Noctourism
Connect with the universe
Lie down on your back. Look up.
Light pollution obscures the night sky in more than half of Europe.
Many of us have forgotten how beautiful the sky at night can be.
That's why noctourism, i.e. nocturnal tourism, is one of the hottest travel trends right now.
And Norway's got a lot of great places to really experience the trend.
Check out our tips below!
Norway's first Dark Sky Place
Øvre Pasvik National Park has reached a significant milestone as Norway’s first International Dark Sky Place, a triumph in preserving pristine nightscapes.
The park is located in the country’s northeastern corner. Its recent designation highlights the park’s dedication to reducing light pollution and protecting its natural nocturnal environment.
A night to remember
Check in somewhere out of the ordinary. Spend the night together in a treehouse, a dome, an ice hotel, or a lighthouse.
The longest night
Imagine a night that lasts for almost three months! Visit Svalbard during the polar night and aurora season, for a magical, and surprisingly social, experience.
Did you know that the locals call the full moon 'the polar night sun'?
Aurora hunting
The polar night also makes Northern Norway a great place for noctourism. Here, you also have several hours of daylight and the sun climbs just above the horizon outside the darkest periods.
Seek out a remote place without any light pollution to go star gazing and aurora hunting.
A guide increases your chances of seeing them!
Cruise the coastal highway
Bundle up in warm down and blankets and enjoy a dark adventure aboard Hurtigruten or Havila, on a coastal cruise between Bergen and Kirkenes.
It's a once-in-a-lifetime journey!
Get away from the city
Light pollution makes the darkness seem even darker. But as soon as you get away from of the street lights, the dark looks different, especially on a clear night.
If the moon is out, snow covered mountains glow in a mystical and almost unreal way.
You don't have to go all the way north to experience snow topped mountains under the starry sky.
The deep, dark fjords
If you really want to get away from it all, head to the serene fjords in winter. No crowds, no rush. Take the time to truly feel the deep silence, both outside and within yourself.
Hop on a train from Bergen to the fjord village of Flåm. Be sure to stay a couple of nights in the area, to unwind and truly relax.
Lights in the dark
Or go a winter adventure in the UNESCO Heritage landscape of the Geirangerfjord (without the crowds).
It can be quite otherworldly!
If you visit during the light festival in March, you're in for something spectacular!
Mountain bliss
The white, vast mountain plateaus of Southern Norway can be just as mesmerising in winter.
Rent a cabin or stay in a remote mountain lodge.
Harald Sohlberg really captured the essence of the light in his famous painting, and national treasure, Winter Night in Rondane.
You can see it up close at the National Museum in Oslo.
Hot sauna dates
It may be cold outside, but you can always heat up in a fjord-side sauna with a view! You can find them all over Norway.
Have a refreshing dip under the stars!
Dark passion
You don't necessarily have to sleep the night away…
Autumn hues
Remember, the starry season starts as early as September/October! Combine dark sightseeing with flaming bright colours.
So, what are you waiting for? Enter the night!