Your browser is not supported

To use our site, we recommend using the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge

Get Help

Tromso Holidays

Gateway to the mountains and fjords of northern Norway

At 69 degrees north, 350 kilometres inside the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is, by some distance, the largest city in Northern Norway. Yet for somewhere that looks so remote on a map, it’s a remarkably vibrant and cosmopolitan place, brimming with cultural attractions, eye-catching architecture, fabulous places to eat and drink, and swathes of awe-inspiring nature right on its doorstep. 

The city itself is centred on the island of Tromsøya, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge that leads to the majestic Arctic Cathedral – a gleaming white, sharp-edged masterpiece which has become Tromsø’s showpiece landmark. Nearby, the Fjellheisen cable car offers easy access to Mount Storsteinen, the ultimate vantage point with sweeping views overlooking the city and beyond. 

Inland, to the east, are a series of fjords and the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Lyngen Alps, while to the west lie the wild, sparsely populated islands of Kvaløya and Sommarøy, where colourful, timber-clad fishing villages and white sand beaches punctuate the windswept coastline, framed by a rugged, mountainous interior.

EPIC ARCTIC ADVENTURES

While Tromsø has lots to offer in the way of museums, shops, restaurants and bars, it’s only by getting out of the city that you can truly appreciate the region’s beguiling natural beauty. Exhilarating outdoor adventures such as skiing and whale watching cruises each offer a unique perspective on the majestic landscapes, coastal scenery and Arctic wildlife of Northern Norway.

Perhaps the most powerful draw of all, though, is the chance to see the Northern Lights swirling through the night sky. As Tromsø lies directly beneath the auroral oval – the geographical zone where the Northern Lights are most frequently active – even low levels of auroral activity can produce truly dazzling displays. Even when the weather conditions aren’t favourable in Tromsø (which is often the case), it’s often possible to find clear skies further inland, which is where booking a tour with a local guide comes in handy.

A REGION STEEPED IN SÁMI HERITAGE

It wasn’t until the 19th century that Tromsø really started to take shape as a hub for polar expeditions and the Arctic hunting trade, followed by a rapid period of growth in the 20th century with the opening of the airport and the Arctic University of Norway. The wider region, however, has been inhabited for thousands of years, including by the Vikings during the Middle Ages and by the indigenous Sámi people long before that, as far back as the end of the last Ice Age.

The ancient lands of the nomadic Sámi extend across the whole of northern Scandinavia and into Russia, and their centuries-old traditions are proudly upheld by an estimated population of 80,000 today – around half of which live in Norway. To learn more about Sámi culture and mythology, consider checking out the Arctic University Museum of Norway, visiting a Sámi reindeer farm, or timing your visit to coincide with the annual Sámi Week festivities, which typically take place in the second week of February. 
 

Need to know

easyJet holidays - wallet icon
Currency
Norwegian Kroner
easyJet holidays - plane icon
Flight Time
3hrs 30mins
easyJet holidays - message icon
Language
North Norwegian
easyJet holidays - clock icon
Time zone
GMT+2

* Average time from London Gatwick to Tromso

All resorts in Tromso

Explore our map of Tromso

Average weather in Tromso

YOUR TROMSØ QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

It takes around three hours and 20 minutes to fly from London Gatwick to Tromsø.
There are several public buses, as well as an airport shuttle bus, running from Tromsø Airport to the city centre. The journey takes around 15 minutes. Taxis are also available.
Four or five nights is about the right amount of time for a trip to Tromsø, giving you ample opportunity to explore the city, go on several excursions and, with a bit of luck, see the Northern Lights.
To experience Tromsø blanketed in snow, December through to March is the best time to visit. Bear in mind that the sun doesn’t rise from late November through to mid-January, although this is still a magical time to visit – and it’s not dark 24/7, with several hours of twilight in the middle of the day. For the Northern Lights, it’s dark enough any time from mid-September to early April. 
Generally, not as cold as you might expect for somewhere so far north. Due to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream, Tromsø’s weather is typically milder than many other places on a similar latitude. In winter, expect day time temperatures of around 0°C to -5°C, with January and February being the coldest months. Conditions can be highly changeable, so it’s not unusual to experience rain, snow, wind and sunshine all in the space of 24 hours. 

Hotels in Tromso