Tromsø is one of Northern Norway’s main gateways to the Arctic, with experiences ranging from Northern Lights tours and whale watching to fjord cruises, dog sledding and summer adventures under the Midnight Sun.
The city is compact and easy to explore, while mountains, fjords and islands begin just beyond the centre. This makes Tromsø an excellent base for combining city experiences with day trips into the surrounding Arctic landscapes. We’ve selected some of the experiences we think are most useful when planning a stay in Tromsø — from classic winter activities to fjord trips, wildlife, local food and less obvious ways to experience the Arctic.
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Travel Between Tromsø & Lofoten
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Northern Lights | Whale Watching | Fjord Tours & Cruises | Dog Sledding | Reindeer & Sámi | Day Trips | Accommodation | Arctic Journeys
Northern Lights
Chase the Aurora from Tromsø
Tromsø lies beneath the auroral oval and is one of Northern Norway’s main bases for Northern Lights travel. There is no single best type of aurora tour. Road-based chases offer the flexibility to search for clearer skies, while fixed-location experiences can combine an evening beneath the Arctic sky with huskies, reindeer, food or other activities. Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, so sightings can never be guaranteed.
Small-Group Northern Lights Chase
For flexibility
Leave Tromsø by minibus with guides who follow weather and cloud conditions in search of clearer skies. These tours are a good choice if seeing the aurora is your main priority.
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Aurora Husky Visit
For huskies & Northern Lights
Travel to Tromsø Villmarkssenter, around 30 minutes from the city, for an evening with the huskies beneath the Arctic sky.
Meet the dogs and puppies, enjoy a warm dinner and watch for the Northern Lights away from central Tromsø. This experience does not include dog sledding.
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Aurora Tour for All
Accessible Tours
Join a minibus aurora chase designed to make the experience accessible to a wider range of travellers, including guests travelling with mobility aids. Warm food, drinks and additional cold-weather equipment are included.
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Aurora & Whales Escape
For a multi-day Arctic experience
Spend 5 days / 4 nights aboard a small sailing yacht exploring the fjords around Tromsø. With only a small number of guests aboard, the journey combines Northern Lights hunting, whale watching, secluded anchorages, meals and overnight stays on the yacht.
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Whale Watching
Choose the Whale Experience That Fits Your Trip
Winter whale watching is one of the major wildlife experiences available from Tromsø. Orcas and humpback whales follow herring into the fjords of Northern Norway, and the best viewing areas can shift during the season. Most whale tours from Tromsø operate between October and January, although exact dates depend on whale movements and conditions.
Whale Watching RIB Tour
Best for a small-group wildlife experience
Travel from Tromsø to Skjervøy before boarding a small RIB with up to 12 guests. The lower, faster boat gives a much closer connection to the water and allows more time in the whale-watching area than many larger-vessel excursions. The full-day experience includes transport from Tromsø, flotation gear, a meal and guiding.
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Whale & Arctic Wildlife Safari by Catamaran
Best value & comfort
Depart directly from Tromsø aboard a modern catamaran with panoramic windows, indoor seating, outdoor decks, Wi-Fi and onboard facilities. The faster vessel reduces travel time to the whale areas while still offering a comfortable journey through the fjords and views towards the Lyngen Alps.
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Whale Safari with MS Gabriele
Best for a relaxed traditional cruise
Travel from Tromsø Pier 1 aboard a spacious and stable boat with panoramic indoor areas and outside deck space. The roughly six-hour journey combines whale watching with fjord scenery, while the larger vessel makes this a more relaxed alternative to a RIB experience.
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Aurora & Whales Escape
Bucket-list option
Turn whale watching into a multi-day Arctic journey aboard a small sailing yacht.
Over 5 days / 4 nights, travel through the fjords around Tromsø in search of whales and Northern Lights, staying aboard the yacht and anchoring in quieter coastal locations along the way. Meals, accommodation and the sailing experience are included.
Dog Sledding & Huskies
Choose Your Husky Experience in Tromsø
Meeting a team of Alaskan huskies is one of Tromsø’s classic Arctic experiences, but you don’t necessarily need to drive a dog sled to enjoy it. In winter, choose between passenger rides, self-drive dog sledding and longer wilderness adventures. From late summer into autumn, hiking and puppy-training experiences offer a way to meet the huskies before the sledding season begins.
Husky Sled Ride
Best classic experience
Travel from Tromsø to Kvaløya and enjoy a guided sled ride through the snowy landscape while an experienced musher drives the husky team.
Best for: first-time visitors who want the full husky experience without having to drive the sled themselves.
Season: November–April
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Self-Drive Dog Sledding
Best hands-on experience
Take control of your own husky team through the winter landscape of Kvaløya. Two participants share a sled, taking turns as musher and passenger during approximately 45 minutes of dog sledding. This is a physically active experience requiring good balance and fitness.
Best for: active travellers who specifically want to drive a dog sled.
Season: November–April
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Arctic Combo
Best for doing more in one day
Can’t decide between Tromsø’s winter activities?
Travel to the snowy Tamok Valley for a full-day experience combining dog sledding, snowmobiling and a reindeer visit. Return transport from Tromsø, winter clothing and safety equipment are included, making this an efficient way to experience several Arctic activities during a shorter stay.
Best for: first-time Arctic visitors who want several winter experiences in one excursion.
Season: December–March
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Aurora Husky Visit
Best husky experience without sledding
Spend an evening outside Tromsø meeting around 200 Alaskan huskies and visiting the dog yard before settling in for dinner and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights. There is no dog sledding on this experience, making it a good alternative for travellers who primarily want to meet the dogs.
Best for: dog lovers, families and travellers who don’t want to go sledding.
Season: September–March
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Husky Experiences Without Snow
Tromsø’s huskies aren’t only a winter experience. The months before the sledding season are an opportunity to see how the dogs exercise and train when there is no snow.
Husky Hike & Puppy Visit
Head into the Arctic countryside accompanied by some of the centre’s energetic huskies. The 1.5–2 hour hike crosses uneven terrain, with guests taking turns handling the dogs.
Best for: active travellers visiting Tromsø in late summer or autumn.
Season: August–November
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Puppy Training Experience
Best for dog lovers
See another side of the dog-sledding world by joining handlers as they work with the next generation of sled dogs. Depending on their age, the puppies take part in different exercises and a guided hike designed to develop the skills they will need later as working huskies.
Best for: dog lovers interested in how sled dogs are raised and trained.
Season: August–November
Reindeer & Sámi Culture
Meet Reindeer & Learn About Sámi Culture
Reindeer herding has been an important part of Sámi culture in Northern Norway for generations. Experiences from Tromsø offer an opportunity to meet reindeer while learning about Sámi traditions, food, storytelling and the relationship between reindeer herders and the Arctic landscape. Choose a daytime reindeer-sledding experience, spend an evening around the fire with Sámi guides, or combine the experience with the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.
Reindeer Sledding, Feeding & Sámi Culture
Best complete experience
Travel from Tromsø to a reindeer camp where you can meet and feed a large herd of reindeer before experiencing a 25–30 minute reindeer sled ride through the winter landscape. The experience continues inside a traditional lavvu with bidos, a traditional Sámi reindeer stew, followed by stories about Sámi culture, reindeer herding and a performance of joik, a traditional form of Sámi vocal music.
Best for: first-time visitors looking for the most complete combination of reindeer sledding and Sámi culture.
Season: October–April
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Reindeer Camp Dinner & Sámi Culture
Best evening cultural experience
Spend an evening outside Tromsø meeting and feeding reindeer before sitting down to dinner at the camp. Afterwards, gather inside a lavvu to hear stories about Sámi culture and life as a reindeer herder and listen to traditional joik. From late summer onwards, the darkening evenings also bring the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights when conditions are favourable. There is no reindeer sledding on this experience, making the cultural programme, reindeer encounter and dinner the focus.
Best for: travellers who are more interested in Sámi culture and reindeer than sledding.
Season: August–April
Allow: Around 4.5 hours
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Night Reindeer Sledding & Camp Dinner
Best evening reindeer experience
Combine a reindeer encounter with a short sled ride, dinner and an evening of Sámi storytelling outside Tromsø. Feed the reindeer, experience a 10–15 minute sled ride and enjoy a warm meal before gathering around the fire for stories and joik. On clear, dark nights, there is also a possibility of seeing the Northern Lights from the camp.
Best for: travellers who want reindeer sledding and Sámi culture but prefer an evening excursion.
Season: October–April
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Reindeer Experiences in Tamok Valley
Journey into the Arctic Wilderness
For a different setting, travel inland from Tromsø to Tamokdalen, where the coastal landscape gives way to a colder, more continental Arctic environment of mountains, forests and deep winter snow.
Reindeer Sledding at Camp Tamok
Best wilderness option
Travel approximately 90 minutes from Tromsø to Camp Tamok before meeting the reindeer and heading out on a gentle sled ride through the snowy landscape. Learn about Sámi traditions and the connection between reindeer and Sámi culture, feed the animals and return to the camp for a warm meal and drinks inside a lavvu.
Best for: travellers who want to combine reindeer sledding with a longer journey into the Arctic wilderness.
Season: December–March
Allow: Around 6.5 hours
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Sámi Culture, Reindeer & Northern Lights
Best Tamok evening experience
Leave Tromsø in the afternoon and travel into the dark winter landscape of Tamok Valley.
Meet and feed reindeer, hear stories about Sámi traditions and spend time around the fire before enjoying a warm meal inside a lavvu. The remote location and limited artificial light also create an opportunity to look for the Northern Lights when conditions are favourable.
Best for: travellers who want a longer evening away from Tromsø combining culture, reindeer and Arctic wilderness.
Season: November–March
Allow: Around 6.5 hours
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Active Reindeer Experience
Snowshoeing with Reindeer
Best for active travellers
Combine a reindeer encounter with approximately two hours of guided snowshoeing through the winter landscape outside Tromsø.
Meet the reindeer before heading into the snow-covered surroundings with a guide, then return to a traditional gamme for hot drinks and something sweet. No previous snowshoeing experience is required.
Best for: travellers who want an outdoor winter activity rather than reindeer sledding.
Season: December–March
Allow: Around 4 hours
Fjord Tours & Cruises
Explore the Fjords Around Tromsø
Tromsø is surrounded by islands, fjords and mountains, and you don’t need to travel far from the city to experience the Arctic coastline.
Explore by boat for views from the water, fishing and coastal wildlife, or travel west across Kvaløya towards Sommarøy for beaches, fishing villages and dramatic fjord landscapes.
Polar Fjord & Fishing Cruise
Best for fishing & local coastal life
Cruise from Tromsø towards Rya and Ramfjord on a five-hour journey combining Arctic scenery, wildlife and a chance to try fishing in the fjord. Keep watch for white-tailed eagles and other wildlife before stopping to fish in the cold Arctic waters. On the return journey, enjoy freshly prepared fish soup while the crew shares stories about the surrounding coastline, wildlife and local history. Warm indoor areas and insulated suits make this a comfortable way to experience the fjords during the colder months.
Best for: travellers who want more than sightseeing from their fjord cruise.
Season: September–April
Allow: Around 5 hours
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Arctic Fjord Cruise with Brim Explorer
Best comfortable scenic cruise
Explore the coastline around Tromsø aboard a modern hybrid-electric catamaran with panoramic indoor lounges and spacious outdoor decks. The cruise combines mountain and fjord scenery with stories about coastal life and local history. A stop at a traditional fishing facility provides an introduction to Northern Norway’s fishing heritage, while binoculars and an underwater drone may reveal wildlife along the journey.
Best for: travellers looking for a relaxed and comfortable fjord cruise with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.
Season: September–April
Allow: Around 4–4.5 hours
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Explore Kvaløya & Sommarøy by Road
Not every fjord experience requires a boat. West of Tromsø, Kvaløya and Sommarøy offer one of the area’s most scenic road journeys, passing fjords, mountain valleys, beaches and small coastal communities.
Kvaløya & Sommarøy Arctic Day Trip.
Best complete scenic road tour
Travel in a small group from Tromsø through the landscapes of Kvaløya to the island community of Sommarøy. Stop at viewpoints along the way for fjords, beaches and mountain scenery, with opportunities to look for reindeer and sea eagles. A warm lunch is served on Sommarøy before returning to Tromsø by a different route. Professional photographs from the journey are included.
Best for: first-time visitors who want to see more of the landscapes surrounding Tromsø without renting a car.
Allow: Around 6 hours
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Fjord Photo Tour to Sommarøy
Best for photography
Leave Tromsø for a scenic drive through valleys, fjords and coastal landscapes towards Sommarøy.
Frequent stops provide time to photograph beaches, mountains, fjords and fishing communities rather than simply viewing the scenery through the window. Wildlife, including reindeer, may occasionally be encountered along the route.
Best for: travellers who prioritise scenery, photography and frequent stops.
Season: August–April
Allow: Around 5–5.5 hours
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Accessible Kvaløya & Sommarøy Fjord Tour
Best accessible option
Explore the fjords of Kvaløya and Sommarøy on a tour designed with accessibility in mind. Travel by minibus through several fjord landscapes with short scenic stops before enjoying lunch at Sommarøy. The itinerary includes easier minibus access and access to accessible toilet facilities during the lunch stop.
Best for: travellers with mobility requirements looking for a guided scenic excursion from Tromsø.
Allow: Around 5.5 hours
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Explore Tromsø City
Discover the City Beyond the Arctic Adventures
Tromsø is compact enough to explore on foot, but there is more to the city than its harbour and main shopping streets.
Guided city tours can help place Tromsø in context — from Arctic exploration and Sámi history to the city’s coastal setting, museums, architecture and everyday life in Northern Norway.
Tromsø Island Tour
Best accessible sightseeing tour
Explore Tromsø by minibus with stops that combine city history, coastal scenery and some of the city’s best-known landmarks.
The tour includes a guided visit to the Arctic University Museum of Norway, a stop at Telegrafbukta, panoramic views across Tromsøya and entry to the Arctic Cathedral. The experience is designed to be accessible for wheelchair users and travellers with reduced mobility, with guides also prepared to support guests with visual or hearing impairments.
Best for: first-time visitors looking for a comfortable overview of Tromsø.
Allow: Around 4 hours
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Private Tromsø Island Tour
Best private sightseeing experience
See Tromsø at a more relaxed pace with a private guide and driver.
The tour combines the Arctic University Museum of Norway, the Arctic Cathedral and a ride on the Fjellheisen cable car for panoramic views over Tromsø and the surrounding fjords. A warm lunch in the historic part of the city is also included.
Best for: couples, families or small groups who prefer a private and more complete introduction to Tromsø.
Allow: Half day
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Private Tromsø City Walk
Best for history & local insight
Explore Tromsø’s compact centre on foot with a private guide and an itinerary adapted to your interests. Walk through the harbour area and historic streets while learning about the city’s Arctic history, architecture and everyday life. Longer versions can include the Polar Museum and lunch at a local restaurant.
Best for: travellers who prefer conversation, history and exploring at walking pace.
Allow: 1–3 hours
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Tromsø Foodwalk
Best cultural experience
Discover Tromsø through its food traditions on a small-group walking tour through the city centre. Taste a selection of Northern Norwegian and Norwegian specialities, including seafood, Arctic char and reindeer, while learning how geography, climate and coastal culture have shaped the region’s cuisine.
Best for: travellers interested in local food, culture and everyday life.
Allow: Around 3 hours
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Something Different
Arctic Ocean Urban Floating
A distinctly Arctic experience in the city
Float in the cold Arctic water while staying warm and dry inside a specialist immersion suit.
Unlike wilderness floating experiences, this activity takes place close to Tromsø and offers a surprisingly calm way to experience the Arctic Ocean — whether under the Polar Night or the long summer light.
Best for: travellers looking for something unusual rather than conventional sightseeing.
Minimum age: 12
Extended Trips from Tromsø
Go Beyond the City
Tromsø works well as a base, but some of Northern Norway’s most rewarding landscapes and wildlife experiences lie several hours away.
If you have a full day — or preferably a couple of nights — you can continue to Senja, Polar Park in Bardu and other parts of Northern Norway without needing to organise every transport connection yourself.
Polar Park from Tromsø
Best for Arctic wildlife
Travel south from Tromsø to Polar Park in Bardu, one of the northernmost wildlife parks in the world. The journey follows the Arctic Route through inland valleys and mountain scenery before reaching the park, where you can see species such as wolves, lynx, moose, musk ox, reindeer, bears and Arctic foxes. You have around three hours in the park before returning to Tromsø in the evening.
Best for: wildlife, families and travellers continuing towards Narvik.
Allow: Around 9 hours
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Senja Full-Day Exploration
Best scenic road trip from Tromsø
Spend a full day exploring the dramatic outer coast of Senja, including some of the island’s best-known stops along Norwegian Scenic Route Senja. The route typically includes places such as Tungeneset, Bergsbotn, Ersfjordstranda and coastal communities including Husøy, with time for photography and short walks along the way. Wildlife sightings may include moose, reindeer and sea eagles, although these can never be guaranteed.
Best for: travellers with limited time who still want to see Senja.
Allow: Around 8–10 hours
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Stay Longer on Senja
2-Night Winter Escape from Tromsø
If you have more time, a short stay on Senja is a much better way to experience the island than trying to fit everything into one long day.
This two-night winter package includes transport from Tromsø, accommodation at Camp Fjordbotn, sightseeing along Norwegian Scenic Route Senja, a guided snowshoe evening, meals and time to relax in a panoramic sauna. The sightseeing day includes several of Senja’s well-known locations, including Tungeneset, Bergsbotn, Skaland and Mefjordvær. In the evening, head out by snowshoes to a small wilderness camp, where you can sit around the fire with warm drinks while watching the sky for the Northern Lights.
Best for: travellers who want Senja to be part of the journey rather than simply a day trip.
Includes: transport from Tromsø, 2 nights accommodation, breakfast and dinner, sightseeing, snowshoeing and sauna.
Allow: 2 nights / 3 days
Where to Stay in Tromsø
For most visitors, staying in central Tromsø is the most practical choice. You can walk to restaurants, museums, the harbour and many tour departure points, while airport buses and local transport are easy to reach. For winter trips in particular, a central hotel also makes early whale-watching departures, evening Northern Lights tours and longer day trips considerably easier to manage.
Thon Hotel Tromsø
Modern central stay
Thon Hotel Tromsø is a modern city-centre hotel on Grønnegata, within easy walking distance of central Tromsø’s shops, restaurants and waterfront. The hotel has 152 rooms, breakfast included, free Wi-Fi and access to the fitness room at neighbouring Thon Hotel Polar. The airport bus stops around 100 metres away, making it a convenient option if you are arriving without a car.
Best for: travellers who want a modern, central base with easy access to tours and public transport.
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Thon Hotel Polar
Central and practical
Located directly across the street, Thon Hotel Polar offers another straightforward base in the heart of Tromsø.
The hotel has 132 rooms and is particularly convenient for travellers who plan to spend most of their time exploring rather than at the hotel. Breakfast is included, there is an on-site gym, and many of Tromsø’s central attractions can be reached on foot.
Best for: travellers looking for a comfortable, functional hotel in a very central location.
Explore Arctic Journeys from Tromsø
Tromsø is not only a destination — it is one of the main starting points for travelling deeper into Northern Norway. Continue south through Senja, Harstad, Narvik and Vesterålen towards Lofoten, with routes designed around realistic travel times, seasonal transport and the experiences worth stopping for along the way.
Choose between the direct route via Narvik or a slower summer journey through Harstad, scenic Hinnøya and Vesterålen.
Highlights
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Midnight Sun & Arctic landscapes
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Narvik or Harstad stopover
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Scenic Hinnøya & Vesterålen
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Fjords, hiking & coastal villages
A realistic winter itinerary from Tromsø to Lofoten, breaking the journey in Narvik for shorter and more manageable travel days.
Highlights
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Northern Lights & Arctic winter
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Dog sledding and Sámi culture
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Polar Park & Arctic wildlife
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Trollfjord & Lofoten experiences
Northern Norway Self-Drive Itineraries
Travel from Tromsø to Lofoten by public transport, with two nights in Narvik and three nights based in Svolvær.
Highlights
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Scenic Tromsø–Narvik journey
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Arctic Train & Narvik
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3 nights in Svolvær
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Guided Lofoten & Northern Lights tours
Travel from Tromsø to Lofoten along the slower coastal route through Senja, Harstad and Vesterålen, using express boats, the Norwegian Coastal Express and guided excursions.
Highlights
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Senja day excursion
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Express boat via Harstad
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Coastal Express to Lofoten
Northern Norway Without a Car
Independent Travel Itineraries
Continue Your Journey
Explore More of Northern Norway
Tromsø is also an excellent starting point for a longer journey through Northern Norway.
Tromsø to Senja
Scenic coastline and one of Norway’s National Scenic Routes.
Tromsø to Narvik
Mountain landscapes, Arctic history and access to Polar Park.
Tromsø to Harstad & Hinnøya
Continue towards a quieter region of fjords, islands and coastal communities.
Tromsø to Vesterålen
Whales, coastal villages, scenic drives and wild Atlantic landscapes.
Tromsø to Lofoten
Continue south towards one of Norway’s most famous island regions.
Book Your Northern Norway Journey
Ready to start planning? Explore tours, activities and accommodation available through Hinnøya Travel across Tromsø and Northern Norway.
From Northern Lights tours, reindeer experiences and dog sledding to fjord cruises, whale watching and centrally located hotels, you can check availability and book the experiences and stays that fit your journey.
Bookings made directly with Hinnøya Travel through our booking platform are covered by the Norwegian Travel Guarantee Fund (Reisegarantifondet / RGF).