Watching the Northern Lights in Tromso

Tromso's name has recently become associated with the Northern Lights. The city of Tromso, located in the far north of Norway, is one of the regions where you have the highest chance to see the Northern Lights. As such, there are even special routes drawn for the Northern Lights. If you make your hotel, flight and car rental reservations for your trips through Bitbook, you can benefit from an average of 20% cashback.

How Are The Northern Lights Or Aurora Formed?

Northern lights (auroral lights), also known as Aurora, is a natural phenomenon that occurs as a result of magnetic storms formed in the sun. When the particles scattered as a result of magnetic explosions in the sun meet the oxygen in our atmosphere, they scatter a light. These lights are seen very clearly especially in the north pole and south pole regions. The lights seen in the North Pole Circle are called Aurora Borealis, while those seen in the South Pole Circle are called Aurora Australis.

When to Go to Tromso for the Northern Lights?

The northern lights can be seen in all seasons. Yes, you read it right every season, but you can rarely come across this natural phenomenon except for certain months. The northern lights are often seen starting from November until the end of March. Conditions in Norway during these months are quite harsh. You need to be ready to take your photos at temperatures of – 10 or below. Of course, there is no guarantee that you will definitely see it in the season you go. In order to see the northern lights, you need to be at a point away from the city lights. The weather must be cloudless and clear, and finally, the explosions in the sun must be intense and visible from the earth.

Where Are The Northern Lights Best Seen?

If you get away from the city center and therefore the city lights and go to the routes marked for the northern lights, you can take beautiful photos here. I can name some of these regions. 100 km from Tromso and south of Heia, in the same direction Nordkjosbotn. If you go from Tromso to these regions via Selnes on the coast, the road will be a little longer; but you will continue on your way by seeing very beautiful landscapes. In the Selnes region, there are quite beautiful places to shoot the northern light.

To the north of Tromso, Ers Fjord is a must-see. This fjord is a very nice place for the northern lights, I recommend you to be here for the lights the most. The distance to Ers Fjord is only 13 km. It is useful to rent a car or go with a travel company to go to these regions. It will be a little difficult to reach otherwise.

Places to Visit in Tromso

The city is not very big, you can easily visit it in one full day. The Pole Museum, located in the city center next to the port, is a museum that I can recommend you to visit. After visiting this place, of course, you can spend a long time taking pictures at the port. There is also a car park where you can park if you have a car. From here you can walk to the main street of Tromso. The 2 streets running parallel to each other are the most lively streets for shopping. Afterwards, there are usually houses on the parallel streets.

Tromso has a wooden church that you can enter without paying and is still in use, Tromso Cathedral. This cathedral was built in 1861. It is the northernmost Wooden Protestant cathedral in the world. Make sure to stop by here, it will be in front of you while walking in the city center. Although the cathedral seems small, it has the capacity to accommodate more than 600 people. There is also a wish tree inside. There are those who make a wish and tie colorful threads to their branches.

Another place you might want to see in the city center may be the library. Before you go inside, do not forget to look at the architecture from a place where you can see the entire building from the outside. In these streets, you can find small souvenir shops and places to drink coffee.

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