But have no fear, as guides in Svalbard carry rifles to sound warning shots in case of close encounters. Given the latitude, sightings of the lights … DanCenter – your specialist in holiday homes in Norway, Norgesbooking – book your perfect cabin stay in Norway, Beitostølen – adventure and delight all year, {{title}} Some of the largest towns in Northern Norway (from south to north) are Mo i Rana, Bodø, Narvik, Harstad, Tromsø and Alta. To be able to see the lights clearly, you need a dark night sky, which means the summer months are largely ruled out, as, during this season, the sun may not set at all in northern areas of Norway. The people of Northern Norway stand at the ready to help travellers achieve the dream of seeing the Northern Lights. +354 578 20 80 However, orcas aren’t the only exciting sea dwelling mammal hanging out here. The aurora appears as lights in the sky produced when atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere are hit by high energy electrons. The best place to see the Aurora Borealis dance across the sky is inside the Arctic Circle. The aurora occurs above the altitude of clouds. We have built up an extensive range of trusted and knowledgeable Aurora guides, photographers and experts throughout Northern Scandinavia and combined with our 6-point Aurora hunting plan, we are quite simply your best chance for seeing the Northern Lights. Hungry for a taste of Arctic Norway? Without further ado…. Important information about. Flight, hotel and rental car. Here's what our travel consultants recommend: We’ve mentioned it before, but dog sledding is amazing, and after a rollicking trip through the snow, many trips will incorporate a diversion to a lavvu (a Sami tent) — a traditional tent used by the native Sami people of northern Scandinavia, where you can warm up with a hot drink and some local fare. This video will explain the fascinating details of the northern lights. Planning your trip will help you get what you want and find the experiences you wish for. Kirkenes is a tiny town right near the Russian border, and is right in the heart of northern lights territory. The darkest nights and very short days are observed during this period, i.e. Along with being the capital of the Arctic, Tromsø is also considered the ‘Paris of the North’, and this is primarily because it is the cultural hub of the region. The most important factor in seeing the lights is good weather and complete darkness. The Aurora can occur in any number of colours, though the most common is the pale ethereal greens and pinks. Why is the aurora more visible on cold nights? Where on earth are the top places to see the northern lights? {{:price}} Between late September and late March, Northern Norway is dark from early afternoon until late morning, and the northern lights frequently soar across the sky. But our bold claim is that Northern Norway definitely is amongst the most comfortable and interesting places to see the lights, as hundreds of thousands of people live in this huge geographical area, offering a variety of hotels and activities to keep you busy. For fast-paced activities like snowmobiling, you need even more clothes. 2017 was considered the peak – the point at … Basically, Northern Lights are seen in northern latitudes, above the Arctic Circle. Go cross-country skiing through the alpine forests, or try your hand at snowshoeing, and feel like an Arctic explorer. The aurora appears where beams of high energy electrons penetrate the upper atmosphere. :pricing}} - In Northern Norway, spectacular experiences await. The majority of Northern Lights tours start in the largest arctic hub in Norway, Tromso. If you’re only going to be hanging out in Oslo during your trip, your chances will be drastically reduced. Here’s a serving of the region’s deliciously diverse culinary culture. You can go to Norway for the Northern Lights from late September to late March. However, don’t be surprised if you see flashes of red, blue and even violet. Here’s a glimpse into the Arctic north in winter. In this post, we don’t go into all of the countries listed above. When solar … When is the best time to see the Northern Lights? Northern Norway during the polar night is therefore your best bet for experiencing the northern lights. Where is the best place to see the northern lights? So if you’re headed on a trip to the celebrated fjords, mountains and snowscapes of Norway, with a desire to see the legendary aurora borealis, we’ve listed the best times of year and the best places to see the northern lights. It’s poetry in motion. However, the receiving terminal, offshore pipeline, and the umbilical to the offshore template will be built to accommodate the additional volumes. The weather in Norway is actually milder than you’d expect (i.e. What is the best time to see the northern lights? Small Ship with 12 guests. You can give yourself the best chance possible by choosing a calendar month and a geographical area that will stack the odds in your favour. Check out these great aurora tours in Norway to make that happen. The northern light appears in a belt, or an oval, which is situated above the Earth in a regular position in relation to the sun. Our bold claim is that this part of Norway, with its multiple islands, deep fjords and steep mountains, is among the most beautiful and interesting places to see the northern lights. However, you will need to pack for the winter. In September, the sun sets at around 8pm in Tromsø and the Lofoten area. When solar activity increases, the northern lights can also be seen further south in Norway. As the beams move, the aurora moves. {{preprice}} 110 Reykjavík To see the Northern Lights in action, visit Alta in Norway, Saariselkä in Finnish Lapland, Murmansk in Russia, Abisko is Sweden and Akureyri in Iceland. Of course, to achieve this, you need to be lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. What is the aurora? The phenomenon occurs near the magnetic poles, so along with the aurora borealis, there is also the southern aurora australis (though you have to be in the much-harder-to-reach Antarctica in order to see it properly!). Complete darkness and zero light pollution are essential for seeing the northern lights in their full glory, so stick to the smaller towns for a good chance at a sighting. The lights will usually be visible over mainland Northern Norway during the night and over Svalbard during the daytime. This tranquil archipelago is famous for its sheer mountains and quaint fishing villages, and it’s a popular port for coastal cruises. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are a natural phenomenon that can be seen in the night sky in wintertime in the grand north. You’ll also want time to experience some unique excursions in the snow. It would be silly to dedicate a whole article to seeing the northern lights without doing a little sum up of what exactly this natural phenomenon is. Our ambition is to expand capacity by an additional 3.5 million tonnes to a total of 5 million tonnes, dependent on market demand. Chase the Aurora Borealis, aka, 'The Northern Lights,' through Norway's Arctic skies on this small-group adventure from Tromso. However, Aurora borealis has its climax when the weather is cold and dry, usually from December. Many are fascinated by the aurora borealis, but few know the science and myths related to the natural light show in the sky. Windows: Download NorwayLights. As an Arctic city, you can live out all your winter fantasies here, such as racing through the snow-strewn landscape on a snowmobile, or on a dog sled or reindeer sleigh. But I'm a big believer in creating your own luck. As such a major hub for the northern region of Norway, it is likely you’ll be passing through Tromsø at some point. For most excursions, like a snowmobile safari, you will be provided with gear. The Northern Lights in Norway, or the Aurora Borealis, is one of the most beautiful sights in the world, considered one of nature’s miracles, but actually just the laws of science putting on a spectacular show. We recommend that you spend at least 3-4 days to see the northern lights, though the more time the better. Symbols linked to the northern lights are for instance found on the Sami shamanistic drum. If you have doubts where you can see the Northern Lights in Norway for sure, here's a list of top places in this country, perfect for aurora hunting. The Northern Lights project comprises transportation, receipt and permanent storage of CO₂ in a reservoir in the northern North Sea. Secret Atlas – Svalbard and Northern Norway. - On thin ice TRAVEL ALERT! You’ll find it in Northern Norway. If you’re in Svalbard, you may even spot the remarkable polar bear! Your shoes should have rubber soles as this is less slippery than plastic. There are also city attractions to explore, like the Tromsø University Museum, the striking Arctic Church and the Polaria, an Arctic aquarium. Situated halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, a visit here is one to remember. On organized snowmobile tours, you will be provided with a thermal suit and suitable boots, gloves, and headgear. {{?}} Bodø is one of the southernmost places in Norway to view the Northern Lights The best vantage point when visiting Bodø… Countries such as Iceland, Norway, Finland, Russia (Siberia), and Northern Canada are all known to be Aurora hotspots. View Map. Flight, hotel and rental car, Secret Atlas – the authentic way to explore Svalbard, The locals’ best tips to see the northern lights, Meet the people who watch aurora for a living, 5 must-see places above the Arctic Circle. But never take the northern lights for granted. We'd love to give you the same amazing travel experiences as you read about in our blog! Iceland is Open | Travel update (Covid-19) | Book & Travel With Confidence, Iceland We didn’t see the Northern Lights in Alta, but it is one of the most popular places for where to … Here’s where it gets really interesting: When the particles meet the Earth’s magnetic shield, they are led towards an oval around the magnetic North Pole where they interact with the upper parts of the atmosphere, the layers of ozone, oxygen, and other stuff that protect the earth. Interested in learning more about aurora’s origin? Toggling to another language will take you to the matching page or nearest matching page within that selection. Get the most out of your Arctic experience with these tips and tricks for staying warm and capturing the perfect aurora image. Read our top tips on how to take pictures of northern lights – where to go, what camera settings to use, and how to get the most out of your smartphone. Typically, an ideal amount of time within the Arctic Circle is around 8-10 days. This belt, also known as the 'aurora zone', covers several Scandinavian and Nordic destinations, including Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Greenland... and Norway. Why does the aurora move? Experience shows that the northern lights shine most often and strongest a few hours before and after midnight. Enjoy excursions to nearby colourful fishing villages and — our favourite — spas and saunas designed to banish the chill of the winter air. The northern light appears in a belt, or an oval, which is situated above the Earth in a regular position in relation to the sun. However, you will see it in October, November, December, January and February as well. Take a hike around the clock at Senja, dive into Blåisvatnet lake, or simply kick back and enjoy the majestic scenery at Andøya. The locals who grew up with the magic, reveal their secret spots and viewpoints. That means getting yourself close to the 'Northern Lights Belt', which at 65 to 72 degrees north in latitude, lurks just inside the Arctic Circle. Its appearance and intensity are controlled by the sun’s activity and its location depends on the earth’s magnetic field. Keep your eyes peeled for moose, Arctic fox, white-tailed eagles and reindeer. Otherwise, there are leisurely cruises from here around the spectacular fjords that line the rugged coast of northern Norway. European Countries Where It’s Rare to See the Northern Lights. If you’d rather a pastime that is not quite so energy heavy, go ice fishing, a sport best done with a hot drink in hand! If you’re cruising up the coast of Norway, this provides you with a perfect opportunity to duck in and out of the little fishing villages and towns that cluster along the fjords. iPhone: Download NorwayLights The main feature of these hotels is the location: Northern Norway, … Some will tell you that the driest weather and the clearest sky is found inland, but that isn’t always true. That means getting yourself close to the 'Northern Lights Belt', which at 65 to 72 degrees north in latitude, lurks just inside the Arctic Circle. The Northern Lights project is part of the Norwegian full-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) project. You can often see the northern lights between 6 pm and 1 am, but the frequency tends to be highest between 22 and 23 pm. If you think the northern lights look beautiful up in the sky, imagine seeing the flickering lights reflected in the sea. not freeze-your-nose-off temperatures) thanks to the Gulf Stream, but as you’ll be heading to the Arctic Circle in the colder months, expect the average temperatures to hover around -5 to 6°C (23-43°F). Maximize your chances to see the northern lights—notoriously difficult to find and photograph—in this guided tour from Tromso. Bíldshöfði 20 {{price}} {{:postprice}}{{postprice}}{{/}} Northern Norway, in particular, is prime aurora-spotting territory. However, we cannot see them in daylight, so it is necessary to travel during the darker months in order to see them properly. {{/}} Cruise Critic's guide to Northern Lights cruises in the Arctic Circle. For a better user experience please enable localStorage or use a different browser. To visit the destinations and attractions mentioned in this post - and to discover a few new highlights along the way - check out these recommended Nordic Visitor tours. In Northern Norway, we always remove several layers of clothing when we go inside to avoid getting cold when we go back outside. The Northern Lights extend from 50 miles to 400 miles above the earth’s surface. Instead of watching the northern lights from the ground, NASA offers a different perspective on this natural wonder, thanks to a film with incredible images. Alta. Here are some of Northern Norway’s hot spots. The northern lights are strongest when an active area on the sun’s surface faces Earth. For that sight, head to the Lofoten Islands. The lights will usually be visible over mainland Northern Norway during the night and over Svalbard during the daytime. Lights holiday company a snowmobile safari is exhilarating ; you can race the! 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