Let me begin by explaining that the solar activity causing the Northern Lights follows an approximately 11-year cycle. In 2024 and early 2025, solar activity reached an absolute peak, resulting in an extraordinary abundance of Northern Lights, even at lower latitudes. And the sun currently being in a full-on rampage mode, promises high-times for Northern Lights enthousiasts.
In fact, I've lost count of how many times I've observed the phenomenon from my own kitchen window over the past year (I live next to the capital Oslo). Therefore, in this article, I'd like to offer some great tips for those planning to chase the Northern Lights and why the best time to see the Northern Lights in Norway is in fact in 2025.
No Guarantees: Luck is your best friend
The Solar Cycle
As I mentioned earlier, there's a notorious cycle at play. The peak I witnessed in 2024 will gradually diminish over the coming years. You can expect the absolute best opportunities in the early spring of 2025 within the next 11-year cycle. If you're planning to travel to Norway in the winter of 2025 to pursue the Northern Lights, I recommend heading to the far north. The further north, the better.
The Weather
When planning your trip to northern Norway, weather becomes a crucial consideration. Autumn and spring tend to be more turbulent compared to mid-winter. Fortunately, spring in the high north arrives fashionably late, giving you essentially until April before the first signs of spring emerge. However, as previously noted, luck remains your most important companion. It's entirely possible that cloud cover might persist throughout your entire visit. This is precisely why it's essential to plan alternative activities in case the Northern Lights prove elusive.
Solar Activity
The most effective method for tracking solar activity is the free My Aurora Forecast app, available for both Android and Apple. This ingenious tool alerts you when Northern Lights probability increases in your location and makes remarkably precise estimations based on cloud coverage. Chances are there when the KP index marks 3 or higher. Ensure you enable notifications!
I was asleep
The greatest chance of witnessing the Northern Lights often occurs when you're least expecting it. I mean that you're likely to be engaged in another activity when these colourful curtains suddenly grace the sky. Perhaps you'll be cooking dinner, or indeed, fast asleep. Each occurrence varies naturally. Sometimes the display might last several hours, while other times it might be fleeting - mere minutes. Once again, luck plays an extraordinarily significant role.
The Location: Where Should You Go?
It's fundamentally important to distance yourself from excessive light pollution such as street lamps or urban illumination. To observe the sky effectively, you'll need to venture beyond city limits or seek elevated locations.
Tromsø
As previously mentioned, your chances improve the further north you travel. Tromsø represents an excellent choice. It's a small yet incredibly charming town. During my first visit, I was particularly struck by the openness of its northern inhabitants. In my opinion, northerners are considerably more sociable and approachable compared to their southern counterparts. The town boasts numerous delightful restaurants, bars, and coffee shops that transform your stay into a warm embrace - crucial when temperatures plummet.
A minor drawback of Tromsø is its touristic nature. While I wouldn't characterise it as a tourist trap, the abundance of souvenir shops and the extensive array of Northern Lights safaris can feel somewhat overwhelming, or underwhelming if you please. However, it remains an ideal solution if you'd prefer not to rent a car. You can simply book a trip and have yourself driven to a nice and dark location for the most optimal views of the northern polar sky. A little bonfire will be lit, and you will be wearing a thermo-suit keeping you nice and warm throughout the evening.
Trondheim
Given that we're currently experiencing the peak of the solar cycle, Trondheim is worth considering. While Northern Lights opportunities might be slightly reduced, you'll have access to a magnificent city absolutely worth spending several days exploring. There's more than enough to occupy yourself with, which makes any potential Northern Lights absence more palatable. In fact, Trondheim is renowned as Norway's culinary capital, housing an extraordinary number of exceptional restaurants within its city limits.
If I were to relocate immediately, Trondheim would be my instant destination - considerably more convivial and beautiful than Oslo. Several locations offer excellent sky views, such as Gråkallen, Korsvika, or Festningen (though the latter is only suitable during high KP index conditions). If you're seeking a unique accommodation, I warmly recommend reading my article about Stokkøya. Consider spending a few days in Trondheim itself, then completely unwind at Stokkøya. Moreover, it's extraordinarily dark there - excellent conditions for sky watching.
Andøya
You needn't limit yourself to cities. You could immerse yourself in Norway's extraordinary wilderness to witness the Northern Lights. Naturally, your options are endless. However, I highlight Andøya specifically because it's an exceptional location for whale watching. Between October and January, substantial numbers of whales and orcas congregate, feeding on the immense food resources in Arctic waters. Embark on a boat trip and bring your binoculars - this is genuinely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Additionally, it's perfect for various winter activities: ice fishing, cross-country skiing, enjoying a delightful sauna, and fishing opportunities. I'd confidently assert this represents a genuine "Norway in a nutshell" experience, mercifully free from clichés!
Finnmark
As I've written in previous articles, I've developed a slight infatuation with Finnmark. It's Norway's most sparsely populated province, feeling genuinely like a frontier, with Russia as the next door neighbour. It's so remote that even the smallest villages possess an airfield because distances are frequently too vast to traverse conventionally.
If you wish to completely immerse yourself in arctic life, I enthusiastically recommend exploring the Varanger region and consider a stay either at the Varanger Lodge or the Varanger View. It's not your typical holiday destination, but I promise you this will be an experience you'll never forget. So bloody beautiful. And, naturally, this region provides exceptional Northern Lights viewing opportunities.