Tromsø Northern Lights Tour

Tromsø Northern Lights Tour. This is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights! We absolutely loved it. Check out how we did it, and what you need to know.

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Where is Tromsø?

Tromsø is located in northern Norway in the Arctic Circle. It is known as the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’ and is situated across two areas, Troms (Tromsøy) and Tromsdalen.

Best Place to see Northern Lights in Norway

Tromso is the best place to see the northern lights in Norway as it is in the centre of the northern lights’ oval, this means the northern lights can usually be seen even when the activity is low. The northern lights’ oval is the ring that circles around the magnetic north pole. It is centred at around 65°N, with a width of about 10°. Tromsø is located at 69°N putting it almost exactly at the centre!

When to see the Northern Lights in Norway?

The northern lights usually show up between September and April. They can start out quiet and grow in intensity as well, building up over time. We visited Tromso in March 2023 as we researched and found that March 22nd 2023 was meant to be the best day ( if conditions were right) to see them.

The solar cycle is reaching its peak and over the next 2 years there is expected increased solar activity. A Solar maximum is a regular period of greatest Sun activity during the 11-year solar cycle. This means that the 2023/2024 northern lights season should be quite active.

Hotels Tromso Northern Lights

These are the best hotels to stay in Tromso to see the Northern Lights. You can stay a little outside of the town if you have a car but if not it is easier to stay in Tromso itself. Book early as the prices rise closer to the season and they also book out early! Tromso and Norway is not the cheapest of locations but it is completely worth it for a once in a lifetime experience!

Best budget Tromso accommodation:

Apartment Tromso – very popular no fuss hotel, great location, clean and comfortable.

Ami Hotel – great budget stay, 5 minute walk to centre of town, clean rooms.

Best midrange Tromso accommodation:

Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso – very central, great for tours with Best Arctic, clean and comfortable, next to the harbour and bus stops.

Thon Hotel Tromso – central, convenient, clean and comfortable

Best luxe Tromso accommodation:

OUR TOP PICK – Clarion Collection Hotel With – beautiful hotel, quayside location in Tromsø harbour, great complementary breakfast, fika (Norway afternoon tea) and dinner included!

Clarion Collection Hotel Aurora – excellent breclarionakfast, clean rooms, lovely staff, great location to water and bus stops.

Tromsø Northern Lights Tour

There are so many great Tromsø Northern Lights Tours! It can be pretty overwhelming to choose from but these are our favourites!

Aurora Safari Tour – This is the Tromso northern lights tour we did and couldn’t recommend it more highly for anyone that wants the most comfortable introduction to the northern lights! It is perfect for families, anyone that doesn’t want to be uncomfortable or anyone looking for a low effort/impact tour. You will be transported in a comfortable bus, arrive at a location that has a warm room or tent and toilets!, provided with a hot meal and tea and coffee. It was a great experience as well as getting to see the northern lights!

Meeting husky puppies on our northern lights on our Best Arctic tour Tromso

Northern Lights tour – All inclusive – Northern Horizon – This tour is excellent if you want to spend your time in a more outdoor location, you will be sitting around a bonfire, eating sausages cooked on the fire. They provide thermal suits, boots and hot drinks, photos will be taken for you.

Aurora Hunt Tour with Citizen Science from Tromso – Professional Photos Included – This is a really popular aurora hunt, which means you will be driving to the best possible locations for that evenings weather. This includes going into Finland if necessary (need to bring your passport in case!) They will take photos of you, provide thermal suits and boots and a warm meal.

Northern Lights Cruise Norway –

Any one taking part in Tromsø Northern Lights Tours have to include taking a cruise under the northern lights. It’s magical! These are our two favourite options:

Aurora Cuisine Cruise – this cruise is on a silent electric powered boat and includes dinner while waiting for the lights to come out.

Northern Light Cruise With Luxury Catamaran in Tromso, Norway – includes snacks, tea and coffee, warm suits on a beautiful catamaran.

These are the best Tromsø Northern Lights Tours. They all have great features and generally most people will do a combination of different tours while in Tromsø so they get the most out of their Arctic experience. Check out our what to do in Tromsø blog to find out what other things you have to do here!