Month guide · Tromsø · Norway
Tromsø in December
What December is really like in Tromsø: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Kjetil r assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 0°C (32°F), lows of -5°C (23°F), about 17 rainy days and roughly 0 hours of daylight. The polar night: no sunrise, but a few hours of blue twilight at midday, Christmas lights, whales and aurora tours.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 0°C (32°F) / -5°C (23°F)
- Rainy days
- About 17
- Daylight
- About 0 hours
- Sea temperature
- 5°C (41°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in Tromsø: days average 0°C (32°F) against a yearly average high of 6°C (43°F), and nights fall to about -5°C (23°F). Rain falls on roughly 17 of its 31 days. Compared with November (2°C (36°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near -1°C (30°F).
Winter (December–February). Polar night until mid-January, deep snow, peak aurora, husky and whale season, and the busiest, most expensive weeks.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in February). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Christmas concerts and markets in the centre (December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · Sentrum
Tromsø Cathedral
Built in 1861 in the Gothic Revival style, Tromsø's Lutheran cathedral in the city centre is one of the largest wooden churches in Norway.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
Experience · Tromsø region
Reindeer and Sami culture visits
Choose a camp run by Sami herders, where you hear about reindeer husbandry directly from the families involved.
- Time needed
- 3–5 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- History
- Outdoors
- Nature
Experience · Fjords north of Tromsø
Whale-watching trips
From roughly November to January, orcas and humpback whales follow the herring into fjords north of Tromsø.
- Time needed
- 6–9 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Nature
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Experience · Tromsø region
Midnight sun
Take the cable car or climb the Sherpa steps around midnight for the sun circling low over the islands.
- Time needed
- An evening
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 0°C, lows near -5°C and 17 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Tromsø?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, January–March and June–July are better overall. Compare every month.
Tromsø in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Tromsø?
It is a shoulder-season month. The polar night: no sunrise, but a few hours of blue twilight at midday, Christmas lights, whales and aurora tours.
+How warm is Tromsø in December?
Average highs are around 0°C (32°F) and lows around -5°C (23°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Tromsø in December?
Expect rain on about 17 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.