Ultimate Aurora Hunter Guide: Best Time To See The Northern Lights in Norway

Your Ultimate Guide to Chasing the Aurora

To all passionate Aurora Borealis hunters of the world, here is your all-you-need-to-know guide to the best time to see the Northern Lights of Norway from a native. Although born and raised outside of the capital, Oslo, I have lived in northern Norway for many years. Having survived the Polar Night repeatedly and even done my Masters at the Arctic University of Tromsø – I would say that I am a connoisseur. 

For many travelers around the world, witnessing the spectacular Aurora Borealis is a bucket list goal, and I totally get it. Combined with our mountains, unique fjords, Arctic landscape, and wildlife, Norway is a spectacular destination for seeing Aurora (and more). 

So I am here to tell you when you should visit for the best chance of experiencing the spectacular Northern Lights, and I will throw in where you should go and a few other “insider tips” to ensure your most epic, success-optimised Northern Lights chase in northern Norway (which is the part of Norway you should aim for)! 

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

Is there a best time of year to see Northern Lights in Norway?

Yes, there is, and the short answer to that question is during winter. You need darkness to see the northern lights, and in summer in Norway, the nights don’t really get dark. Above the Arctic Circle, the sun actually never sets in summer, so you have midnight sun and daylight 24/7. 

You basically need three things: darkness, clear skies, and the right atmospheric conditions. Statistically, the ideal conditions to see the Aurora are as early as September and October, so strictly speaking, the Northern Lights tours start in the autumn. 

However, it is not that simple. In Northern Norway, especially along the coast in spectacular destinations like the Lofoten Islands, autumn is equivalent to the stormy season. So even if September and October have the highest northern light statistics, the sky is also often cloudy, the rain comes sideways with heavy winds, and you will not see anything. 

You need a clear sky to see it, so you should go somewhere with fewer cloudy days. 

If you come during late autumn, it may be a good idea to travel inland in the counties Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark. In the flat plains up north, away from the coastline, the odds are a bit higher for clear skies during the autumn. 

Rest assured, the northern lights will appear throughout the winter months, so any time between late September and late March will work. 

The Aurora Borealis Season in Norway (September to March)

So, the best time to see the northern lights in Norway is in the darkest months in order for the lights to be visible to the naked eye. And in northern Norway, there is Midnight sun with sunlight 24/7 in the summer. 

As nights start getting longer and the days shorter already in late August, when we reach the end of September, the “northern lights season” starts. 

Although September and October have the highest registered night sky activity, there will be Northern Lights throughout winter, in November, December, January, and February, during the Polar Night above the Arctic Circle, when the sun does not rise at all. 

The further north you get, the longer the Polar Nights lasts. From just under four weeks right above the Arctic Circle to a four-month Polar Night in Svalbard, the iconic islands far north of the mainland that are part of Norwegian territory. 

And let me say this again: the northern lights can only be seen when the sky is clear and dark without cloud cover and when the atmospheric conditions are right. So, even with clear skies, you are never guaranteed that the Aurora will show up, unfortunately. 

Best Months for Northern Lights in Norway Breakdown 

September is when the northern lights start showing up, and this is also when the autumn storms come around as the weather and temperatures start to change. I am writing this from the Lofoten Islands in early December, and as an example, since the start of October, we have had stormy weather with sideways rain and strong winds about 90% of the time. 

From December, winter comes knocking, and you can have snowy days, mild rain (well, above-zero temperatures), and winds up to 30+ meters per second. I can tell you this is fierce and not great conditions for going outside to chase the Aurora. 

Towards the end of January, the winter gets more wintery, and you can have cold weather with clear starry skies, which are wonderful for being outside looking for the northern lights as long as you dress properly. Dress in layers and a long, windproof jacket! 

The most snow-heavy months will be January through March. Even though March is technically a spring month above the Arctic Circle, it will not feel like that. April is the first month where you will be less likely to see the Aurora in Northern Norway. 

Why Late Autumn and Winter Offer the Best Viewing Opportunities

The reason September and October are slightly better times to view the Northern Lights and not the peak of winter is because of a combination of weather conditions, solar activity, and geomagnetic factors.

September has a comfortable balance of hours of darkness and tolerable temperatures, which can make aurora hunting a more comfortable experience. Although September generally has milder weather than the deep winter months, you can encounter a period with cold autumn storms. Clear skies are essential for aurora viewing, and autumn typically has very variable weather, especially along the Norwegian coast. 

You also need something called the Equinox Effect, and the autumn equinox (increased likelihood of geomagnetic activity) has the best geomagnetic conditions for northern lights. In this period, the Earth’s magnetic field is better aligned with solar winds, which increases Aurora activity.

The Northern Lights move in wavy motions because the lights are created from collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun entering the upper atmosphere of the Earth. This collision emits lights in the sky that appear to ‘dance’ in an ever-changing pattern across the sky.

Winter Aurora hunting can be spectacular. With cold, dry snow, bluish light for a few hours a day, vast dark nights, and a true “winter wonderland” atmosphere that borders on magic, I prefer winter to autumn. Winter offers more stable cold weather, and a snowstorm is better than a freezing rainstorm any day.  

However, it can also be brutally cold, making it less comfy to spend long periods outdoors. This is especially true in the barren plains in Finnmark, the northernmost county of Norway where the indigenous Sami people live, where temperatures can drop to below 40 degrees Celcius mid-winter.  

What Time of Night is Best to See the Northern Lights in Norway?

Are There Ideal Viewing Hours?

Statistically, the optimal time to see the Aurora is between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. However, I would not emphasize this too much; as long as it is dark outside and there are clear skies, you should keep an eye out regularly. 

The weather can change in an instant in the north, so you need to be alert to avoid missing it. One night not long ago, we had the Aurora for a few minutes in the sky. It suddenly appeared, stayed for 15 minutes, and then disappeared for that night. 

How to Maximise Your Chances on Cloudy Nights

During the autumn storms from late September through November, the weather often changes faster than the weather forecast can keep up. 

This means that you simply need to keep an eye out if your main goal is to see the northern lights. If you are staying in Northern Norway during this period, you should look outside every 15-20 minutes and follow the real-time development of the weather and cloud cover. 

Another smart thing to do is download the Aurora Me app, which will tell you the percentage of the chance of the northern lights and cloud openings wherever you are. If the lights appear, say, in the middle of the night, the app will set off an alarm and wake you up. You should also pay attention to the Norwegian weather forecast on yr.no while traveling. 

The Best Places in Norway to See the Northern Lights

During the last couple of years, there have been reported sightings of the Northern Lights in several uncommon places in the world (including Southern Norway). However, the best place to be for the highest chance of aurora sighting is above the Arctic Circle. 

In Norway, that means from north of Mo I Rana, all the way north to the North Cape, and northeast to Kirkenes (check out the Snowhotel Kirkenes). 

The three northernmost counties in Norway are Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark, and this is where you want to be. If you fly to Bodø, Tromsø, or Alta, you can rent a car, stay flexible with no fixed itinerary, and chase the lights.

Pro tip: If you are doing this as a road trip coming up from the south, make sure you stop at the Arctic Circle Center, situated at the exact point where you cross the Arctic Circle on your way north.

Top 7 Places to See the Northern Lights in Norway

Bodø – The Windy City inside the Lofoten Islands

Bodø, or Bodo in English, is known as the windy city, as it is situated above the Arctic Circle along the northern coastline, right on the edge of the North Sea. It is a small town with a famous football team (Bodø Glimt) and was awarded the honorable title of European Capital of Culture 2024.  

In addition to being a great destination to chase the Aurora, Bodø also offers a variety of activities such as dog sledding, snowshoeing, skiing, and winter kayaking. 

The Lofoten Islands: The Scenic Backdrop for Aurora Viewing

A three-and-a-half-hour ferry ride outside of Bodø to the west, you find the Lofoten Islands, which is like a peninsula stretching out from mainland Norway consisting of islands interconnected by bridges (you can also fly or drive here entering from the north). 

Lofoten is probably one of the most beautiful places on the planet, with a unique composition of dramatic landscapes, wildlife, fierce elements, and Aurora during the Polar Night. You have wild, steep mountains dropping directly into the fjords for miles and miles, and the Lofoten Wall (chain of rugged mountains) is particularly famous. 

Senja Island: Norway’s Hidden Gem for Aurora Hunters

Senja is a destination that is still a bit “off the beaten path”, the largest island in Norway, which also has jaw-dropping nature, wildlife, and, not least, Northern Lights. Situated just north of Lofoten, Senja is a haven for anyone looking for backcountry skiing and summit-guided tours. 

You will meet fewer other travelers here, even in the peak tourist season in winter (and summer). Senja is for adventurers who love traveling the Arctic on their own time off the beaten path. 

Tromsø: The Paris of the North

Tromsø has been famous for centuries and got the nickname Paris of the North as an important trade port, apparently because of its cosmopolitan vibe, cultural sophistication, and vibrant social life. Today, Tromsø is a modern town in Northern Norway with a famous annual film festival, a wide variety of top-notch restaurants and nightlife, as well as cultural happenings and venues. 

Make sure you visit the Ishavskatedralen Cathedral, take the gondola up the mountain, visit the aquarium, go whale watching, and consider making a day trip to Sommarøy (summer island), about one hour outside of Tromsø. The restaurant at Sommarøy Arctic Hotel has outstanding reviews on their seafood. 

Alta: The Northern Lights Town

Alta is the first town along the coast of Finnmark, the northernmost county of Norway, and has a lot to offer while you are waiting for the Northern Lights. A smaller and less famous town than Tromsø, Alta has a small-town feel but still a lot of nature experiences to explore, and it is also a few hour’s drive from North Cape Point. 

During the daytime, you can hike to Komsatoppen from the town center, go on a dog sledding trip, visit the iconic church in Alta, or go winter kayaking. Alta is also famous for a spectacular ice hotel called Sorrisniva, situated about 20 minutes outside of town along a stunning river where you can go kayaking as long as it is not covered with ice. 

Karasjok: Home of the Indigenous Sami People

Towards the east in Finnmark, far into the inland plains, you find Karasjok, the Sami capital and home to the Sami indigenous people of Norway. There, you can go reindeer sledding, as well as rush off on a snowmobile tour when you are not pointing your nose up to the sky at night. 

Karasjok is also a few hours away from Norway’s first official DarkSky Park, which opened towards the end of 2024, located in Øvre Pasvik National Park. Although it’s not in Karasjok, it is worth the journey, providing another fantastic setting for observing the universe, thanks to its minimal light pollution.​

Svalbard: The Arctic Wilderness Adventure

Svalbard is an island group almost 800 kilometers north of the Norwegian mainland that has been Norwegian territory since 1920. We share these islands with Russia, and Svalbard is one of the most iconic Arctic destinations in the world – not just because the Polar Night up here lasts almost four months. 

This is where the polar bears live, the mountains here are iconic, and the permafrost creates unique conditions for flora and fauna. Most people fly to Longyearbyen, but you can also embark on an expedition ship to get to Svalbard. With four months to see the Northern Lights, if you have time, this is a great place for it. 

What to Expect When Chasing the Northern Lights in Norway

Preparing for the Cold: What to Wear and Pack

Norway winter travel is no joke, and unless you are very familiar with arctic conditions, you need a little advice to prepare in the best possible way. 

When you are outdoors in the Norwegian winter, you dont just need to pay attention to the actual temperature. As the effective temperature can get a lot colder, the more wind there is, and the more moisture there is in the air from rain or coastal areas. 

From the inside out, you want to wear fabrics that produce heat and preferably will keep you warm even if they are wet. Wool will do that, which is why wearing wool in cold winter conditions is a great idea. Merino wool is particularly well-suited, soft, and warm at the same time, so look for this in your long thermal underwear. 

You also want wool in socks, and the clothes you wear over your long thermal underwear and under your outdoor wear should be warm, too. I prefer wool, but you will also stay warm with fleece jackets (just please dont wear synthetic fabric like polyester!). Also, outerwear should be wind- and waterproof. 

The trick is layers, preferably jackets, so you can easily remove or put on extra when you are staying outside for longer periods of time. 

Sitting still waiting for the aurora will get cold really fast, but if you start moving around, you will get warm really fast, too, so you need the ability to adjust your clothing. See what I mean? 

Staying Patient: The Art of Waiting for the Lights

Prepare to test your patience while chasing or waiting for the Northern Lights to appear. As we do not control any of the necessary factors, I want to mention this to help you prepare mentally! 

If you know what you are up against, prepare to wait, dress well, and bring food and drink, you might actually enjoy the process, not just the lights in the sky. In most areas of Norway, where you will go to see the northern lights, you will also have spectacular nature, mountains, fjords, plains, and wildlife, so put that on your adventure list, too! 

Find out more about how to find the northern lights

Winter Road Trips Tips

If you choose Norway winter travel on your own in a rental car to chase the Aurora, this is a great way to stay flexible and “chase the Aurora” according to what the weather and aurora forecast say. However, before making a winter road trip to Norway, there are a few extra things to know. 

First, Norwegians have a mandatory module when they practice driving for a driving license, and that is called “slippery driving.” We actually have training on driving on slippery surfaces, like oil, in order to learn to handle the car under these conditions. 

Most other nationalities don’t, so when you are driving during winter in Norway without a lot of experience, dont be afraid of being the slow, annoying car on the road. Better safe than sorry! 

Also, if you are driving in remote areas “off the beaten path,” in the mountains or along fjords, there may be miles and miles between houses and villages. So, during winter, you should be able to be self-sustainable for at least 24 hours if something happens or delays you.

This could be small things like the road closing due to snow, an accident somewhere and you need to wait for road clearance, or something happening with your car, and you need to wait for help.  

So make an “emergency kit” to have in your car to handle unforeseen incidents or being “værfast” (Norwegian term meaning stuck because of the weather), that should include things like: 

• A snow shovel 
• Extra warm clothes or a sleeping bag
• Water and warm drinks on a thermos
• Extra food (bring some serious sandwiches and/or snack bars
• First aid kit
• Powerbank

How to Capture the Northern Lights with Your Camera

To capture stunning footage of the Northern Lights, you need to optimize your camera settings for low light and long exposure for the best shot. You should use a sturdy tripod to keep the camera stable for clear footage and set the camera to manual mode. 

Adjust the aperture to a wide setting (f/2.8 or lower) to allow more light in. Use a high ISO (between 800-3200) to brighten the image, but avoid going too high to minimize noise. 

You should set the shutter speed to between 5 and 25 seconds, depending on the light movement. Shorter exposures work well for faster-moving lights, while longer ones capture more detail in slower-moving Northern Lights, so you just need to assess the conditions of the Aurora. 

Also, use manual focus, setting it to infinity for sharpness, and turn off autofocus and stabilization features. Lastly, consider shooting in RAW format for maximum flexibility in post-processing!

Read my complete guide on photographing the Northern Lights

Why Are the Northern Lights So Prominent in Norway?

The Northern Lights are especially visible in northern Norway because of to the region’s location within the auroral oval, a band around the Earth’s geomagnetic poles where auroras are most frequently observed. 

Northern Norway’s high latitude happens to be directly under this oval, making it one of the best spots in the world to witness this natural phenomenon. 

Also, clear night dark skies help, particularly during the polar night in winter season, when minimal light pollution from big cities (which we dont have up north) enhances visibility. The Earth’s magnetic fields and solar storms in this region are particularly strong, enhancing the vivid colors and frequency of the auroras. 

So, the combination of geography, atmospheric conditions, and natural landscapes in Northern Norway creates an ideal setting for experiencing the Aurora Borealis.

How To Get To Northern Norway

If you come from abroad, you normally would have to arrive in Oslo, from where you have several options. Mind you, Norway is more than 2000 kilometers long (with over 100.000 km of coastline, including all the fjords), so making a road trip from Oslo to the north will be spectacular, but it will take some time. 

Option one is to fly up, and if Aurora sighting is your main goal, I would suggest aiming at the following destinations and airports: 

• Fly to Bodø, which is a good place to see northern lights, as well as a good starting point to visit Lofoten and Senja islands and make a road trip further north to places like Tromsø
• Fly to Svolvær or Leknes airports, which is the best place if the Lofoten Islands are your main destination
• Fly to Tromsø, the Paris of the North, which is also a great place to see the Aurora and has a variety of nature adventures to offer, as well as being a northern culture hub. 
• Fly to Alta, from where you can reach several destinations in Finnmark County, including the North Cape.
• Fly to the Svalbard Islands, either directly from Oslo or via Tromsø.

If you are aiming for one of the smallest, off-the-beaten-path destinations in Northern Norway, you can check the Norwegian airline Wideroe, which has the toughest pilots that can fly in all kinds of weather and will take you safely there. 

Frequently Asked Questions About the Northern Lights in Norway

What is the best month to see the Northern Lights in Norway?

The best months for the highest likelihood of Northern lights in the sky are September and October, but you have a good chance of spotting the Northern Lights throughout the winter months. 

How far in advance should I plan my trip to see the Northern Lights?

Whether you plan a long time ahead or make it a last-minute trip does not really matter regarding your chance to see the northern lights. As the weather is unpredictable, you can plan for months and still be unlucky. So your planning should focus on researching your itinerary, budgeting (Norway is not a very cheap destination), scoring good flight deals, and making your bucket list perfect for you! 

Can you see the Northern Lights with the naked eye?

Yes, you can see the Northern Lights with the naked eye. However, if the lights are very faint, your camera will pick up the light better than your eyes will, so you can get amazing footage even on days when the lights are not spectacular. 

What are the chances of seeing the Northern Lights during my trip?

Frankly, that is impossible to say. My best advice is that when you travel to Norway in winter, you give yourself enough time to stay in the north. The longer you stay, the better chance of having a beautiful Northern Lights night. 

Wrap-Up Best Time To See Northern Lights Norway

From my own experience, I can tell you it is magic sitting in the snow with your extremely thick down jacket on and gazing at the dark Arctic sky in the winter with waves of green, pink, blue, and a cascade of colors flowing high above your head (yes, it is freezing cold). 

Sometimes, I meet visitors close to tears because they really want to see the northern lights but have encountered a period with cloud coverage and a lot of weather that kills the dream. And unfortunately, that can happen; we (still) dont control the weather. 

So, if spotting the amazing Aurora Borealis is your number one goal for your winter travel to Norway, you are now armed with the knowledge and information to make the best possible plans and preparations for your Northern Lights hunt. 

With this Northern Lights guide, I am confident we have optimised your chances. 

Experiences encountered by Hege Jacobsen