When it comes to picking a destination to witness the Northern Lights, Tromsø in Norway ranks high on many travellers’ lists. Nestled in the heart of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø has built a reputation as one of the leading destinations for those chasing the aurora. Its geographic location, cultural and touristic appeal, and excellent connectivity make it an ideal winter destination, not just for Northern Lights lovers.

After visiting Tromsø, during peak winter, we got a much better understanding of the pros and cons of the city. And when it came to the Northern Lights, we saw the Aurora Borealis three out of the four nights we spent in the city. We also constantly found ourselves comparing it to our experience of chasing the Northern Lights in Lapland, Finland a few years ago. We’ll elaborate more on those thoughts below.

So, with that, let’s explore the factors that make Tromsø a top contender for a spot on your Aurora bucket list.

Best Time To Visit Tromsø For Northern Lights

The best time to visit Tromsø for the Northern Lights is usually between September to early April.

What Makes Tromsø A Popular Destination For Northern Lights?

There are many factors that make Tromsø a popular destination to chase the Northern Lights. Although many are obviously natural, others may be not as well known.

Let me list them down for you:

Tromsø sits inside the Aurora Oval

The Aurora Oval (sometimes also referred to as the Aurora Zone) are massive doughnut-shaped belts that encircle the Arctic and the Antarctic. It’s situated around 300 km above Earth’s surface and rotates with the Earth’s magnetic field. Within this oval region, the chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis at any given time are much higher than outside of it.

At 69°N, Tromsø is comfortably situated inside the Aurora Oval, making it one of the best places in the world to see the Aurora Borealis. In fact, most of the tour guides kept reminding us that he Kp-index is irrelevant in Tromsø, and we just need to hope for good solar activity.

Tromsø is well-connected

There are numerous direct flights to Tromsø from major cities across Europe. This makes it easy to get here without much effort.

Also, once you get into Tromsø, the city and beyond is very well-connected by road. The public transport (buses) is clean and efficient (though a bit expensive), taxis are plentiful and easy to spot. Of course, you always have the option to rent a car, but you can easily manage without one too.

So, whether you prefer to self-drive or not, navigating in and around Tromsø isn’t a problem for visitors.

Tromsø offers plenty of winter activities

Let’s face it, even if you’re headed to Tromsø for the Northern Lights, you still need to fill your days with other fun things to do. Luckily, Tromsø offers plenty of winter activities for everyone.

Take your pick from whale watching tours, snowshoe hiking, skiing, fjord excursions, husky safaris, and more. Not to mention the many cultural and tourist attractions within the city. Check out our top list of exciting winter activities and things to do in Tromsø in the winter.

The stunning landscape around Tromsø

The snow clad mountains around Tromsø look absolutely majestic during the winters! And if you’re in the right location during your Aurora tour, they look even more stunning against the Northern Lights!

I found that the landscape around Tromsø added a touch of magic to my photos of the Northern Lights, especially when I compare them to my photos of the Northern Lights from Lapland.

Tromsø is not as cold as some other Arctic destinations

During our travels, we’ve been to two destinations at 69°N in the peak of winter: Tromsø in Norway and Inari in Finland. Although at the same latitude, these two places differ greatly in their daily temperature.

While in Inari, the daily temperature ranged from -10 °C to -27 °C (14 °F to -16.6 °F). However, the coldest it went in Tromsø during our stay was -9 °C (15.8 °F). We only faced the brutal Arctic winter (-19 °C) when we went hunting for the Aurora Borealis near the Finnish border!

This warmer temperature can be explained by the Gulf Stream (or the North Atlantic Current) that emits heat into the atmosphere along the Norwegian coast. Without the Gulf Stream and the westerly wind belt, Norway would be 10–15 °C. The warming effect provided by the Gulf Stream has allowed fairly large settlements to be developed and maintained on the coast of Northern Norway, including Tromsø.

Don’t get me wrong, Tromsø is still freezing in the winter! But I’m sure that many of you would prefer its relatively warmer climate to the frigid temperatures of neighbouring Lapland.

However, you should also be aware that the warmer weather brought by the Gulf Stream means more clouds and erratic weather along the coast, leading many tour operators to drive inland to see the Aurora.

Tromsø is a modern city with lots to offer

Tromsø is the third most populous city in the Arctic Circle (Murmansk and Norilsk are larger) and the 12th-most populous municipality in Norway with a population of over 70,000.

There aren’t many cities at 69°N that can boast of having all the modern facilities and infrastructure that Tromsø has to offer. From shops, restaurants, museums, and other creature comforts for visitors, Tromsø has it all.

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To sum up, Tromsø is a visitor-friendly, modern city in the Arctic Circle that is surrounded by stunning landscape, and is relatively warmer thanks to the Gulf Stream. These factors make it one of the top destinations in the world to spot the Northern Lights.

Of course, this doesn’t guarantee that you’ll see the Aurora Borealis. It just means that your chances of seeing them are much higher in Tromsø.

So, let us share our experience of seeing the Northern Lights in Tromsø.

Our Experience Viewing Northern Lights in Tromsø

We spent a total of 4 nights in Tromsø, and were extremely fortunate to see the Northern Lights 3 out of the 4 nights. What’s more fascinating is that we saw the Aurora from the city on two of those nights.

On one of the nights, the Aurora was so strong that we could see it dancing above all the lights in the city!

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Here are all our photos of viewing the Northern Lights from in and around Tromsø.

Given that Tromsø is an island, and is surrounded by civilization and mountains, there is a lot of trapped light pollution that makes it hard to see the Northern Lights from within the city. However, if the Aurora is strong enough, there’s good chance that you will be able to see it without stepping off the island.

But the chances for such an occurrence are usually low and dependent on solar activity. So, that begs the question, do you need to go on a Northern Lights excursion in Tromsø?

Should You Take A Northern Lights Tour in Tromsø?

The short answer is, yes. You definitely should book yourself a Northern Lights tour to maximize your chances of seeing the aurora while you’re in Tromsø.

Keep in mind, that at 69°N the Aurora is almost always present. But if the intensity is low, it won’t be visible with all that light pollution.

To improve your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, it’s best to leave the city lights behind and head for the rural areas. But if you don’t know all the awesome Aurora spots outside Tromsø, then we highly recommend that you take a guided tour.

Our Experience with Guided Tours in Tromsø

We experienced guided tours with two different operators during our time in Tromsø. Both operators departed at approximately 6 PM and drove us several hours outside the city. One operator took us all the way to the Finnish border, near Kilpisjärvi. The distance to the Northern Lights viewing spot can vary between 2–3 hours, depending on where your guide is taking you.

However, most tour operators typically head towards Skibotn, a small village located about 2 hours from Tromsø. The area between Skibotn and Kilpisjärvi often provides the best combination of factors for witnessing the Northern Lights.

During a guided tour, the actual Northern Lights experience can last anywhere from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the activity level. Considering this, a full tour typically lasts around 7 to 8 hours. So, it’s essential to be prepared, both mentally and otherwise.

Our recommended tour

Based on our experience, and also the feedback we heard from other people, we came to a simple realization — not all guided tours are the same.

The difference between the two tour operators that we took was stark. I won’t spend effort discussing our bad experience, but will recommend Snow Travels due to their exceptional service.

Comparing our experiences, Snow Travels stood out in the following aspects:

1. Our guide was extremely passionate about showing us the Northern Lights. He didn’t make it sound like he was the clock and was willing to do anything to make us have a great experience and also see the Aurora.
2. Our guide found the quietest spots, away from any crowds. Our stops felt personal. In contrast, our second operator’s stops often resembled a parking lot for tour buses.
   

   One of the more crowded locations during our Northern Lights tour

3. We were offered hot drinks and snacks while with Snow Travels, and even got to cook sausages and heat marshmallows over a bonfire —  a simple treat that made the experience all the more memorable. We weren’t given any snacks with the other operator, only drinks, and there was no bonfire.
4. Our tour van with Snow Travels was newer, and more spacious, providing ample room for everyone to stretch out. The other operator’s van, however, seemed woefully cramped by comparison.
5. During our tour with Snow Travels, one of the younger passengers required urgent medical attention. Our guide was extremely patient and kind, and organized an ambulance to meet us halfway. Even after the detour, he made sure that we saw the most spectacular display of Northern Lights.
   

   Our fellow passengers ran out to take pics

6. By the time we returned to Tromsø, it was around 2 AM on both occasions. However, our Snow Travels guide made it a point to stop at each passenger’s hotel to drop them off. The other operator dropped us off at the pickup point. Not a big deal as most hotels are 5–10 mins walking distance. But at 2 AM, after an 8-hour activity, not having to walk that extra 5–10 minutes was a luxury with Snow Travels!

Snow Travels truly went above and beyond!

How to prepare for your Northern Lights tour

Regardless of which operator you pick for your Northern Lights Tour, you should be well-prepared for a 7-8 excursion. Which means,

• Dress warmly: Although your tour operator will provide thermal suits, dress in layers to withstand freezing temperatures. On our first night, we left Tromsø at -4 °C (24.8 °F) and by the time we reached Kilpisjärvi, it was -19 °C (-2.2 °F)! Be sure to bundle up!
• Bring entertainment for the car ride: While most of us talked during our way to see the Aurora, the return journey was very quiet. Consider bringing your earphones to listen to your music or podcast, or a travel pillow if you want to sleep on the return journey.
• Pack your own snacks and drinks: Tour operators may not always offer food and drink options, so it’s a good idea to bring your own supplies.
  

  Admiring the Aurora

• Eat a heavy meal beforehand: We had pizza just before our Northern Lights tour, and it kept us satisfied during the activity. Fuel up with a hearty meal to ensure you don’t get hungry mid-tour.
• Bring a flashlight or torch: In all likelihood you’re going to be in places where there is very little light. A reliable light source can be a lifesaver. Don’t rely on your phone’s flash – bring a dedicated torch instead.
• Prepare your camera equipment: If you’re using a DSLR or mirrorless camera, prepare your settings beforehand (I usually set mine to ISO 1600, f/2.8, and play with the shutter speed depending on the intensity of the lights). Also, make sure your tripod is ready to use. If you’ll be using a phone, download necessary apps or practice manual mode before heading out.

Best Places to See The Northern Lights in Tromsø city

If you’re unable to secure a spot on a tour or prefer not to venture out, you can try your luck with chasing the Northern Lights in Tromsø itself.

There are a few locations that are either walking distance, or a short bus or taxi ride away from the city centre where you can increase your chances of catching the Northern Lights.

Telegrafbukta

Telegrafbukta, or Telegraph Bay, located on the southern tip of Tromsø Island, is easily accessible by bus or taxi. This scenic bay offers a range of activities, including a beach, a park with amenities such as a playground, fitness area, beach volleyball court, slack line equipment, campfire sites, and toilets.

Telegrafbukta is popular with locals who come here to barbecue, swim, exercise, play and relax. During the winter months, it’s especially popular among island residents and tourists who want to witness the breathtaking display of the Northern Lights.

The bay faces south towards Tromsø, which means it receives limited artificial light, making it an ideal spot for viewing the Aurora Borealis. Another unique aspect of Telegrafbukta is its proximity to the air traffic path, which increases the chances of spotting aircraft landing against the Northern Lights.

During our visit, Telegrafbukta was bustling due to strong Aurora activity. However, despite the crowds, there’s ample space to explore and find secluded spots away from the throngs.

The bay is well-connected by public transport. Bus number 33 stops at Telegrafbukta, and bus number 40 stops at Tromsø museum — a short walk from the area.

Prestvannet Lake

Prestvannet is a small lake situated at the highest point in the central part of Tromsø Island. The lake was originally constructed as a reservoir in 1867, serving this purpose until 1921.

Today, the surrounding tracks around Prestvannet are a popular spot for locals to enjoy walking, running, or bringing their pets. During the winter months, the lake’s unique location becomes even more appealing to both locals and tourists alike.

The lake’s height proves to be an ideal setting for viewing the Northern Lights, as it cuts out artificial light pollution, allowing for a breathtaking display of the Aurora Borealis above. To take in this spectacle, visitors can cross over to the western side of the lake, where an Aurora Viewing Bridge offers a perfect spot to witness this wonder.

Mount Storsteinen

Although technically not on Tromsø Island, Mount Storsteinen offers the best views of Tromsø from its 421-metre summit.

Mount Storsteinen is a popular location for its panoramic views, hikes, and paragliding, but during the winter months, it offers some of the best views of the Aurora above Tromsø.

You can hike around the summit area to find a secluded spot and soak in the lights from this amazing location. Just keep in mind, that the cable car shuts at midnight.

On your flight

If you’re flying into Tromsø in the evening, there is a chance that you see the Northern Lights from your plane’s window. I did!

I got this idea while watching planes land into Tromsø, under the Northern Lights, while standing at Telegrafbukta. So, when it was my turn to fly out of Tromsø on a late evening, I made sure to book a window seat.

I stared out of my window and could see a faint glow for the first 30 minutes of the flight. But then, for the next 45 minutes, the Aurora turned extremely bright as the plane flew under it!

The Aurora was visible from both sides of the aircraft, and the crew were kind enough to dim the cabin lights for us to view it better.

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Best flight ever!

Pay a taxi to take you a secluded location

I know this sounds sketchy, but I wouldn’t suggest this if it weren’t in Norway. Also, this suggestion came from a hotel staff who mentioned that there are many hidden spots around Tromsø island that locals know.

I will say that on our last night, it was our taxi driver who spotted the Northern Lights while driving, stopped the car, and asked us to look out.

So, perhaps it’s worth a shot. For all you know, the taxi driver brings you to one of the locations mentioned above.

Best Places to See The Northern Lights Outside Tromsø (Self-driving option)

If you’re confident in your ability to drive in snowy conditions and navigate around Tromsø on your own, then venturing out of the city, away from the artificial light pollution, might be a good option for you.

During our tours, we observed many self-driven cars parked alongside us at various locations. Before sharing some of the best locations to see the Northern Lights outside Tromsø, I’d like to provide a few reminders:

1. When driving in rural areas, be extremely cautious of the road conditions. Snow and strong winds can make the roads treacherous, so it’s essential to exercise caution.
2. Additionally, be aware that the E8 highway connecting Tromsø is often busy, even at night. Expect to encounter truck and bus traffic, which may impact your driving experience.
3. Furthermore, many rural areas lack street lights. Be prepared for this when planning your trip.
4. With a driving time of around 6–7 hours, be sure to plan and prepare accordingly.

Assuming you’re well-prepared, here are some of the best locations outside Tromsø that our guides recommend for witnessing the breathtaking display of the Northern Lights:

Skibotn

Skibotn is a village 2 hours from Tromsø on the E8 highway. It is located on the southeastern shore of the Lyngen fjord in Northern Norway and has a population of less than 1,000 residents.

The secluded village offers aurora viewers no light pollution and better weather conditions than Tromsø. In fact, in fact, you could even consider spending a night in Skibotn’s only hotel, the Skibotn Hotel, to see the aurora and avoid all the driving at night.

Near the Finnish border

Skibotn is situated approximately 50 km from the Finnish border. The area around the border offers little to no light pollution and better weather conditions for the Northern Lights.

During our trip with Snow Travels, we stopped at one of the rest areas near Galgujav’ri Lake. Our tour guide did mention that sometimes they do drive closer to Kilpisjärvi in Finland to see the Northern Lights.

Signaldalen

If you’re planning to capture breathtaking photographs of the Northern Lights against stunning scenery in Tromsø, I highly recommend researching “Signaldalen“.

This jagged mountain, located a 2-hour drive from Tromsø, reminds me of a Toblerone chocolate bar. There is hardly any civilization around the mountain, making it an ideal location to spot the Northern Lights from. But, it is also quite a distance from the highway, making it slightly more difficult to drive towards.

If possible, I would strongly advise considering renting a holiday cabin near this location. Spending a night or two close to Signaldalen will significantly increase your chances of witnessing the Northern Lights dance around this majestic mountain.

Whenever I go to Tromsø next, I know it will be on the top of my list!

Northern Lights Forecast — How To Predict?

The question on everyone’s mind, before each evening in Tromsø is: How strong will the Northern Lights be tonight?

Let me break it down for you:

• Tromsø is located within the Aurora Oval, a region that significantly increases the chances of witnessing the Northern Lights. Interestingly, the Kp-index, which measures the magnitude of geomagnetic storms from 1 to 9, becomes somewhat irrelevant in this area. The higher the Kp-index, the better your chances of seeing the Aurora further south from the Arctic Circle – but in Tromsø, all our tour guides confirmed that they don’t rely on the Kp-index because the Northern Lights are almost always present within the Oval.
• What you really need to focus on is looking for stars in the sky. If you can see stars, it’s a good indication that there’s a high chance of witnessing the Aurora.
• But the most crucial factor (according to all our tour guides) is solar activity. While predicting this can be challenging, there are websites and apps available that allow you to track solar activity. Generally, it takes a few hours for the Aurora to appear after a burst of solar activity.

To summarize: if you can see stars in the sky, that’s a good starting point. Then, find yourself a secluded spot on Tromsø island, book a tour, or drive out to a rural area. Keep an eye on the solar activity or check out one of the Aurora webcams, such as the one in Kilpisjärvi or Tromsø.

Best Hotels & Accommodation In Tromsø

Based on our experience of staying in different parts of Tromsø, let me give you an idea about the best accommodation options in the city.

Given that Tromsø is essentially an island, you want to stay on the island as that’s where most of the tour operators, hotels, shops, cafés, and restaurants are located.

Most popular options

The two most in-demand hotels in Tromsø are:

1. Scandic Ishavshotel
2. Radisson Blu

These hotels are located a short walk from the city centre, next to all the activity, and serve as the pick-up location for most tours. They are also close to the harbour, making them an ideal choice for those early morning ferry cruises.

Other options in the city centre

There are plenty of apartments and hotels close to the city centre. After all, the area is quite compact and easy to walk from one end to another.

Here are some options worth considering:

1. Elegant apartment center of Tromso
2. Skaret by Vander
3. Home Hotel Aurora
4. Enter City Hotel
5. Quality Hotel Saga

Other notable options on the island

Moxy is another popular hotel in Tromsø, but it’s situated right next to the airport, on the opposite side of the island. It’s a good option if you need to get to the airport quickly.

If you’ve rented a car, and want a quiet place with the possibility of seeing the Aurora from your accommodation, check out Spacious & Lovely Aurora Apartment, next to Lake Prestvannet.

Lapland vs. Tromsø For Northern Lights — Which Should You Choose?

If your primary goal for travelling is to see the Northern Lights, then Lapland might be a better option, in my opinion. That said, Lapland also offers many of the same winter activities as Tromsø, such as husky sledding, reindeer safaris, and snowshoe hiking.

Inari and Ivalo are two fantastic locations in Lapland for catching the Northern Lights. Rovaniemi, on the other hand, is similar to Tromsø in that you would need to drive several hours to reach a secluded area with minimal light pollution.

However, Tromsø has Lapland beat when it comes to the surrounding landscape. Its mountainous terrain is not only breathtaking but also enhances the Northern Lights viewing experience, making for more striking photographs.

Additionally, Tromsø’s location by the sea provides a distinct advantage if you’re interested in whale watching during the winter months. Check out our list of things to do in Tromsø to get inspired.

You can read about our experiences with the Northern Lights in Lapland.

Catching The Northern Lights in Tromsø

We hope you found this comprehensive guide to chasing the Northern Lights in Tromsø helpful. I wanted to share our experiences and insights from our time in this beautiful city.

Tromsø was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip to Norway. With so many things to do in the winter, it truly is the “Gateway to the Arctic”. You can also view our Tromsø photo gallery for more inspiration. And don’t forget to read about experience discovering Oslo, the capital of Norway.

In the meantime, if you found this post useful, please feel free to share it or leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!