Tromso is the largest urban area in northern Norway and has been inhabited since the Ice Age. Visitors from all around the world come to enjoy the unique features of this city such as the midnight sun, the excellent view of the Aurora Borealis, the white, winter landscapes, and the glistening glaciers. Every time of the year there is something different to appreciate, for that reason there really is no "bad" time of year to go.

Climate

Officially, Tromso has a continental subarctic climate, however due to its lack of permafrost and the fact that it receives the most precipitation from late autumn to early winter, most say it has a maritime subarctic climate. The North Atlantic Current tends to warm the area up, making winters not so bitterly cold. Of course, the snowfall in winter is still plentiful despite average temperatures in the 20s (Fahrenheit). Summers are quite chilly as well; average temperatures are in the 50s. Summer activities include fishing, going on glacier walks, kayaking, and going to the beach, but these activities aren't as popular as those in winter.

The Midnight Sun

Many people go to Tromso specifically to see the magical looking midnight sun. This spectacle occurs from May 18th to July 26th. During this time there is no true darkness, as the sun stays above the horizon throughout the night. A popular activity is to view it from the top station of the cable car in Tromso. The only problem with vacationing in Tromso during the times of the midnight sun is that you will have no chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis.

Just as there is a time with constant sun, there is also a time of constant darkness from November 26th to January 15th. The sun stays below the horizon during this time, but it actually seems dark for even longer because the mountains block the sun when it starts to come back up again. This time of year is not very popular to visit during, because the continuous darkness can be somewhat depressing.

The Aurora Borealis

The city of Tromso is probably best to visit from January to March, when the darkness goes away and the Northern Lights come into view. Great views of the Aurora can be seen from the Tromso Bridge or infront of the Arctic Theater. This time of year is also perfect for cross country skiing, downhill skiing, dog sledding, and other winter activities. There will be more tourists at this time, but it's still worth it because of all of the fantastic attractions.