Norway is the best place to see the northern lights (aurora borealis)

The best places to see the northern lights

To experience the unbelievable colours that moves across the Arctic sky is on many travellers’ bucket list. Few places on earth offer more ways to witness the aurora borealis than Norway.

Our bold claim is that Northern Norway is amongst the most comfortable and interesting places to see the northern lights, as hundreds of thousands of people live in this huge geographical area. The region offers a vast selection of activities, tours, cruises, restaurants and hotels, which all play an important part in the Arctic experience. Check out the northern lights campaign offers.

To the locals in Northern Norway, the northern lights are a part of life and a fertile source for art, mythology, and legends. To others, like celebrity scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson, the phenomenon is an example of just how beautiful science can be.

Some media have reported that scientists expect the aurora lights to fade and appear less frequently over the next ten years. This is not true for Northern Norway, though, as scientist Truls Lynne Hansen at the Tromsø Geophysical Observatory explains: “It is true that we are past the northern lights climax which means there will be fewer observations around Oslo and further south. But under the auroral oval in Northern Norway we will not see any difference”.

On a very basic level the northern lights are quite simple to explain. The lights come at night when the sky is dark. It’s like a celestial ballet of light dancing across the night sky, with a colour palette (green, pink, violet) reminiscent of a really cool fashion show from the 1980s.

Between late September and late March, it is dark from early afternoon until late morning. This is the best time to spot the lights. It is easy to get to Northern Norway and around.

Install the NorwayLights app for iPhone, Android or Windows – a forecast that helps you find the best time and place to see the northern lights.

iPhone: Download NorwayLights for iOS
Android: Download NorwayLights for Android
Windows: Download NorwayLights for Windows

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Credits

Northern Lights, Grøtfjord, Kvaløya.
Photo: Gaute Bruvik - visitnorway.com

Facts about the northern lights

Credits

Northern Lights, Grøtfjord, Kvaløya.
Photo: Gaute Bruvik - visitnorway.com

Northern lights offers

Check out the northern lights destinations in the map below and read about their campaign offers.

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Destinations with northern lights offers

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Northern lights in Bodø

With its dramatic surroundings and ever-changing light, Bodø is a sought-after holiday destination for photographers and nature… Read more

Northern lights in Bodø

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Northern lights in the Lofoten Islands

The wild nature of the Lofoten Islands is just as beautiful in winter as the rest of the year, especially when the northern lights come out at night. Read more

Northern lights in the Lofoten Islands

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Northern lights in the Lyngenfjord region

Get your northern lights experience in the Lyngenfjord region, which is blessed with dramatic landscapes and boasts one of the driest areas in Norway… Read more

Northern lights in the Lyngenfjord region

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Northern lights in Narvik

Narvik in Northern Norway is the ideal winter holiday destination if you are interested in Arctic nature, snow-based activities, Sami culture,… Read more

Northern lights in Narvik

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Northern lights at the North Cape

Raw beauty, extreme seasons and the Arctic light and northern lights dancing across the polar sky. Welcome to winter wonderland in… Read more

Northern lights at the North Cape

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Northern lights in Senja

Visit beautiful Senja and try fun activities like ski touring, winter fishing and tobogganing accompanied by the spectacle of the… Read more

Northern lights in Senja

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Northern lights in Svalbard

Welcome to Svalbard, an island realm with ice-covered fjords, glaciers, soaring mountains, and rare wildlife that includes polar bears. A prime… Read more

Northern lights in Svalbard

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Person viewing the northern lights over Tromsø

Northern lights in Tromsø

Discover the city of Tromsø and its Arctic history, culture and cuisine. With 170 activities on offer, you are sure to find one that suits you. Read more

Northern lights in Tromsø

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Northern lights in Vesterålen

Visit the archipelago of Vesterålen, inhabited by whales, seals, and seabirds. Situated just north of the Lofoten Islands, this peaceful region… Read more

Northern lights in Vesterålen

Northern lights activities offers

24-hour Aurora Expedition in the Beautiful Lyngen Alps – Green Gold of Norway

After the Snowmobile excursion we have lunch and then you can choose to go snowshoeing and/or cross-country skiing or just relax in your room/Crystal… Read more

24-hour Aurora Expedition in the Beautiful Lyngen Alps – Green Gold of Norway

Green Sky - basecamp Spitsbergen

Day 1: After your arrival to Longyearbyen's airport you can catch the airport bus that will take you to Basecamp Hotel, were you can leave your… Read more

Green Sky - basecamp Spitsbergen

Icecave trip underneath the Glacier - Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions

Melting water channels are formed in the glaciers during the summer. In winter these channels freeze, creating spectacular ice caves we can visit.… Read more

Icecave trip underneath the Glacier - Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions

Lights at the Lodge - experience the Northern Lights from the mountain top

The price includes: Pick-up at one of the cities hotels (Scandic, Grand or Breidablikk) Cable-car ride up the mountain (roundtrip) Northern Lights… Read more

Lights at the Lodge - experience the Northern Lights from the mountain top

Midnight Expedition to the North Cape

The expedition has an easy start. A 3 course dinner at a local restaurant serving fresh produce from the Arctic, followed by a safety brief and a… Read more

Midnight Expedition to the North Cape

Narvikfjellet Ski Resort

Narvikfjellet has something for everyone. Families and beginners can enjoy a children's lift and several customized routes with jumps, children's toys… Read more

Narvikfjellet Ski Resort

Polar Park - Entrance fee

Polar Park offers a special wild life experiences for you and your family, and the park puts welfare as the highest priority for the animals. Within… Read more

Polar Park - Entrance fee

Svalbard - Northern lights package offer

Visit magical Spitsbergen at 78°N, and experience the northern lights by dogsled! Longyearbyen, the world's northernmost town, welcomes you to the… Read more

Svalbard - Northern lights package offer

Whale safari in Andenes

Duration: 2-4 hours. Point of departure: Andenes. Discounts for families, children and groups. Price includes entrance to the museum, guiding in the… Read more

Whale safari in Andenes

Northern lights polar adventure

Hurtigruten Svalbard offers an adventurous package for those who wish to explore the Arctic region and search for the aurora borealis. Experience the… Read more

Northern lights polar adventure

Whale and northern lights adventure

A three-day package with whale watching, northern lights chase, and mountain sightseeing. Read more

Whale and northern lights adventure

Arctic wildlife package

Discover three wildlife species in Northern Norway. The tours can be completed over two days or spread out. Read more

Arctic wildlife package

Fjords, whales and the aurora

Discover three wildlife species in Northern Norway. The tours can be completed over two days or spread out. Read more

Fjords, whales and the aurora

Experience the Lofoten peninsula

This two-day fast-paced experience with Smaken av Lofoten will take you close to the wildlife and nature of the Lofoten archipelago as well as to… Read more

Experience the Lofoten peninsula

Accommodation offers in Northern Norway

Lauklines Kystferie

35 min ride south west of Tromsø, in the Kattfjord on the Island of Kvaløya, Lauklines is found. An adventure center which offers high standard cabins… Read more

Lauklines Kystferie

Svinøya Rorbuer

Svinøya Rorbuer is centrally situated in Svolvær harbour. The island is accassible by a bridge and is within easy walking distance of the city centre.… Read more

Svinøya Rorbuer

Green Gold Villa

We have a great coffee machine which makes the start of your day even better. The house has fiber Internet connection. The normal breakfast is eggs… Read more

Green Gold Villa

Self-catered accommodation near Tromsø

Combine comfortable accommodation with northern lights, sea-fishing, or just relaxing in a holiday house close to Tromsø. With Din Tur the price is… Read more

Self-catered accommodation near Tromsø

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Things to do

All top destinations for northern lights sightings present tours and packages for experiencing this nature phenomenon up close and personal. Get a complete list of northern lights campaign offers.

Credits

Tromsø.
Photo: Visit Tromsø

Northern lights Offers Start planning your winter holiday

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Where to stay

Sleep in comfort at a handful of recommended hotels near the northern lights viewpoints or check out the northern lights campaign's accommodation offers.