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Northern Lights Tours in Norway
Best places to see the Northern Lights in Norway
Tromso
Often called the 'Gateway to the Arctic,' Tromso is one of the best places in Norway to see the Northern Lights. Surrounded by fjords and high peaks, it also offers diverse Northern Lights tours, including cruises, bus chases, reindeer sledding, and more.
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Svalbard
This remote archipelago offers one of the northernmost viewing spots in the world. Although challenging to reach, Svalbard's polar night from November to January provides a continuous chance to view the lights.
Lofoten Islands
This stunning archipelago in Norway combines rugged mountains and serene fjords, creating picturesque settings for the Northern Lights. With fewer tourists, Lofoten offers a more intimate experience.
Alta
Known as the 'City of the Northern Lights,' Alta offers reliable chances to see the Aurora due to its dry climate and clear skies. Here, you'll find a mix of culture and adventure, including the famed Northern Lights Cathedral.
Types of Northern Lights tours in Norway
Northern Lights chase tours
These tours are ideal if you have limited time in Norway and want to maximize your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis. Expert guides use weather and solar activity forecasts to chase the lights and clear skies, often traveling several hours outside cities to find the best viewing spots.
Northern Lights chase
Northern Lights cruises
A cruise takes you away from city lights and onto open Arctic waters. With cozy boats, you can enjoy a peaceful night under the stars, with the Aurora illuminating the surrounding fjords. Onboard guides take you to the best viewing locations and enrich your experience by sharing interesting facts about the lights.
Northern Lights cruises
Reindeer/dog sledding tours
For those seeking adventure, reindeer or dog sledding tours add a thrill to the Northern Lights hunt across Norway's vast, snowy landscapes. These guided tours head into remote areas, giving you a chance to view the Aurora without city lights disrupting the experience.
Reindeer sledding toursUnique Northern Lights experiences in Norway
Whale watching and Northern Lights combo
In Tromso, you can combine Northern Lights viewing with a daytime whale-watching tour. This combination allows you to see both Arctic wildlife and the Aurora in a single day, making for an unforgettable experience.
Whale watching tours Tromso
Reindeer sledding and Sami culture exploration
In Tromso and other Arctic regions, you can combine a Northern Lights tour with an authentic Sami cultural experience. You'll enjoy a reindeer ride, learn about Sami traditions, and enjoy a cozy gathering around a fire as you await the lights.
Reindeer sledding & Sami culture tours
Aurora camping
For the truly adventurous, camping under the stars in Norway provides an unforgettable experience. Equipped with thermal suits and sleeping bags, you can camp in specially prepared tents, waking up to Aurora's shimmering display if it appears in the night sky.
Frequently asked questions about Northern Lights tours in Norway
What's the best city in Norway to see the Northern Lights?
Tromso is often considered the best city due to its Arctic location, good infrastructure, and variety of tour options. Other popular locations include the Lofoten Islands, Alta, and Svalbard. These areas combine beautiful landscapes with dark skies, maximizing your chances of a clear Northern Lights experience.
What are my chances of viewing the Northern Lights in Norway?
Northern Norway's position within the Aurora Zone makes it one of the most reliable places for aurora activity. Regions like Tromso offer an impressive chance—up to 80% probability of seeing the aurora on clear nights.
Can the Northern Lights be seen every night in Norway?
No, seeing the Northern Lights depends on solar activity and clear skies. While Auroras are more common in Norway's winter months, they don't appear every night. Checking local Aurora forecasts and planning multiple nights of viewing can improve your chances of witnessing this natural wonder.
How far in advance should I book a Northern Lights tour?
It's wise to book early, especially for tours from December to February when demand is high. Popular tours can fill up quickly during these months, so booking a few weeks ahead secures your spot.
Can I see the Aurora Borealis during the summer season in Norway?
No, you can't see the Northern Lights during summer in Norway due to the 'Midnight Sun,' when daylight extends almost 24 hours. The Northern Lights require dark skies, so plan your trip between late September and early April. Winter months provide the longest nights, maximizing chances for Aurora sightings.
Can I predict the Northern Lights with an app?
While no prediction is foolproof, apps like My Aurora Forecast use solar activity data to provide aurora likelihoods for specific locations. These apps can be helpful for planning, giving you a heads-up on high-activity nights, but remember that clear skies are equally important for visibility.
Is it better to view the Northern Lights from land or sea in Norway?
Both have their advantages. Land tours offer flexibility to chase clear skies, while sea cruises provide a unique experience with reflections on the water. Many people choose to do both for a well-rounded experience.
What are Norway's weather conditions like during the Northern Lights season?
Winter in Norway is cold, with temperatures often dropping well below freezing, especially in the Arctic regions. Coastal areas like Tromso have milder temperatures due to the Gulf Stream but are still chilly. Dress in warm, layered clothing, and be prepared for snow, wind, and rapid weather changes common in Arctic climates.
From happy customers
Dubois
FranceJan, 2026
A wonderful experience. The meal was very good. We had a lot of fun feeding the reindeer. The short sleigh ride is simple but sufficient. And the highlight of the show was the Northern Lights.
View original review in French
Tromso: Northern Lights, Reindeer and Sami Experiences
Melanie
Jan, 2026
It was great. We were even lucky enough to see the northern lights. The sleigh ride is short, but it got cold quickly, so it was just right. The directions to the meeting point via Headout are wrong. You have to go to the bus parking lot: enter the visitor center and go down the stairs. The food was okay. All in all, it was a great experience. The reindeer and staff are super nice. :)
View original review in German
Tromso: Northern Lights, Reindeer and Sami Experiences
Kris
BelgiumJan, 2026
We were lucky to see the Northern Lights at the camp. The people that run the camp were very friendly. They gave great explanations. We had a very good guide. Dinner was very good, with veggie options. The meeting with the dogs was wonderfull and to my surprise very relaxing. The dogs were very friendly and sweet. Nice campfire were we got a nice explanation about the Aurora. Overall a very good experience.
Tromso: Northern Lights and Husky Experience with Traditional Dinner
Radisa
GermanyJan, 2026
Unfortunately whales left just before our journey should start - the crew offered 3 options including even full refund. Such honesty is worth rating
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟!
We chose to go for a fjord cruise and learned a lot during the ride!
Thank you to crew !!!
Was a great experience even without whales!
From Tromso: Whale Watching Tour on Hybrid-Electric Catamaran
Sydney
GermanyJan, 2026
The tour guides were very nice and helpful, many whales, very Beautiful experience! Our boat wasnt working so we got on a faster one about an hour later. But it was totally worth it!
From Tromso: Whale Watching Tour on Hybrid-Electric Catamaran
Abdulrahman
Saudi ArabiaDec, 2025
It's nice but a very long trip two hours and half to reach the point to see the aurora and two hours and half return and all this time no water or any food just when the bus stops at the point
Tromso: Northern Lights Photography Tour
Adriana
Oct, 2025
Just WOW. I dragged my boyfriend out for this and he’s now a fan. The guide was enthusiastic, brought extra blankets, and helped with photos. The lights just kept going and going!
Tromso: Northern Lights Photography Tour
Wu
ChinaDec, 2025
The overall experience was fantastic.
Although the bus leader’s English wasn’t completely fluent, it never caused any communication issues. He was dedicated throughout the whole trip—sharing local culture and stories, explaining how to photograph the aurora with a camera, and making sure we didn’t get bored or sleepy during the long drive.
We stopped at three different locations. At the largest one, the leader served us hot cocoa and actively searched for signs of the aurora for the group. I was incredibly lucky to witness beautiful, dancing northern lights. The leader also helped take many photos for us—completely free of charge.
At the end of the tour, he even dropped me off near my accommodation. Since I’m someone who prefers not to engage in small talk within small group tours, the bus tour format suited me perfectly. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it!
Tromso: Northern Lights Chase Tour