Tromso Northern Lights Tours: 10 Unique Ways to See the Aurora (+ My Tips!)
Beautiful ribbons of green dancing in a starry night sky against a backdrop of fjords and frozen landscapes: this is what you can expect when you come to see the Northern lights in Tromsø.
But Tromsø offers so much more than just the chance to see the famous aurora borealis: it’s a vibrant, buzzy city of more than 70,000 people. It’s nicknamed the “Paris of the North” partly for its cultural scene, but also because it’s practically a megapolis around these sparsely-populated parts of the Arctic.
⌛ Planning your wintery Tromsø trip in a hurry? Here are my quick picks. ❄️ Best Tromsø Northern Lights Tours 1. Northern Lights Chase by Minibus (my favorite aurora tour!) 2. Northern Lights Chase by Boat (the most budget-friendly option!) 3. Jacuzzi Northern Lights Cruise (most romantic option for couples!) Other Tromsø Must-Dos 1. Self-Drive Dog Sledding Tour (most fun activity in Tromsø!) 2. Reindeer Camp & Sámi Evening Tour (lights + reindeer!) 3. Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran (November-January only) 🛏️ Best Tromsø Hotels 1. Clarion Collection Hotel Aurora (rooftop Jacuzzi, sauna & more!) 2. Smarthotel Tromso (central & budget-friendly) 3. Thon Hotel Polar (quirky Nordic design in central spot) Arriving in Tromsø by plane? Book your affordable airport transfer here. |
Tromsø is a place of incredible beauty and culture, especially in winter. By day, you can walk around the picture-perfect city center and shop on Nerstranda, the city’s main pedestrian street chock-full of excellent boutiques and clothing shops.
By night, you can catch the man-made lights of the Arctic Cathedral (or possibly even a concert) and stare up at the sky with hot drinks in hand, hoping for a glimpse of the ephemeral aurora, the Northern sky’s natural light show.

But the reality is that seeing the Northern lights in Tromsø’s city center is far from a guarantee. Luckily, there are so many more ways to see the Northern lights than just hoping for a glimpse over the city sky… some of them extremely unique and fun, like going on a fjord cruise in a hot tub or while visiting a Sámi reindeer camp!
In this post, I’ll go into all the day trips (well, night trips technically) that I recommend as activities leaving from Tromsø.
There are some really cool and unique ways to see the Northern lights, but first, I’ll explain my experiences seeing the Northern lights in Tromsø in both 2020 and 2024, when I visited for the first and second times (both times in February).
Also, if you want to break up your trip a bit and experience the beautiful nature of Norway in winter, there are also a large selection of wonderful Northern lights hotels in Northern Norway offering unique accommodations like glass igloos, ice hotels, and glamping-style geodesic domes — all great destinations for aurora chasing! |
Table of Contents
My Personal Tromsø Northern Lights Experience

Part of the reason why I love blogging is because I get to share my actual travel experiences with you and give you the pros and cons from someone who has been there, done that.
I’ve visited Tromsø twice: once in 2020 and once in 2024 to refresh my content because Covid changed the travel landscape drastically and many tours changed or went out of business. Unfortunately, the 2023-2024 aurora season was less stellar than anticipated: I saw the lights fewer times in three weeks than I did in a one week trip.
I’ve listed 10 unique Northern lights tours below, and I’ve done several of the exact tours listed. Personally, I’ve done a Northern lights boat tour, a small group Northern lights chase minibus tour, and a husky sledding and Northern lights tour. All were excellent and I’ll give more detailed information below.

For the three of the other Northern lights experiences listed, I’ve visited during the day and had the exact same itinerary, just without the chance of seeing the lights, so I can speak to a portion of those experiences.
So I have some firsthand insight from 6 out of the 10 Northern lights tour companies on this list. The rest are driven by research and chatting with other friends who visited Tromsø in winter. There are a few things I didn’t get to experience in Tromsø that I experienced elsewhere, like Svalbard Northern lights snowmobiling, so I feel comfortable recommending those experiences, too as it would be quite similar.
I hope my firsthand experiences and suggestions helps you narrow down your search and find the perfect Northern lights tour (or tours, as I did!) for you… and good luck!
My Top 5 Northern Lights Tours in Tromsø

While this post lists 11 options and I’ll go into detail about each below, I can see how that might be a bit overwhelming.
If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick list with links to my recommended tour companies. Anything with a *** is a tour company I’ve personally experienced.
- Minibus Northern Lights Chase ***
- Catamaran Cruise in Tromso Fjords ***
- Overnight Glass Igloo Glamping Aurora Tour
- Romantic Jacuzzi Northern Lights Cruise with Dinner
- Nordic Cuisine Catamaran Cruise ***
10 Unique Types of Northern Lights Tours in Tromsø
Small Group Minibus Tour

This was the best Northern lights tour I booked for myself during my trip to Tromso, and it was the Northern lights tour that delivered the most when it came to actually seeing the aurora themselves!
For the top chance of seeing the Northern lights, a dedicated minibus aurora chase tour is the best Northern lights tours you can do: they’ll monitor weather and aurora activity and bring you to the best spots. While you are not guaranteed to see the lights, it’s as close to a guarantee as you’ll have.
On this particular tour I took, my guides were absolute legends. Since there was a snowstorm covering much of Northern Norway, they literally drove all the way to the Finnish border and beyond to ensure we all got to see the Northern lights.
I was beyond impressed with our guides, who were true experts with years of experience. They’d consult different solar activity apps and teach us about all the scientific factors that they were monitoring and what that meant for the chances of seeing the lights. They were optimistic but honest with us about our chances.
They’d even call other guides to see if they had any scouting tips in terms of weather, always willing to make adjustments to the plan to bring us to the perfect location in search of the Northern lights.
Once we arrived at our spot, a few miles over the Finnish border, they set up a little aurora camp: reindeer pelts atop snow “benches” (which were surprisingly warm to sit on, as reindeer hide is an incredible insulator) as well as a fire we could all get toasty around.

We roasted all-you-can-eat sausages — reindeer, pork, and vegan options — with tunnbröd or “polar bread”, a flat, tortilla-like bread. We had copious cups of coffee and hot chocolate around the fire, while our guide shouted for us every time the aurora made its flighty, fickle appearance.
Our expert guide would snap professional-grade photos for us, one by one, so we’d all have at least one aurora selfie to take home with us. He also helped us with photographing the aurora independently, assisting with the tripod set up, and identifying the correct manual camera settings to best capture the lights.
All in all, I absolutely adored this tour. The only con is that it was a lot of driving, and we got home very late — well past 2 AM, maybe closer to 3 AM — but it was well worth it for the amount of lights we were able to see despite some really awful conditions in Tromso proper.
If it’s your first time trying to see the Northern lights, this is the way to go. They’ll travel long distances in search of clear nights and the perfection location to have a good chance to seeing the Northern lights.
I felt they gave us plenty of time to enjoy the aurora once we finally found one of the right place to see the aurora. We were never rushed, which was very generous of them.
I feel especially certain that this is the best Tromso Northern lights tour, because I spoke with other travelers in Tromsø who went with less dedicated guides and unfortunately didn’t get to see the aurora at all.
Northern Lights Luxury Catamaran Cruise

This luxury catamaran cruise was the first Northern Lights tour I did on my trip to Tromsø and it was a great introduction to the beautiful fjords around Tromsø. We had a quick safety and tour briefing and got into our warm suits and boots! Then we walked a short walk to the marina where the sailboat was docked.
Once we disembarked, we set sail through the fjord, watching the city lights of Tromsø twinkle magically as we got further and further away from the city. We all clustered outside hoping to find a glimpse of the Northern lights, and we did… albeit briefly. Luckily, it was so vivid and powerful that I was even able to capture a tiny glimpse with my smartphone!
However, I didn’t have my tripod set up yet, so I wasn’t able to capture a better shot, and then the lights faded for the night and hid behind the clouds for the rest of the excursion.
The disappointment of not seeing the lights in their full glory was quickly assuaged by a delicious meal of fish chowder served with Norwegian bread and butter and some coffee and chocolate for dessert.
All in all, I absolutely loved the sailing experience and while I wouldn’t say it’s the most reliable way of seeing the Northern lights, I loved getting to do a luxury catamaran cruise around Tromsø at night. Enjoying the fish soup with a view of the city sparkling around us was magical and it was one of the best tours I did!
Snowmobile Aurora Tour at Camp Tamok

I’ve done a Northern lights snowmobile in Svalbard this past winter, and it was a lot of fun (even though we ended up not able to see the lights)!
While I haven’t done this tour in Tromsø yet, I would absolutely opt for an aurora snowmobile tour in the future. It’s a great way to enjoy an active evening activity that combines a little bit of adrenaline, a lot of sightseeing of the Northern Norwegian nature, and enough mobility and ground covered that you have a pretty good shot at spotting the Northern lights!
Snowmobiling Northern lights tours are a perfect activity because you can move around in a very agile manner to find clear patch of sky in the middle of nowhere that (hopefully) will allow for perfect aurora spotting! Plus, you have more freedom than you would if you were in a car, because you aren’t limited to roads only.
This particular tour takes you to Camp Tamok not far from the Tromso Ice Domes 1.5 hours outside the city where you’re guaranteed to have virtually no light pollution.
Dog Sledding and Aurora Borealis Tour

Aurora chasing at a husky farm was another one of the many Northern lights tours I took on my first trip to Tromsø. While I didn’t get lucky enough to see the lights that night, it was still one of my favorite tours… because hello, I got to go dog sledding under the stars, how much more magical does it get?
Sadly, I don’t see the same exact tour that I took offered anymore, but this tour is similar. This is a great option for kids because it keeps them entertained in case the Northern lights don’t show up. However, if you have your heart set on dog-sledding yourself, you can go on a tour like this one which allows you to self-drive (and kids can sit in the sledge!).
Book your dog sledding evening tour with a chance of Northern lights here!
Overnight Aurora Camp and Snowshoe Hike

This unique overnight aurora experience has you heading to the beautiful Green Gold Villa, located in the Lyngen Alps. Here, you’ll enjoy a photography workshop to prep you on how to photograph the Northern lights, as well as a group dinner.
You’ll then get to watch the aurora from the villa, and you’ll get to enjoy an overnight stay in one of the six Crystal lavvos which offer an incredible glamping experience, as well as a snowshoe hike in the area.
The Crystal lavvos are made of wood frames with a glass-paneled roof so you can watch the Northern lights dance overhead through the ceiling, like those glass igloos you may have seen in Finland!
The overnight Northern lights tour culminates with breakfast and a transfer back to Tromso city center the next day.
Reindeer Sledding with Sami Guide and Northern Lights Tour

This is a tour I did during the daytime, but the same company I went with also offers night tours which follow basically the same itinerary, but with a shot at getting to spot the brilliant lights!
The tour consists of visiting a reindeer farm, where you can either feed and interact with the reindeer or go reindeer sledding. This pretty much just consists of being pulled around the camp for 15-30 minutes, followed by a meal and a storytelling and singing session in a Sami lavvu (which was the highlight of this activity for me — reindeer sledding is honestly rather boring).
Reindeer farms are a big part of Northern Norway’s tourism scene, and the history of it is really interesting. Historically, reindeer herding is how the Indigenous people of Northern Norway, the Sámi have survived.
One of the things I liked most about my tour to the Sámi reindeer camp was the chance to learn from my young Sami guide, who was an incredible storyteller. He spoke with passion and emotion about the history of the treatment of the Sami people as we gathered around a fire in a lavvu, a traditional Sami tent.
He was not shy about critiquing the way the Norwegian government has historically treated the Sami people, which was similar to the treatment of First Nations and Native American people in Canada and the United States. Practices such as the banning of the Sámi language and the forcing of Sami children into Norwegian boarding schools were aimed at destroying Sámi identity.
Unfortunately, as a result of these laws, many Sámi have since lost touch with their roots and integrated with Norwegian or other Scandinavian societies, losing their language and culture in the assimilation process. Today, Nordic governments are setting up truth commissions and working on reconciliation projects that will, hopefully, make up in some small way for the historic injustices the Sámi have faced.
All this may seem a bit heavy for a Northern lights tour — and of course, the subject matter is heavy, but it is important. I was so, so glad I went and had the chance to learn from a young Sámi storyteller, someone who is so deeply passionate about preserving his people’s identity but also with sharing that identity with tourists.
If you’re looking for chance to spot the Northern lights in Tromso that also touches on culture, history, and cute animals — this is a great way to spend a night in Tromsø.
This Sámi reindeer camp and Northern lights tour is with the same company I did my daytime trip with, and I can’t imagine why the nighttime tour would be any less magical! While I didn’t get the chance to do the night version of this tour, I still feel very confident recommending it as the itinerary is the same, just at night.
Snowshoe and Aurora Tour

Some people prefer a more active approach to spotting the Northern lights, one that combines some physical exercise with a chance of spotting the Northern lights. If you’re of the mindset that ‘the best views come after the hardest climb’, snowshoeing in the Arctic with the hope of spotting the Northern lights sounds like the perfect adventure for you!
I’ve gone snowshoeing in Abisko (part of Sápmi, in Sweden) while spotting the Northern lights there, and I had so much fun! Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to do this tour in Norway, but it seems like a fantastic way to combine some exercise with an opportunity to see lights dancing above you without any interference from light pollution.
Jacuzzi and Sauna Northern Lights Cruise

If you’re looking for a unique and romantic way to see the Northern lights in Abisko — perhaps for a special anniversary or proposal — this Northern lights cruise is a super luxurious way to spot the Northern lights on a reasonable budget!
Imagine cruising the fjords of Tromsø while staring out at the beautiful city lights as you exit the port of Tromsø and give way to the still waters surrounding the fjords…. while in a delightful hot tub!
This tour combines a laid-back jacuzzi experience with all the pleasure of chasing the aurora borealis… Plus, it keeps you warm and relaxed while lights-hunting on this beautiful Northern lights tour from Tromso.
Arctic Cuisine & Northern Lights Cruise

For a special spin on a Northern lights cruise, try this cuisine-themed Northern lights catamaran tour with a focus on delicious Arctic food. You may wonder what Arctic cuisine entails… let me explain!
Arctic cuisine leans heavily on humanely-raised meat such as reindeer (which is typically herded and farmed by the Sami) as well as fish like cod, Arctic char, and more. It’s delicious and humble but elevated with excellent technique. A vegetarian option is available but you must request it at least 24 hours in advance.
On this tour, you can enjoy a Arctic-inspired tapas (small plates) meal aboard an electric catamaran with chances of seeing the Northern lights dancing overhead. Since most Northern lights tours include simple meals like hot dogs or reindeer stew, this is certainly a step up for the foodie-inclined travelers!
Northern Lights Photography Tour in a 4×4

So far, each of these Tromso Northern lights tours listed has a slightly different focus. Some are more geared towards animal experiences, such as in the dog sledding and Sami reindeer camp tours.
Others are geared towards exercise and active adventure, like snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Others still are focused on luxury and romance, like the Ice Domes or the Jacuzzi Cruise.
But what about a Tromso Northern lights tour that focuses specifically on photography? While many of the tours, including the minibus tour, will help you out with photos, you may want a specifically photography-focused Northern lights tour by 4×4.
This tour does just that in a 4×4, no less, so you can really get off the beaten path (literally) and out into the most beautiful nature Northern Norway has to offer.
This highly-rated 4×4 small group photography tour is the perfect choice for photography enthusiasts who have their heart set on taking home a beautiful photograph of the aurora that they snapped themself.

This tour includes two local guides who are willing to drive anywhere and everywhere for a better chance to spot the best Northern lights.
Once a great location is found, the guides set up camp and help you set up tripods (provided by the tour guides) and give you all sorts of tips on best composition and ideal camera settings.
The guides will also take photos of you and the aurora, in case you’re not confident in your photography skills. The group is always kept small — no more than 8 guests — and the tour includes a vegan soup dinner and dessert.
They also provide hot beverages to keep warm by the fire while waiting for the aurora to appear, tripods and headlamps, hand and foot warmers if needed, plus all sort of thermal suits you might need to stay warm.
Seeing the Aurora Borealis in Tromsø Independently

You can occasionally see the Northern lights dancing over the city of Tromsø itself!
My Airbnb host spotted them one night from his house and he popped over to my room to give me a heads up that they were dancing, and I was able to spot them just from the balcony!
However, this only happened once during the seven days I was in Tromsø, so view it as a bonus, not a given. I spent three weeks in Tromsø in 2024, and I only saw the lights from our Airbnb twice in that entire span… and we checked multiple times every night!
If you want to the best odds of seeing the Northern lights in Tromsø without booking a guided tour, you can take the Fjellheisen cable car up to their viewing platform.
This helps you escape some of the light pollution and also offers a stunning vista over the city.

A return ticket costs NOK 415, which is around $40 USD, a pretty good price considering you can stay as long as you like and there’s also a restaurant up at the top, Fjellstua, which is also reasonably priced given its gorgeous location.
It’s recommended to reserve a table — email them at [email protected] to do so — as spots are limited. I didn’t reserve a table, but I visited around 4 PM when tables were plentiful.
I had an all-you-can-drink cup of coffee (hot chocolate also available!) for around 50 NOK ($4 USD), and a traditional waffle for another 60 NOK ($5 USD)!
Another option if you prefer independent travel is spending some time in Abisko, Sweden. Abisko is statistically proven to have the best Northern lights in the Nordics, with scientists pegging your odds at 80% if you stay for 3 days. Personally, I saw them 3 out 3 days in a row!
As a bonus, in Abisko, it’s so easy to see them without any need for tours due to the “Blue Hole” that forms around Torneträsk, the frozen lake at the heart of Abisko National Park. It’s a great budget option, so if you don’t necessarily have your heart set on Tromsø, Abisko makes a great alternative. I have a bunch of resources on planning a trip to Abisko in winter, which you can find here.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016, visiting 75+ countries in total. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. As a former educator, she merges her writing and educational experience to encourage ethical, sustainable travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and TBEX. Her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. When she’s not on the road, she lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
Hello
Could you tell me which company you took the minibus tour with?
Hi, yes, this is the exact minibus tour I took: https://www.getyourguide.com/tromso-l32375/tromso-all-inclusive-northern-lights-chase-minibus-tour-t406933/?partner_id=3EC2E85
&cmp=NorthernLightsMinibus