Every single day, people in our FB group focused on the northern lights in Tromso ask if the aurora will be visible tonight and where the best places are to see the northern lights in Tromsø—ideally places reachable on foot or by bus.
To cut to the chase, the best places to see the northern lights in Tromso (or anywhere else) change daily based on the weather forecast. What many people don’t seem to understand is that just because someone saw the northern lights at the top of the cable car yesterday doesn’t mean you’ll see them at the same spot today. That’s not how it works.
To be able to see the northern lights, you need at least two to three factors to work in your favor.
1️⃣ First, clouds cannot obstruct your view of the northern lights. You do not necessarily need a cloudless sky, but you cannot have 100% cloud cover either. Check the weather forecast on yr.no, windy.com, or ventusky.
2️⃣ Second, you need the northern lights to be active. It can happen that you will have a clear sky, but the aurora will not be active or will be so weak that you will not be able to see it with the naked eye because of light pollution.
3️⃣ Thirdly, you want to be in a place that has the lowest possible light pollution. There might be days when the aurora will be so strong that you will be able to see it from the harbor in Tromsø despite all the artificial lights that mess up your night vision. However, on the days when the aurora is weak, it helps to go to a dark place.
With the first and second issues, this article will not be able to help you, as the weather and aurora activity are highly changeable parameters. However, we can assist with the third one by providing tips on the best places in Tromsø to see the northern lights (meaning with minimal light pollution) reachable on foot or by bus.
(That said, to help you out, we’ve written an article on the best northern lights apps and how to use them, as well as one about how to read the weather forecast.
When the weather in Tromsø is bad, we highly recommend joining a northern lights tour, as the guides are highly skilled at reading the weather forecast and taking you to places with the highest possible chance of finding a gap in the clouds.)
If you’re going on a northern lights tour, the guides handle a lot of things for you, so you don’t have to think about them. But since you’re reading this article, I’m guessing you’re planning to head out on your own. That means there are a few important things you need to bring with you.
The most important thing? A high-visibility vest. Up here in the north, we wear these every time we’re outside in the dark, and during the day, they’re always in our backpack or purse, ready for when it gets dark. This simple item—costing about $10—can literally save your life.
There are plenty of places where you’ll end up walking along or crossing poorly lit—or completely dark—roads. In dark clothes, you’re practically invisible to passing cars. (Please click on the link and watch the video; it is really eye-opening!!!)
I can’t stress this enough: if you’re not wearing a high-visibility vest, please stay at your hotel or Airbnb. It’s that important.
The second item we highly recommend bringing is a pair of ice cleats or microspikes. You know, those rubber thingies you pull over your winter shoes to give you a better grip on icy surfaces.
They can save you from some nasty falls and an unnecessary trip to the hospital.
We dedicated a whole article to this topic, but to give you a summary or refresh your memory, the northern lights season in Tromsø runs from the end of August/beginning of September until the end of March/beginning of April.
Most tour operators run their tours between September 15 and March 31.
To make it perfectly clear, in Tromsø, it is not possible to see the northern lights in May, June, July, and most of August. This is because it remains too light during the day.
OK, so for those of you who are a bit lazy, have mobility issues, are short on time, or ate too much for dinner to venture on a longer trip, there’s an option to see the northern lights even from the city center.
Assuming the lights are reasonably strong (and that you know what you’re looking for—hint hint, you won’t see the aurora as colorful and vivid as on Instagram), you might be able to spot them or at least photograph them from Tromsø city center.
Head to the harbor area along the promenade between Scandic Ishavshotel and approximately the Polar Museum.
Walking distance from the hotels in the city center: 0-10 minutes
Alternatively, head to the jetty below Tromsøbrua (the big bridge), where you’ll find Tromsø’s newest art piece: Porten til Ishavet (“the gateway to the Arctic Ocean”) by artist Marit Bockelie.
This spot is a favorite among local photographers, as you can capture stunning pictures of the northern lights above the Arctic Cathedral and Tromsø Bridge—if the aurora cooperates.
Walking distance from the hotels in the city center: 15-20 minutes
For a slightly quieter experience, more immersed in nature, and away from streetlights, you’ll need to either walk a bit or take a bus.
Alternatively, you can combine the two—take a bus to the location and walk back, as bus services will be limited or unavailable late at night.
Telegrafbukta is a beautiful bay, beach, and park area on the southern side of Tromsø Island (“bukta” means bay in Norwegian).
It’s especially popular in the summer for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking, but it’s equally stunning in winter, offering peaceful strolls during the day and a great spot for northern lights viewing at night.
One small downside is that if the activity of the northern lights is low, the aurora might appear on the northern horizon, which isn’t ideal since the bay faces south, and the city lights are visible to the north.
That said, it’s still worth a visit. You can easily reach Telegrafbukta on foot from the city center or by taking a bus.
Walking distance from the hotels in the city center: 45 minutes
Buses from the city center: Nb 33 & 40 (Bus stops Telegrafbukta or Folkeparken)
Do not forget: High visibility vest & reflective backpack cover, ice cleats/microspikes
Prestvannet Lake (“vannet” means lake in Norwegian) is located at the highest point on Tromsøya Island. Originally built as a water reservoir in 1867, it served the city until 1921.
Today, it’s a peaceful and tranquil spot where you can enjoy a daytime walk or view the northern lights at night. There’s an easy walking trail, about 2 km long, circling the lake, offering plenty of great views.
Unfortunately, the path around the lake is lit, so you won’t be completely free from light pollution, but it’s still good enough to photograph or watch the northern lights over the lake.
If anyone from the municipality or anyone with decision-making power happens to read this article, we’d like to kindly ask you to reconsider how you light up remote areas (and cities, too).
1️⃣ We don’t need bright white lights at night that trick our brains into thinking it’s daytime.
2️⃣ We don’t need 4-meter-tall poles—small, lower lights below eye level would be more than sufficient.
3️⃣ In certain areas, like Prestvannet, we don’t need lights at all during the night! Please consider switching them off between 11 PM and 6 AM. Those who want to go for a walk at night can easily use a headlamp.
Thank you!
Walking distance from the hotels in the city center: 45 minutes
Buses from the city center: Nb 28 & 40 (Bus stops Prestvannet or Stalheim)
Do not forget: High visibility vest & reflective backpack cover, ice cleats/microspikes
Now, here’s an important point to note: the opening times of the gondola differ depending on the season.
In December, the last gondola going down departs at midnight. This means you might miss some of the most epic northern lights displays if they start after midnight, or you could find yourself walking down the mountain instead.
While walking down is possible thanks to the trail and Sherpa stairs, be aware that these are often covered in snow and ice during winter.
If you decide to tackle the descent via the Sherpa stairs, you absolutely MUST have proper microspikes, a headlamp, and some sense of balance, along with experience hiking in steep terrain at night.
Walking distance from the hotels in the city center: 45 minutes
Buses from the city center: Nb 26 & 28, or a combination of buses 42 & 20 (Bus stops Fjellheisen)
Cable car opening times: The times differ throughout the year. Check it here.
Do not forget: High visibility vest & reflective backpack cover, ice cleats/microspikes
Nordspissen is the northernmost point of Tromsø Island. It’s secluded, wild, and far from civilization, making it much less popular than Telegrafbukta or Prestvannet.
There’s a small parking area nearby if you’re driving.
However, getting to Nordspissen by bus is a bit more challenging than reaching the other places mentioned.
If you’re taking the bus, you’ll need to catch line 28 or 42, and both of these still require about 30 minutes of walking along the road with no sidewalks or street lamps.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but it’s mind-blowing how many people wander around Tromsø on roads where cars are driving 60–80 km/h without reflective clothing.
Whether it’s ignorance, carelessness, or a death wish, I don’t know—but as I’ve said before, if you’re not wearing reflective gear or a high-visibility vest, stay at your accommodation and do not even think about chasing the northern lights on your own.
Walking distance from the hotels in the city center: 2 hours
Buses from the city center: Nb 28 & 42 (Bus stops Hamna skole øst or Varden)
Do not forget: High visibility vest & reflective backpack cover, ice cleats/microspikes
I honestly don’t know what people expect when they ask about their chances of seeing the northern lights in Tromsø in December, January, February, or March. Or when they ask if December 15 is better than December 17 or if the last week of March is better than the first week of April.
Here’s the truth: You have about a 50% chance—either you see them or you don’t.
Tromsø is heavily marketed as one of the best places to see the northern lights in Norway and perhaps even the world. But there’s a catch—it’s not because the northern lights dance and explode over the city every single night throughout the season.
The main reason is Tromsø’s location at 69 degrees north, combined with its accessibility (lots of direct flights in the winter or connecting flights through Oslo), the microclimates around the city, and the sheer number of tours willing to drive you all the way to Finland to secure a successful sighting.
So, to recap:
1️⃣ You need clear skies (this is the most important factor). It doesn’t have to be completely clear, but the fewer clouds, the better.
2️⃣ You need the northern lights to be active (and you’ll never know this far in advance).
3️⃣ You need to know where to look and what you’re looking at, as most northern lights don’t resemble the green fireworks you see on Instagram. Many people have unrealistic expectations, partly due to social media and increasingly due to fake AI-generated images.
If you want to increase your chances, you can either book a longer vacation in Tromsø (it’s possible that you won’t see the northern lights in Tromsø city for an entire week if we have stormy weather, but if you stay for 2 weeks, you’ll almost certainly find a clear night).
Alternatively, you can increase your chances by booking a Northern Lights tour.
Please note I’m saying it increases your chances, not that joining a Northern Lights tour guarantees you’ll see them. It’s still possible not to see the northern lights even on tour—but it significantly improves your odds.
Wanna hunt northern lights on your own?
Head to the Harbour area in the city or check out Prestvannet, Telegrafbukta, Fjellheisen, or Norspissen.
What to bring:
A headlamp, microspikes, and high-visibility clothing. Seriously, don’t skip this—it’s mega-important!!!!!!!
Will you see the northern lights at these spots?
Only if the sky is clear and the aurora is active. No clear skies, no lights.
Want to increase your chances?
1️⃣ If the weather forecast looks promising, stay outside as long as you can and be patient.
2️⃣ If the weather forecast in Tromsø looks bad, book a northern lights tour. These can really boost your chances of seeing the aurora, as guides know how to chase the best conditions.
Good luck, and happy hunting! 🌌✨
Radka and Ivar <3
Let us know in the comments if you have any questions, or feel free to ask in our FB group focused on the Northern Lights hunting in Tromsø.
Hi! We are Ivar & Radka, an international couple who runs the Guide to Lofoten. We met in Trondheim and lived together in western Norway, Narvik and Tromsø. At the moment we call western Lofoten our home. We hope our page will make it easier for you to explore the beautiful places that made us chose Norway for our home.
Share:
Hi! We are Ivar & Radka, an international couple who runs the Guide to Lofoten.
Related Posts
While it’s totally possible to explore Lofoten using public transport, on foot, by hitchhiking, or joining guided tours, renting a car is still the most popular way to get around. It gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and reach trailheads to hiking trails. So, now that we established that renting a car in Lofoten is almost
I could start by painting a picture-perfect scene of snowy landscapes, cozy Christmas markets, the smell of freshly roasted almonds, and gluhwein, with Christmas carols playing in the background while the Northern Lights dance above your head. That’s what most people imagine when they think of Christmas in Tromsø.
I’ve checked out a few articles that pop up when
For over a decade, whale watching in Tromso has become one of the most spectacular winter experiences. From late October to early February, the fjords around Tromsø are a hotspot for large pods of orcas and humpback whales as they follow the herring migration.
Do you want to see or photograph whales in their natural habitat, and do it
Copyright © 2022-2024
Terms and Conditions
