Month guide · Tromsø · Norway
Tromsø in October
What October is really like in Tromsø: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Henrik at English Wikipedia, CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
October is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 5°C (41°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 17 rainy days and roughly 8.7 hours of daylight. Wet, often cloudy and the first snow arrives; aurora is possible on clear nights and prices are lower.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 5°C (41°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 17
- Daylight
- About 8.7 hours
- Sea temperature
- 8°C (46°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Tromsø: days average 5°C (41°F) against a yearly average high of 6°C (43°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 17 of its 31 days. Compared with September (10°C (50°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 2°C (36°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:55
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 17:04
- Daylight
- About 8.7 hours
- Sea
- 8°C (46°F)
Autumn (September–November). Dark nights return and aurora season starts, with autumn colour, wet weather and first snow; whales arrive in November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 3 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in February). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in October
- Insomnia — electronic music festival (usually October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Garden · Breivika
Tromsø Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden
The university's botanic garden displays Arctic and alpine plants from around the world in rock gardens and terraces.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Beach · Southern Tromsøya
Telegrafbukta
Bring a flask of something hot and look south-west for the aurora on a clear night away from street lights.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
- Views
Experience · Harbour
Fjord and wildlife boat trips
Boat trips from the harbour sail out among the islands and fjords around Kvaløya, with chances of seeing sea eagles, seals and porpoises.
- Time needed
- 3–5 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Nature
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
Aquarium · Sentrum
Polaria
Time your visit for a seal feeding session, which children love.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 5°C, lows near 1°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 October 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 October a good time to visit Tromsø?
It is a shoulder-season month. Wet, often cloudy and the first snow arrives; aurora is possible on clear nights and prices are lower.
+How warm is Tromsø in October?
Average highs are around 5°C (41°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Tromsø in October?
Expect rain on about 17 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.