Best time to see the northern lights in Norway

Norway consistently tops lists of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. Peak viewing season falls between November and February, when the nights are longest and darkest.

Here’s a list of the best times and places to see the northern lights in Norway, along with some tips for creating the ultimate viewing experience.

What you’ll learn: 

• You want long, clear dark nights to see the northern lights in Norway, so consider planning your trip between November and February.  

• Tromsø, Svalbard, the Lofoten Islands, Alta and Kirkenes are among the best places in Norway to see the northern lights. 

• Norway offers plenty of other attractions and activities, including dog sledding, whale watching, skiing, hiking and sailing through fjords. 

• Eligible Capital One cardholders can earn elevated rewards when they use Capital One Travel to book their trip.

The northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, are a natural phenomenon where particles from the sun interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. The result is a stunning display of swirling multicolored lights in the sky. Typically, it’s easiest to catch sight of the northern lights in places that are close to the Arctic Circle, like Iceland, Alaska and Norway. 

Generally, the northern lights may be seen in Norway between September and early April. But planning your trip for November through February—when the nights are longest and darkest—could give you the best chance of seeing the lights. No matter when you go, remember to pack your bags accordingly and bring plenty of warm clothes. And get ready to stay up late. The best time to see the northern lights is typically between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Here’s a closer look at some of the best places to see the northern lights in Norway and when to plan your trip:

Known as the Gateway to the Arctic, Tromsø is located more than 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle and just beneath the auroral oval.

Along with northern lights tours, you’ll find a variety of other exciting things to do and see in Tromsø, like dog sledding, whale watching and fjord excursions. In between activities, stop by a local restaurant and sample Norway’s cuisine and use your Capital One Savor card to earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining out. Plus, the Savor card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. View important rates and disclosures.

Best time to see the northern lights in Tromsø: You have a good chance of viewing the northern lights in Tromsø from September through early April as long as conditions are clear. Just make sure to book your trip early, especially if you plan to go during the peak season of December to February. Local accommodations can fill up quickly.

Svalbard is an archipelago located about 650 miles from the North Pole that offers some incredible northern lights viewing experiences. It also has bustling towns with plenty of restaurants, breweries and shops. Be on the lookout for reindeer roaming the streets, and don’t wander too far on your own; Svalbard is home to polar bears too. 

When to see the northern lights in Svalbard: There’s almost 24 hours of constant daylight during Svalbard’s summer months. But from November through January, the opposite is true. This phenomenon, referred to as the polar night, makes Svalbard one of the best places to see the northern lights in Norway. You might even spot them while you’re sipping your morning coffee.

The Lofoten Islands are nestled just under the auroral oval and can have stunning views of the northern lights—sometimes for as many as eight months of the year. If you’re lucky enough to get clear skies on your trip, you have a good chance of seeing the northern lights while strolling along one of the Lofoten Islands’ many sandy beaches. Consider squeezing in some alpine skiing, horseback riding or snowshoeing while you’re there. 

When you can see the northern lights in the Lofoten Islands: On a clear winter night, you might be rewarded with a spectacular light show in the Lofoten Islands. Fall and early spring may also have good viewing conditions, but nights aren’t as long during this time of year. And the lights tend to fade away from the sky in April.

One of the first northern lights observatories was built in Alta in the 1800s. The observatory is closed now, but Alta’s minimal light pollution and long, dark nights make it one of the best places in Norway to see the northern lights. Alta is also a top destination for whale watching, so you may want to book a whale safari to see if you can spy some orcas and humpbacks. 

Best time for aurora viewing in Alta: Like other northern Norway cities, the winter months—when nights are longest and darkest—are the best times to see the northern lights. Luckily, the best time for whale watching in Alta tends to be November through January too.

Kirkenes is located in northeastern Norway, just a few miles from the Russian border. In between stints of gazing at the northern lights, go on a king crab harvesting safari or a husky-led dog sledding adventure or spend a night in an ice hotel. 

When to see northern lights in Kirkenes: You’ll have a better chance of experiencing the clear, dark nights you need to see the northern lights from late September to early April. A perk of going to Kirkenes is the local airport, which offers regular connection flights to bigger cities like Oslo, plus connections to other northern lights viewing locales like Alta and Tromsø.

Once you’ve made sure your passport is updated and ready to go, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your trip to Norway: 

• Check the forecast. There are services that track and forecast the northern lights. Checking one of these may help you plan your trip around the lights. But keep in mind that night sky conditions can vary by the hour, so there are no guarantees. 

• Book early. Accommodations can fill up fast, especially in smaller towns during peak tourist season. So consider making reservations as far ahead of time as possible. You may want to book a northern lights tour so an expert can guide you to the best viewing spots, too.

• Check out other local attractions. The northern lights are just one of the many things Norway has to offer. Take some time to research the area you want to visit and consider booking other activities so you have things to fill your days as well as your nights. Think reindeer and dog sledding, skiing and wildlife excursions. 

• Book with Capital One Travel. Eligible Capital One cardholders can book flights, hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars with Capital One Travel. It tracks flight prices, predicts when it’s the right time to book and can help you save an average of 15%. Booking a trip through Capital One Travel also lets eligible cardholders earn elevated rewards.

If you’re dreaming of seeing the northern lights in Norway, timing is everything. Peak viewing season stretches from September to early April, and you may have the best chances of seeing the lights from November to February. But remember, it all depends on the sky’s conditions. And regardless of whether you get to see the northern lights, Norway has a ton of other activities and attractions to offer. 

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