The Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Norway

The aurora borealis. The northern lights. The green lady. Whatever you wish to call them, there is no denying this natural phenomenon is one of the most spectacular natural displays one can witness in this lifetime and Norway offers the perfect opportunity to do so.

The northern lights have long been a part of Norse mythology and inspired some of its most gripping folkloric tales. The Vikings believed them to be a gateway to Valhalla and the afterlife, whilst other Norse people perceived them as a bad omen, establishing a number of superstitions to protect themselves. Whichever fantastical interpretation you choose to believe, the northern lights are revered in equal measure today for their astonishing beauty and undeniable magic.

By now, most of us will have seen pictures of the glittering Nordic lights flooded all over the internet, but few can say they have experienced this electrifying spectacle firsthand. In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about chasing the elusive aurora borealis in Norway and how to ensure you get the best chance to witness them.

This 3-Day Arctic Norway and Lapland Adventure is an excellent place to start planning your northern lights experience in Norway. You’ll take a boat trip to see the stunning fjords, go dog sledding and embark on an aurora-sighting expedition.

When is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Norway? 

The arrangement of lights is caused by solar winds colliding with the earth’s atmosphere, and the sun’s particles are pulled to the two magnetic poles in the north or the south. This causes us to see auroral displays in a range of different colours, shapes or forms. Green and pink are the most widely seen, however, it is also common to see streams of violet, blue or yellow lights. What makes the northern lights in Norway so special, is that you can experience them in a multitude of forms. Whether this be shooting rays, enigmatic cloud formations or colourful arcs, you will never see the same lights twice.

Interestingly, the northern lights are always naturally occurring, we just don’t get to see them all year round due to the midnight sun of the Arctic Circle in the summer months. This is why the best time to see the aurora borealis in Norway is from November to March. Although, if you’re lucky, you may still catch a glimpse as early as October or as late as April.

Generally, a big challenge when chasing the northern lights in Norway is finding clear skies in often remote locations. It doesn’t necessarily have to be cold, but it does have to be dark. Remember, the blacker the sky, the brighter the lights; darkness is your friend. The winter in Norway has long periods of darkness, meaning it’s an ideal place for an aurora borealis sighting. Green and pink are the most common colours spotted when watching the northern lights, but you can also expect to see shooting rays of violet, blue and yellow cast across the sky.

Between 8pm and 2am is the best window for seeing the northern lights in Norway, and this is why many tours will start their hunt around in the evening. Often, the best lights are seen around midnight, but the northern lights are a rather unpredictable affair, so be prepared for a thrilling -and often surprising- adventure when you come to Norway.

It’s best to book a tour that includes multiple outings on the trip to increase your chances of seeing the glittering light show. A trip with a northern lights tour like this 7-Day Oslo and Tromso trip that goes on several different excursions ensures better odds at seeing this wonderfully ethereal display.

Where to See the Northern Lights in Norway 

It’s no wonder Norway is regarded as one of the best destinations in the world to see the northern lights. Due to its latitude, the country is in the perfect prime area for witnessing the show, and although there are no guarantees, you could even catch the northern lights on every night of your stay!

One of the best places in Norway to plan your northern lights trip to is Tromso, also regarded as “the Capital of the Arctic Circle”. It is one of the easiest locations to get to northern Norway from any major European city, and as it is positioned well above the Arctic circle, it’s also an idyllic destination for sky-gazing.

Although many choose to see the polar lights in the winter months, some spots get bitterly cold, especially if you are spending long hours outside waiting for the sky to ignite. Tromso has the added benefit of getting air from the Gulf Stream, making the temperatures milder and much more bearable. 

All of our trips that include seeing the northern lights in Norway make sure to stop in this sparkling Arctic city, so you’ll have a number of options to choose from for your tour. 

Don’t Just Go to Norway for the Northern Lights, Go for the Experience 

It’s clear that chasing the aurora borealis should be a bucket list item for any dedicated traveller, however, Norway’s dramatic landscapes, imposing fjords, deep verdant valleys and breathtaking seascapes should be reason enough to visit. You may come for the pursuit of shimmering lights at the witching hour, but you’ll stay for the spellbinding Arctic experience.

Norway hosts a captivating blend of the traditional and the modern, and being able to delve into Sami culture, go dog sledding along a glacial landscape and stay overnight at a Norwegian igloo hotel built entirely out of ice in one singular location is what makes Norway such an extraordinary destination.

For those wanting to live out their ultimate Viking fantasy, you can sail along the Norweigan coast, go fishing for giant crabs or you can even combine a snowmobile adventure with a Northern Lights hunt for a truly unforgettable trip.

Norway is, without a shadow of a doubt, a place where magic is revealed to those willing to venture far enough to look for it. Here, magnificent displays of nature and charming age-old traditions intersect in some of the most unspoiled areas on earth, making for jaw-dropping views both on land and up in the sky.

Luckily, our Local Designers have been chasing the northern lights in Norway for years and accompanied by them you will have excellent chances of witnessing first-hand the kaleidoscope of rainbow lights painted upon the night sky. Whether your trip involves midnight aurora borealis hunts, Arctic fjord cruises or reindeer sledding, Designer Journeys’s Local Designers have years of experience in curating trips jam-packed with local experiences and unique tailored travel.

Browse our fully-customisable Norway trips or design your own Norway trip to ensure your Arctic experience is as enchanting in real life as it is in the folkloric Nordic tales.