Guide · Summer

Reindeer farm in Tromsø in summer

No snow, no sleigh, but reindeer in the bright midnight sun light: what you can experience near Tromsø in summer and what to watch for.

Check availabilityfrom $200 · free cancellation

Editorial tromsorentierfarm.deUpdated on October 3, 2026about 7 min to read8 sources

The matching tour Tromsø: Reindeer sleigh ride and feeding with a Sami guide 4.8 (6,854 reviews) 4 hoursSami GuideWarm Meal in the Lavvu from$200per person Check availabilityFree cancellation up to 24 hours in advance

In short

01The Essentials: In summer there are no sleigh rides, but visits with feeding and Sámi culture are possible if a tour offers dates.
02Light: The midnight sun shines in Tromsø roughly between May 20 and July 22.¹
03Where the herds are: Some herds graze year-round on the coastal islands.²
04Without a Tour: You often see reindeer at the roadside, in meadows, and on beaches.³
05Planning: Check the booking calendar to see if the desired tour runs in summer.

What is different in summer

Travelers who visit Tromsø in summer experience a landscape quite unlike winter. Instead of snow and darkness, there are green slopes, light around the clock, and mild temperatures. In July the long-term average midday high reaches 16.3 degrees Celsius.⁴ For a visit with reindeer, this means one thing above all: the sleigh stays put. It remains a special experience, though.

Reindeer sleighs need snow, and there is none in summer. Offers that advertise a sleigh ride in winter therefore either run without one in summer or not at all. What remains are the animals themselves, the feeding, the conversations with the hosts, and the Sámi culture. For many guests this is the more interesting part, because in summer there is more time for conversation.

Whether a particular tour runs in summer is shown by the booking calendar. Many reindeer experiences near Tromsø are geared toward winter. A review from May does describe a visit with a Sámi guide and soup for lunch, though, so it is worth checking the dates for your travel period before you finalize your plans. A glance at the calendar saves you time.

The year of the reindeer

From winter into summer

Winter

Camp and sled

Snow, feeding, and rides in the reindeer sled.
Until early April

Northern lights season ends

After that it is too bright at night.⁵
From 20 May, roughly

Midnight sun

The sun does not go down anymore.¹
Summer

Grazing along the coast

Some herds graze on the islands all year round.²
Until about 22 July

Midnight sun ends

Afterwards the nights get dark again.¹

Where the reindeer are in summer

Reindeer follow the seasons. In Tromsø some herds graze year-round on the coastal islands, while others move inland in winter.² In summer the animals find fresh greenery along the coast and on the islands, and many herds are then widely scattered. Anyone looking for a herd in summer therefore looks more along the coast than in the snowy inland of winter.

Their food changes too. In summer reindeer mainly eat grasses and plants, in winter more lichen and mushrooms.⁶ The herds find their own forage, and that is precisely why they are less tied to one spot in summer than in winter, when the hosts provide supplementary feed at the camp. In summer you therefore often see the animals grazing peacefully, rather than crowding around a feed bucket.

For guests this means: the animals are not necessarily where the winter camp stands. Ask the operator where the animals are in summer and how a visit in this season works before you book. That way you avoid disappointment, and the hosts can tell you what you can realistically expect that day, from feeding to the stories by the fire.

Climate

Temperature and light in Tromsø by months

Hours without sunDays with precipitationSeason

Sunless hours at midmonth and days with at least 2.5 mm of precipitation. Measured at the NOAA station Tromsø, 1991 to 2020.⁴

Summer and Winter

Reindeer in Tromsø throughout the year

	Winter	Summer
Sleigh ride	Yes, with snow	No
Feeding at the camp	Yes	When the tour has dates
Reindeer without a tour	Rarely	Often on roads and beaches
Light	Polar night until about 15 January	Midnight sun until about 22 July
Northern Lights	Possible	Not possible

Compiled by Visit Tromsø.⁷ ¹ ⁵ ³

Experience reindeer

In summer and in winter

Summer

Without a Tour

On roadsides and beaches

Costs: None
Sleigh: No
Tip: Drive slowly

Check dates

Tromsø: Arctic fjord sightseeing, Reindeer feeding and lunch

Long

Fjord tour and feeding

A full day

Duration: 7 hrs.
Rating: 4,93
Price: from $283

Check dates

Tromsø: Reindeer Sledding & Feeding with a Sami Guide

Winter

The winter classic

Sled Ride, Feeding, Lavvu

Duration: 4 hrs
Rating: 4,75
Price: from $200

Check dates

Decision helper

Summer or winter?

What matters to you for your reindeer experience.

Reindeer sleigh ride Reindeer and northern lights Reindeer in bright light Reindeer without a tour

Winter

The sleigh needs snow.

Winter

The lights are only available until early April.⁵

Summer

Midnight sun until about 22 July.¹

Summer

Often on roads, in meadows and on beaches.³

When you are in Tromsø, you often come across reindeer that run along the road or take a break on meadows and beaches.

Visit Tromsø Region AStranslated from English · Source 3

Seeing reindeer in Tromsø without a tour

In summer you do not necessarily need a tour to see reindeer. Visit Tromsø notes that travelers in the region often encounter reindeer that run along the road or rest in meadows and on beaches.³ Especially on the islands around Tromsø this is not uncommon. Keep your eyes open, particularly at dusk, which never gets fully dark in summer.

If you are driving, slow down and expect animals on the road at any time. Reindeer often stop or continue at a leisurely pace rather than stepping aside. Only stop where it is safe, and let the animals have their way; honking or chasing them causes unnecessary stress. Extra caution is needed on narrow coastal roads, because the animals often appear around a bend.

Remember that these animals have owners too. The reindeer in the region are domesticated Sámi animals, not wildlife.⁸ Do not feed them, and keep your distance, especially from calves in early summer. A photo from a distance is the best memory and least stressful for the animals. This keeps the encounter relaxed for both humans and animals. Respect is the simplest rule here.

Checklist

For reindeer in summer

Packing

Windproof and waterproof jacket
Warm sweater
Sturdy shoes
Insect repellent and sleep mask

Things to keep in mind while you are out

Drive slowly, reindeer on the road
Do not feed the reindeer
Keep your distance to calves

Cost calculator

A reindeer experience for your travel group

This is what a day with reindeer costs when you travel as a group.

Fjord tour and feeding7 hrs.from $283 Winter classic4 hrsfrom $200 Short visit2.5 to 3.5 hoursfrom $132

people 2

Total from$566

per guest from $283

Check availabilityfree cancellation

Starting prices according to GetYourGuide, converted using the ECB reference rate. The exact price is shown only at booking time.

Video

Tromsø in summer: the sun does not set

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The midnight sun

Summer in Tromsø has its own light. The midnight sun shines roughly between 20 May and 22 July.¹ For weeks it then stays in the sky: around mid-June it is above the horizon for around 24 hours.⁴ The same applies around mid-July, around the clock.⁴ For travelers from farther south, this light is often the real summer experience, and reindeer in front of it are a sight that stays in memory for a long time.

For photographers this is a gift. Reindeer in the soft light of a sun that stands low over the sea at midnight are a subject found only in the north. Anyone who spots reindeer at the roadside or on an island can capture this mood at any hour. Just keep your distance and do not startle the animals for a shot. A telephoto lens or your phone zoom helps you frame the animals from afar.

The flip side: there are no northern lights in summer. It does not get dark enough again until late August, and their season runs until early April.⁵ Anyone who wants both reindeer and northern lights must travel in winter; anyone who wants reindeer in bright light is right in summer. The new northern lights season begins in late August. So planning is worth it.

What to wear in summer

Summer in Tromsø does not mean heat. In June, the average daily high is 13 degrees, and the average low is 6.2 degrees.⁴ On the water or in wind it can feel noticeably cooler, and the weather changes quickly. So expect cool evenings even on a warm day. That is why a warm layer belongs in your backpack in summer too, especially for trips on the water or in the mountains.

Layer up: a T-shirt, a warm sweater, and a wind- and waterproof jacket. In July, Tromsø averages 8 days with at least 2.5 millimeters of precipitation.⁴ Sturdy shoes are important when you walk through wet grass or over stones to a herd. Rain trousers are also a good idea if you are out for a long time. The weather can change within an hour.

Bug spray from the pharmacy helps, especially in forests and near lakes. And do not forget the sleep mask: many guests sleep worse than expected with sunshine around the clock. A dark room or a mask makes the difference for your next outing. Sunglasses also belong in your bag because the sun stays low and is bright for a long time. By the way, summer is also the season of insects for the reindeer.

Summer or winter: when is a visit worth it?

In winter you experience the classic: snow, sleds, lavvu, and if you are lucky, the northern lights. Most reindeer tours near Tromsø are designed for it, and the selection is large. The most popular tour with sled and feeding scores 4.75 out of 6,854 reviews. If you want to experience snow, winter offers the most options. The season is long, and the experience of many guests is extensive.

In summer the experience is quieter and more free. You see reindeer in their natural environment, often without a tour, and the landscape is green and bright. The sled is missing, though, and the number of visits to a camp is smaller. The midnight sun makes a visit possible at any time of day, even late in the evening. Many travelers appreciate exactly this freedom because they can experience reindeer without a fixed schedule.

If you have the choice and want the sled ride, travel in winter. If you are in Tromsø in summer nonetheless, do not miss the reindeer: along the roadside, on an island, or at a farm that also welcomes guests in summer. Both seasons have their own appeal, and many travelers come back for the other later. A summer outing can also inspire a winter visit.

Planning tips

Check early whether a summer tour has dates, and read the offer to see what is included in summer. Many descriptions are written for winter and mention sleds and snow that are not available in summer. If in doubt, ask the operator directly what is offered in summer and what is not. This saves you disappointment and helps you plan the day realistically. A quick look at the program is often enough.

Combine the visit with other summer experiences, such as a trip to the islands, where you may see reindeer even without a tour. A fjord cruise with feeding and lunch lasts 7 hours and scores 4.93; ask whether it is available during your timeframe. The combination of fjord and reindeer fits the bright summer well. The program depends on the provider.

Plan with generous time. With light around the clock there is no reason to rush, and many of the most beautiful encounters with reindeer happen unplanned, in the evening on an empty road or in the morning on a beach. Take the time to stop. And keep enough distance at every encounter so the animals stay calm. That is exactly what makes summer with the reindeer so relaxed and special.

Book the visit