The Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Norway

The Northern Lights are a huge bucket list item for travellers across the world. But there are only a few places where you can see this spectacular light show.

The Aurora Borealis is best viewed as far north as you can. One of the top countries for Northern Lights seekers to visit is Norway.

But to see this natural light show at its best, you need to be not only in the right place but you need to be there at the right time.

When exactly is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Norway?

When Is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Norway?

Given Norway’s northern location in Europe, this is one of the best places to see the amazing scenery of the Northern Lights on a weekend break. But you still need to get your timing right. Luckily, there’s a lot of room for error in Norway. Across much of the country, you can see the Northern Lights from autumn all the way through to spring.

Autumn

Autumn is the start of the Northern Lights season in Norway. This is the season when they start weaving their magic across the night skies.

The season can start as early as September, when the days start to shorten and the nights begin to lengthen. You won’t see the lights from the city or town. But head out into the countryside away from light pollution, and you’ve got a good chance of catching a glimpse of them.

September to November is shoulder season in Norway when it comes to travel, and you’ll find that things are quieter here in autumn than they are in summer or winter. It’s nowhere near as cold or snowy as later months in the year of course, but the weather is certainly turning.

Winter

Winter is peak season for Northern Lights viewing in Norway, and that’s because this is your best chance to see them.

Conditions are great and, with clear skies, you’ll be able to see the Aurora Borealis almost every night of your stay. You won’t even need to go too far from civilisation either, given the long nights.

But winter can be a harsh time to be in Norway. Aside from seeing the Northern Lights, your options are limited to snow activities and you’ll need good, warm gear. Bad weather can make travel difficult, and it can prevent you from seeing the Northern Lights too.

It’s a fascinating time to be in Norway, but you need to be prepared for endless nights and almost no sunshine, especially in the Arctic.

The winter season usually lasts from November through to February in Norway, with January and February having the best conditions for chasing Northern Lights.

Spring can be a great time to see the Northern Lights in Norway too. In fact, March is one of the most popular times to visit.

The skies are incredibly clear in spring and, although the nights are getting shorter, between March and the start of April you still have enough darkness to spot the Aurora Borealis.

You’ll need to get out into the countryside to see them at their best. Spring is also a great time for other activities, as the snow starts to melt and you’ll be able to enjoy hiking and camping when you might spot the Northern Lights too.

Of course, summer is not the time to be in Norway if you’re looking to see the Northern Lights. While the natural phenomenon does actually continue through summer, you don’t have the dark skies required to see them.

The earliest you’ll ever spot them is when the days shorten towards the end of August, although don’t count on it.

The Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Norway

Norway is one of the best countries in the Northern Hemisphere to see the Northern Lights in all their glory.

That’s because Norway reaches up to the far north. Conditions in some parts of the country are so perfect that there are certain times of the year that you’ll be almost guaranteed to see the Aurora Borealis.

While you might see the Northern Lights in southern parts of the country in the dead of winter, even as far south as Oslo or Bergen, you instantly raise your chances by heading towards the Arctic.

Tromso is often noted as one of the best places to spot the Aurora Borealis. Tromso is one of the most northerly cities in Norway, and the largest city in Norway’s Arctic Circle. Tromso is often called the Gateway to the Arctic. From autumn through to spring you’re likely to see the Northern Lights here.

Of course, you can head even further north and into the Arctic Circle itself.

What to Expect on a Northern Lights Chase in Norway

While you might get lucky and see the Northern Lights from the comfort of your hotel room or while you’re walking through the streets – especially in the dead of winter, if you’re staying somewhere remote – you’ll also find that there’s likely to be a lot of light pollution, unless you travel out into the countryside.

That’s why one of the best ways to see the Northern Lights at their best is to get far away from the cities, towns and villages of Norway

The best way to do this is on a Northern Lights Chase, which will have you deep in the Norwegian wilderness on the hunt for this spectacular natural phenomenon.

If you’re in Tromso, the gateway to the Arctic, you’ll start in the evening and you won’t return to your hotel until the early hours of the morning, by which time you’ll hopefully have seen the Aurora Borealis.

Local guides who know the area will drive you out to remote areas of the Norwegian tundra, far away from any light pollution, where the skies are at their darkest.

It’s an epic adventure. With the right guide and the right timing, you’ll be able to see the world’s greatest light show in Norway!

Choosing the Best Time to See Northern Lights in Norway

The Northern Lights are one of the top bucket-list items for avid travellers, nature lovers, photographers, and those fascinated by this incredible display of nature – but finding them isn’t always easy! Although the Northern Lights (also called Aurora Borealis) are always there, they are invisible when the midnight sun is shining.

During the long dark nights, which start around late September, travellers to Northern Norway have the best chance of enjoying the magic of the Northern Lights, whether taking a Northern Lights cruise far away from the light pollution of the cities or enjoying a wintery adventure across the Arctic Circle.

Peak Northern Lights season runs from November to February, but you can view the lights between the Autumn Equinox in September and the Spring Equinox in March.

How to Ensure Your Northern Lights Hunt is Successful

• There are several reasons visitors to see the Northern Lights in Norway miss out; our travel advisers ensure you are equipped with everything you need to pick the perfect time, including recommendations for the best Aurora app to check when conditions are ideal

Here are some of the common mistakes to avoid:

• Looking for the Northern Lights in Norway too far south. The further to Northern Norway you are, the more visible the Northern Lights will be, so we recommend taking a day trip if you are staying in Mainland Norway to a better viewing position.

• Venturing out when there is dense cloud cover or too much light pollution that obscures visibility. An organised snowmobile safari is ideal, with an accurate weather forecast to ensure you don’t head out on the wrong day.

• Trying to see the Northern Lights in the early afternoon. The best time to see the Northern Lights dancing is after dusk, so we’d suggest keeping an eye out from nightfall when there are clear skies.

The best Northern Lights tours are run by experienced local guides, who will ensure you are in the ideal spot within the Aurora zone and won’t need to keep your fingers crossed!

What Time of Year Are the Northern Lights Most Visible?

Northern Lights trips can be organised at any point over the winter months, and the more solar activity, the brighter and more enchanting the lights will be.

Visitors hoping to see the Northern Lights often opt for a snow hotel at the northernmost point, where there are plenty of opportunities to experience the splendour of the polar night sky away from light pollution.

Travellers can also combine a Northern Lights tour with other amazing winter activities, whether a photo tour to glimpse wildlife, enjoying local food, trying dog sledding, cross-country skiing or ice fishing.