Norway is one of the northern European countries with many easily accessible points to see the Northern Lights in winter, it is the land of the Northern Lights! The northernmost point of Europe, “North Cape”, is located in northern Norway and is one of the areas where the aurora are held during the winter and polar night. Many towns in Norway are theatres for the appearance of the northern lights during the winter. Some of these cities or regions are known as the best places in the world to see the aurora: Tromso, North Cape, Lofoten, Kirkenes,…
Norway is a very large and disparate country, so it is important to prepare your trip well in order to best appreciate the celestial spectacle.
Norway Northern lights Forecast
Where to see the Northern Lights in Norway?
All areas close to the Arctic Circle are suitable for viewing auroras of varying degrees of spectacularity. The northernmost areas of Europe in Norway are known for these celestial phenomena.
Where to see northern lights in Norway ?
- Lofoten Islands
- Tromso the city and around: Sommaroy island, Ersfjordbotn
- North Cape, the northernmost point in Europe
- Alta
- Lyngenfjord
Tromso Norway : the capital of northern lights
Tromsø is located in the heart of the aurora zone in the Norwegian Arctic and is considered one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. If you are in Tromsø for a period of five days or more during the winter season, you have a good chance of seeing nature’s fireworks appear in the sky. In Tromso you can relax on a dinner cruise or take a more active trip by dog sled, snowmobile, reindeer sled – and many other options.
Kirkenes Norway
Kirkenes is another popular destination. With 200 nights of aurora borealis a year and ideal conditions, visitors have plenty of opportunities to catch the lights. If you’re looking for a true winter experience, you can take a ride into the wilderness and hunt for lights by bus, husky, snowmobile and more.
Lofoten Archipelago Norway
The Lofoten Islands are known for their fjords, beaches, fishing and of course – the Northern Lights. The spectacular landscape with mountains and fjords makes Lofoten the perfect setting for a breathtaking view of the lights. Whichever town you wish to visit, there are many places to go if you are looking for a true winter experience in northern Norway. Lofoten can be a stop on a northern Norway cruise.
North Cape Norway : Europe’s northernmost point
The North Cape is the northernmost point of Norway and Scandinavia and Europe. It is an excellent destination for those wondering “Where can you see the Northern Lights in Norway in 2022-23? As well as giving you excellent bragging rights when it comes to sharing your travels with friends, the North Cape is also a great place to go if you enjoy winter activities such as ice fishing, dog sledding, hiking and more.If you’re going to the North Cape specifically to see the aurora, it’s worth setting aside time to also visit the picturesque churning town of Honningsvag for the day (short day in winter).
Alta
Alta: When it comes to answering the question “Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Norway?” it is hard to ignore Alta. It claims to be the city of the Northern Lights – and it’s easy to see why. The remote location and clear skies make it the ideal destination for those eager to see the Northern Lights in Lapland. Scientists have been building observatories here for over 100 years.
Lyngenfjord
If you want to explore the region’s majestic fjords while enjoying the Norwegian Northern Lights nights, then Lyngenfjord could be the destination of choice for you. This unique environment is full of incredible experiences to offer in all seasons. However, it is fair to say that seeing the fjords illuminated by the aurora in Norway is an exceptional sight, a magical moment in the polar night.
There are many buses to Lyngenfjord from Tromso airport, and you can also get to this destination by sea.
Finally, if you’re ticking something off your list of things to do while seeing the Northern Lights in Norway, you might as well commit to doing things in style. Malangen offers visitors one of the region’s most beautiful Northern Lights resorts, built to accommodate guests who specifically want to make the most of the midnight sun and polar nights.
Here you will find cabins built directly on the water, where you can watch the lights reflect below and above at the same time. If you want to feel like you’re floating in the night sky among the northern lights, there’s no place like Malangen Resort.
Svalbard
Svalbard: Located between the North Pole and mainland Norway is the archipelago of the Svalbard Islands. As the northernmost point in Norway, this allows you to get as close as possible to the source of the Northern Lights, giving you the best possible view. In fact, the view here is so beautiful and clear that you can sometimes see the Northern Lights in the middle of the day. This is largely due to the fact that the winter season leaves Svalbard in almost complete darkness for several months at a time, so there is little or no sunlight blocking the view of the impressive dancing glow.
In fact, Svalbard is the world’s most northerly city; a spit of land and ice nestled far north of Norway next to Greenland in the Arctic Ocean.
When to see the Northern Lights in Norway? Northern lights season in Norway. 2022 2023
As in other countries in Europe and the world, the aurora starts in late September and ends in late March. The equinoxes are the most intense periods. The best conditions to see the Northern Lights are known: dark night (no moon), clear sky (no clouds), cold. In cases of very strong solar activity, it is possible to see the aurora in town, but in any case it is better to avoid artificial lights (and natural lights like the moon). The aurora season in Norway is the classic aurora season, although it is possible to see more auroras due to the very northern position of some points, favouring the winter night.
September-October: Summer has passed, but there will not be the long periods of darkness that occur later in the year. There is however a lot of solar activity during this period, which means that it is possible to see the lights. December is a popular month as many people like to combine hunting with their Christmas holidays.
November-February: During these months the sun is scarce, with very little daylight a few hours a day. So you will certainly have darkness, but at the same time the risk of snow and cloud cover is much higher, which could interfere with the chances of seeing the lights.
March: This month is the start of spring and will, like the autumn months, have more daylight. March is still a good time to spot the lights in Norway due to a high level of solar activity.
Aurora forecast Norway: application and website
Aurora forecasting apps can help you find out if it is a good time for the aurora and if it is worth going out in the cold at night to wait for the northern light. Weather and forecasting apps are valuable allies in determining whether there is a chance of seeing an aurora. The weather is crucial, a clear sky and a clear night are necessary to see the aurora, then the solar activity is important.
Also, don’t forget that watching the Northern Lights in Norway means protecting yourself from the cold. You will deliberately plan your visit during the winter months, so insulated outerwear and thermal layers are essential. The proximity of the North Pole gives you an indication of the climate and an idea of what you will encounter in Norway during the winter
Honeymoon in Norway – Northern Lights
Norway is a land of discovery and wide open spaces. An ideal part of the world for lovers and newlyweds who want to celebrate their union under the dancing lights of the poles. Honeymooning in Norway is a growing phenomenon and guarantees unforgettable memories. The winter region of Lapland is a vast territory spanning several countries and offers fabulous trips and weekends, whether as a couple for a wedding or as a family. In individual travel a hotel is the basis of the trip.