Lofoten is a mecca for hiking, climbing, fishing, kayaking, skiing, Arctic surfing (in the summer AND winter), and cycling. The tourism scene there has a very young vibe, with lots of budget accommodation, and even the luxury accommodation markets itself towards adventure seekers.
During the winter of 2020, the Northern Lights viewing was typical for a solar minimum year. But from 2020 onwards, there will be a slow ramp-up in solar activity, and auroras should increase in frequency, peaking in 2024/2025 with the Solar Maximum.
There is no official season since the Northern Lights are almost always present, day and night. Caused by charged particles from the sun hitting atoms in Earth's atmosphere and releasing photons, it's a process that happens constantly.
Located far north of the Arctic Circle, Lofoten is a place where mother nature reminds you who's in charge. The granite mountains hide many surprises. From idyllic fishing villages to remarkable beaches that seem so out of place in Arctic Norway, Lofoten has it all.
How to Get from Oslo to Lofoten
- By Plane/ Ferry or Express boat. Duration: 1.5-5 hours by plane, 2-5 hours by plane + express boat. Air travel is the fastest and most efficient way to reach Lofoten.
- By Car/ Ferry or Express boat. Duration: 16 hours.
- By Train/ Ferry or Express boat. Duration: 18 hours + ferry or express boat.
There are two airports located on Lofoten proper: Leknes and Svolvær. New for 2017 – Direct flights to Lofoten from Oslo.
There are a few prime spots for spotting the northern lights in Norway, and they are:
- Tromsø
- Kirkenes.
- The Lofoten Islands.
- North Cape (Nordkapp)
- Svalbard.
How much does a trip to see Northern Lights in Norway cost? The price of the 7-day trip to see the northern lights in Tromso and the Lofoten Islands varies according to the chosen date. On average, it costs $ 2,000 ($ 285 per day), although they often publish Northern Lights vacation package deals.
The Arora is a community of Punjab, comprising both Hindus and Sikhs. The name is derived from their native place Aror. Historically, the Arora section of the Khatri community had been principally found in West Punjab, in the districts to the south and west of Lahore.
Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? No, unless the traveler qualifies for a travel exception such as close family members and persons in an established relationship with a resident of Norway.
Can You See the Northern Lights in Oslo or Bergen? It is geographically possible to see the northern lights in popular destinations like Oslo and Bergen. However, if you're open to exploring beyond Oslo, you can get far enough from the city lights in a 1-2 hour drive that you will have a much better chance to see them.
What are the best places to see the Northern Lights?
- Tromso, Norway. Based in the heart of the aurora zone in the Norwegian Arctic, the city is widely regarded as one of the world's best places to see the Northern Lights.
- Swedish Lapland.
- Reykjavik, Iceland.
- Yukon, Canada.
- Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland.
- Ilulissat, Greenland.
You can go from Tromsø to the Lofoten Islands by bus, express boat, plane or onboard Hurtigruten. The bus runs on weekdays and weekends from Tromsø via Bjerkvik to Svolvær. Another possibility is to take an early morning express boat from Tromsø to Harstad on week days (3 hours).
The best time to see the Northern Lights is between November and March, with the highest probability in the middle of winter (December, January and February). You need to have clear skies, and look for auroras between 10 pm and 2 am. Now, let's dive into the best places to see the aurora borealis around the world!
Norway opens to travellers from more countriesFrom Saturday, 25 September at 16:00, Norway is permitting entry for all EU/EEA citizens, including people from other countries who reside in the EEA and in the UK and Switzerland, in addition to citizens of purple-rated countries outside the EEA/Schengen Area.
Many people think Tromso is expensive, and they're not entirely wrong. Norway is one of the more expensive destinations to travel in the world, and as a result, Tromso is also an expensive destination. Keep in mind that traveling to Tromso on a budget is still relatively high compared to other destinations.
These activities include, but are not limited to, concerts, marathons, kayaking, sailing, and hiking. Experiencing the disorientating but beautiful midnight sun should be on everyone's bucket list, and although it can take some time to fall asleep (bring a sleeping mask), it is something well worth visiting Tromsø for.
According to him, spots like Fairbanks in Alaska, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Churchill in Canada, and Iceland and northern Norway are all safe bets.
The Northern Lights most commonly appear between 5:00 pm and 2:00 am. They don't usually exhibit for long – they may only show for a few minutes, then glide away before returning. A good display may last for no longer than 15-30 minutes at a time, although if you're really lucky, they could last for a few hours.
The Northern Lights season in Svalbard is from late September to the middle of March. The best time is from 18:00 (6 p.m.) to midnight, while there is also a good period between 04:00 and 08:00 (4 a.m. and 8 a.m.).
Things to Consider
- The most common route to reach Svalbard is to fly via Oslo, Norway to Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen.
- Flying time is 3 hours between Oslo and Longyearbyen.
- Longyearbyen airport is the world's most northerly airport to receive regular scheduled flights.
The best places in the world are usually closer to the Arctic Circle, including Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Finland. But don't limit yourself: You can also spot the southern lights in the southern hemisphere. Still, the northern lights are the star of the show.
Anyone planning a Northern Lights hunt in Norway needs to know their geography. The capital of this long and thin country's capital, Oslo, is too far south of the Arctic Circle to see the aurora borealis. So it's to northern Norway you should head, and Tromsø is firmly in the middle of the aurora zone.
The aurora borealis is a breathtaking sight that many consider themselves lucky to catch. The Upper Peninsula is blessed with hundreds of miles of shoreline along the south shore of Lake Superior, which provides some of the best northern lights viewing in the lower 48 due to the very dark night skies.
Mackinaw CityWatch the northern lights dance over the spectacular Mackinac Bridge in Mackinaw City, a small town located on the northern tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The aurora borealis is most prevalent during the spring and fall seasons near the Equinox, but you can also spot the lights during the winter.
5 Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Minnesota - Tripping.
- Grand Marais. Grand Marais, on the north shore of Lake Superior, is one of the best places to view the northern lights in the continental United States.
- Lutsen.
- Hallock.
- Beaver Bay.
- Princeton.
In Michigan, the Upper Peninsula offers a slew of views, especially along the south shore of Lake Superior at spots like Whitefish Point, Pictured Rocks, Marquette, Skanee, Eagle River, Eagle Harbor or Copper Harbor.
While the northern reaches of Scotland offer better chances of spotting the 'Mirrie Dancers', the aurora can be seen anywhere in Scotland when the right conditions are met and where the light pollution is at a minimum. Here's a list of some of the best places to see this marvel: Shetland, Orkney and Caithness (eg.
Here are five places in the United States where you can grab front row seats to view the Northern Lights.
- Fairbanks, Alaska.
- Priest Lake, Idaho.
- Aroostook County, Maine.
- Beaver Bay, Minnesota.
- Upper Peninsula, Michigan.
The Upper Peninsula is blessed with hundreds of miles of shoreline along the south shore of Lake Superior, which provides some of the best northern lights viewing in the lower 48 due to the very dark night skies. March is one of the best months to see the northern lights because of its long, dark nights.
The Best time to see the Northern Lights in Michigan is between August-April. The best viewing months for the Aurora Borealis is April, October, and November! Ideally the weather is crisp, clear, and cold with no cloud or snow activity!
It's possible to see the Lights (almost) anywhere in Canada during all four seasons. But the North is the best place to see them, where they are the most active, most of the time. Winter (December to March) is often the luckiest season, thanks to more hours of darkness each day and frequent cold, clear nights.
