Want to see the northern lights? Well, that’s a great idea. However, there is one subtlety – in this case, everything will depend on the weather and on your luck, of course. Nevertheless, it is really possible to increase your chances of meeting this unique natural phenomenon. And for this, it is enough to choose the right time, the right place and make the right route. Here is a 5 Days itinerary to see the Northern Lights in Norway.
We decided to help you with this task and made a sketch of the route along the northern part of Norway, where each city or village hides the northern lights from prying eyes, and then shows it to the most daring and patient tourists.
Day 1 – Tromsø
Tromsø, aka Northern Paris and the Gates of the Arctic, is considered one of the best places in the world to observe the northern lights. And although, as the locals say, in many ways it’s just a clever marketing technique and advertising, the percentage of successful trips to catch Aurora here approaches 90%.
What else to see in Tromsø?
You can take a walk along the bridge that connects the main historical part of Tromsø, located on the island, with the new mainland, .admire the world’s northernmost Arctic Cathedral (Hans Nilsens vei 41) with an avant-garde design in the form of ice floes and a bright stained glass window, which was especially good under the daytime sun, climb Storsteinen mountain by the Fjellheisen funicular (Solliveien 12). Funicular gondolas are called “Polar Bear” and “Fur Seal” and depart every half hour.
And the views that open from the observation deck on the mountain are really worth paying almost 200 NOK per person. The opportunity to look at the whole island in the night lights, climb higher up the mountain away from the light of the city in the hope of seeing the northern lights and just being alone with white snow and thousands of stars is definitely worth it.
Related: Northern Lights and Midnight Sun Skiing in Norway
Day 2 – Senja Island
This is not a tourist place – the Norwegians themselves, if they want to admire the breathtaking scenery and stare at the ocean from the top of the rocks, choose a trip to Senja Island. The landscapes here are in no way inferior to Lofoten and in many ways even superior: the mountains are taller and sharper, and the photos will go beyond the banal foreshortenings.
The advantage of the island lies in the diversity of the local landscapes: if the western part of the island is rocky, with crazy peaks and rock walls abutting the open ocean, then the eastern part is more gentle, with hills, lakes, deer and a national park. Almost the only way to get to Senja is to rent a car in Tromsø. From October to March, the snow-capped peaks look even more severe, and the northern lights dance almost every day in the sky.
Related: Alta – Town of the Northern Lights
Day 3 – Andenes
After exploring the island of Senha, you can head back to Lofoten in Andenes. Here you can book an excursion into the ocean, where you can see whales. During the tour, you will enjoy beautiful views of the Norwegian Sea and the island of Senja, as well as the Lofoten Islands. In the evening after dinner, do not give up the opportunity to listen to stories about the glorious Sigurd. The northern lights are very bright since there are no big cities nearby, which means that extraneous light will not interfere with the natural picture.
Day 4 – Henningsvær
Henningsvær is a small fishing village near Austvogey (island of the Lofoten archipelago), connected to it by a bridge. The indigenous population is a little over four hundred. Most of them are tourists who were attracted by the atmosphere of a fishing village and amazingly delicious seafood dishes. Henningsvær is a staging point between the main tourist destinations and the two largest islands. Travelers visit a secluded place for several hours in order to relax a bit, get acquainted with traditional cuisine and its dishes, enjoy the picturesque views and interesting architecture of the village.
Day 5 – Nusfjord
On the last day, make another discovery and visit the village of Nusfjord. Only twenty small houses – this is a real paradise for an introvert. And just one cafe where you can taste the food of maximum freshness – here you can be sure that the fish in your soup swam in seawater half an hour ago.
Related: Finnmark, Norway – The Best Place to Experience the Northern Lights
Nature here is so beautiful that you will surely amaze your friends on Instagram or Facebook. Well, if you want to take a picture of the northern lights, then you should definitely take a tripod with your camera and take pictures at long exposures.
5 Days Itinerary To See The Northern Lights In Norway – Conclusion
Hunting for the Northern Lights in Norway is a whole adventure that deserves to remain in your archives. After returning, be sure to write your story and share it with other travelers. Moreover, the best freelance writers from Online Writers Rating are always ready to help you to cope with this task.
5 Days Itinerary To See The Northern Lights In Norway is written for Daily Scandinavian by
by Frank Hamilton. Frank is a blogger and translator from Manchester. He is a professional writing expert in such topics as blogging, digital marketing and self-education. He also loves traveling and speaks Spanish, French, German and English.
All Northern Lights photos: Pixabay