Witnessing the Northern Lights in Tromsø is one of the most unforgettable travel experiences in the world. Known as the “Gateway to the Arctic,” Tromsø is one of the best places on Earth to see the magical aurora borealis dancing across the winter sky.
Here’s everything you need to know about how exactly to plan and book your Northern Lights tour in Tromsø: from the best time to visit to how to reserve your experience easily with Best Arctic, one of Tromsø’s most trusted tour operators.
Why choose Tromsø for your Northern Lights adventure
Located above the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway, Tromsø offers an ideal combination of accessibility, comfort, natural beauty, mixed with culture and city life at the same time. The city is surrounded by fjords, mountains, and open skies, giving visitors countless opportunities to spot the Northern Lights from late September to early April.
Unlike other remote destinations, Tromsø is easy to reach, with many direct flights during winter time from major European cities and offers a wide range of hotels, restaurants, and cultural attractions. You can enjoy urban comfort while being just minutes away from Arctic wilderness and pure nature. It’s the perfect setting for your Northern Lights tour in Tromsø.
Best Arctic: Your trusted Northern Lights tour provider
When it comes to Northern Lights tours in Tromsø, Best Arctic stands out as a reliable and experienced provider. With years of expertise in Arctic travel, Best Arctic offers well-organized, comfortable, and sustainable tours designed to give you the highest possible chance of seeing the aurora.
Our guides are all English-speaking (among many other languages) experts, all living in Tromsø, knowing the best viewing spots based on real-time weather and solar activity. They all are trained to check the best spots to see the northern lights, as well as to take photos of you during the tours, with the northern lights in the background.
These photos can then later on be downloaded for free from our website (standard quality, good enough for social media).
You’ll also travel in modern and warm vehicles (mini-buses or big buses to up 45 people) that ensure both comfort and safety during the chase for the lights. Whether you’re a solo traveler, couple, or group, Best Arctic in Tromsø has the Northern Lights experience that you are looking for.
When to book Your Northern Lights tour in Tromsø
The Northern Lights season in Tromsø typically runs from late September to early April. The darkest months (from November to February) offer the longest nights and best conditions for aurora viewing. However, September and March can also be great, especially for photography enthusiasts, since the lights often appear against beautiful twilight skies.
To secure your spot, it’s best to book your Northern Lights tour in advance — ideally a few weeks before your trip. Tromsø is a popular destination, and tours often sell out quickly, especially during peak winter months.
How to book a Northern Lights tour
Booking a Northern Lights tour in Tromsø with Best Arctic is simple and convenient. We recommend you book your tour well ahead of time, via our website. We suggest either our Aurora Safari Minibus tour or our Aurora Safari by big bus to private camps.
Here’s how to do it step by step:
- Book online well ahead before your trip to Norway, via our website, to guarantee your spot.
Reserve online via www.bestarctic.com to explore their full range of tours. - Choose your Northern Lights tour.
Our Aurora Safari Minibus is a small-group adventure on a mini-bus with place for up to 14 people, with a small meal incldued, whereas our Aurora Safari Chase by big bus drives you to an exclusive private camp, where you can warm inside, with toilets available and a small meal included. - Select your preferred date and time
Availability can vary depending on the season, so check which dates work best for your trip. - Book securely online
Complete your booking through our secure online system. You’ll receive a confirmation email with all necessary details about meeting points, what to bring, and what to expect. - Prepare for your adventure
Dress warmly in layers, bring your camera (though our tour include photos of you), and get ready for this adventure.
What to expect on your Northern Lights tour
Your Northern Lights tour with Best Arctic begins with checking at so you can get your tour bracelet at Prostneset Bus Terminal, in the city center. When the time comes, our team will call everyone and you will then get on a comfortable pickup bus (or mini-bus, according to the chosen tour). Our expert guides have already checked the weather before the tour, but they will nonetheless monitor it, as well as the solar forecasts, to take you to the best possible locations for viewing the aurora.
During the journey, guides share fascinating insights about the science and myths behind the Northern Lights. Both our tours also include warm drinks, snacks, a small meal, free photos of you taken by our guides but also help with night photography if you want to take your own pictures, ensuring you capture the perfect memory of the green skies.
If by the start of your tour, weather conditions don’t seem ideal, don’t worry. Best Arctic’s guides are professionals at finding clear skies to maximize your chances of success, and they will do their best. Their goal is to make sure every guest leaves with a magical Northern Lights experience.
In the case you don’t see any northern lights during your tour, you can always join the tour again on the next available date/ spot with 25% discount.
Why book with Best Arctic?
Choosing Best Arctic means more than just booking a tour: it means choosing quality, safety, and local knowledge from Tromsø. Our team’s passion for the Arctic, the nature and dedication to responsible tourism makes us one of the top choices for Northern Lights tours in Tromsø.
With comfortable transport, experienced guides, local bus drivers that know the area and a commitment to sustainability, Best Arctic ensures that your aurora experience is not just unforgettable, but also environmentally friendly.
