Northern Lights Norway: Our Magical 10-Day Anniversary Adventure
- Ankitha
- Jul 17, 2019
- 10 min read
Updated: Sep 23
For our fourth wedding anniversary, we wanted to do something unforgettable. Instead of a beach or a city break, we chose something wild, wintry, and out of the ordinary—a 10-day trip across Scandinavia. Since so many of you have been asking about our Northern Lights
Norway experience, I decided to start with a detailed post about Norway, the country where we saw the lights dance across the Arctic sky.
Most people thought we were a little crazy for visiting Norway in the middle of winter. But we adore snowy adventures, frosted landscapes, and cozy evenings in. There is nothing more dreamy than watching pastel skies and snow-capped mountains through the window. Even though our itinerary was short—just 4 nights in Norway—it gave us a magical glimpse of Arctic life, with most of our time spent in Tromsø and Oslo. One day, we hope to go back in summer to experience the fjords and midnight sun, but for this trip, our focus was crystal clear: chasing the aurora.
Norway Northern Lights Itinerary
If you’re planning your own Norway Northern Lights itinerary, here’s a snapshot of what we did:
Exploring Fjords and arctic Landscapes around the Arctic Circle Norway
Oslo city wanderings
Each day had its own charm, from city walks to snow-filled adventures, but of course, the highlight was finally witnessing the aurora borealis.
Best Time to See Northern Lights in Norway
One of the first questions I get is: When is the best time to see Northern Lights in Norway?
The truth is—it depends on what kind of experience you want. We went in late November, which isn’t considered peak aurora season, but it was the only time we could travel. We took a chance, and it worked out beautifully.
If your main goal is to see the lights, I’d recommend traveling between late December and late January, when the nights are longest, the skies are darkest, and your chances of spotting auroras are much higher. Of course, you can see them until March, but the earlier months offer the most dramatic displays.
Flights and Visa Information
We would have loved to take Norway’s scenic trains, but with just over a week to cover multiple countries, we opted to fly. Flights within Scandinavia are quick and reliable, though in winter you need to account for occasional delays.
A Schengen visa is required for Norway. Indians and many other nationals must apply in advance, while citizens of EU and select countries can enter visa-free. If you’re traveling from Dubai or elsewhere in the Middle East, check the nearest VFS office for processing details.
Language in Norway
The official language is Norwegian, but like in most Scandinavian countries, you’ll find that almost everyone speaks excellent English. This made getting around, asking questions, and booking tours super easy.
Travel Insurance and Currency
As with all Schengen countries, travel and medical insurance is mandatory for entry. This gives peace of mind, especially when venturing into Arctic conditions.
The local currency is the Norwegian Krone (NOK). Norway is largely cashless, so we mostly used cards for payments. Carrying a small amount of cash is helpful for smaller shops or emergencies.
Where We Stayed in Tromsø and Oslo
This trip marked my husband’s very first hostel experience! While he now prefers hotels, back then our options were limited by budget.
Tromsø: We stayed at Enter Backpack Hostel, centrally located near grocery stores and the city center. It had a spacious kitchen and bath, which made hostel life much easier.
Oslo: We stayed at Anker Hostel, chosen mainly for its proximity to train and bus stops. It was convenient and gave us easy access to the city center.
Costs and Getting Around
Tromsø is compact—you can easily explore the city on foot. Just be sure to pack solid winter shoes with a good grip, because sidewalks are not always cleared.
Like most of Scandinavia, Norway is expensive. Expect to pay around €10–15 for a vegetarian meal in Tromsø. To save costs, we cooked simple meals in the hostel kitchen.
Public transport is reliable, but for excursions like fjord tours or the Tromsø Northern Lights tour, it’s easier to book with local operators.
LOCAL GUIDES FOR YOUR ARCTIC ADVENTURE!
Planning an Arctic adventure can be overwhelming, but with the right local expertise, your journey to the land of snow, ice, and auroras can become a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
As a seasoned travel curator and expert in offbeat destinations, I specialize in crafting tailored Arctic itineraries that take the guesswork out of your Northern Lights adventure.
Vegan and Vegetarian Food in Norway
Being vegetarians, we carried some ready-to-eat food with us—an absolute lifesaver since winter nights made us want to stay in. When we ate out, we stuck to pizzerias, burger joints, and international chains that offered vegetarian options. Larger cities like Oslo had more variety, but in Tromsø, choices were limited.
If you’re vegan, Norway is catching up with plant-based trends, but it’s always good to carry snacks for day tours.
What to Pack for Chasing Northern Lights
If you’re planning to spend long nights outdoors in subzero temperatures, packing wisely is essential. Here’s what helped us survive our Tromsø Northern Lights tour:
Waterproof pants
Thick insulated jackets (bring two if possible)
Fleece layers
Shawl or thermal scarf
Beanies and ear protection
Thermal gloves and socks
Solid trekking shoes with winter grip
Layers are everything—think warmth, comfort, and the ability to adjust as you move.
Tromsø: Gateway to the Arctic Circle Norway
Our first stop was Tromsø, often called the gateway to the Arctic. Located 69° North, it sits right in the Arctic Circle Norway region, making it one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Norway. Despite having just 75,000 inhabitants, Tromsø buzzes with cultural spots, cozy cafés, and Arctic adventures.
We arrived late at night, so our first morning was slow and cozy. After coffee and croissants from the café across the street, we wandered around Tromsø’s streets, visiting local art galleries, churches, and glass-blowing studios.
Tip: In winter, daylight lasts only about 5 hours, so plan your activities early.
If you have more time, you could also check out:
Fjellheisen Cable Car for panoramic views
The Ice Hotel of Tromsø, a magical (but pricey) Arctic experience
The Polar Museum, which documents Norway’s polar exploration history (we skipped it due to its focus on hunting)
Our Tromsø Northern Lights Tour
The highlight of our trip was, of course, chasing the aurora. After plenty of research, I booked with Chasing Lights, one of Tromsø’s most reputable tour operators. They offered both private and bus tours. We chose the bus tour with around 25 people—it was fun, well-organized, and professional.
Here’s how it worked:
We got a confirmation email with instructions to meet at Tromsø’s Tourist Information Office at 5:45 PM.
The guides gave us an update on the aurora forecast for the night. They were honest—it might be cloudy or clear, but no promises.
We packed our own dinner and layered up. The tour included hot chocolate and cookies, which made the wait sweeter.
The first stop gave us a faint glimpse of green lights dancing in the sky. Beautiful, yes—but we wanted more. Our guides, determined to find clearer skies, drove further into the wilderness. And then it happened.
The sky erupted into shimmering waves of green, stretching diagonally across the horizon. Slowly, hints of purple shimmered through. Cameras clicked, people gasped, and silence filled the air as nature put on its greatest show.
This is what “Northern Lights Norway” really means—an unforgettable dance of the universe.
No photo, no article, no video prepares you for the magic of seeing the aurora in real life. And the best part? Every night is different—shapes, colors, and intensity change constantly. Sometimes faint, sometimes powerful, but always mesmerizing.
Our guides insisted on driving further.. so off went. After about a half hour drive, we stopped at an even more secluded place. Pitch black. Nothing but the sound of flashing cameras. As we were setting up our tripods, the lights started to intensify.. the greens became brighter and the long stretches of lights started to fill up the sky diagonally.
Lo and behold. The Aurora aka the dance of the universe. As amazing as the lights look in pictures, nothing prepares you for seeing them in person.. especially the excitement when you catch a glimpse of the first tiny little movement in the sky. INCREDIBLE.
You see the pictures. You read the Science behind it. You research for months about where you wanna go to catch it... but when you finally see it (and brave the -20C weather) it leaves you spellbound. The weather prediction was wrong and we totally lucked out with mother nature. Lady aurora put on a great show for us, nearly covering the whole sky and showing us what the Northern Lights are all about.
Did you know that Aurora is the latin word for “dawn” and refers to the Roman goddess Aurora? Borealis is greek for “north winds”. What is fascinating is that Aurora actually occur throughout the day but can only be seen with naked eye at night.
It's not necessarily bad that the lights won't look like the pictures you've seen. That's the fascinating part.. every night the sky is different and it glows differently. They are all spectacular in their own way. Sometimes you may feel there is not much going on in the sky but just wait until your camera captures the magic. You never know what color or shape you're going to see.
After a stunning night and braving the intensely crazy weather, we were dropped off at our hostel at around 1 a.m.
Snowshoeing in Tromsø
The next day, we joined a snowshoeing tour with Tromsø Outdoor. After a night of chasing auroras, this activity was relaxing and restorative. It lasted just over two hours and included shoes, poles, and a guide. With only four others in the group, it felt almost private.
Walking across untouched snow, we admired ski tracks winding up the mountain and ombre winter sunsets painting the horizon. Snowshoeing is simple to learn and perfect if skiing isn’t your thing but you still want to enjoy the outdoors.
That is the beauty of snow-shoeing, you can just move at your own pace and take in all the sights. We got to the top in about hour and half.. stopped to take in the great views of the city.
If skiing is not your thing but you still want to get away from the crowds and the city, you should definitely consider doing this. It's a lot like hiking but you will be walking in more snowy landscapes but with equally stunning views. It's also real simple to learn and any one ages 2 to 50 can do it.
Exploring Arctic Fjords
We couldn’t leave Tromsø without seeing Norway’s famous fjords. For this, we booked a tour with Wandering Owl, a company known for immersive nature trips.
The journey took us through quiet villages, frozen lakes, and sweeping valleys. The Arctic landscapes were stunning—serene, powerful, and unforgettable. A snowstorm cut our trip short, but not before we witnessed a completely frozen lake. The Arctic has a way of making even the shortest moments epic.
As luck would have it, we had a severe snow storm later in the day. In the meantime, we got to munch on delicious homemade treats and sandwiches as we waited for the weather to clear. However, it never got better so our trip was cut short since we had to drive back to the city in the storm not before a trip to a completely frozen lake.. freezing but oh, so worth it!
Oslo: A Capital with a Cozy Vibe
After four days in Tromsø, we flew to Oslo for the last leg of our Norway Northern Lights itinerary. Unlike Tromsø, Oslo was about festive lights, urban walks, and soaking in city vibes.
Instead of doing only the main attractions, we chose a quieter experience—walking the
Akerselva River Trail. The 5-mile path takes you past old mills, waterfalls, and the stunning Beier Bridge. With few people around, it felt like our own secret escape.
By evening, we wandered back into the city to admire Christmas lights before preparing for our flight back to Dubai the next morning.
Sami Culture Norway
One thing we wish we had added to our itinerary was a deeper dive into Sami culture Norway. The Indigenous Sami people have lived in Arctic Norway for centuries, and their traditions—from reindeer herding to storytelling—are a vital part of the region’s heritage.
Many tours in Tromsø and Lofoten include reindeer sledding, cultural performances, and meals around a traditional lavvu tent. Next time we visit, this will be high on our list.
Lofoten Islands Northern Lights (Future Plans)
While Tromsø is the most popular aurora destination, another magical spot is the Lofoten Islands Northern Lights region. With its jagged peaks, fishing villages, and dramatic coastlines, Lofoten offers a different backdrop for the aurora. We didn’t make it this time, but it’s firmly on our bucket list for the future.
Final Thoughts
Norway gave us exactly what we came for—the aurora borealis in all its glory. If you’re planning your own trip, remember:
Give yourself at least 3–4 nights in Tromsø for the best chance of sightings.
Book a reliable Tromsø Northern Lights tour instead of going on your own.
Pack layers, snacks, and patience—nature has its own timeline.
Explore beyond the lights—fjords, snowshoeing, Oslo walks, and even Sami culture Norway will enrich your trip.
Costs in Norway vary depending on where you’re flying from, where you stay, and how many tours you book. But one thing is constant—the experience is priceless.
So, if you’ve been dreaming about Northern Lights Norway, take the leap. No photo or story truly does it justice—you have to stand under the Arctic sky and see the universe dance for yourself.
Drop your comments below and show some love. Feel free to shoot me an email with your feedback.
Cheers,
Anki
To explore more European destinations, be sure to check out other blogs for additional insights.
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