Norway offers some of the best Northern Lights viewing on Earth. And, whether you’re looking for adventures out in the wilderness or something with a bit more urban appeal, our recommended holidays take in the finest destinations to witness the aurora in all its celestial beauty. To help you plan your trip, our specialists have picked out several of the very best places to see the Northern Lights in Norway.
1. Tromso
Tromso has established a reputation as Norway’s Northern Lights capital, and with good reason. Located right at the heart of the aurora zone at 69° N, some 350 kilometres inside the Arctic Circle, it’s treated to majestic displays on a regular basis between September and early April. Direct flights from the UK mean getting here is a breeze – Tromso is perfect for a long weekend, or a longer trip combined with adventures further afield, for instance at Malangen Resort or Lyngen Lodge.
While it's sometimes possible to see the Northern Lights in town, you’ll get a much better view by heading away from light pollution – and thankfully, there’s no shortage of prime viewing spots in the surrounding fjords and mountains. This is where booking a Northern Lights tour really comes in handy, as your guide will use their local expertise to identify the best possible spot on any given night, tracking the latest weather conditions to find a location with clear skies. You can even head out on a Northern Lights cruise to see them from the water.
Besides Northern Lights viewing, Tromso offers an abundance of wonderful places to eat and drink, a handful of fascinating museums, and standout attractions such as the Arctic Cathedral and the Fjellheisen Cable Car. And when you factor in opportunities to go snowmobiling, husky sledding, whale watching and learn about the region’s Sami culture, it’s no wonder that Tromso is a perennial favourite choice for a Nordic winter adventure.
Northern Lights over Tromso
2. Alta
Slightly further north than Tromso and much less well known, Alta is an excellent alternative option for a Northern Lights adventure for those willing to venture a little off the beaten track. Getting to Alta requires an internal flight from Oslo or Tromso, but the rewards are certainly worth the journey. It was here, in 1899, that the world’s first Northern Lights observatory was set up, and today, Alta offers superb aurora viewing in combination with some interesting urban attractions and a plethora of thrilling outdoor adventures.
As it’s tucked away deep within a fjord, Alta tends to experience more settled weather conditions than more exposed coastal towns, with good chances of clear skies. When you’re not hunting the Northern Lights, Alta is a fantastic place to enjoy the likes of ice fishing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and husky sledding. In the town itself (which is considerably smaller than Tromso), you’ll find the striking, futuristic Northern Lights Cathedral, while just outside the centre is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alta Museum, which houses an extensive collection of rock art dating back as far as 7,000 years ago.
If you’d prefer somewhere more remote, consider staying at the nearby Arctic Wilderness Lodge and adjoining Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel – a sleek, stylish and secluded retreat on the banks of the Alta River.
Northern Lights over Alta
3. Lofoten Islands
To the south of Tromso and Alta, but still very much inside the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten Islands offer a unique blend of staggering natural beauty, fishing heritage and superb chances of seeing the Northern Lights. The archipelago also lends itself perfectly to wildlife viewing, with opportunities to spot everything from orcas to sea eagles on organised boat safaris and kayaking excursions.
Back on land, marvel at razor-sharp, snow-dusted granite peaks, hike along remote, windswept beaches, and explore the archipelago’s array of colourful, timber-clad fishing villages, such as Henningsvaer, Nusfjord, Hamnoy and Reine. There are some truly outstanding hotels, too, such as Svinoya Rorbuer and Nusfjord Arctic Resort, where you can stay in a traditional ‘rorbu’ cabin and enjoy authentic, locally sourced cuisine.
Northern Lights over the Lofoten Islands
4. Svalbard
Located roughly halfway between the northernmost tip of mainland Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard is Norway’s final frontier – a permanently frozen archipelago where polar bears roam in the wild, and the sun doesn’t rise for more than 100 days during the depths of winter. Although Svalbard is so far north that it lies towards the outer limits of the auroral oval, the Northern Lights are still seen here frequently throughout the winter months.
And, with 24/7 darkness during the darkest period of Polar Night (mid-November to late January), it’s one of the few places on Earth where you can actually see the Northern Lights at any time of the day. The Northern Lights season does end earlier in Svalbard than on the mainland, however, as by the end of March, the nights are already too bright for the aurora to shine through.
Of course, it’s all complimented by a vast array of excursion options, including snowmobiling, husky sledding, ice caving and even the chance to go beer tasting at the northernmost brewery in the world. And while Longyearbyen, the main settlement, is a compact place, it does offer several fabulous accommodation options, such as Funken Lodge and the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel. For a true wilderness experience, consider staying at Isfjord Radio – a remote outpost completely detached from civilization, accessible only by snowmobile or dog sled in winter.
Svalbard's Polar Night
5. Kirkenes
Tucked away right up in the far northeastern corner of Norway is Kirkenes, one of the most important king crab fishing ports in the Barents Sea – and, of course, an ideal place to see the Northern Lights, at a latitude just shy of 70° N. There’s the chance to join a king crab fishing safari, immerse yourself in Sami culture, and even spend a night in a hand-carved ice room at the Snowhotel Kirkenes – the northernmost snow hotel in Scandinavia.
Rather conveniently, Kirkenes is also where Havila Voyages’ classic Norwegian coastal cruises either start, finish or turn around. As such, it can be easily combined with time elsewhere in Norway, such as on our ever-popular Northern Lights Cruise & Snowhotel Kirkenes itinerary, which includes a night in Tromso, a two-night Havila cruise and a night in an ice room at the Snowhotel Kirkenes.
Gamme Cabins, Kirkenes Snowhotel (C.Kruse / arctic-photography.com)
6. Havila Voyages
While there are many great places to see the Northern Lights in Norway on land, one of the very best ways to maximise your chances is to join a multi-night coastal cruise with Havila Voyages. Out at sea, there’s minimal light pollution, meaning you’ll be treated to perfect viewing conditions if the skies are clear at night. The longer your cruise, the better your chance of multiple sightings.
You’ll sail right through the heart of the aurora zone, with an optional alert system in your cabin alerting you to head out on deck whenever the lights are visible at night. Along the way, you’ll get to stop off in numerous towns and villages along the Norwegian coast and enjoy a variety of optional excursions.
Northern Lights/Havila Voyages
Our specialists have hunted the Northern Lights all across northern Norway. Have a browse of our suggested holidays and then give them a call to start planning your trip.
