TROMSØ IN OCTOBER: AMAZING THINGS TO DO, WEATHER & TOP TIPS!
WONDERING WHETHER TO VISIT TROMSØ IN OCTOBER?
You’ve come to the right place! After our 5 day trip to Tromsø Norway, we’ve put together this clear, easy guide detailing literally everything you could want to know before visiting Tromsø in October!
Like all the best tours, activities and independent things to do, chances of seeing northern lights, will there be snow, how cold it is, what to pack, etc. Enjoy, we hope you find it helpful!! 😊
TROMSØ NORTHERN LIGHTS IN OCTOBER
I won’t keep you waiting, let’s answer that golden question first – Is October a good time to see the Northern Lights in Tromsø?
The answer? Absolutely! October is a great month to see the northern lights in Tromsø, owing to its Winter nights getting sufficiently darker as the month goes on. So long as you get the right conditions (clear skies and solar activity), you’ve got brilliant odds.
October also benefits from the lingering effects of the recent mid-September Autumn Equinox, resulting in beautifully bright and strong displays thanks to an increase in solar wind. Especially with different ruska colours like pink and oranges!!
CLOUD COVER FROM SNOW
Tromsø experiences its first snow flurries late September, which steadily increases in October as temperatures begin to drop and the Winter chill sets in. Brilliant for that Winter Wonderland feel, not so great for northern lights. Snow = cloud cover, reduced visibility.
BOOK AT LEAST ONE GUIDED TOUR
Don’t let that discourage you! This is exactly why we recommend joining a guided northern lights tour to significantly boost your chances of catching the show.
We highly recommended this Northern Lights Adventure with Greenlander tour from Tromsø.
They are the true northern lights EXPERTS, with 11 years, 1000+ tours and a 97% success rate under their belt!
With expert guides armed with solar activity trackers and detailed weather forecasts, you’ll be taken to the best possible locations away from the city — ideally with clear skies — to maximise your chances of experiencing the Aurora’s magic!!
We can absolutely vouch for this. Our 4 days spent in Tromsø were braced with thick full cloud cover!! I remember by the 4th day feeling so disappointed, and tbh, not very optimistic for the northern lights guided tour we’d pre-booked for that evening.
Boy, was I wrong!! Just because it was cloudy in Tromsø, didn’t mean it was cloudy an hour away. Look at the displays we ended up seeing 🤩—
OTHER TOP THINGS TO DO
Since there’s not enough snow on the ground yet, snow-related activities such as snowmobiling, snowshoeing or even visiting Tromsø’s Ice Hotel aren’t available, as they depend on sufficient snow cover and constant freezing temperatures to operate.
While it is considered “early” to visit Tromsø in October, luckily some core Winter tours do start operating in October again, so there’s still a few great things you can see and do!
Here’s some quick links to top-rated tours and suggestions of free / low cost things to do around Tromsø city and Tromsdalen in October to get you started.
(Or read our full what to do in Tromso in Winter guide next!)
🦌🐋
WILDLIFE & ANIMALS
>>> Arctic Wildlife and Fjord Sightseeing (day tour)
🧊🦞🏊♀️
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
>>> Arctic Ice Floating in Warm Survival Suit Tromsø (day tour option – select 9.30am or 1pm time slot)
A stay in a “glass igloo” – a bucket-list accommodation with a transparent “glass roof” to experience the night sky from bed. The best option we found around Tromsø is—
ÆRA Panorama Glass Lodge >>>
36 minute drive away (32km) from Tromsø centre. ÆRA offer a super convenient airport shuttle service at just 50 NOK per way, or can also arrange a car rental service for you.
Psst! The image below shows the “Panorama Glass Lodge” accommodation option at ÆRA.
🏞️🏔️
ARCTIC FJORD LANDSCAPES & NATURE
>>> Arctic Road Trip from Tromsø (day tour)
🛥️🌊⚓
SAILING & CRUISES
>>> Luxury Sailing Yacht Polar Fjord Cruise + lunch (day tour)
>>> Half-Day Fishing & Fjord Cruise Adventure (day tour)
🌘
NIGHT TOURS
>>> Arctic Ice Floating in Warm Survival Suit Tromsø
(night tour – select 7.30pm or 9.30pm evening slot for chance of seeing northern lights too!)
>>> Luxury Northern Lights Yacht Cruise w/ Hot Tub & Din (night tour)
🌆🍂
TROMSØ CITY & TROMSDALEN
Not forgetting, there’s also plenty to do and see in and around Tromsø itself and neighbouring Tromsdalen (neighbourhood located across Tromsø bridge), such as—
IN TROMSDALEN
>>> Take the Fjellheisen cable car up the mountain for jaw-dropping views of Tromsø from the Storsteinen viewing platform. There’s a lovely café with panoramic windows up there too to warm up.
(low cost activity)
>>> Visit the Arctic Cathedral. Have a quick look inside Tromso’s most iconic building located just before the bridge.
(free activity)
IN TROMSØ
>>> Walk along Tromsø Harbour. You’ll come across —
- A glass building showcasing MS Polstjerna, a historical seal-hunting ship.
- The Motorcycle Club building with vibrant street art.
- Polaria Aquarium. The world’s northernmost aquarium! Go in or just admire the ‘ice floe’ inspired architecture from outside.
>>> Arctic Spa Experience onboard Vulkana (New!). Vulkana, an authentic wooden fishing vessel from 1957, has been transformed into the most unique Arctic spa experience, including an on-board wood-fired sauna and jacuzzi, Turkish Hammam, ice bath and Zen Lounge.
Usually, you’ll find Vulkana docked near The Polar Museum. She hasn’t completely hung up her sails just yet though! You can join a special “Fjord Spa Cruise” too ! Contact Vulkana.no directly to arrange and book!
>>> Sunset at Telegrafbukta Beach. A stunning stretch of coast renowned for being the best spot in Tromsø city to spot northern lights without a tour. We can vouch, it also has killer sunsets! I mean, just look at this photo we took –
It’s an easy 30 minutes on foot to Telegrafbukta from Tromsø Harbour (or catch local #33 or #34 bus).
(free activity)
>>> Ølhallen pub. The oldest pub in Tromsø (and the World’s northernmost pub)! Pop in to try some of this microbrewery delicious 72 taps of Norwegian beer. Conveniently on route between Tromsø centre and Telegrafbukta Beach.
>>> Perspektivet Museum. Free to enter. This museum exhibits the fascinating history and evolution of Tromsø city, all the way from the mid-1800’s!
(free activity)
🛏️ Where to stay for Aurora? Our top Northern Lights hotels in Tromsø ↗
TROMSØ OCTOBER WEATHER
TEMPERATURE
Though Tromsø in October starts to slowly bring in that Winter chill, but not as cold as you might think yet! October temperatures typically range from 3°c to -2°c (37.4°f to 28.4°f), which – considering how far north it is – is pretty mild. This is thanks to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream, which Tromsø experiences being a coastal city.
SNOWFALL / RAINFALL
Tromsø’s weather patterns in October tends can be more unpredictable with either rain or snow as it dips its toe in Winter, with an average of 9 days of snowfall and 15 days of rainfall.
Chances of both rainfall and snow – and its resultant cloud cover – increases A LOT as October progresses, so it’s worth packing a lightweight waterproof jacket or an umbrella too.
DAYLIGHT HOURS
The midnight sun in Tromsø — a natural phenomenon where the sun never sets below the horizon — ended around mid July. Since then, Tromsø’s daylight hours have been steadily decreasing, bringing back darker nights.
🌅 1st October daylight hours—
06.59am sunrise, 6.05pm sunset (11 hrs 6 minutes).
🌅 31st October daylight hours—
08.06am sunrise, 2.47pm sunset (6 hrs and 41 minutes).
Important note: Clocks go back by 1 hour on the last Sunday of October, marking the end of ‘Daylight Saving Time’ in Norway.
That’s a difference of approximately 4hr 25 mins less daylight hours! So the later you go in October, the shorter your days will be and – most importantly for northern lights – the longer your nights will be!
SEEING WILDLIFE IN OCTOBER
REINDEERS, OTTERS & SEA EAGLES
We’re big fans of adding an ethical wildlife experience to our travels whenever we can, and Tromsø was no exception!
October is still just too early for whale watching in Tromsø (the season is November to February), but there’s still plenty of wildlife to see near the city.
Reindeer, sea otters and sea eagles are common on Kvaløya, an island close to Tromsø. In particular, Sommarøy – a charming fishing village on Kvaløya’s west coast – is a prime spot!
Book this super convenient 5* Arctic Wildlife and Fjord Sightseeing day tour for a chance to see Tromsø’s wildlife plus all the best scenic spots in the region!
PACKING LIST FOR TROMSØ IN OCTOBER
October’s dropping temperatures mean it’s a good idea to think about some warm layers—
🧥👚
Layers
- Under-layers are ideally breathable wool, natural materials like Merino Wool.
- Long-sleeved tops
- Thick jumper / sweater to go over the top.
- A warm coat, like a puffer coat. Ideally waterproof so it doesn’t get soaked by Tromsø’s increasing rain and snow in October.
- Thermal leggings.
🧣🧤🧦🎧
Accessories
- Bobble hat.
- Ear muffs (if windy)
- Scarf or snood.
- A lanyard to keep your phone around your neck during tours would actually be very handy. Something like this.
- A couple of thick thermal socks.
- Comfortable walking boots with good grip.
- A small retractable umbrella in case of rain.
- Walking boots with good grip, especially near end of October.
- Chapstick / lip balm to prevent dry lips from the cold!!
HALLOWEEN IN TROMSØ
(OCTOBER 31ST)
Let’s not forget, Halloween is on October 31st, and Tromsø doesn’t disappoint when embracing the festivities! On every Thursday in October, you can join a spooky expedition trail booked directly through the Troll Museum.
This includes a graveyard walk *gulp*, a guided walk around the city and finishing up with a visit to the Troll Museum.
CONCLUSION: VISITING TROMSØ IN OCTOBER
It’s true, Tromsø in October is not yet a snow-covered Winter Wonderland – still holding onto those Autumnal hues – but temperatures are beginning to drop and nights getting longer as Winter peeks around the corner.
Snow-based tours (like snowmobiling, sledding etc) still aren’t running in October, and neither are whale watching tours.
However! Northern lights season is in full swing, and luckily for you other exciting Winter activities like Aurora ice floating and Arctic fjord sailing under northern lights are back on in October too!
We hope this guide has been helpful, and that you have the most INCREDIBLE time in gorgeous Tromsø.
This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!
Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com
A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.
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