How to See the Northern Lights in Norway (and Tromso)
Have you ever dreamed of witnessing one of nature’s most dazzling light shows? Tromso, a city above the Arctic Circle in Norway, is rated as one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights – and this is just the place you need to be for all of your aurora borealis dreams to come true.
Imagine standing under a blanket of stars as the sky erupts into the most brilliant dance of colors – neon greens, pinks, and purples. This is Mother Nature’s best light show – welcome to the Northern Lights.
I didn’t expect to cry while bundled up in a thermal suit, standing on a snowy island in the single-digit cold, but here I was. Staring up at the Northern Lights is something that has always been on my bucket list, but to see the dancing colors flash before my eyes – twisting and turning and curving into new designs, shapes, and patterns – was something I couldn’t even put words to. I just cried and whispered, “Oh my gosh,” instead.
However, in this blog post, I will in fact, use many words to help you have the best winter wonderland experience and maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Norway. Keep reading for tips on how to see the Northern Lights, including when is the best time to see the Northern Lights and the aurora possibility in Tromso.
Commonly Asked Questions About Seeing the Northern Lights in Norway
When is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights?
Earth is currently experiencing a solar maximum, which started in late 2024 and is projected to last until around October 2025. A solar maximum is when the sun reaches its peak of an 11-year cycle, and solar activity is very high.
What does this mean for the Northern Lights? This means that geomagnetic activity is at its peak, which results in more aurora activity and greater chances of seeing the Northern Lights!
For Tromso, the best chances for viewing the lights are late September to early April; however, peak viewing time is mid-November to March. Because of Tromso’s locational placement in the aurora oval of the Northern Lights from 6 pm to 2 am, there is still a good chance you will be able to catch some lights if it is dark enough, even if the solar activity is not that high.
Wondering which guided tours are the best for seeing the Northern Lights in Tromso? I loved my tour when I visited Norway, and I’ll share more details on which provider I booked through down below!
What is the Best Month to Visit Norway to See the Northern Lights?
Read on below for the pros and cons of visiting Norway in different months throughout the year.
- September: The Northern Lights are stronger around the equinoxes due to the position of the Earth’s magnetic field and the solar wind, so your chances of seeing the lights are very high during this month. However, there will not be much snow, so winter activities are out. If you enjoy hiking, this would be a great month to go and catch the tail end of hiking season in the area.
- November (the month I went): Polar Night begins this month, so daylight is quickly disappearing. However, this is the best month for whale watching, and there isn’t too much snow on the ground yet. If you are interested in additional activities to do while you chase down the Northern Lights, November would be an ideal month. We were able to hike (with spikes and winter gear), and it was a great addition to our trip.
- March: Daylight is finally back in Tromso, and with it comes high tourist season and higher prices. The Spring Equinox also brings a greater chance of seeing the lights, similar to September. There is also plenty of snow on the ground, which allows for all of the winter activities that your heart desires.
What Are the Best Conditions for Seeing the Lights in Norway?
Seeing the Northern Lights is never guaranteed, but if you have these two factors – clear skies and a strong solar activity forecast – you can almost be guaranteed to see them.
Check weather apps such as The Weather Channel and NOAA for cloud cover and sky conditions, and use apps such as “My Aurora Forecast” and “SpaceWeatherLive” to track the space weather conditions for the lights.
If you’re interested in the science behind the Northern Lights, NOAA has a great article explaining the different variables. While I studied Atmospheric Science as one of my degrees in University (Boiler Up!), I didn’t study space weather. However, I do love all things related to the sky and have summarized the key factors in predicting the Northern Lights below.
In (very) simple terms, the Northern Lights rely on a few main factors: having a negative Bz value, a high Bt value, and strong and dense solar winds. The Kp-value is also important, but it is not an active prediction of the Northern Lights as it is a global summary of the Kp-value over the past 3 hours.
The stronger the solar wind speed, the faster the particles charge toward Earth and the stronger the auroras. The denser the wind, the stronger the auroras.
The Bz value is the direction of the magnetic field. You want this value to be negative (since Earth’s magnetic poles are positive) for the charged particles to attract towards Earth.
The Bt value is the strength of the Interplanetary magnetic field. The stronger the field, the more magnetism, which leads to more auroras.
I find the science behind the northern lights fascinating, but I know not everyone does. If you also find the science behind them fascinating, let me know in the comments!
Best Northern Lights Tours in Tromso
Guided Tours of the Northern Lights
A guided tour is your best option for seeing the Northern Lights when you visit Norway. While visiting, we went on a guided tour of the lights, which I highly recommend. The guided tours include expert guides, transportation to remote viewing areas away from light pollution and clouds, thermal suits (I was very thankful for these!), a bonfire with snacks, and even a professional photographer. Our guide, Harry, was very knowledgeable and engaging on our tour, and he also took amazing professional pictures of our group!
I would recommend a formal tour over a self-guided tour for many reasons:
- Your guide will take you on a wild goose chase to find the best spots to have a chance at seeing the Northern Lights
- Your guides know the landscape more than you do and are skilled in driving in Arctic weather
- If your tour provides thermal suits (I recommend this tour: XXX), this is a great perk. It can get absolutely frigid out there, and while wearing the thermal suit, I could lay on the ground and stare up at the Northern Lights. Talk about a view.
- Your guide is knowledgeable about the science and phenomena of the Northern Lights in Norway and can help answer any questions you may have
- Bonfire, sausages, and Norwegian tea around a campfire as neon green lights swarm above your head is a bucket list experience. Need I say more?
If you’d like to change up your view of the Northern Lights, you can also take a snowmobile or boat tour to view the Northern Lights. I recommend the following tours for this:
Self-Guided Tours of the Northern Lights
If you decide to go on an adventure and chase the Northern Lights on your own, I recommend renting a vehicle with AWD or 4WD and ensuring you are comfortable with winter driving conditions. For easy viewing access, I recommend Prestvannet Lake, Telegrafbukta Beach, and Ersfjordbotn.
The Storsteinen viewpoint is another option for viewing the aurora. However, it requires purchasing a ticket for a cable car ride up and down the mountain, which stops running at midnight. While there is a trail that you can use to hike up to the viewpoint (which we did in daylight), it is very steep and icy, and I would not recommend hiking down the trail — even in daylight.
Tips for Planning Your Norwegian Arctic Adventure
How Long Should You Stay in Norway to See the Northern Lights?
Overall, to see the Northern Lights you still need a bit of luck on your side. Being so far north of the Arctic Circle, your odds of having solar activity are good – however, you still need clear skies.
I recommend staying at least 3-4 nights (4-5 days) while visiting Norway. Mother Nature puts on a beautiful show, but sometimes you may have to wait. On our trip, we got lucky and saw them on our first night. Our guide informed us that not only did we have the first clear night sky in over a month, but it was also one of the top 5 light shows he had seen. (I might also suggest a Northern Lights dance, similar to a rain dance, to bring on the Lights. This is not scientifically proven, but it is fun and helps the vibes.)
Where to Stay in Tromso
We stayed a kilometer outside of town and enjoyed the added peace and quiet of our apartment. Our living room had great water views of the harbor and surrounding mountains, and our place even came with spikes to wear while walking around town! This was great news as I had forgotten my spikes at home. Due to Norway’s conditions, once there is ice on the ground, it essentially stays there until almost summer.
You can also stay in Aurora-friendly accommodations, which allow you to see the Aurora from the confines of your warm, cozy home. These cabins have glass ceilings, from which you can view the Northern Lights.
Closing Thoughts
Seeing the Northern Lights is truly a bucket list item, and witnessing them firsthand is an incredible experience. I hope this guide helps you plan an epic adventure in Norway soon!
It’s on my bucket list to see the Northern Lights! I’ve been up in the Arctic, it’s just always summer when I go!