Northern lights (Aurora Borealis) - Official travel guide to Norway

A carnival of lights

The northern lights convey a sense of being at the very edge of the world and getting a rare glimpse into the endless universe we are all just a tiny part of.

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) obtained from a really cool fashion show from the 1980s. You can see pictures or videos of it, but only those lucky enough to experience it first hand can fully comprehend the almost divine attraction that the northern lights possess.

To the locals in Northern parts of Norway, the northern lights are a part of their life, as they light up the night sky in surroundings dominated by snow, rugged mountains and harbours. In this area the aurora has been, and still is, a fertile source for art, mythology and legends.

To others, like celebrity scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson, the phenomenon of the northern lights is more of a unique example of just how beautiful science can be. “It’s a curious thing about the universe”, he says, “behind the most stunning sights to behold, lies some of the most challenging problems in physics”.

Tromsø

Konrad Konieczny / www.nordnorge.com / Tromsø

Kautokeino

Terje Rakke/Nordic Life - Visitnorway.com

Vesterålen

Øystein Lunde Ingvaldsen / www.nordnorge.com / Bø

Karlsøy

Gaute Bruvik / www.nordnorge.com / Karlsøy

When and where? There’s no exact answer, but ...

Dynamic Variation:

Norway, home of the northern lights

Far north, there is a place trolls and mountain kings call home. It is the home of Ibsen, Nansen and Grieg, and it is the home of the northern lights.

Dynamic Variation:

Experience the northern lights

Start planning now

There is no need to wait until you´re here to find out what you´d like to do.

Must-see nature attractions

The glaciers, mountains and waterfalls are all about raw, sublime power. On the other hand, natural wonders such as the northern lights, the fjords and quiet mountain plateaus highlight Norway’s serene qualities.
Midnight sun

Like a prolonged sunset and sunrise all at once, the midnight sun colours heaven and earth in a reddish yellow light.

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