone, and while some people seemed genuinely excited, most of us were trying very hard to convince ourselves that what we were seeing was worth the wait.

At the end of the evening, we were given hot chocolate and biscuits before heading back to Tromsø.

Would I do it again?

No.

The whole experience felt a little forced. I understand that the guides don’t want guests to leave disappointed, but at times it felt like they were trying to convince us that a barely visible aurora was the most spectacular thing they had ever seen.

Maybe that works for some people.

But we’re the type of travellers who become obsessed once we start chasing something.

And spoiler alert: the best Northern Lights display of our entire trip wasn’t on an organised tour at all. We found it completely on our own.

2. Dog Sledding

Dog sledding was the very next activity we did, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first.

Like many people, I was concerned about whether this was an ethical activity.

I had heard different opinions online, so before booking it, I spent quite a bit of time reading reviews and researching the company.

We booked this activity through Norwegian Travel AS, and one of the reasons I felt comfortable doing it was that I learned more about how the dogs are cared for.

The owner runs the dog farm, and it was immediately obvious how much the staff loved the animals.

One thing that really stood out to me was how excited the dogs were to run. Some of them were literally crying and jumping around while waiting to start. They couldn’t wait to get going. Others were much calmer and clearly preferred a quieter life.

The staff explained that some dogs are simply more suited to being family pets than working sled dogs.

Another thing I found interesting was that many of the dogs were lying directly on the snow and ice, even though they had access to shelters and dog houses. Apparently, this is completely normal for them. Their thick fur is designed for Arctic conditions, and they often choose to stay outside because that’s where they feel most comfortable.

I also learned that sled dogs don’t work for many years. Some retire early, while others stop running altogether. The staff told us that volunteers from all over the world come to help at the farm, and many leave absolutely attached to the dogs, so they adopt them.

What I Loved

The experience actually started long before we got on the sled.

The drive to the farm took almost two hours, but it was one of the most beautiful drives of the entire trip.

Snow-covered mountains, frozen landscapes, and scenery that looked straight out of a postcard.

When we arrived, we were welcomed with hot coffee, tea, and a traditional Norwegian soup while the guides explained more about the dogs and how the farm operates.

And yes, you can pet the dogs.

You can pet a lot of dogs.

You can also spend time with the puppies

What We Did

Before heading out, everyone was given a warm thermal suit and safety instructions.

The guides showed us how to steer the sled, how to brake, and what to do if something went wrong.Then the adventure began.

And wow, those dogs were ready.

The second the sled started moving, it became very clear that they were doing exactly what they loved.

They were full of energy and incredibly eager to run.In fact, if you forget to use the brake, they’ll happily keep going forever.

Trust me.

We tested that theory by accident.

Things To Know

The scenery along the route was absolutely magical.

At the end of the ride, there was time to thank the dogs, pet them, take photos, and simply enjoy being around them for a while.

For me, this wasn’t just another tourist activity.

It ended up being one of the highlights of our trip and one of the experiences

I still think about long after returning home.

3. Whale Watching Tour

When we booked this activity, we honestly didn’t have very high expectations.

Mid-January is close to the end of the whale season in Northern Norway, as many of the whales start moving towards warmer waters. We knew there was a chance we wouldn’t see much at all.

But we decided to give it a try.

And even if we didn’t spot any whales, we figured that a fjord cruise through the Arctic landscapes would still be a beautiful experience and worth the money.

Well…

My luck finally returned.

Not only did we see whales, but we saw hundreds of them.

During the tour, we spotted three different species: orcas, humpback whales, and fin whales.

It was easily one of the most spectacular things I have ever witnessed.

The weather was brutally cold. Standing outside for long periods felt closer to -30°C with the wind, and after a while you could barely feel your face.Thankfully, the boat had a large heated cabin where you could warm up whenever you needed to before heading back outside for more whale spotting.

The boat ride itself took around two hours before we reached the area where the whales were feeding. But surprisingly, those two hours flew by.

On board, two marine biologists explained everything about whale behaviour, migration patterns, and the local ecosystem. It was fascinating and made the whole experience much more meaningful than simply looking for animals in the water.They even organized a quiz during the journey, and the winner received a small prize.

It was a fun touch that kept everyone engaged while we searched for the whales.And then came the moment.Seeing those giant animals emerge from the water, surrounded by snow-covered mountains and Arctic scenery, felt almost unreal.

It wasn’t just another excursion.It was one of those rare travel moments that stay with you forever.

What a sentimental moment.

I cried.

And to this day, it’s one of the most unforgettable experiences I’ve ever had while travelling.

4. Fjellheisen Cable Car

But let’s go back to our Northern Lights mission.

Because after the organised tour, we hadn’t given up.

Not even close.

We were absolutely determined not to leave Tromsø during a KP 8 week without witnessing a proper Northern Lights display.And that’s where Fjellheisen came to the rescue.

The cable car is easily accessible from Tromsø city centre and takes you high above the city, offering some of the most spectacular views in Northern Norway.

In fact, we loved it so much that we visited twice.

The first time was around sunset, and the second time was late at night in our desperate search for the Northern Lights.Both visits were magical.At the top, you’ll find a café where you can warm up with a coffee or a hot chocolate if the Arctic temperatures become too much. We spent most of our time outside, though. Thankfully, we were dressed properly for the weather.

The landscape up there doesn’t even feel real.The snow-covered mountains, the frozen fjords, the silence, the endless darkness during the night…At times it felt more like standing on another planet than on a mountain above Tromsø.And then it happened.

This was where we finally witnessed the most spectacular Northern Lights display of our entire trip.

No tour buses.

No crowds.

No guides trying to convince us that we were seeing something incredible.

Just us, standing on a mountain under one of the strongest aurora displays of the year.It was one of those moments that reminds you why you travel in the first place.The kind of moment that stays with you long after the trip is over.If you ask me for one activity that absolutely deserves a place on your Tromsø pocket list, this is it.

And if the Northern Lights are active while you’re there?

Don’t think twice.

Take the cable car and chase them like crazy.

Activities We Didn’t Have Time For

Even after five days in Tromsø, there were still a few experiences we simply couldn’t fit into our itinerary.

We chose dog sledding over snowmobiling, but I can only imagine how incredible it must be to drive through those Arctic landscapes on a snowmobile.

I would also love to learn more about the Sami people and their fascinating culture, traditions, and connection to life in the Arctic.

And if you’re a skiing enthusiast, don’t overlook cross-country skiing.

Tromsø’s mountains and snowy scenery seem like the perfect place to experience one of Norway’s most beloved winter sports.

Activities still on my Tromsø pocket list: