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

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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”.

What are the northern lights? 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 see the northern 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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Facts about the northern lights

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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Two people standing under the northern lights in Lyngenfjord

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

Crystal lavvo, snowmobile & Aurora - Green Gold of Norway

from Dec 16th to Apr 10th we combine some action and some relaxation in our Crystal Lavvo, snowmobile and Aurora program. Read more

Crystal lavvo, snowmobile & Aurora - Green Gold of Norway

Green Sky - Basecamp Spitsbergen

Longyearbyen in Spitsbergen is a perfect getaway destination for the aurora season. Quiet small town close to North Pole surrounded by arctic silence… Read more

Green Sky - Basecamp Spitsbergen

Frozen: Explore a frozen world in the ice cave - Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions

Under the glaciers at Svalbard you find a frozen world: A world filled with ice that have been shaped during summertime by melting ice and snow… Read more

Frozen: Explore a frozen world in the ice cave - Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions

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

Join us on a new, and very special, Aurora hunting experience at Lights at the Lodge. From Narvik town, you will be lifted up to the top of Narvik… Read more

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

Midnight Expedition to the North Cape

Join us on a Winter Expedition to the Northernmost point of Europe. Conquer the arctic wilderness by snowmobile, spend the night at the North Cape and… Read more

Midnight Expedition to the North Cape

Narvikfjellet Ski Resort

Welcome to Narvikfjellet - A unique ski resort surrounded by majestic mountains and deep fjords. At the foot of the mountain, you will find the city… Read more

Narvikfjellet Ski Resort

Polar Park - Entrance fee

Polar Park is the northernmost animal park in the world, and is beautifully located in the heart of Salangsdalen Valley in Bardu, 184 km south of… Read more

Polar Park - Entrance fee

Svalbard - Northern lights package offer

Pricing is per person based on twinshare. Includes Northern Lights safari, 3 nights at Coal Miners Cabins and a NOK 500 gift certificate for one of… Read more

Svalbard - Northern lights package offer

Whale safari in Andenes

Whale Safari Ltd The Whale and Dolphin Society has given as the following commendation: « Whalesafari Ltd. Andenes - The world’s largest and most… Read more

Whale safari in Andenes

Hunting the Northern Lights

Join us on an adventure trip with many items and activities right outside Bodø. Get fascinated by the Northern Light phenomenon and get an… Read more

Hunting the Northern Lights

Aurora, whale and Hurtigruten - Green Gold of Norway

Ultimate comfort and relaxation in our 30 hrs Hurtigruten, Aurora & Whales program! Read more

Aurora, whale and Hurtigruten - Green Gold of Norway

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

Aurora, whales and Hurtigruten - with Green Gold of Norway

Experience the Aurora, spot a whale and explore the Norwegian Coastal Voyage Hurtigruten all in this 30-hour package deal. Read more

Aurora, whales and Hurtigruten - with Green Gold of Norway

Accommodation offers in Northern Norway

Lauklines Kystferie

High standard fishermen cabins only 35 minutes drive from Tromsø Airport. Ideal location for hiking, fishing, midnight sun, northern light, spring… Read more

Lauklines Kystferie

Svinøya Rorbuer

Svinøya Rorbuer is centrally situated in Svolvær harbour. Read more

Svinøya Rorbuer

Green Gold Villa

The House is located by the fjord with excellent north west view. We have King size Jensen beds and Bone China porcelain service. 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

Scandic Alta

Scandic Alta is a modern full service hotel in the center of Alta. Read more

Scandic Alta

Scandic Hotel Vadsø

Accommodation Vadsø: Modern hotel located in the centre of Vadsø. Vadsø is the capital of Finnmark and is known as the Finn city of Vadsø due to the… Read more

Scandic Hotel Vadsø

Scandic Arctic Hotel

Accommodation Kirkenes: Scandic Arctic Hotel is located in the heart of Kirkenes, not far from the Russian and Finnish borders. Read more

Scandic Arctic Hotel

Scandic Hotel Narvik

Scandic Narvik is the newest hotel in the city, it opened 1st of March 2012. The hotel is one of Northern Norway's tallest builidings, and with it's… Read more

Scandic Hotel Narvik

Scandic Hotel Hammerfest

Accommodation in Hammerfest: Centrally located in Hammerfest, the world,s northernmost town, the hotel enjoys a magnificent view of the sea. Read more

Scandic Hotel Hammerfest

Scandic Hotel Karasjok

Accommodation in Karasjok: Modern hotel with distinctive architecture and inspired by Sami culture, located in the middle of Karasjok city centre, in… Read more

Scandic Hotel Karasjok

Scandic Hotel Honningsvåg

Accommodation in Honningsvåg/North Cape: One of Scandic's summer hotels, centrally located by the Norwegian Coastal Voyage quay in Honningsvåg… Read more

Scandic Hotel Honningsvåg

Scandic Hotel Nordkapp

Accommodation in Nordkapp/North Cape: A pleasant summer hotel in a beautiful location only 30 km from the Nordkapp-plateau. Read more

Scandic Hotel Nordkapp

Scandic Svolvær

Welcome to Scandic Svolvær - situated on the docks in the city centre of Svolvær - the Capitol of Lofoten! Read more

Scandic Svolvær

Scandic Bodø

This town centre hotel is situated by the harbour, 200 metres from Bodø Railway Station.Some of the rooms at Scandic Bodø have sea views. Perhaps you… Read more

Scandic Bodø

Scandic Bryggen Hotel

Scandic Bryggen Hotel Read more

Scandic Bryggen Hotel

Scandic Grand Tromsø

With "A heart for the city", Scandic Grand Tromso is located in Storgata with short distance to most of the city's facilities. 100 meters from Tromsø… Read more

Scandic Grand Tromsø

Scandic Ishavshotel

Full service hotel in downtown Tromsø Read more

Scandic Ishavshotel

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Statens Kartverk, Geovekst og kommuner - Geodata AS

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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.

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.

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Northern lights

Northern lights offers

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