Are you traveling to Tromsø to see the magical Northern Lights? Good idea. This charming Arctic city is one of the best places in the world to do that—and much more.
I’ve put together a list of places in Tromsø where you have the best chances of seeing the Lights, plus some extra tips to get the most out of your trip. Make sure to also read my trip report on our 3 days in Tromsø to find out more about activities in this miraculous town.
The Very First Thing You Need to Know About Seeing The Northern Lights
The very first thing you need to know if you want to see the Northern Lights is that there is no guarantee that you’ll be successful. That being said, Tromsø, Norway is still one of the best places in the world to come to if you want to experience nature’s glowing magic. By many reports, circumstances in this lovely Arctic city are so aligned that your chances of seeing the Lights are among the best.
That happened to us. On our three-day trip to Tromsø we were lucky enough to see the Lights on two out of our three nights, in many different locations. Were we lucky? Or had we just prepared well so that we could see the Northern Lights in Tromsø? You can judge it for yourself after reading this article.
I’ll share with you all the details, and I hope you’ll also find in Tromsø what you may have been dreaming about your whole life, the personal experience of the magical Northern Lights.
When Can You See the Northern Lights?
Three things must align in order to see the Northern Lights (aurora borealis). This is true no matter where you are, be it Tromsø or anywhere else up North.
- Solar activity. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the sun collied with charged particles around the Earth.
- Clear skies. The Lights form high above the Earth’s surface, roughly between 80 and a few hundred kilometers up; you’ll get the best view with crystal clear skies. Although you can also have some impressions when the weather is lightly overcast.
- Darkness. Basically, if you can see the stars, there’s a good chance you’ll also see the Northern Lights.
The third one is pretty easy. Chase the Lights during the dark hours, and plan your trip to Tromsø sometime between September and March. December and January give you the deepest darkness, but the Lights can be fantastic throughout the season. But in order for the first two to work, you definitely need some kind of luck. No matter how well prepared you are, if the sky is cloudy, you simply won’t be able to see the Lights.
On the other hand, if these three circumstances align – which they often do in Tromsø over the course of the winter – you don’t need any special equipment or knowledge. Read the whole article to find out our opinion on whether you need a guided Northern Lights tour or not.
The Best Places to See The Northern Lights in And Around Tromsø
All these reports and pictures are from our personal experience. The first two spots are easily accessible by public transit from the city center. For the others, you’ll need to rent a car.
Fjellheisen
Fjellheisen is the mountain that’s right above the city, and where you can take the cable car to. I suggest you definitely try this experience when you’re in Tromsø. It is one of the best places to get a clear view of the Northern Lights, and it also has an excellent panorama of the whole city.
At the top, there is a cafe which is worth visiting in and of itself. You have a great selection of very tasty cakes and pastries, and also some savory food to comfort you. Or just grab a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy the panorama from the comfortable chairs of Fjellheisen Cafe.
Just a funny addition from me being a Hungarian blogger. Together with the Christmas market, this was the second place in Tromsø where goulash was actually served.
So even if the sky is cloudy or the Lights don’t show up, this place will give you plenty of experiences during your stay in Tromsø. I recommend you to buy the tickets in advance at their website.
To get to Fjellheisen, you can either use your car or take bus line 26 from the city center or the airport. There is also a shuttle bus from the harbor, but the last one leaves early in the afternoon.
Telegrafbukta
Another great location to see the Northern Lights from inside Tromsø is Telegrafbukta near the southern tip of the island. You can easily get here from the city center by bus lines 30, 33, and 34. There’s also a parking area nearby, just a 1-minute walk.
Even though it’s essentially in the middle of town, Telegrafbukta is a natural park next to the beach with very little artificial lighting. I can safely say that if there’s any chance to see the Northern Lights near Tromsø, Telegrafbukta is one of the best places to try.
Tromsø City Center
When we were here, the Northern Lights were so intense that we could even see them from within the historic city center. Street lighting is so intense here though, that you won’t fully enjoy the experience. Go to some darker place to revel in the real feeling.
Ersfjordbotn
Ersfjordbotn is another place that’s recommended by many to see the Northern Lights. This one is about a 30-minute drive from the city center, a tiny fjord village in a narrow bay.
For us, this was the least impressive Northern Lights experience, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be lucky. You’ll definitely need a car to get here, with a parking place at the top of the hill, right after the road turns right towards Tromvik. You take a slight left into Ersfjordbotn and park your car on your right. You can’t go any closer to the sea, but if you’re in luck, the Lights will dance in the sky over the mountains and the bay.
Between Skittenelv and Oldervik
One night we just headed north from Tromsø, and after about a half an hour drive we found this magical place in the middle of the mountains. This is between the villages of Skittenelv and Oldervik, where the coastal road turns sharply right into the mainland.
This was by far our most magical experience, as we were literally in the middle of nowhere, with mountains all around and no sea, and the Northern Lights were surrounding us in 3D, 360 degrees, sneaking out from every valley, stretching above every mountaintop.
The only way to get here is by car, and please be careful as there is no designated parking place over here. There are small pull-out bays along the side of the road where we could easily stop. With only one car passing every 10 minutes, I would say it was as safe as it could get. Make sure you obey the regulations and park your car in a way that you don’t block the road, especially in snowy weather.
Tromsø Northern Lights Spots on a Map
You can find all our recommended Northern Lights spots in and around Tromsø on this interactive map.
Do You Need an Organized Northern Lights Tour?
First of all, I don’t think there is a definite yes or no answer to this question. The decision is up to you. For some people, an organized tour might be the best and most comfortable option. For others, renting a car works better. And for others, chasing the Lights using Tromsø’s superb bus system is the favored way.
There are several benefits to booking an organized Northern Lights tour, though. Namely:
- You don’t need to rent a car with all the possible hassles it comes with.
- You don’t need to drive in a country that you don’t know.
- Tour organizers know their business, so there might be a greater chance of finding the Lights when the circumstances are not the best. And of course, you won’t be the one worrying about where to find them.
- Some tours include other benefits such as a professional photographer or a reindeer farm visit.
But you don’t need an organized tour in order to have the best experience or even to find the Lights. You can easily do it by yourself: see and use all the information I shared with you in this article. And please note that if the circumstances are bad – the Northern Lights are not visible in or near Tromsø – then even the best tour organizer won’t be able to find you the Northern magic.
Organized Northern Lights tours are what they are. An extra service with some added benefits. But also with a hefty price tag and the rejection of your freedom of going wherever and whenever you want to go.
In conclusion, I wouldn’t talk you down on taking one of these tours if you insist. But don’t fall for the idea that organized tours are a guaranteed ticket to seeing the Northern Lights in Tromsø.
