Tromso Northern Lights: The Local Lowdown on Where, When, and How

1 day ago
6 min read

Tromso is a beautiful city in Norway, also known as the Arctic capital (but more on this later). It offers breathtaking views as it sits surrounded by fjords and majestic mountains, making it an eclectic mix of natural wonder and vibrant city life. But when you visit during our colder months, there’s something else in the air (quite literally): the Tromso Northern Lights.

Yes, Tromso is a go-to spot for spotting those bright neon lights dancing across the Norwegian sky. But why? When do they appear, and how do you get to see them? We give you the local lowdown on all these questions and more, so read on.

Northern lights over a snowy campsite near Tromsø, with a lit tipi tent, lanterns, and reindeer antlers in the foreground at night.

Is Tromso a Good Place to See the Northern Lights?

Tromso is the perfect place to see the Northern Lights. Remember how we mentioned that Tromso is also called the Arctic capital? Well, herein lies its secret sauce to a Northern Lights experience.

Not only is Tromso located above the Arctic Circle, but it also finds itself in the heart of the Aurora Oval (a giant donut-shaped ring that surrounds the Arctic where charged particles from the sun collide with atmospheric gases, resulting in the Northern Lights). This means that the Northern Lights can be visible in Tromso even when activity is fairly low.

When is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Tromso?

Of course, the Northern Lights can’t be seen all year round and rely on specific conditions such as the darkness (these are lights, after all), the cold, and dry air. The period of potential Aurora spotting starts from September all the way through to April here in Tromso, but if you pop by in months such as September or April, you may leave disappointed.

For an almost guaranteed sighting, we suggest you plan your trip between November and February. These are some of our coldest and darkest months, significantly increasing the odds of spotting these beauties across the skies. You also need to keep your fingers crossed for a clear night, since a cloudy night does not make for ideal Northern Light viewings.

Where to See the Northern Lights in Tromso

Although it is possible to spot the Northern Lights in town, the odds are lower due and it might not be the spectacular show you expected due to the city’s light pollution. So, ideally, you’d want to be somewhere on the outskirts of the city. This is also what makes traveling to Tromso in a motorhome such an ideal scenario.

Green aurora borealis above Tromsø’s city lights and waterfront, with the Arctic Cathedral glowing in the distance under a starry sky.

This allows you to truly immerse yourself in the surrounding nature at one of Tromso’s surrounding campsites, where you’re bound to have great Northern Light views. There are a few options, but we highly recommend Tromso Lodge & Camping. A few other places you can consider heading out to when rumors of a Northern Lights appearance begin to spread are:

Fjellheisen Cable Car – This cable car is open all year round and offers spectacular views across Tromso and its landscape. So, can you imagine what a Northern Lights display from 421 meters above sea level looks like? Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime Northern Lights experience.
Prestvannet Lake – This is yet another piece of greenery, counterintuitively found near Tromso city center. This nature reserve, with its picturesque lake, is found at the highest point of Tromsoya Island. So, fewer lights and its altitude also make it a favorite for spotting the Northern Lights.

What is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Tromso?

There are a couple of options when it comes to seeing the Northern Lights in Tromso. You can either DIY it and go out hunting for the Auroras by yourself or by roping in a few new local friends. Or you can go on an official Northern Lights tour. Needless to say, any official tours will require a booking beforehand and will begin and end at specifically scheduled times.

This is usually where we feel a motorhome road trip adds additional benefits of flexibility; you decide when and where you go (perfect for viewing Mother Nature’s work that doesn’t run on a set schedule). But whichever option you choose, you need to keep the following in mind:

Motorhome parked under a dark, starry sky near Tromsø, with a faint green aurora stretching above low hills and drifting clouds.

Remember that light is not your friend when chasing the Northern Lights.
Remain flexible and patient (you never know when they appear or disappear). So, don’t have an attitude of every potential sighting WILL translate into an actual one (this show is all about reading the conditions right and the luck of Mother Nature’s draw).
Be dressed for the occasion. One of the prerequisites of the Northern Lights is the cold, so you don’t want to sit waiting for or watching the Aurora Borealis while you’re sitting shivering and turning blue.

A Few Helpful Tips for Seeing the Northern Lights in Tromso

If this is your first time chasing the Northern Lights in Tromso, the following tips will be helpful:

You can actually check Northern Light forecasts via the Norway Lights website. This takes out a lot of the guesswork when hunting down the Aurora Borealis.
Needless to say, you cannot just spend one night in Tromso, staring at the sky for 10 minutes, thinking you’re going to see the Northern Lights. Keep your expectations realistic. Northern Light sightings mostly happen when the conditions are right, and an appearance has been forecasted, you’ve been watching the skies for at least a couple of hours, and you’ve been in the region for at least a few nights.
Photographing the Northern Lights isn’t as easy as it seems, so your mobile snapshots may not pan out exactly as you hoped they would. There are many photography dos and don'ts, such as using an actual camera, having a tripod to keep the camera still and stable, using a wide-angle lens, having a low ISO setting, and much, much more. So, if you’re taking your Northern Lights photography very seriously, you’re better off booking a spot on a guided photography tour.

Photographer silhouette on a snowy ridge near Tromsø, setting up a tripod beneath a bright green aurora and a purple-tinged night sky.

What are the Activities for Seeing the Northern Lights in Tromso Like?

We’ve actually touched on a few of these already, but a Northern Lights experience in Tromso is actually more diverse than its two main categories of DIY or tour. These are just some of the experiences you can expect:

Small-group Guided Tours.
Private Guided Tours.
Combo Guided Tours (combining your Northern Lights hunt with another interesting sight or activity).
Photography Guided Tour.
Self-Drive (this is the one where you’re your own tour guide and responsible for your own schedule).

Settling a Frequently Asked Question: Can You See the Northern Lights in Tromso Without a Tour?

As we’ve said throughout this article, a DIY Northern Lights experience is 100% possible for those hoping to spot the Northern Lights in Tromso. But that will mean some research and take some effort on your part. Just to recap:

Person by a fjord near Tromsø watching yellow-green northern lights ripple above snowy mountains and distant town lights along the shore.

You need to visit during our colder months, preferably between November and February.
You need to wait for the perfect combo of darkness, cold, and dry air, so keep an eye on the Northern Lights forecasts.
You will need to steer clear of the light pollution of Tromso.
You’ll need to stick around the area for some time.
You must have the right camera if you’re planning on taking photos, and have warm clothing so your viewing experience doesn’t get spoiled.
You also need to keep in mind that our colder months come with some tricky road conditions and harsher weather conditions. So, also keep an eye on our weather forecast and road conditions (safety first, right?).
Ensure you have the right vehicle for your Northern Lights hunting trip. You can’t access our more remote areas with narrow gravel roads in a beast of a motorhome or low-clearance car. In the same breath, it makes no sense to have a fully-fitted 4x4 ready for some extreme adventure when you’re just going to be driving the paved road from the campsite to Prestvannet’s parking lot.

Why a Motorhome Makes for the Ideal Tromso Northern Lights Hunt

A motorhome ticks so many of the boxes of Northern Lights hunting in Tromso:

It allows you to be flexible (you decide when you want to go where).
It allows you access to our remote but civilized regions on the outskirts of Tromso, where light pollution is less.
You can wait in comfort. We can’t think of anything more convenient than hunting the Northern Lights like a slug, carrying your home with you wherever you go. Feeling a little chilly? Quickly grab an extra jacket or blanket. Hungry or thirsty? Quickly make a snack or grab a drink. All without ever fearing you’ll miss out on the action.
It’s easy and super affordable to stay in the area for at least a few days.

If you’d like some more information on seeing the Northern Lights in Tromso in a motorhome or you’d like to officially book your motorhome rental for your Norwegian road trip adventure, please reach out; we’re happy to help!