The Ultimate Guide to Chasing the Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway

Discover everything you need to know about chasing the Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway. From the best time to visit and top tour guides to arctic adventures and night photography tips, this guide has it all to plan your perfect aurora trip.

Marisa Wigley

The Ultimate Guide to Chasing the Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway

Dec 03 2024

We’d been out in the cold for hours. It was already past midnight, and I was quickly losing hope that we’d see the elusive northern lights - the reason for making the long trek all the way up to the arctic circle in northern Norway.

Our guide had started to set up a fire and hot drinks, glancing at the sky frequently to check for the slightest sign of movement while the rest of us tried to coax some warmth back into our freezing toes. He suddenly points at the distant sky to the north and we all turn to squint at the black sky, willing our eyes to see what he sees. Moments later, fire is quickly abandoned as we watch in awe as the sky suddenly explodes with light.

Our necks start to hurt as the lights continue for hours but no one dares to miss a moment of the show. Our guide proclaims it as a top 5 night and we reluctantly head back to our base in Tromsø around three in the morning, full of smiles and equipped with plenty of photos to memorialize the night.

And this was just the beginning of my arctic adventure.

The Gateway to the Northern Lights

It’s impossible not to fall in love with Tromsø. Visiting today, you’d never know that just 15 years ago, there were only a handful of tour guides in town and about as many tourists to keep them busy. Nowadays, the charming coastal town bustles with activity year-round and is famous for being the gateway to the northern lights. It’s easy to see why.

On a clear night during the northern lights season, which runs approximately October through March, the lights can be seen from the city itself. But it is Norway, and clear nights can be few and far between.

Luckily, the stunning and remote scenery surrounding Tromso provides plenty of opportunity to head out in search of a patch of clear sky to view the lights from. In fact, many northern lights tour operators based in Tromsø boast a 95%+ success rate of seeing the lights on every trip.

But Tromsø is so much more than just the lights.

I had plenty of time to fill between northern lights hunts yet never felt bored for a second. There are so many more arctic adventures to be had in Tromsø and the surrounding area.

I spent my days floating in the arctic ocean, feeding real-life reindeer, sightseeing around the picturesque nearby islands, taking a dip in the arctic ocean (followed by running very quickly back to the sauna), visiting museums, and of course eating all the fresh seafood I could get my hands on. The Norwegian people were very hospitable and I found travel very easy, with English spoken widely and plenty of clear signage to help you find your way.

What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Chasing the Northern Lights

It’s not just the time of year that matters

Booking a trip between October and March is key to increasing your chances of seeing the lights, but what you may not know is that the moon cycle also impacts your viewing experience.

I stayed in Tromsø for around a month and first saw the northern lights when the moon was just a sliver. A couple weeks later, I went out on a near-full moon night and the experience was totally different! The moon was so bright that the pictures practically looked like daytime. I was able to see the colors of the northern lights much more clearly, because our eyes do not see color well in the dark so the additional light made the colors appear brighter. However, I felt I was able to see less definition and movement as the contrast was not as stark against the night sky.

The lights were stunning regardless, but something to keep in mind depending on your preferences!

Your tour guide can make all the difference

Everyone in Norway will tell you that the weather has the biggest impact on your ability to see the lights. Not the KP or any other northern lights activity indicator. This is because the geographic location of the area is far enough north that you have a high chance of seeing the lights nightly, even if activity is predicted to be low. This means the clouds are your biggest enemy and there are usually a lot of them in Norway!

While you can certainly rent a car and go in search of the lights yourself, you may find that you are out of luck unless you get a clear night. Going with a tour guide, on the other hand, gives you much higher chances of seeing the lights on an overcast night. Local guides are experts at following cloud patterns to find patches of clear sky across the nearby countryside. They also are in constant contact with each other, sharing areas to avoid and where they have found luck. I went out on two very overcast nights and saw plenty of northern lights both times thanks to the guides! Just be sure to do your research to find the best providers - I recommend my favorites in my Ultimate Guide to Chasing the Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway!

Marisa Wigley | @whyyoushouldgoto

Available for hire

The Ultimate Guide to Chasing the Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway

Are the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) on your bucket list? This guide covers everything you need to know about hunting the Northern Lights in the Tromsø area of Norway - from the best time of year to visit to the best strategies to increase your chances of seeing the lights. Plus, all the dining, drinks, and arctic activities that you can't miss. Everything you need to know for your epic bucket list adventure - all in one place!

$20.00

Guide

Practice night photography with your phone/camera beforehand

Even if you don’t have a fancy camera, you can get some great photos of the northern lights to take home as a souvenir. I’d highly recommend practicing beforehand and learning about the features on your phone/camera that can help with night photography, including any night mode features available, exposure, white balance, etc. But above all, bring a tripod and set the timer on your camera before shooting. Keeping still is the key to a good shot of the northern lights, so a tripod is the ideal set up and a timer to delay the actual capture will make sure there is time for the phone to stop moving after you press the button.

If you want epic photos but don’t fancy yourself the photographer, going with a tour guide is your best option. These almost always come with professional photos included, so you can get epic shots of the lights and your group enjoying them without having to make it happen yourself.

Everything Else You Need to Know for Your Northern Lights Adventure

If you’re ready to head to Norway to see the Northern Lights, I’ve compiled every single thing you need to know and all of my recommendations after living in Tromsø for a month into one comprehensive guide. This guide covers all of my best tips for increasing your chances of seeing the northern lights, as well as my recommendations for places to stay, activities, tour guides, food, drinks, and more.

I’ve created it to be the only guide you need to create your perfect bucket list northern lights trip - enjoy!

Marisa Wigley | @whyyoushouldgoto

Available for hire

The Ultimate Guide to Chasing the Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway

$20.00

Guide

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