If you’re looking for the best places to see the Northern Lights in Tromsø, you’ve come to the right place. Tromsø, with its breathtaking views, surrounded by stunning fjords and astonishing mountains, is the perfect place to witness the beautiful Aurora Borealis.
Tromsø has a lot to offer both in the summer- and wintertime. However, we chose our first trip to Tromsø to be during the winter because the Northern Lights had always been a big dream of mine.
There are many different ways and places to experience the Northern Lights around Tromsø. There are amazing Northern Lights chasing tours and stunning fjords not too far away from Tromsø offering clear skies and amazing views. However, in this article, I’ll be focusing on showing you the best places to see the Northern Lights within the city limits. Yes, it is possible to have an unforgettable Northern Lights experience without even leaving the city!
One last thing before I get to the point: while the Northern Lights are a truly unique phenomenon, they’re definitely not the only reason to visit Tromsø. Tromsø is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to, with or without the Northern Lights. So, even if you happen to visit Tromsø and don’t manage to see the Northern Lights (unfortunately, there’s always a slight possibility this might happen), I’m sure your visit to Tromsø will still be totally worth it.
The places I‘m about to share with you are all recommended by locals for being not only the best places to experience the Northern Lights in Tromsø but also overall amazing places for going on a walk or a hike and enjoying the beautiful views!
To be honest, we didn’t manage to see the Northern Lights from any of these places. And yet, we still loved them!
More on how and when we managed to see them I’ll share some other time.
1. Mount Storsteinen & Mount Fløya: Experience the Northern Lights and Enjoy the Most Beautiful City Views in Tromsø
All the locals we asked about the best places to experience the Northern Lights in Tromsø answered Mount Storsteinen & Mount Fløya without even hesitating.
Mount Storsteinen and Mount Fløya are Tromsø’s not-at-all-hidden gems. Mount Storsteinen rises at about 420 metres above sea level and is visible from almost every point in the city. One might wonder what’s more beautiful – the mount itself seen from the city or the view of the city once you get to the top.
A bit farther off, at about 640 metres above sea level, rises Mount Fløya. Both peaks offer stunning views of the city. At the same time, the city is far enough and the light pollution so little, that they are considered to be among the best places to see the Northern Lights in Tromsø.
Unfortunately, we didn’t see the Northern Lights from either Mount Storsteinen or Fløya because it was really cloudy that night. However, considering the stunning views of the city and the surrounding nature, I can only imagine how beautiful it would be with the Northern Lights in the scene!
How to get to Mount Storsteinen and Mount Fløya
The city is divided in two parts by water. The bigger part is Tromsøya island, connected to the mainland by an almost one-kilometre-long bridge. If you’re staying in the city centre (located on Tromsøya), it’s no more than 10 minutes by bus, or around a half-hour walk to the foot of the mountain, and you’ll have to go over the bridge to get there. We were staying another 20 minutes from the city centre, so the walk took us about 50 minutes. So worth it!
Tip: Don’t take the bus. Not because there is something wrong with public transportation in Tromsø, but because you’re going to miss out on Tromsø’s picturesque streets with charming houses, and all the beautiful views of Mount Storsteinen. Besides, the distances in Tromsø are not that big. Even if it’s winter and it’s cold outside, with the right equipment, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the walk. If you still decide to take the bus at some point, you can take a look at the Tromsø Route Map.
Once you reach the foot of Storsteinen, there are two options. You can get the cable car Fjellheisen and be at the top in 4 minutes. Or you can hike the Sherpatrappa (“the Sherpa steps”) and be there in about 30 to 60 minutes (depending on the season, how fit you are, or how many pictures of the scenery you take).
Tip: Skip the cable car to Mount Storsteinen at least in one direction, doesn’t matter up or down. We hiked up and then took the cable car down as it was already dark. The views from the top are amazing, but so are those on the way there. Don’t miss them because of the comfort of the cable car. Besides, what experience is more Norwegian than hiking in the mountains, right?
We chose to take the Sherpatrappa. There was so much snow that we actually didn’t get to see the stairs. It was quite steep and difficult to hike at some points, as it was pretty slippery (although we had bought snow grips!).
Halfway up to the top, the path splits in two. You can choose between a longer but slightly inclined path or a shorter but steeper one. We went for the shorter and steeper path, and although it was really challenging at times, it was totally worth it! With each step upward, the view became more and more stunning.
What to expect when you get there
When you get to Mount Storsteinen, an even more incredible panoramic view of the city unfolds. There is also a really nice café called Fjellstua at the top. Whether you’re looking to take a break from your hike, enjoy a warm drink, or wait for the clouds to scatter to see the Northern Lights – this place has you covered. They also have an amazing panoramic terrace for you to enjoy the beautiful view!
If you want to continue the hike to Mount Fløya, the only way to do it is on foot – there is no cable car to Fløya. Overall, the path is not steep, with the exception of one part which takes about 15 minutes to climb.
Tip: Although both Mount Storsteinen and Mount Fløya are absolutely worth it, I would rather recommend Mount Storsteinen for the stunning views of the city and Mount Fløya for “hunting” the Northern Lights as it is further from the city and the light pollution.
So, we hiked up to Mount Storsteinen and Mount Fløya hoping to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights, and although we didn’t manage to see them, the experience was, without a doubt, worth it. Mount Storsteinen is an absolute must when in Tromsø, and if you manage to see the Northern Lights, it would be the cherry on top.
2. Telegrafbukta: Observe the Northern Lights and Take in the Surrounding Fjords
Telegrafbukta, or Telegraph Bay, is located on the other side of the bridge on Tromsøya island, in Folkeparken. The bay reveals an incredible view of the surrounding fjords and islands. Locals consider it one of the best places to see the Northern lights in Tromsø.
Tip: It’s quite windy in Tromsø, especially if you go over the bridge on foot, or go to Telegrafbukta for that matter. It was so windy when we went to Telegrafbukta that I think it was one of the strongest winds I’ve ever experienced. It was almost impossible to stay still, let alone see something if I didn’t have the best protection!
One of the best protections against the harsh wind, aside from windproof clothing, happened to be sunglasses (unless you already wear glasses). Not only does the wind dry out your eyes, but when the wind’s blowing and it’s snowing at the same time, the snowflakes swirl into your eyes, making it almost impossible to see. So, my advice is – bring your sunglasses along. You might look a bit weird wearing sunglasses in the blowing snow, but at least you’ll feel comfortable.
From Telegrafbukta, you can see Kvaløya island, another favorite spot for locals to observe the Northern Lights or go on a hike in the weekend. In the park, you can also take a walk around the fairytale-like old houses, part of the open-air museum.
In fact, you could say that all the way to the bay is like an open-air museum. If you are walking from the city centre, it will take you about an hour to get to Telegrafbukta – an hour of some of the best city views I have ever seen. I have hardly seen anything more beautiful than the cute fairytale-like houses of Tromsø with Mount Storsteinen in the background. If I have, it was somewhere else in Norway, I guarantee you.
If you are planning to take the bus from the city centre, I once again discourage you from that. Walking around Tromsø’s picturesque streets is something you need to do.
Tip: Remember to bring your snow grips. You might need snow grips not only for Mount Storsteinen and Mount Fløya, but also for Tromsø’s steep streets. To be honest, while locals often run on the snow-covered steep streets of Tromsø wearing just their running shoes, since we aren’t locals and not all of us are experienced with such conditions, it’s good to be prepared.
3. Lake Prestvannet: See the Northern Lights in Tromsø and Enjoy a Beautiful Walk in Nature
Another favorite spot for locals to observe the Northern Lights or simply take a walk is Lake Prestvannet. Although it’s within the city, it’s located at the highest point of Tromsøya island, thus being relatively far from the lights of the city. It’s also surrounded by a wooded area, featuring a track and a nature trail. The trail is equally beautiful whether it’s all green and lush in summer or covered in snow in winter. One extra point for winter, though – the frozen lake is really popular for ice skating during the winter.
Tip: You know what Norwegians say – “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”. Good equipment isn’t necessarily expensive (mine wasn’t), but one rule of thumb is that it’s better to have several layers than only one thick layer. I would recommend that one of the layers is thermal underwear (a thermal blouse and leggings). Fleece hoodies are also a good idea.
If you’re walking from the city centre, it will take you about 30-40 minutes to get to Lake Prestvannet. As I’ve already said, the streets and houses of Tromsø alone are some of the most beautiful attractions. Simply walking around the city is a wonderful experience. You can also take the bus and then walk the last part, but, again, I recommend exploring the city on foot.
I think that you’ve already figured it out by now. Tromsø is an amazing city, and the Northern Lights are just the cherry on top. I hope this article has inspired you to plan your trip to Tromsø right away. And fingers crossed that you get to see the magnificent dance of Aurora Borealis!
Tip: When observing the Northern Lights (let’s hope you’ll manage!), what you see with the naked eye will be quite different from what you’re used to seeing in pictures and what you’ll catch in your own photos. Surprisingly, the Aurora Borealis actually appears brighter and even more beautiful in photos than in reality. The good news is that you don’t need a special camera to capture it. A smartphone can do the job just fine. Simply switch to manual mode and set the shutter speed to a longer exposure time. It’s typically between 10 to 30 seconds. This allows more light to enter the camera sensor, enhancing the visibility of the lights in the photos. It’s also a good idea to use a tripod to keep your camera or phone steady during these longer exposure times.
