Our best destinations to experience the Northern Lights in Norway

How the Northern Lights arise

For centuries, stories and myths have been written about the Northern Lights – In simple terms, we now know that the Northern Lights occur due to sunstorms on the sun. These send charged particles at a racing pace towards the Earth. When these hit the Earth’s magnetic field, and some particles pass through the protective magnetic “shield”, this gives rise to what we experience as beautiful northern lights.

The Northern Lights attract people from all corners of the world

When the ballet of colour patterns in green, purple, blue and red finally appears in the sky, locals and tourists from all over the world flow to the sky. All with the same goal in mind - to experience the unforgettable magic of the sky.

It’s not without reason that many people choose Norway as their destination to experience the Northern Lights. In fact, Northern Norway is said to be the best destination for Northern Lights enthusiasts. The light extends along the coast of Northern Norway from the Lofoten Islands and up towards the North Cape. Here, the Northern Lights are part of the daily life of the local population, and there is a good chance of getting the light with you when you visit.

When are the Northern Lights visible?

The greatest chance of seeing the Northern Lights is in late autumn, winter and early spring. It’s worth knowing that it’s best to avoid times of full moon, as all light affects how strongly the colours appear in the sky. You should therefore also look for places outside the city centre with as little artificial lighting as possible. Between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. the Northern Lights usually shine the brightest, but you can experience the light before and after these times.

It should be said that you can never guarantee that the Northern Lights will appear in the sky, which makes it all extra fascinating. With nature in the driver’s seat, you have to be a bit patient. If you are planning a trip to northern Norway to experience the Northern Lights, it may be a good idea to have a few days at your disposal. Feel free to download an app to get a northern lights alert directly on your phone. These provide an alert for the next hour or hours, as well as a long-term alert.

Our hotels in Northern Norway

Thon Hotels has hotels that span the entire country: Bodø, Lofoten, Narvik, Harstad, Andenes, Tromsø, Kautokeino, Alta, Hammerfest, Kirkenes and Vesterålen. All of these places are excellent for a complete Arctic experience. Here you will have the opportunity to participate in activities and organised tours, guided by experts on the Northern Lights. The hunt for the mythical light can take place in a dog sled, boat, bus, snowmobile or on foot in the mountains. You can even admire it from your separate hotel room.

Below you can find more information about our hotels where the Northern Lights dance in the sky. Here you can read about the individual experiences each destination offers. Where is your Northern Lights journey going?

See the Northern Lights in Bodø

Bodø is located on a peninsula in the middle of the coastline of Nordland. Here, the Northern Lights show off their glory in the sky from September to April.

In Bodø, Thon Hotels has a hotel named after the northern lights – Thon Hotel Nordlys. Thon Hotel Nordlys is located right by the marina and pier in Bodø. Here you have a fantastic view of the sea, and if you’re lucky you can see the Northern Lights from your separate hotel room. The hotel’s guest rooms are wallpapered with beautiful photos of the Northern Lights. Should the Northern Lights one day play hide and seek, you will at least be surrounded by the beautiful, nature-inspired decor of your room.

To get the full experience of the Northern Lights, it is very popular with guests to go on Northern Lights hikes, a little away from the city centre. One of these trips is a 4-hour sailing trip to hunt for the Northern Lights. From the boat, you can look out over the night sky and the beautiful, dancing Northern Lights - completely undisturbed by the city’s lights. 

In addition to the lovely Northern Lights, another spectacular light awaits in the dark, namely the sunsets. Without mountains shadowing the light, you can see a glimpse of the sun under the horizon all winter long. This paints colours from dark blue to deep pink on the sky - a stunning sight most people want to capture with the camera.

Hotel in Lofoten

Lofoten lies under the Northern Lights Oval, providing a beautiful setting for spectacular Northern Lights experiences. In Svolvær in Lofoten lies our award-winning hotel, Thon Hotel Lofoten. Every winter, the hotel has seen an increase in Northern Lights-seeking tourists from many different countries, including Germany, Japan, China, Switzerland, Italy, France and Australia.

In Lofoten you can see the Northern Lights from the beginning of September to the middle of April. It is not every day that you can see the Northern Lights, either due to low activity or low cloud cover. At the same time, Lofoten’s mighty mountains can help break up the cloud cover. Thanks to this, gaps are formed in the cloud cover, which means that you can be lucky and see the northern lights even when it is cloudy.

If there is northern lights in the sky, you can see it from Thon Hotel Lofoten or from the centre of Svolvær. However, the best experience is out of the city centre, to places where there is no light pollution. A drive out to the outside, either to Hov on Gimsøya or to Laukvika, will allow you to experience the northern lights without light pollution and mountains blocking the view. Both locations are approximately 40 minutes by car from Thon Hotel Lofoten.

For organised northern lights experiences, you can join a guided northern lights tour with a photographer, watch the northern lights from a horseback, or take part in an exclusive northern lights hunt with the experienced northern lights hunter Odd-Petter Tanke Jensen.

Experience the Northern Lights in Narvik

Narvik is known for its modern development and the beautiful nature that surrounds the cityscape. Let yourself be enthralled by mountain peaks as high as nearly 1,900 metres, in great contrast to the peaceful Ofotfjord. The city is a great starting point for experiencing the Northern Lights in an urban setting.

In Narvik, you can stay at Thon Hotel Narvik, which is the nearest neighbour to Narvikfjellet. The hotel has a partnership with Narvikfjellet, which arranges tours to see the Northern Lights, called Lights at the Lodge. The tours take place from 21 December to 31 March. From here, you can experience the spectacular light phenomenon from the top of Narvik Mountain.

To get to Narvikfjellet, take the modern and newly built Gondolbanen. This will take you 656 metres above sea level - an experience in itself. After only 4 minutes in the Gondola, you will be welcomed by a guide who will take you on a fantastic experience of the Northern Lights. Feel the silence and enjoy the view of high mountains, deep fjords and a vibrant city. 

Northern Lights in Vesterålen

Located in Vesterålen, surrounded by fjords and mountains, Sortland is an ideal base for experiencing the Northern Lights. From September to April, the northern lights dance over the sky, and in Sortland you will experience nature’s own light show.

In the middle of Sortland – also known as “the blue town” – you will find Thon Hotel Sortland. The hotel is centrally located, close to both the fjord and mountains, and gives you the opportunity to enjoy the Northern Lights right outside your door.

If you want to get even closer to nature, it’s popular to go on Northern Lights hikes from Sortland. Whether you choose a guided trip to the mountains or a boat trip on the fjord, you’ll get the Northern Lights served without disturbance from the city’s lights.

The dark season in Vesterålen also offers magical sunsets. When the sun barely peeks out under the horizon, the sky is painted in shades from deep blue to pink and orange - a sight that leaves its mark and that many want to capture with the camera or just enjoy in silence.

Hotel in Harstad

In Harstad, there are excellent conditions for experiencing the northern lights, whether you visit one of the many viewpoints you can find in Harstad, or if you are lucky enough to see it dancing outside your hotel window at Thon Hotel Harstad.

To experience the Northern Lights, the hotel has collaborated with Aktiv Events, which takes larger groups on unforgettable trips. Among other things, there will be a photo safari where you will be taken to the most beautiful mountains, fjords and rivers on Hinnøya. Here you get good training in how to best capture the magic light on a camera. You can also visit their Northern Lights camp at Aunfjellet, where everything is set up to see the Northern Lights.

Aunfjellet is a quarter drive from Harstad and is perfect for those who want to experience the Northern Lights on their own. On Aunfjellet lies a small peak called Keipen, which is a popular hiking destination for both young and old, summer as well as winter. The best place to start a trip to Keipen is at the large car park on top of Aunfjellet. Getting to the top requires a relatively easy hike and offers fantastic views of the top. In winter, there will usually be ski tracks or trails to follow, as Keipen has mostly year-round visits.

See the Northern Lights from Andenes

Andenes is located at the very northern tip of Andøya and is the largest town in Andøy Municipality in Nordland. Here, the heavenly light flickers in the darkness from September all the way to April.

On Andenes, you will find Thon Hotel Andrikken. Here, all the rooms have been completely renovated and feature stunning northern lights photographs taken by a local photographer on Andøya. Right outside the hotel doors, guests can experience some of the most beautiful nature experiences in Norway. 

The lighthouse on Andenes is within walking distance of the hotel. Here it is dark enough to take beautiful photos of the Northern Lights, while the lighthouse and the sea are beautiful objects to immortalise together with the beautiful Northern Lights.

With a little drive, you have three beautiful viewpoints for the Northern Lights. Only 5 minutes behind the wheel from the hotel you can reach the mountain Ravnan. From the top, you can experience the Northern Lights at a distance from the city’s light sources and enjoy beautiful views of Bleik.

You can also drive to the viewpoint between Andenes and Bleik, which is also only a 5-minute drive from the hotel. Here you have the opportunity to have mountains and sea surrounded by the Northern Lights as a motif in the camera lens.

If you drive 10 minutes from the hotel, you will find Bleik Beach. Here, the Northern Lights are reflected in the water on the beach - a magical sight that should be captured on camera.

Andøya is also home to Northern Europe’s only Northern Lights research station, Andøya Space Centre. A visit to the Space Centre is a “must” for anyone who wants to learn more about the phenomenon of the Northern Lights. In addition, you can buy locally produced Northern Lights Soap from Dverberg as a souvenir for your loved ones.

Northern Lights Tromsø

In the middle of the Northern Lights Oval lies Tromsø, which is the area with the greatest chance of experiencing the Northern Lights. Nature’s own fireworks can be observed here from September to April. In Tromsø, we have two Hotels in the centre, Thon Hotel Polar and Thon Hotel Tromsø.

With a wide range of northern lights excursions in Tromsø, you’re sure to find something that suits you. Via Visit Tromsø, you can choose between two types of excursions: northern lights hunting or northern lights experiences.

During a northern lights hunt you will be accompanied by an experienced and knowledgeable guide to hunt the northern lights by car, bus, minibus or boat. The northern lights experience offers a little extra adventure during your Arctic visit. You can find an overview of activities at visittromso.no, where you can filter your way to the perfect experience for you.

For a panoramic view of Tromsø, you won't want to miss a trip up to Storsteinen with the Fjellheisen. Here you are 421 metres above sea level and have fantastic conditions to see the Northern Lights in winter. On top, you can also eat dinner based on local ingredients in the Fjellstua restaurant, or you can choose small dishes from a cafe menu.

Northern lights hunt

Alta has been called the Northern Lights City of Alta, and with good reason. The city has had a historical significance for the development of knowledge about the Northern Lights, and not least the conditions are ideal for experiencing the Northern Lights in the city. Thon Hotel Alta is located in Alta, which is a perfect starting point for exploring the city, the Northern Lights and the Arctic surroundings.

For the knowledge-thirsty, one can visit the Northern Lights Cathedral in close proximity to Thon Hotel Alta. In the basement of the cathedral you will find a beautiful, interactive centre filled with information about the Northern Lights. Here you can learn more about the scientist and northern lights scientist Kristian Birkeland, as well as learn more about facts and myths about the northern lights.

As darkness falls, there are several organised tours in Alta to experience the Northern Lights. One of the suppliers is Glød, which has more than ten years of experience as a northern lights hunter. If the weather doesn't promise good conditions for seeing the Northern Lights, they use their expertise and go where the Northern Lights are most likely to appear. However, it should be noted that there is no guarantee of seeing the Northern Lights.

A good viewing point for the Northern Lights is Komsatoppen and is well suited for those who do not necessarily want an organised tour. From the hotel, you can walk up to Komsatoppen in 45 minutes and enjoy a fantastic view of the entire city and the Northern Lights.

Northern Lights Kautokeino

Travel to Kautokeino, the land of the Sami, and experience the Northern Lights in winter. Kautokeino has a dry winter climate with a lot of clear weather, which gives great opportunities to see the beautiful light dancing in the sky.

Thon Hotel Kautokeino has put together several package deals to ensure that you as a guest have a memorable experience of the Northern Lights.

One of the package offers is northern lights hunting using reindeer and sled, snowmobile or ATV. It all depends on the conditions. If it’s late autumn, you can never say for sure whether there’s snow or barbs on the ground. The Sami saying “jahki ii leat jagi viellja” (one year is not the other year’s brother) describes this well, as last year’s weather in Kautokeino cannot predict the weather this year.

Under clear skies, there are opportunities to experience a spectacular light show, which can vary from light green to pink, violet and white - in a variety of shapes. Where the tour goes depends on where the guide believes there is the best chance of experiencing the fantastic phenomenon. On the way, guests will be served snacks and hot drinks.

Hotel in Hammerfest

Here, in the world’s northernmost city, are surrounded by a dramatic, untamed coastal landscape, sandy beaches and magnificent mountains, making the city a fantastic destination for unique experiences. Here you can stay at Thon Hotel Hammerfest, which is located in the centre of the city, with a view over the harbour. 

In Hammerfest, you can see the Northern Lights in the centre of the city, and thus from the hotel. If you live in a Superior or Business room, you may be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights dancing over the harbour from your room, or over your bed from the slanted roof window. 

However, the Northern Lights are brightest if you get away from the city light a little. For the best view of the city centre, take Sikksakkveien up to the viewpoint Salen, which takes just ten minutes up from Hammerfest centre. On arrival, you will encounter outstanding views of the city, Sørøysundet, the islands of Håja and Hjelmen and all the way out to Sørøya. Don't forget the camera on the trip, because from here you can capture fantastic subjects.

Northern Lights Kirkenes

Due to the city’s cold and dry winter climate, Kirkenes is one of the best cities in Norway to experience the Northern Lights. Thon Hotel Kirkenes offers a wide range of activities to experience the Northern Lights, together with their partners.

To experience the Northern Lights in Kirkenes, you can go on a husky tour, where you are carried up the mountain by the dogs. Another action-packed way to see the Northern Lights is to chase them from the snowmobile. If you feel best in the heat, the heated Aurora Express bus offers bus trips. The company operates routes where there is the greatest chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

At Thon Hotel Kirkenes, the Northern Lights can be seen from all superior rooms. If you eat dinner in the restaurant, you can see the Northern Lights dancing outside the large, beautiful windows. If you wish, the hotel has a northern lights alert. Put yourself on a list and the night receptionist will call you if the northern lights come.