Northern lights in Tromsø
You can see the northern lights in Tromsø from late August to early April, whenever the sky is dark and clear. Activity is often strongest between about 20:00 and 02:00. Nobody can promise a sighting, so plan more than one evening for it and choose tours you would enjoy even if the sky stays grey.
When is the northern lights season in Tromsø?
Visit Tromsø gives the season as late August to early April. Most northern lights tours start in early September. In the light summer months there are no northern lights to see.
From late November to mid-January the sun doesn't rise at all. This is the polar night. It gives you more dark hours in the day, but the aurora itself is no stronger then, so any month in the season is worth a try.
What time of night is best?
Activity is often strongest between about 20:00 and 02:00, though the lights can show up any time it's dark. A display can flare up and fade within minutes, or stay for an hour or more. If you see a faint glow, give it some time before you head back in.
Will I see them?
Clear sky matters most. Tromsø sits right under the aurora oval, and Visit Tromsø notes that high solar activity changes little for places this far north. Clouds are what stop you, and the weather here changes fast, so a gap in the clouds can open up.
That's why chase tours drive to wherever the sky looks clearest. Yr, the weather app from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and NRK, has an aurora forecast up to three days ahead. Low cloud blocks the view more than a thin high layer does.
Chasing the lights by minibus, with a small group
On a chase you drive out of town to wherever the sky looks clearest, so expect a good part of the evening on the road. Greenlander takes eight guests at most and includes a thermal suit, a warm meal and hot drinks, with a campfire when conditions allow. Your guide photographs the group and sends you the edited photos within a day.
Small-Group Northern Lights Tour
On a quiet boat on the fjord
Brim Explorer sails from the pier beside Skarven Kro, mostly on electric power, so the ship is quiet once you're out on the water. The Electric Northern Lights Cruise comes with soup and focaccia, and the Aurora Dinner Cruise serves a set three-course dinner. Both have warm indoor saloons for a break from the deck.
A boat can't drive away from cloud like a minibus can. Brim says itself that sightings can't be promised, so think of it as a calm evening on the fjord with a chance of the lights.
Photo: Romain Charrier / Brim ExplorerElectric Northern Lights Cruise
Photo: Romain Charrier / Brim ExplorerAurora Dinner Cruise
An evening at a reindeer camp
Tromsø Arctic Reindeer runs evenings at its Sámi-run camp, about half an hour's drive from Tromsø. You meet the herd, have a three-course dinner in a candlelit gamme and hear joik and Sámi stories. One of the evenings adds a short reindeer sled ride. On a clear night you might see the lights from the camp.
The Aurora Wonder Night is the long one. After the herd you drive further out into the wilderness for an evening by the bonfire, with a dedicated Northern Lights guide watching the sky with you.
Night Reindeer Sledding with Camp Dinner & Northern Lights
Reindeer Camp Dinner & Northern Lights
Sami Reindeer Camp Visit & Aurora Wonder Night
Free: watching from town
On a strong night you can often see the lights from the city centre, even from a hotel window. You see more from a dark spot away from street lights. Telegrafbukta, at the southern tip of Tromsøya, has open sky away from the city lights. Prestvannet is a lake up on the island that you can walk to from the centre.
Both are free and open all year. Dress as warmly as you would for a tour, because you'll be standing still.
Telegrafbukta & Folkeparken
A coastal park on Tromsøya's southern tip with sandy shore, sea views toward the fjords, and easy wooded walking paths — a favourite local spot for a relaxed stroll or sunset.
Prestvannet
A peaceful lake and nature reserve at the island's high point, circled by a flat, easy walking path popular with local families and birdwatchers.
What to wear, and how long tours take
Dress warmer than you think. On a northern lights evening you mostly stand or sit still and wait. Wool next to the skin, a warm mid layer and a windproof jacket work well, plus a hat, mittens and warm boots. Greenlander includes a thermal suit. Tromsø Arctic Reindeer asks you to bring your own warm layers and good winter boots and has blankets for the sled, and its Aurora Wonder Night includes a thermal suit. Brim has no suits or blankets on board, but its indoor saloons are heated.
The Brim cruises take about 3 hours and the reindeer camp dinners about 4.5 hours, back around 22:30. A chase takes 6 to 9 hours and the Aurora Wonder Night about 9, and both get you back well after midnight. Brim and Tromsø Arctic Reindeer leave from the city centre (the pier by Skarven Kro and Prostneset bus terminal). Greenlander picks you up at Ishavshotel.
With children
A long, late chase is hard on small kids. The shorter evenings are easier: the 3-hour Brim cruises take children of all ages, and under-3s go free. Tromsø Arctic Reindeer's camp dinners welcome all ages, and under-3s go free there too. Greenlander's chase is for ages 5 and up, and the Aurora Wonder Night for ages 6 and up.
Taking photos of the northern lights
A phone in night mode does better than you might expect. Lean it on something steady and keep still while it takes the shot. With a camera, use a tripod and set the focus by hand on a distant light, then try exposures of a few seconds. On the Greenlander chase your guide photographs the group for you.
Questions
When is the northern lights season in Tromsø?
From late August to early April, whenever the sky is dark and clear. Most tours run from early September. In the light summer months there are no northern lights to see.
What time of night is best to see the northern lights in Tromsø?
Activity is often strongest between about 20:00 and 02:00, but the lights can appear any time it's dark. Displays come and go, so stay out a while.
Can you see the northern lights from Tromsø city centre?
Yes, often, on a strong night, even from a hotel window. You see more from a dark spot away from street lights, such as Telegrafbukta at the southern tip of the island.
Are the northern lights guaranteed on a tour?
No. You need both aurora activity and clear sky, and no operator can promise either. A chase tour improves your chances by driving to where the sky is clearest.
Is a bus chase or a boat cruise better for the northern lights?
A chase can drive away from cloud, which helps on a patchy night, but it's long and late. A boat cruise is shorter and warmer, with indoor space, and stays on the fjord whatever the weather does. Pick the one you'd enjoy even if the sky stays grey.
How cold is a northern lights tour, and what should I wear?
It feels cold because you spend a lot of time standing still. Wear wool layers and a windproof jacket, plus a hat, mittens and warm boots. Greenlander and Tromsø Arctic Reindeer's Aurora Wonder Night include a thermal suit. For the reindeer camp dinners you bring your own warm clothes.
How many nights do I need in Tromsø to see the northern lights?
There's no fixed number. The more evenings you have, the better the chance that activity and clear sky line up, so plan more than one if the lights matter a lot to you.
Can I take children on a northern lights tour?
Yes, on the shorter ones. Brim Explorer's 3-hour cruises take all ages, and under-3s go free. So do Tromsø Arctic Reindeer's camp dinners. Greenlander's chase is for ages 5 and up and the Aurora Wonder Night for 6 and up.