Chasing Aurora in Tromsø

14 Sep '25

Cover image of Chasing Aurora in Tromsø plan

You don’t need a tour to experience the Northern Lights in Tromsø — everything you need to plan your own adventure is right here 👇

📱Essential apps:

My Aurora Forecast – tracks solar activity and alerts you when there’s a chance to see the aurora 🌌
Ventusky – shows detailed cloud cover and helps you find clear skies ✨

🚗 Transportation: While Tromsø is compact and easy to explore on foot or by public transport, renting a car gives you the freedom to chase the lights and explore the stunning surroundings at your own pace. We rented a car for two nights when the aurora activity was expected to peak. Booking a car in aurora season can be tricky — by the time we looked, most rentals were gone. Fortunately, we found a great option through the Getaround app, renting from a local who also shared tips and recommended spots to watch the lights.

📸 Recommended Gear: Tripod, Headlamp, Power bank, Wool base layers + windproof outerwear, Hand warmers

💡 Pro tip: Try to book an evening or night flight to Tromsø — with a bit of luck, you might spot the Northern Lights from the plane! We were lucky enough to see them and it was an amazing experience. Just keep in mind, while the view is magical, taking a clear photo from the airplane window is quite difficult due to reflections and limited exposure time.

Best time to visit is November to March, however there are some chances to spot aurora in September, October and April too.

Recommended stay: 4–5 nights for the best chance to catch the aurora.

Gluten-free tips: Tromsø has limited gluten-free options, especially for breakfast. If you follow a strict gluten-free diet, it’s a good idea to prepare breakfast at your accommodation — having a kitchen or at least a fridge can make your mornings much easier.

Supermarkets are well-stocked: Norwegian grocery chains have a wide range of gluten-free food such as bread, pasta, snacks, frozen meals.

Regarding restaurants: While there’s growing awareness, it's important to note that most places are not fully dedicated GF kitchens. That means there’s always some cross-contamination risk, especially if you’re highly sensitive or have celiac disease. It’s still best to communicate your needs clearly to staff wherever you eat.

Arctic Cathedral

The Arctic Cathedral, or Ishavskatedralen (built in 1965), is one of Tromsø’s most iconic landmarks, known for its design that resembles an iceberg or Sami tent. Beautiful glass facade makes it a popular venue for midnight sun concerts in summer and northern lights concerts in winter. Recommended at least to stop by while having a walk across the Tromsø Bridge.

Perfect views from Fjellheisen Cable Car

The Fjellheisen Cable Car takes you from Tromsdalen up to Mount Storsteinen in just 4 minutes, offering spectacular views over Tromsø, its fjords, and surrounding islands. If you feel hungry, there's Fjellstua Café & Restaurant to save the day. Opened in 1961, it’s a favorite spot for both midnight sun in summer and Northern Lights in winter. Adventurous visitors can hike down via the nearby “Sherpatrappa” trail for a scenic descent. Round-trip ticket costs 595 NOK for adult.

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Specialty coffee at Kaffebønna

Kaffebønna is a cute local coffee shop in Tromsø, Norway offering high-quality coffee and a cozy atmosphere. They also sell beans from varous roasteries accross Norway (which has recently become renowned for its exceptional coffee culture). If you are a coffee person, you'll love a souvenir from this place. Unfortunately, they do not have a lot of gluten-free options to eat. I was lucky, they had one gluten-free cookie, but cross-contamination is possible.

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Day trip to Lyngen Alps

The Lyngen Alps are a stunning mountain range known for their glacier-carved valleys and dramatic peaks. If you’re looking for epic photo spots, this is the place to be. Just keep in mind that the mountains have their own microclimate, so sudden snow, rain, or low clouds are common. Getting there depends on your exact destination, but the journey usually includes a short ferry ride from Breivikeidet to Svensby, which not only saves driving time but is also a scenic experience in itself. Be sure to check the ferry schedule in advance, as it typically runs only once per hour.

Day trip to Sommarøy

Sommarøy is a charming Arctic village about 1.5 hours drive from Tromsø, famous for its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, even in winter. The surrounding fjords and small islands make it incredibly photogenic, especially under the northern lights. Along the way, you can stop at Kaldfjord and Kattfjordvatnet for scenic views and frozen lakes. The village itself has a few cafés and local shops, but it’s mostly a place to explore nature.

Northern Lights experience near Tromsø

If you don’t have much time to chase the aurora, there are several convenient in-town spots such as Prestvannet Lake, Telegrafbukta beach, and the viewpoint by the Arctic Cathedral —just remember to move away from streetlights to avoid light pollution. For self-drive options within about an hour, head to Ersfjordbotn (a classic fjord viewpoint only 20–30 minutes from Tromsø), Kattfjordvatnet (a long, frozen lake with plenty of parking about 25–30 minutes away), or Sandvika beach on Sommarøy (a wide beach with stunning horizons roughly an hour’s drive). Vågbotn on Kvaløya is another favorite among local guides and photographers, offering panoramic views and a good alternative if other spots are crowded or cloudy. Another hidden gem is Grøtfjorden, a small fjord on Kvaløya that combines mountain silhouettes with dark skies, making it perfect for peaceful aurora watching. For those willing to venture farther, Signaldalen provides a dramatic mountain backdrop and excellent aurora conditions—an ideal choice if Tromsø’s skies are overcast and you want to escape to clearer weather. All spots outside of Tromsø are available on the Google Maps list of places.

Google Maps list

Koseverden & Koselig Cafe

Although this is one of the few places in Tromsø advertising gluten-free options, the offer is very limited and cross-contamination seems likely. If you have celiac disease or a severe wheat allergy, it’s safest to avoid eating here. I experienced a reaction after dining at this location.

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Spiseriet Kafe

Spiseriet Kafe is widely praised for its generous gluten-free offerings: cakes, open-faced sandwiches, toast, and salads - all clearly labeled and displayed on separate shelves or a dedicated menu, which many visitors with celiac disease found reassuring. I personally didn't manage to visit (it was on my list though) but reviewers commonly note that “I have celiac disease and didn’t get sick,” signaling that the café takes allergy safety seriously. Overall, Spiseriet Kafe stands out as one of Tromsø’s most reliable gluten-free-friendly cafés.

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