Tromso is one of the most northern cities in Norway and is known as a vibrant city with breathtaking scenery and landscapes as a sort of gateway to the Arctic. It’s also one of the best places in Norway to go Northern Lights spotting. That’s why you’ll find plenty of campsites for camping in and around Tromso and immersing yourself in this incredible region.
This article will highlight the top choices when it comes to campsites in Tromso, tell you what to expect from the campground itself, and what the area surrounding the campsite has to offer. So, what are you waiting for? Rent a campervan in Norway and go camping in comfort!
Best campgrounds in Tromso
Tromso Lodge & Camping
Location: Tromsdalen (about a 10-minute drive from Tromso)
Price: Varies Based on Season. Contact the Campsite Directly to Check Which Prices Will Apply During Your Trip.
Facilities & Amenities:
- Electricity
- Communal Bathroom & Showers
- Communal Kitchen
- Communal Sauna
- Waste Disposal Site for Campervans
- WiFi
- Shop
- Restaurant
- Bar
Nearby Attractions:
- Dog Sledding Tours
- Whale Watching
- Fjord Cruise
- The Polar Museum
Tromso Lodge & Camping is the closest you’ll get to the Tromso city life while enjoying the outdoors. This is one of the campsites in Tromso that’s open all year round.
Svensby Tursenter
Location: Svensby (about a 1 hour, 15-minute drive from Tromso)
Price: Varies Based on Season. Contact the Campsite Directly to Check Which Prices Will Apply During Your Trip.
Facilities & Amenities:
- Electricity
- Communal Bathroom & Showers
- Communal Kitchen
- Communal Sauna
- Playground
- Barbecue Area
- WiFi
Nearby Attractions:
- Snowmobile Safari (Only Available from 1 December till 31 March)
- A Guided Bike Tour (Only Available from 25 June till 30 August)
- Snowshoe Walking Tour (Only Available from 1 December till 31 March)
Svensby Tursenter is another campsite in Tromso that’s open all year round and offers breathtaking views of the fjord and plenty of water fun, including boating and fishing (with the right permits, of course).
Camping Aera
Location: Krokelvdalen (about a 20-minute drive from Tromso)
Price: Varies Based on Season. Contact the Campsite Directly to Check Which Prices Will Apply During Your Trip.
Facilities & Amenities:
- Electricity
- Communal Bathroom & Showers
- Communal Kitchen
- Communal Sauna
- Laundry Room
- WiFi
- Waste Disposal Site for Campervans
Nearby Attractions:
- Santas Reindeer Cabin (Here, you can feed the reindeer)
- Explore the region on a Tromso Lyngshest Horse Riding Tour
- Go hiking on the various trails around the area, such as Linken.
Grotfjord Bygdelag
Location: Troms (about a 55-minute drive from Tromso)
Price: Varies Based on Season. Contact the Campsite Directly to Check Which Prices Will Apply During Your Trip.
Facilities & Amenities:
- Toilets
- Playground
Nearby Attractions:
Grotfjord Bygdelag is one of the super affordable campsites in Tromso (but also fairly primitive). It’s essentially just a grass field, but it sits right next to the beach (so idyllic location). You are only allowed to stay for two nights.
Lille Karvik Camping
Location: Troms (about a 40-minute drive from Tromso)
Price: Varies Based on Season. Contact the Campsite Directly to Check Which Prices Will Apply During Your Trip.
Facilities & Amenities:
- None
Nearby Attractions:
Lille Karvik Camping is another great spot when it comes to wild and more primitive camping in Tromso. Due to its location and gravel roads, we recommend only visiting during the summertime.
Camp Tamok
Location: Tamok Valley (about a 1 hour, 15 minutes' drive from Tromso)
Price: Varies Based on Season. Contact the Campsite Directly to Check Which Prices Will Apply During Your Trip.
Facilities & Amenities:
- Private Glamping Dome for two
- Heating
- Wood Stove
- Bathrooms & Showers in Separate Building
Nearby Attractions:
- Snowmobile Evening Adventure
- Reindeer Visit, Sami Culture Including Lunch from Tromso
- Tour the Fjords
Camp Tamok is actually an honorable mention on this list since it’s a glamping situation in an already erected dome. But it’s the spectacular views and the amazing odds of spotting the Northern Lights between November and March make this a must-visit site.
Why You Should Visit Tromso and Surroundings
Tromso is located in Troms County. Established in 1866, it’s roughly 24,884 square kilometers (9,608 square miles) in total, with a population of over 169,500. It borders both Sweden and Finland.
As you may have already noticed, Tromso and its surroundings are almost synonymous with incredible winter experiences (ironically, not always restricted to the winter season), such as snowshoe walking, snowmobiling, dog sledding, reindeer encounters, and much, much more. The fact that Tromso lies so far north also makes it a great place for Northern Light viewing.
Remember to Pack…
If you’re planning on renting a campervan in Norway, you’ll be pretty much set with all your creature comforts. But traditional camping will require either bringing, buying, or renting a lot of camping gear. But whether you ultimately decide to camp or campervan, the following items are essentials that are often overlooked:
- Flashlight/headlamp – We prefer the latter since it keeps your hands free.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses – Even on overcast days, you can still get a sunburn, and the light reflecting off water, ice, or snow is an absolute killer on the eyes.
- Warm clothes to layer – Even when visiting in the warmer months, you still need to remember how far north on this planet you’ll actually be. And the further north you go, the colder it gets. So, don’t get caught by surprise, and always ensure you have a warm hat (beanie), warm gloves, warm jerseys, etc.
- First Aid Kit – We don’t know if it’s because of the holiday vibes, but many never think of bringing a first aid kit along on their trip. This is essential, especially on a camping trip, where you’re likely to get all sorts of nicks, bumps, and bruises, and even more serious accidents can occur (it is the outdoors, after all).
Time to Pack That Camper and Go Camping!
We highly recommend going the campervan route when camping in Tromso and its surroundings. You’ll have the convenience of having both your transport and accommodation sorted, have all your creature comforts, and have the opportunity to camp out in some of the beautiful yet most affordable spots in Norway.