Best time and place to see Northern lights in Norway (2024)

FAQs

What is the best month to see the Northern Lights in Norway? ›

November through February is peak season for Northern Lights viewing as the nights are longest at this time, but a visit anytime between September and March gives you a good chance of spotting them. The sun has an 11-year solar cycle during which its activity waxes and wanes.

Best places to see the Northern Lights in Norway

Oslo, the capital of this long and thin country, is too far south of the Arctic Circle to see the aurora borealis. Instead, head to northern Norway's towns, like Tromsø and Svalbard, which are perfectly situated for aurora viewing.

Svalbard, Norway

It doesn't get much more remote than Svalbard – a Norwegian archipelago flung far out in the Arctic Ocean, just 650 miles from the North Pole. When it comes to the Northern Lights, these islands' dark winter skies (the sun doesn't poke its head above the horizon in February) are the perfect setting.

Ideally, we recommend planning your trip to Northern Norway between October and March, during which daylight hours are pretty limited in areas north of the Arctic Circle. Peak time for seeing the northern lights is between 11pm and 2am, and the seasonal darkness will make it easier to witness them.

Very rarely! It might happen once or twice a year but generally they will be hard to see and faint. With the amount of light pollution in Oslo, you will be extremely lucky to chance a good viewing of the lights during your stay.

A 6-night round trip from Oslo including Tromsø, Snow hotel in Kirkenes, Northern Lights wilderness trips, Dog sledding, Reindeer sledge & Arctic gourmet dinner. A 7-night trip with Bergen, fjord cruise & Flåm Railway, Oslo & Kirkenes, Snow hotel, King crab safari & Northern Lights trip with dog sledding.

The cheapest way is to book a northern lights hunt, a tour in which you will likely be driven around in a group as the guide tries to find a good vantage point, free of other spotters.

A clear, dark sky is the key to effectively viewing the Aurora Borealis. So, the fact that the summer sun does not sink below the horizon for nearly two months in a place like Norway's Lofoten Islands makes viewing the auroras a non-starter. Iceland is theoretically a little better.

To see the Northern lights, the sky needs to be dark and clear of any clouds. Some people claim the aurora comes out when temperatures are colder. This isn't the case – it's just that when the skies are cloudless, temperatures tend to drop.

The best places to see the aurora borealis are the Nordic countries of Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland, which lie within or near the Arctic Circle. You could also look for them in Russia, Alaska, and Canada's northwest territories.

How can I increase my chances of seeing the northern lights? ›

Both Finland and Norway offer incredible opportunities to chase this celestial spectacle, but which one reigns supreme? Let's break it down based on aurora intensity: Norway: Northern Norway, above the Arctic Circle, boasts stronger and more frequent aurora displays.

If want to see the lights in Norway, the northern part is the place to go. Tromsø is regarded as one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. If you are in Tromsø for a period of five or more days during the winter season you have a pretty decent chance of seeing them.

The northern lights can be seen when the sky is clear and dark. Peak time is between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Statistically, spring (March/April) and autumn (September/October) have the highest level of aurora activity. However, you they are also spotted in November, December, January, and February.

You may have heard that Scandinavia is famously expensive for tourists. High Norwegian salaries mean both the standard and cost of living in Norway is higher than many countries. While Norway does live up to its reputation of being an expensive place to visit, you can definitely enjoy an affordable Norway vacation.

“Scientists are predicting 2024 will be the year of the Northern Lights, as solar activity influences the intensity of the Aurora,” says Robert. “The Sun goes through an 11-year cycle and 2024 is the year of solar maximum, meaning the Northern Lights will be stronger than they have in at least a decade.

Norway boasts some of the darkest skies in Europe, maximizing your chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis in its full glory. Tromsø, a vibrant city nicknamed “The Gateway to the Arctic,” is a popular starting point.

Norway cruises provide the perfect opportunity to witness the spectacular northern lights, nature's greatest lightshow. Norway is just about the best place in the world to see this celestial carnival of pink, green and violet lights.

If you're planning an aurora-viewing trip, the best time is throughout the winter months. Anytime between late September to late March is a good time for northern lights hunting as the long nights provide ample aurora viewing opportunities.