Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) is a dream for many—and if it’s on your bucket list too, then this blog is your perfect guide! I recently visited Tromsø, Norway, and was lucky enough to witness the magical Northern Lights not once, but twice. This Guide has everything you need , to plan your dream Arctic vacation.
In this post, I’ll take you through:
- What Northern Lights are and how they’re formed
- Conditions required to see them
- Why Tromsø is one of the best places in the world for aurora hunting
- Best months to visit Tromsø
- Whether to book a guided tour or self-chase the aurora
🌌 What Are Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)?
The Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the Sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere—mainly oxygen and nitrogen. These interactions release energy in the form of beautiful glowing lights in the sky.
- Oxygen = Green lights (most common)
- Nitrogen = Shades of blue and purple
In the Northern Hemisphere, they’re called Northern Lights, and in the Southern Hemisphere, they’re called Southern Lights (Aurora Australis).
✅ Northern Lights: Conditions Required to Spot
To increase your chances of witnessing the aurora, keep these four conditions in mind:
- Dark Skies: The aurora is only visible in the dark. Hence, winter months offer a better chance.
- Clear Skies: Cloud cover can completely block the view.
- Minimal Light Pollution: Go as far away from city lights as possible.
- Strong Solar Activity: The stronger the solar storm, the more vibrant and colorful the aurora will be.
📍 Why Tromsø is the Best Place to See the Northern Lights
I chose Tromsø for several reasons:
- It lies within the Aurora Oval, an area around the geomagnetic poles where aurora activity is most frequent.
- Tromsø has relatively milder Arctic weather compared to other northern regions.
- The city is well-equipped with good infrastructure, affordable accommodations, and multiple tour options.
- It’s above the Arctic Circle, ensuring long nights—ideal for aurora viewing.
- Despite being small, it has all amenities and a well-connected public transport system.
📅 Best Month to Visit Tromsø for Northern Lights
The official aurora season runs from late September to early April. Here’s how each month fares:
✅ December – Mid January:
- Polar Nights: No sunlight, meaning 24 hours of darkness!
- Best aurora visibility, but extreme cold (especially tough if you’re from India).
✅ Late January – February:
- Sunlight starts returning gradually.
- Still long nights and good chances to spot auroras.
- Slightly better weather than December.
🌟 March – Best of Both Worlds!
- Around 8 hours of daylight, giving time to explore the city and surroundings.
- Lesser snowfall and clearer skies.
- Comparatively milder temperatures.
- Ideal for combining aurora chasing + sightseeing + photography.
So if you’re looking for a balance of experience and comfort, March is highly recommended
🚐 Tour Booking vs. Self-Chase: What Should You Choose?
🔹 Self-Chase (DIY Aurora Hunting)
If you’re comfortable driving in snow, you can rent a car and chase the aurora yourself. But remember:
- Arctic roads are often snow-covered and slippery.
- Weather is unpredictable; you may need to drive far from Tromsø city.
- Requires some experience in driving in winter conditions.
If you’re on a budget and don’t mind standing outside your Airbnb in the cold from 8:00–9:00 PM, this is doable! Choose an Airbnb a little away from city center to reduce light pollution.
🔹 Tour Booking
If you’re not confident about driving, booking a guided aurora tour is the safest and most efficient option.
Why I recommend it:
- Professional guides know where to drive based on live weather and solar activity updates.
- They often drive up to the Finnish border if Tromsø is cloudy (as happened in my case).
- They help with photography—some even bring tripods and help you get the perfect shot.
- Some even share photos and videos with you the next day.
📝 I booked a “bus chase” tour with company Chasing Lights—one of Tromsø’s reputed companies. Even on a cloudy day, they drove us far enough to witness a spectacular aurora show.
🛏 Bonus Tip: Igloo Hotels vs. Budget Airbnb
Glass Igloos:
- Located far from city lights.
- Often have aurora alarms to wake you when the lights appear.
- You can enjoy the aurora from the comfort of your bed!
- But they are very expensive.
Budget Airbnb:
- Book something away from city lights but within budget.
- No aurora alarm, so you’ll need to stand outside and watch for activity manually. Below pics are of Aurora sighting outside the Airbnb I stayed at.
If the aurora is strong, you’ll see it from either place—the real difference is comfort vs. cost.
🏁 Final Thoughts
- Tromsø is an excellent destination for a first-time aurora chaser.
- March is the ideal month: good weather, enough daylight, high chances of sightings.
- Choose a tour if you’re not confident about self-driving or want better photo opportunities.
- Want to save money? Book a budget Airbnb, stand outside with warm clothes, and just look up!
Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube. Don’t forget to check out our latest adventure across Norway and Finland. Also check out our recent blog posts on other parts of Europe.