Hi all,

I’ll be in Oslo this winter and I want to go to Tromso (open to other suggestions) and see the northern lights, and I have few questions.

– I’m hoping to travel there by plane, get a place that I can observe the lights, and mostly hang out indoors about 4 days. Is it possible? Or should I move around to observe them? (don’t have a driving license)

– Which location should I look for accommodation? City center or more remote parts? I heard too much light in the city makes them harder to be seen.

– Mid-February or Mid-March, which would be a better timing?

– Any general advice?

I’m looking at this website: [https://www.visittromso.no/northern-lights/when-and-where-to-see-the-Northern-Lights](https://www.visittromso.no/northern-lights/when-and-where-to-see-the-Northern-Lights)

It seems like I can get lucky around harbour area. But I might get a better view on Fjellheisen, I think I should pack some warm clothes.

Thanks in advance!

3 comments

  1. Can be tough to spot from a plane, but it was visible on my flight in yesterday. Generally, if you get just a little bit away from the city lights you should have no problem experiencing it.

  3. Northern lights are not a constant phenomenon, it only happens when the earth is struck by solar flares, and they can vary by latitude. A week before Christmas I flew home from Bodø and we saw the northern lights barely as we took of. To our surprise, there were more northern lights at home near oslo than there were in Bodø. So even though chances are higher the further north you go, there is no guarantee. So just keep your expectations realistic. I would go out every night if i were you and not just one.

    If you can help it, aim for a week with clear weather. You can also check the northern lights forecast at yr.no(Norwegian meteorological service) or download a northern lights app, and look at the forecast there.

    Find a dark spot. Normally it’s quite dim, although you can get really lucky and get a proper solar storm overhead. They’re quite easy to see.

    >It seems like I can get lucky around harbour area.

    I don’t know if i misunderstood this sentence, but northern lights are in the ionosphere, up to 70km above ground. If you can se it from one place you can’t even drive away from it. They can be visible for hundreds of km away from their centre. (For example: the northern lights i saw from Oslo were just south of Trondheim). Tromsø isn’t a big city so shouldn’t be hard to find a dark spot. The harbor is probably ok, but you can just aswell go to an empty park og soccer field(if the flood lights aren’t on of course). And if you’re going to take a picture, remember to turn on long exposure, and support your phone/camera with something. It’s a lot harder to get a proper picture than it is to see it, so you will need a proper dark background for this

    Definitely aim for February. The closer to December, the darker it is, and the higher the chances. Good luck

    Edit: grammar, and autocorrect

    Edit2: Tromsø is a very pretty city and Would recommend it either way

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