Few places on Earth offer better conditions to witness a boundless starry sky than Northern Norway. But to hit the jackpot and experience the spectacular Northern Lights, you probably need a few tips. Every year, between late September and late March, Norway is popular with travelers seeking clear starry skies, especially the Northern Lights. During this time, the region is dark from early afternoon to late morning, greatly increasing the chances of seeing the Northern Lights compared to other parts of Europe. But where do you go to have the best possible chance of seeing one of the most spectacular light phenomena on Earth? Here's a guide to some top destinations.
The wild, rugged nature of the Lofoten Islands makes this a perfect place to hunt for the Northern Lights. Lofoten is located just below the aurora, a belt of light that surrounds the geomagnetic poles and offers some of the best opportunities in the world to see the aurora borealis. For the best Northern Lights experience in Lofoten:
-Visit one of the many secluded white sand beaches to the north, such as Uttakleiv, Gimsøystranda or Rambergstranda.
-Overnight in a rorbu (a fisherman's hut).
-Go horseback riding on Icelandic horses.
-Enjoy the show from a steamy hot tub or modern sauna.
The exceptionally clear skies over Narvik give you a front row seat to see the Northern Lights in the winter and the Midnight Sun in the summer. For the best Northern Lights experience in Narvik:
– Take the ski lift or the cable car to the top of the mountain Narvikfjellet, one of
– Norway's best ski destinations.
– Go to Langstranda beach, a 10-minute drive from Narvik.
– Join a tour to Efjord and Stetind.
At 71 degrees, Europe's northernmost vantage point, Nordkapp is so far north that the strength of the aurora borealis hardly matters as long as the sky is clear. For the best Northern Lights experience at Nordkapp:
– The North Cape plateau on the island of Magerøya is the main attraction in the area and offers the best view over the Barents Sea. The large mountain plateau ends in a 307 meter high cliff that plunges into the sea.
– Go to Kirkeporten (church gate).
– Hike to Storfjellet in Honningsvåg or Tufjord-Høyde
If you want to get away from the crowds, Senja, just an hour's boat ride from Tromsø, is the place to go. The wild nature will make your aurora adventure an eventful journey for both body and mind. For the best Northern Lights experience at Senja:
– Go to the Tungeneset or Bergsfjorden viewpoint, both on the National Scenic Road route.
– Visit the hot tub at Hamn in Senja.
– Go to one of the white sandy beaches such as Ballesvikstranda, Ersfjordstranda or Bøstranda.
– Go snowshoeing in Ånderdalen National Park.
Located 900 kilometers north of the Norwegian mainland and 1,300 kilometers from the North Pole, Longyearbyen offers excellent conditions for aurora borealis. the polar night from November to the end of January means there is no daylight in Longyearbyen in winter. For the best Northern Lights experience in Svalbard:
– Visit Høydebassenget
– Go to Nybyen 6713
– Enjoy guided tours in Adventdalen
Located between Tromsø and Alta and sheltered behind the dramatic Lyngen Alps, Lyngenfjord has the perfect conditions for starry nights and offers you a good chance to catch the Northern Lights. Since the region is sparsely populated, the next spot without light pollution is never far away. For the best Northern Lights experience in the Lyngenfjord region:
– Go to Skibotn and Skibotn Valley (search #Skibotndissa on Instagram and add your own epic photo)
– Visit the peninsula Spåkenes
– Hike to Ovi Raishiin, at the entrance of the Reisa National Park (where you can spend the night in cozy huts)
The northernmost student city in the world lives up to its nickname 'the Paris of the north'. Throughout the year there is always a concert or festival to visit. Seeing your favorite artist under the Northern Lights gives the experience an indefinable x factor. For the best Northern Lights experience in Tromsø:
– Ride the Fjellheisen Cable Car up or climb 1,200 stone steps on the Sherpa Staircase to reach Storsteinen Mountain (421 meters above sea level), one of the best spots for panoramic views of the city and aurora borealis.
– Visit Ishavskatedralen (the Arctic Cathedral), an architectural monument inspired by Arctic nature. A Northern Lights concert here is magical!
– Go to one of Tromsø's rooftop bars.
– Go to one of the islands outside the city, for example in the heated Northern Lights Park at Sommarøy.
Varanger is not a place to run through. It is ideal for hiking (especially in early autumn), birdwatching and undisturbed Northern Lights hunting. For the best Northern Lights experience in Varanger:
– Visit Smelror, an old fishing village on the National Scenic Road route near Vardø
– Go to Ekkerøy and Vestre-Jakobselv valley near Vadsø
– Go skiing or snowshoeing in Varangerhalvøya National Park
The Northern Lights often illuminate Vesterålen's polar night. This natural phenomenon is difficult to capture on camera, but if you join a Northern Lights safari, local guides will teach you how to capture the moment. For the best Northern Lights experience in Vesterålen:
– Go to one of the long, white beaches, for example Bleik Beach at Andøya.
– Go to the fishing village of Nyksund.
– Visit Uværshula, the storm cave, on Hadelsøya.
Alta is next to nothing and close to everything. A modern city in Northern Norway, surrounded by the arctic tundra and mountains. Some of the first modern studies of the Northern Lights actually started in Alta. For the best Northern Lights experience in Alta:
– Hike to the Haldde mountain peak, where the world's first permanent northern lights observatory was built in 1899. The observatory was closed in 1926, but some buildings can be visited.
– Walk to Komsatoppen, close to the city center
– Go to Lathari, a beach 9 km away from the city center
– Drive to Suolovuopmi, where the Finnmarksvidda begins in the north
Get the best of both worlds with spectacular nature experiences and vibrant city life in Bodø, located in the southern part of Arctic Norway. For the best Northern Lights experience in Bodø:
– Get out of the city, to the area of Salten, where you can enjoy the dramatic, untouched nature. Join a guided tour (local experts greatly increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights and they know the best spots) or spend some unforgettable days in a more remote place.
– Visit the rooftop bars of Bodø.
– Walk to Keizervarden, close to the city center.
– Go to a secluded beach, such as Løpsstranden, Mjelle or the long beach of Sandhornøya (where you can glamp in cozy domes at Følvika).
– Check out some unique places to stay on nearby islands.
The fascinating town of Kirkenes is a unique cultural melting pot of Norwegian, Sami, Finnish and Russian influences, just a few kilometers from the Russian border. The dry and clear winter climate increases the chance to experience the Northern Lights (more than in other coastal cities). For the best Northern Lights experience in Kirkenes:
– Get out of town with a professional guide on a snowmobile and hunt for the Northern Lights in the Siberian Taiga Forest in the Pasvikdalen Valley.
– Set sail on one of Hurtigruten's cruise ships.
– For example, go to the rooftops of the city from the large balcony of Thon Hotel Kirkenes.
