Welcome to our Tromso Northern Lights Guide to the best Aurora Borealis tours in Tromso Norway!
In this Tromso Northern Lights guide, we cover everything you need to know on how to see the Northern Lights in Tromso, Norway. From the best time to see this natural phenomenon to the best spots to see the Northern Lights in Tromso. We also recommend where to stay in Tromso for Northern Lights, where you can experience them right from your bed.
After our in-depth research on the many Northern Lights tours available in Tromso, we highlight essential factors to consider when choosing the perfect Aurora Borealis tour to fit you. Finally, we finish our Tromso Northern Lights guide with a review of the four Aurora Borealis tours we personally enjoyed.
Do not miss our comprehensive guide on How to See the Aurora Borealis, where we discuss general Northern Lights facts and explain how to interpret the Northern Lights forecast to maximize your chances of witnessing this incredible natural wonder.
Note that all photography on this guide (and throughout our website) was shot by me (Alina) and if you wish to purchase any, some are available at my Etsy shop.
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Tromso Northern Lights Guide: Northern Lights Explained
The Northern Lights, or the Aurora Borealis, occur when the sun emits streams of charged particles (solar wind) that travel towards the Earth’s magnetic fields. When these particles collide with oxygen and nitrogen molecules in our atmosphere, energy is released, creating beautiful and colorful displays of the Northern Lights in the Northern Hemisphere. The colors of the lights vary depending on the altitude above the Earth and the specific molecules with which the solar wind interacts.
The Northern Lights are most commonly observed within a band known as the auroral oval, which is usually located around 60° to 70° north of the Equator, near the Arctic Circle. For more Northern Lights facts, check out our guide on How to See the Aurora Borealis where we explain how to interpret the Northern Lights forecast and maximize your chances of witnessing this amazing phenomenon.
Tromso Northern Lights Guide: How to see the Northern Lights in Tromso Norway
Tromso is located in the Arctic Circle and well inside the Auroral oval, positioned at a latitude of 69°. This makes it an ideal destination for viewing the Northern Lights. However, booking a trip to Tromso does not guarantee you will see the Northern Lights. It is important to know the best times to visit and where to look for them. That is why we’ve created this Tromso Northern Lights guide. Continue reading to find out the best time to see the Northern Lights in Tromso, where to stay, and the best spots to catch this spectacular natural display in Tromso.
Best time to see northern lights in Tromso Norway
Timing is the most influential factor in seeing the Northern Lights in Tromso. Dark conditions are essential, and the darker it is, the better the chances of seeing the lights, so nighttime is the time of the day. However, Tromso’s far northern location significantly affects daylight hours. During the summer months, Tromso experiences a natural phenomenon known as the “midnight sun,” where the sun does not set from May until the end of July. Meaning it is not dark at night! At All! Therefore, there are absolutely zero chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Tromso during these months.
So, when is the best time to see Northern Lights in Tromso? In the Winter months, the opposite phenomenon occurs, named ‘the polar night’, when the sun does not rise from November through January. This extended darkness is ideal for viewing the Northern Lights in Tromso. Therefore, these Winter months are the best time to see Aurora Borealis in Tromso.
In the graph above, you can observe the daylight patterns throughout the months of the year in Tromso. The darkest color indicates the fully dark nights, which is what we are aiming for. Additionally, the shoulder months of February, March, and October also experience dark nights accompanied by sunny days, similar to many other places in the world. This makes these months a good option as well for seeing the Northern Lights in Tromso. We visited Tromso at the beginning of March and the nights were dark and we saw Auroras almost every night.
To summarize, the best time to see Northern Lights in Tromso is between October and March, with peak chances from November to February due to the longer periods of darkness.
Weather and Cloud Cover in Tromso Norway
Now that we’ve covered the best time to see Northern Lights in Tromso, it’s important to highlight the most significant factors that could affect your viewing experience: the weather and cloud cover. You can have the best Northern Lights forecast in Tromso and see absolutely nothing due to clouds. In fact, the months that we stated as the best time to see Northern Lights in Tromso, from October to March, are typically the cloudiest in Tromso, with overcast skies occurring about 80% of the time during these months.
That’s why we highly recommend taking a Northern Lights Chasing Tour in Tromso. As the name suggests, these tours chase to find the best locations for viewing the Northern Lights. Using weather forecasts, the guides strive to locate the best spots with clear skies, even venturing into remote areas such as Finland if necessary. Continue reading to discover the best Aurora Borealis Tours in Tromso.
Best spots to see northern lights in Tromso Norway
If you decide not to join a Northern Lights Chasing Tour in Tromso or have a free evening without a tour, we’ve compiled a list of the best spots to see Northern Lights in Tromso, provided you are fortunate enough to have clear skies.
- Storsteinen Mountain – Taking the Fjellheisen Cable Car up the 421 meters to Storsteinen Mountain is one of the top things to do in Tromso. You will presented with panoramic views of Tromso and the surrounding mountains. Fjellheisen Cable Car operates until midnight, providing a few hours of darkness to hopefully see the Northern Lights.
- Tromso Harbor – Port of Tromso (Tromsø Havn) is one of the largest fishing and cruise ports in Norway. It is located right in the heart of Tromso town. The harbor is a great place to take a stroll during the day and night and a must visit on your Tromso Itinerary. Despite the bright city lights, a strong aurora can still be observed from there, offering an incredible opportunity to capture a stunning aurora photograph with a backdrop of the Tromso Bridge and the Arctic Cathedral. On clear nights with a good Northern Lights forecast, it is an excellent spot for viewing the Aurora Borealis in Tromso.
- Telegrafbukta Beach – Telegrafbukta, which translates to Telegraph Bay, highlights its historical significance as a site for telegraph communication. This picturesque location is situated at the southernmost tip of Tromso Island. It offers a serene escape from the city, perfect for long walks along the coastline and swimming in the summer. In the winter, its distance from city lights makes it an ideal spot to see Northern Lights in Tromso. Telegrafbukta Beach can be easily reached by bus from the center of Tromso.
- Ersfjordbotn – A stunning fjord located about 20 km from Tromso, surrounded by towering mountains on either side. This picturesque fjord is a must-visit during the day when visiting Tromso, which can be visited on a day trip, read all about it in our Tromso Winter Activities Guide. In the evening, the breathtaking scenery at Ersfjordbotn transforms into an incredible spot for Northern Lights photography, providing a beautiful mountainous backdrop.
Where to stay in Tromso for northern lights
When we searched for where to stay in Tromso for Northern Lights, we aimed for a more remote location with lower light pollution, yet still close to the city center. We decided on Tromso Lodge & Camping, a 4-star hotel situated in the Tomasjord neighborhood (which is not on Tromso Island). The Lodge features cabins and cottages nestled in beautiful natural surroundings, with a river flowing right beside the cabins.
We chose the new Explorer cabin and it was modern and cozy with big windows and a skylight, especially for Northern Lights viewing right from your bed. Although the cabin and bathroom were on the smaller side, we really loved the design and the balcony overlooking the river. Plus, the breakfast was fantastic and plentiful!
Our desired distant location came with its challenges, as the nearest bus stop is a 10 to 15-minute walk away. This is not particularly convenient when carrying luggage through the snow, and taxi rates are very high. Additionally, the cabins are located within another few minutes walk from the reception, so you will still need to drag your luggage through the snow even if you are taking a taxi to the lodge.
All in all, it was worth it, as we saw the Northern Lights from the comfort of our cabin and the scenery was absolutely stunning.
Tromso Northern Lights Guide: Best Aurora Borealis Tours in Tromso Norway
Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know on how to see the Northern Lights in Tromso, let’s move to our final chapter in this Tromso Northern Lights guide – the best Aurora Borealis Tours in Tromso. But before we reveal our chosen Northern Lights tours, we will share with you what you should consider when choosing one.
What to consider when choosing a Northern Lights Tour in Tromso Norway
Many companies offer Northern Lights Tours in Tromso. Here are some guidelines we recommend when choosing an Aurora Borealis tour:
· Number of Participants – The first and the most important factor to consider when choosing a Northern Lights Tour in Tromso. The options are a bus that accommodates about 50 participants, a minibus for up to 16 participants, and a private tour. Naturally, there is a significant price difference, with private tours being the most expensive. However, the price difference between the bus and minibus options is minimal. In our opinion, the minibus tour offers the best value for money, as even at full capacity, the group size is still small enough to ensure a more intimate experience compared to the larger bus tours.
· Price – There are many tour companies and the price might differ even for the same number of participants, so do your research.
· Location – The Location of the northern lights viewing, with a bus, there are limited parking options due to its size. In Finland for example, the road is long and narrow, with high snow on each side and very limited areas to enter with a bus. There is nothing more frustrating than having northern lights above you and nowhere to park for miles. So this is another reason for preferring a minibus over a full-size bus.
· Going into Finland – Finland is a very common place to go when on a hunt for the northern lights in search of clear skies. However, it is a very long drive, about 3 hours each way, and not every company would take this ride. So make sure that the company you choose specifies that they will take you there if needed.
· Included Gear – Not every company will provide you with a thermal suit and boots, but you will likely need them, as it can get quite cold at night, especially inland in Finland. Additionally, while waiting for the lights to appear, you’ll be in a static position. Even if you’re sitting by the fire, you might find yourself freezing.
· Toilets – A heated tent with a toilet is a super exclusive bonus in such cold weather. Companies that do not offer this option will have to make stops at gas stations along the way. However, since there are many tour companies, this can lead to long queues.
· Food – While food is not the primary reason to choose one tour over another, it’s important to check what is included. Some tours may offer soup, others may provide reindeer stew, and some might only serve a dessert. We recommend having a good meal just before your tour begins, as these tours can be lengthy and may last up to nine hours, surpassing the specified duration as in some of the tours we had.
· Photos – Some companies include a complimentary photoshoot and will share the pictures with you, while others charge for this service. Be sure to verify what is included in your tour package.
· Hotel Dropoff – This is quite important especially since you will be returning at night, often after public transportation has stopped running. Taking a taxi to your hotel is very expensive in Tromso and it is not comfortable after a such long tour. Most companies will drop you off at your hotel if it is located in the city center, otherwise, it may depend on the specific company. Be sure to inquire about this before making your decision, especially if you are not staying in the center.
Best Northern Lights tours in Tromso Norway
Next in our Tromso Northern Lights guide, we will share our top recommendations for the best Northern Lights tours that we personally chose and enjoyed. First, we recommend booking tours as soon as possible as they fill up pretty quickly, especially the small group ones. Second, while these tours can be quite expensive, we highly recommend taking as many as you can, as there is no guarantee of seeing the Northern Lights and there might be cancellations due to rough weather. We booked four tours and were fortunate enough to witness the Aurora Borealis on two of them.
Three of the tours we experienced were Northern Lights Chasing Tours, which we believe offer the best chance of seeing this natural phenomenon in Tromso. The fourth tour we took was the Northern Lights Sailing Tour by boat. While it was a unique experience, we found it to be less effective for viewing the Northern Lights. We will elaborate on that later on.
In the map below you can see the Northern Lights viewing locations of each Nothern Lights Tour we took in Tromso. 1-3 mark the Northern Lights Chasing Tours, 4 marks the Northern Lights Sailing Boat Tour, and the red marks Tromso.
Northern Lights Chasing Tours in Tromso Norway
1. Wandering Owl – The tour we booked was ‘Aurora Hunt With Citizen Science‘, with just 15 participants. It was our favorite tour among the three Northern Lights Chasing Tours we took, but it was on the more expensive side. The minibus was comfortable, and although there were no toilets, we made toilet stops at gas stations along the way. Our guide, Florian, and the driver, Michael, were simply amazing! Florian shared the most comprehensive info about the Northern Lights. They did everything in their power to make sure we had the best location to witness the Northern lights as it was an overcast cloudy day in Tromso, so they took us to Finland (don’t forget your passport!), to the farthest location of the three tours.
After almost a three-hour ride, we arrived at their chosen location, which had clear skies. We were provided with thermal suits, boots, and even a headlamp to light our way. After walking for several minutes, we reached an incredible spot near a frozen lake, which bordered Sweden. The snow was very deep on the way to the lake but Michael shoved some of the snow and made that way more approachable for everyone while we warmed ourselves by the fire, and enjoyed vegetable soup, coffee, and hot chocolate.
The aurora started a bit weak for about two hours but later we were treated to an amazing show at the most beautiful location on the snow-covered lake. They took everyone’s photos with this marvelous wonder, which we later received for free. I took one of my favorite photos there, which is the featured photo of our general guide on How to See the Aurora Borealis:
2. Arctic Circle Tours: We took the ‘Aurora Minibus Chase Tour‘, which had a maximum of 15 participants. The meeting point at Ami Hotel was just a few minutes walk from the center, although the walk was quite strenuous as it is located uphill. There, we received our thermal suits and snowshoes in case we needed them. The minibus was comfortable and modern, equipped with charging sockets and a sky cam, allowing us to search for the Northern Lights along the way.
Our guide, Margaux, was exceptional and provided us with informative insights about the Northern Lights and Tromso. Although it was a cloudy day in Tromso, they managed to find an opening in the clouds in Finland. We stopped at a location close to our first trip which took us about 3 hours to reach. Once there, they set up a fire and we gathered around and roasted different kinds of tasty sausages and marshmallows We were also offered small snacks of dried fish and reindeer meat. To finish our meal, we enjoyed a selection of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate along with some delicious chocolate bars.
One of the biggest advantages of Arctic Circle Tours was having a toilet available inside a heated tent, which was set up near our location. It was super comfortable and it was the only company of the three we chose, that had that option.
Unfortunately, we saw only a faint Aurora due to a not-favorable Northern Lights forecast with a positive Bz (learn how to interpret the Northern Lights forecast) despite having perfectly clear skies in Finland. Nevertheless, Margaux captured beautiful photos of us against the backdrop of the Milky Way and the faint aurora. The next day, we received these photos by email at no additional cost.
Overall, this was the best tour of the three we took in terms of facilities and food. Additionally, they kindly dropped each participant off at their hotel, even those located far from the center of Tromso.
3. Enjoy the Arctic – It is a small company and its “Tromso Northern Lights Trip with campfire and snacks” was the most affordable option of the three Northern Lights Chasing Tours we took in Tromso. Alan was our only guide, and he was the driver and the photographer as well. The minibus was comfortable, accommodating just 16 participants. The meeting point was in front of the Magic Ice Bar, and since there were no bathroom breaks during our trip, we recommend using the restroom at the bar before setting off.
The weather forecast was not promising, indicating cloudy and rainy conditions in Tromso, but Alan had a location in mind that he believed might clear up. So we were headed up north and boy he was right! After an hour and a half ride, the skies cleared up just as we arrived at a beautiful beach location near Skarsfjord. We were lucky to see a spectacular Aurora show that night and Alan took awesome photos of us (included in the price) that we received the following day.
Alan was very kind and shared a lot of information with us but there were also some downsides. No thermal suits or boots were offered (so gear up well!). Additionally, the food options were more limited compared to other companies, though the apple cake and hot chocolate were delicious. This tour was also the shortest of the three, as we returned to Tromso around 23:30 (compared to around 2:30 AM with the other tours).
We felt that after seeing the Northern Lights, Alan rushed to return to town so the participants could catch the last bus to their hotels, instead of continuing to look for another location when our spot became cloudy around 22:30. We would have loved the opportunity to see the lights again. Ultimately, we missed the last bus and had to take an expensive Uber to Tromso Lodge. A hotel drop-off would have been nicer. Therefore, in our opinion, it was our least preferred option of the three Northern Lights Chasing Tours in Tromso, regardless of the incredible Aurora display we experienced.
Northern Lights Sailing Boat Tours in Tromso Norway
We will conclude our Tromso Northern Lights Guide with our fourth option: the Northern Lights Sailing Tour by boat. As mentioned earlier it is a different Northern Lights Tour than the Northern Lights Chasing Tours. The concept is appealing: you sail away from the city lights on a boat to experience the Northern Lights in a serene, on-water environment. However, it is not that simple and there are some limitations to consider.
Firstly, this tour is shorter than the Northern Lights Chasing Tours, and with a slow sailing speed, meaning you won’t be able to cover much distance. Therefore, if Tromso is cloudy, you are unlikely to see the Northern Lights while sailing near it. Additionally, when it’s overcast, the whole coastal area is usually affected, while the inland areas might have clearer skies. Unfortunately, you can’t reach those by boat.
Therefore, we cannot recommend taking a Northern Lights Sailing Tour as the sole option for viewing the Northern Lights in Tromso.
4. Pukka Travel – We took the ‘Northern Lights Sailing Tour’ and due to the downsides mentioned above we did not see the Northern Lights because it was cloudy. But on the positive side, we enjoyed the catamaran experience, the friendly staff, and the delicious fresh fish soup. If the skies had been clear, it would have been a beautiful setting for Northern Lights viewing.
As of April 2024, Pukka Travels is out of business so if you would like to take a Northern Lights Sailing Trip, consider the following tours:
Well, this is it! We hope our Tromso Northern Lights Guide helps you choose the best Aurora Borealis tours to experience the Northern Lights in Tromso, Norway.
