Guide To Witness The Northern Lights And Midnight Sun In Tromso Norway

For those looking to chase the northern lights and midnight sun, Tromso in Norway is the perfect place to be. Being strategically located right in the heart of the Arctic Circle and below the Northern Lights oval, makes it ideal for witnessing nature’s majestic light shows. The high chances of spotting the dancing green lights during winter and the golden sunlight at midnight in summer has earned Tromso Norway the reputation of being one of the top destinations to witness the natural phenomena.

Northern Lights In Tromso Norway

What Are The Northern Lights

The Northern Lights also called the Aurora Borealis is an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon that occurs when charged solar particles collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. These collisions result in release of excessive energy in the form of ribbons of light across the night sky. Tromso Northern lights are generally green in color with hues of red and violet. Since it is a natural process, one needs to have good planning and a lot of patience to witness it. Other factors like weather conditions, clear dark sky and a high Kp-index contribute greatly to witnessing the Northern Lights. 

Best Time To See The Northern Lights

The best time to see Tromso northern lights is during the winter months between September and April. However chances are higher between late November and mid-January during the Polar night, a time when the sun does not rise. Dark conditions are essential, hence total darkness between 11:00pm and 2:00am allow for optimal viewing of the natural lights.

Also Read: What’s The Best Time To See The Northern Lights In Norway

Best Spots For Viewing

Since Tromso falls right below the Northern Lights oval, anywhere in Tromso is ideal to view the northern lights. If lucky you can view it from your hotel room window too. Some of the great spots for viewing are as below:

Telegrafbukta – Also called Telegraph Bay is a scenic bay which is easily accessible by bus and cabs. It is located in the southern part of Tromso Island.

Prestvannet Lake – Located at the highest point of Tromsø Island is a popular spot to go Aurora hunting for both locals and tourists.

Storsteinen Mountain – Great for panoramic views of Tromsø and for the Aurora lights while going up the mountain on a Fjellheisen Cable Car.

Lyngen Alps and Kvaløya – Outside of the city away from the city lights are the Lyngen Alps and Kvaløya which is great for viewing. 

Ersfjordbotn – Just 20 km from Tromso is this stunning location surrounded by mountains.

Tromsø City – If solar activity is strong, you can see the dancing lights within the city limits. 

Tips For Your Northern Lights Tour

• Dress in layers along with gloves and mittens to keep warm.
• Make sure to check the aurora forecast before starting to chase the northern lights.
• To actually get a chance to spot the Arora give enough time. The more time you spend, the more are the chances of spotting.
• Sign up for a northern lights tour with an experienced guide who has more knowledge of the whole process.
• Other than chasing the northern lights, fill your days with activities like midnight hikes, fishing and photography classes.
• For better viewing head to places that are a little away from the bright city lights.

Click Here To Book Your Private Tromsø Norway northern lights tour with a local guide.

Midnight Sun In Tromso Norway

What Is The Midnight Sun

The Midnight Sun also known as the Polar Day or Nightless Night is another natural phenomena that one can see in Tromso. Here the sun never sets, it stays above the horizon for several weeks together. Due to this there is constant daylight and no darkness. The sky is always in beautiful reddish-golden hues which makes for a beautiful sight. In Polar Regions, the earth’s axis tilts to 23.4 degrees which is direct to the sun during summer, hence there is no darkness.

Best Time To See The Midnight Sun

The best time to see the midnight sun in Tromso is between mid-May and late July. However the month of June is when the peak of this phenomenon occurs. The sun never sets throughout the month, allowing travelers to take advantage of the extended daylight hours to explore. 

Best Spots For Viewing

There is no particular spot to watch the midnight sun. Just hire a bike or car and go out to explore as far as one can reach. Some of the most popular spots from where one can get amazing views are Mount Movikhammaren, Tromsø Bridge, Island of Ringvassøya and Kjølen.

Tips For Your Midnight Sun Tour

• Make sure to put on sunscreen and sunglasses while going outdoors.
• Make prior plans on how to capture the golden hour lighting as this is an excellent photographic opportunity.
• Pack layers of clothing as the weather can change any time.
• Good comfortable shoes are a must as there will be a lot of walking to do.
• Due to constant daylight, many travelers face the problem of not falling asleep. Using blackout curtains and eye masks can help solve this problem.
• Take advantage of the extended sunlight by exploring the surrounding areas.

Suggested Reads: Everything You Need To Know About Seeing The Northern Lights

Conclusion

With our guide, chasing these year-round wonders will be easier than you have ever imagined. Now that you know it all, it’s time to pack your bags and embark on a trip to embrace an experience that you won’t find anywhere else. Tromso Norway will leave you with a heart full of experience and a mind full of memories to last a lifetime. Do let us know of your experience in the comments below. 

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