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Scandic Hotels – in all major cities from north to south
Nordic Choice Hotels – a different hotel company
Thon Hotels – with fantastic breakfast
Radisson Blu Hotels – discover your favourite destinations
Classic Norway Hotels – From distinctive hotels to authentic fisherman's cabins
Citybox – modern and affordable hotels in a central location
DanCenter – your specialist in holiday homes in Norway
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Campcation – book camping all across Norway with Campcation
Rauland – Skiing in stunning mountain scenery
Vy – travelling by train has never been easier
SJ NORD – the adventure starts on the train
Vy express – travel with bus throughout Norway
NOR-WAY Bussekspress – experience amazing scenery by bus
Widerøe – the largest regional airline in Scandinavia
DFDS – Europe’s leading ferry operator 2012-2021
AutoEurope – always a smooth car rental experience
Rent-A-Wreck – the smart car rental alternative
Arctic Campers – Norway’s camper van rental
Cabin Campers – your cottage on four wheels
Hurtigruten – "The World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage"
Fjord Tours – Home of Norway in a nutshell® - Norway’s most popular tour
Authentic Scandinavia – Travel created by locals
Up Norway – Bespoke luxury tailored by insiders
Norrøna Hvitserk – expeditions and adventure holidays
Booknordics.com – hundreds of activities, tours and day cruises in Norway
Brim Explorer – silent fjord tours by electric catamaran
Fjord Travel – let us show you the beauty of Norway!
Go Fjords – tours and activities all over Norway
50 Degrees North – unforgettable tailor-made and small group tours to Norway
Discover Norway – skiing, biking and hiking tours in Norway
Norwegian Holidays – low-price package holidays with Norwegian. Flight, hotel and rental car
Stromma – sightseeing, excursions and experiences with bus, boat and train
My Nordic Travel - Do It Yourself, make your own itinerary.
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But the phenomenon can also be explained in a tangible way: We have the sun to thank for everything, also the auroras, and during large solar explosions and flares, huge quantities of particles are thrown out from the sun and into deep space.
Here’s where it gets really interesting: When the particles meet the Earth’s magnetic shield, they are led towards an oval around the magnetic North Pole where they interact with the upper parts of the atmosphere, the layers of ozone, oxygen, and other stuff that protect the earth. The energy which is then released is sent to us as northern lights.
But never take the northern lights for granted. It’s as much a natural phenomenon as the weather. Its appearance and intensity are controlled by the sun’s activity and its location depends on the earth’s magnetic field.
The northern light appears in a belt, or an oval, which is situated above the Earth in a regular position in relation to the sun. The lights will usually be visible over mainland Northern Norway during the night and over Svalbard during the daytime. When solar activity increases, the northern lights can also be seen further south in Norway.
Interested in learning more about aurora’s origin? This video will explain the fascinating details of the northern lights.
Aurora borealis is far from a new phenomenon. The spectacle of the northern lights is described by early storytellers and has given rise to many legends. Symbols linked to the northern lights are for instance found on the Sami shamanistic drum. The phenomenon has several different names in Sami, amongst them “Guovssahas” which means “the light which can be heard”. It’s poetry in motion.
It is often said that the northern parts of Norway are the best places in the world to see the northern lights, as this part of the country lies just below the auroral oval. Well, if we’re honest that is only a partial truth, as the lights can be just as visible from destinations outside of Norway.
But our bold claim is that Northern Norway definitely is amongst the most comfortable and interesting places to see the lights, as hundreds of thousands of people live in this huge geographical area, offering a variety of hotels and activities to keep you busy.
It’s important to remember that aurora can be a bit of a diva, and she will only start the show when she feels the time is right. Patience is a virtue, also when chasing the northern lights. But to maximize your chances of a sighting, know that the lights are at their most frequent in late autumn and winter/early spring (from September to late March), during the hours from 6 pm to 1 am.
However, Aurora borealis has its climax when the weather is cold and dry, usually from December. Some will tell you that the driest weather and the clearest sky is found inland, but that isn’t always true.
With strong eastern wind, the coast can be clearer than inland areas. Avoid the full moon, though, as it will make the experience considerably paler.
What is the aurora?
The aurora appears as lights in the sky produced when atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere are hit by high energy electrons.
Why does the aurora move?
The aurora appears where beams of high energy electrons penetrate the upper atmosphere. As the beams move, the aurora moves.
Where can we see the aurora?
The aurora is mostly seen along the belt which connects central Alaska, Canada, the southern tip of Greenland, Iceland, and the northern parts of Scandinavia.
What are the best months to see the northern lights?
Statistically, springtime (March/April) and autumn (September/October) has the highest level of aurora activity. However, you will see it in October, November, December, January and February as well.
What is the best time to see the northern lights?
You can often see the northern lights between 6 pm and 1 am, but the frequency tends to be highest between 22 and 23 pm.
Why is the aurora more visible on cold nights?
The aurora occurs above the altitude of clouds. On cold nights, the sky tends to be clearer and thus easier to see the aurora.
A northern lights forecast that helps you find the best time to see the lights.
iPhone: Download NorwayLights
Android: Download NorwayLights
Windows: Download NorwayLights
What is the aurora?
The aurora appears as lights in the sky produced when atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere are hit by high energy electrons.
Why does the aurora move?
The aurora appears where beams of high energy electrons penetrate the upper atmosphere. As the beams move, the aurora moves.
Where can we see the aurora?
The aurora is mostly seen along the belt which connects central Alaska, Canada, the southern tip of Greenland, Iceland, and the northern parts of Scandinavia.
What are the best months to see the northern lights?
Statistically, springtime (March/April) and autumn (September/October) has the highest level of aurora activity. However, you will see it in October, November, December, January and February as well.
What is the best time to see the northern lights?
You can often see the northern lights between 6 pm and 1 am, but the frequency tends to be highest between 22 and 23 pm.
Why is the aurora more visible on cold nights?
The aurora occurs above the altitude of clouds. On cold nights, the sky tends to be clearer and thus easier to see the aurora.
A northern lights forecast that helps you find the best time to see the lights.
iPhone: Download NorwayLights
Android: Download NorwayLights
Windows: Download NorwayLights
When the light show brightens up the sky, the moment is definitely worth freezing. The 27-year-old photographer Christian Hoiberg has loads of experience with eternalising aurora’s fleeting beauty in images.
Read our top tips on how to take pictures of northern lights – where to go, what camera settings to use, and how to get the most out of your smartphone.
On thin ice
The coastal climate is usually relatively mild, but the rain can freeze and make the roads slippery. Your shoes should have rubber soles as this is less slippery than plastic. In the steepest hills, you should use crampons, which you can buy in most sports shops.
When you’re active
For fast-paced activities like snowmobiling, you need even more clothes. On organized snowmobile tours, you will be provided with a thermal suit and suitable boots, gloves, and headgear.
Insider tips
In Northern Norway, we always remove several layers of clothing when we go inside to avoid getting cold when we go back outside. It is also good to know that you are expected to take off your shoes before entering Norwegian homes as it is considered very impolite to walk around indoors with outdoor shoes on.
Source: NordNorsk Reiseliv
Book your next Norwegian holiday adventure now.
On board an hybrid-electric boat outfitted with panoramic windows, you will glide silently into the darkness of the Tromsø fjords while savouring a delicious dinner and keeping an eye out for the magical northern lights. | Go Fjords
6-day tour, including a return cruise from Tromsø to Kirkenes with Hurtigruten. Visit the North Cape and try winter activities including dog sledding and snowmobiling. | Authentic Scandinavia
This journey encourages you to create your own magical connection in Alta, going on adventures such as dogsledding, snowmobiling and ice-fishing, and seeking the illuminations of the polar night. | Up Norway.
Join us on a 6-day northern lights round trip to Tromsø
from Oslo. Fly to Tromsø where you will experience all the highlights of the region, including several opportunities to chase the northern lights. | Fjord Travel
6-day winter adventure. See the fjords and the Arctic city Tromsø. Amazing winter activities like dog sledding, northern lights safari, and much more can be added. | Authentic Scandinavia
4-day break to Tromsø including a wildlife cruise and hunt for the northern lights. With one day free, you will have the opportunity to add additional winter activities like dog sledding, a reindeer safari, and more. | Authentic Scandinavia
Join our Northern Lights Cruise and enjoy a delicious arctic tapas menu from our local partner in Tromsø while we look for the Northern Lights! | Brim Explorer.
6-day winter adventure tour including an overnight stay at Kirkenes Snow Hotel, a cruise with Hurtigruten to Tromsø, and a wide selection of optional winter activities. | Authentic Scandinavia
4-day winter break to Tromsø in Northern Norway, including dog sledding and a northern lights chase by minibus. Additional winter activities can be added. | Authentic Scandinavia
4-day tour with Aurora Chase Guided tour, RIB boat tour, and accommodation in a traditional fisherman's cabin. | 50 Degrees North
Spend a night in a glass dome under the northern lights. Wake up inside the remote pine forest of Alta overlooking majestic snow-covered mountains. Private bathroom and sauna facilities available. | Book Nordics
Experience Norway’s best northern lights destinations, Kirkenes & Tromsø, on this amazing 7-day round trip from Oslo. | Fjord Travel
Want to gaze up at the northern lights dancing in the pitch black sky? Or swing crampons and an ice axe deep into a frozen waterfall? How about a cross-country skiing course followed by a trip in remote mountains? Or dog sledding? This trip lets you experience all of these activities and more! | Hvitserk
5-day stay in boutique lodge with transfers, dog sledding, all meals, snowmobiling, and sea safari. | 50 Degrees North
Spend your night in a Crystal Lavvo in the Lyngen Alps. We pick you up in Tromsø and take you out on an adventure of a lifetime! Dinner, breakfast, transportation and whale watching included. | Book Nordics
4-day tour including a cruise with Hurtigruten. Choose from a wide selection of winter activities, including dog sledding and northern lights excursions. | Authentic Scandinavia
Rockets are launched under the northern lights on this island in Northern Norway that looks like a location from the Lord of the Rings.
Young Sami artists are currently bringing new life to one of Europe’s oldest song traditions. Ancient sounds meet modern genres – and the result? A brave, new wave of internationally acclaimed and prize-winning musicians.
Instead of watching the northern lights from the ground, NASA offers a different perspective on this natural wonder, thanks to a film with incredible images.
In Northern Norway, spectacular experiences await. From the scenic coastline and activities like fishing, hiking and mountaineering, to the northern lights and the midnight sun.
Experiencing the unbelievable colours flashing across the Arctic sky is on many travellers’ bucket list. Few places on earth offer more ways to witness the aurora borealis than Norway.
Take a hike around the clock at Senja, dive into Blåisvatnet lake, or simply kick back and enjoy the majestic scenery at Andøya. Here are some of Northern Norway’s hot spots.
Get the best experiences by planning your trip in advance.
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