Best Hotels in Tromsø for the Northern Lights
Northern lights over Tromsø Brige (Picture credit Pascal Debrunner)
If you’re chasing the Northern Lights in Norway, Tromsø is usually the first name you hear — and for good reason.
The city sits right under the auroral oval, surrounded by mountains, fjords, and more cozy hotels than anywhere else above the Arctic Circle.
You don’t have to trek into the wild to see the aurora — sometimes it dances right above your balcony. That being said, if the aurora is on the weaker side, your best shot is far from the city lights. And you’ll find awesome options in the surroundings!
Here are the best Tromsø hotels for Northern Lights lovers, whether you want views, comfort, or a cabin-in-the-snow vibe.
🗓️ When to see the northern lights in Tromsø
The aurora season in Tromsø runs from late September to early April, with the best viewing usually between December and February, when nights are longest and skies clearest.
On a calm night, you can often see the lights right from town or by the water — though it’s always better a little outside the glow of streetlights.
For photo settings, gear advice, and the best Northern Lights destinations across Scandinavia, check out our full 👉 Northern Lights Hub.
Plan your Tromsø trip: where to stay, and how to get around
Why stay in Tromsø for the northern lights
Northern Norway is one of favorite regions to watch the northern lights!
Tromsø is easy to reach (just a two-hour flight from Oslo), but it still feels like another world in winter.
From September to April, nights are long, skies can be clear, and the aurora often appears just outside the city.
The trick is picking a place that lets you see the lights without freezing.
Some hotels offer rooftop views or glass-ceiling igloos; others arrange wake-up calls when the aurora shows up.
Did you know?
Tromsø is nicknamed “the Paris of the North” — not for its fashion (although we love winter gear!), but because 19th-century visitors were surprised by how lively, educated, and social people were this far above the Arctic Circle. Locals still love to joke that their nightlife shines almost as bright as the Northern Lights.
Picture credit: Munir Rani
The best hotels in Tromsø for the northern lights
Best for: Waterfront views & easy aurora sightings
Right on the harbour with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the fjord.
If the lights appear and are intense enough, you’ll see them from bed. Great breakfast, warm rooms, and walking distance to most tours.
Best for: Rooftop bar + modern comfort
This is Tromsø’s design hotel — sleek, central, and with one of the best rooftop bars in town. Ask for a room facing the bridge for possible aurora reflections over the water.
Best for: Silence & starry skies
Less than an hour from Tromsø but worlds away from city lights.
Cabins right on the beach, fresh seafood dinners, and endless horizon views — perfect for Northern Lights photography. Extremely picturesque in summer too with the turquoise water.
Best for: Budget travelers who want charm
Simple, affordable (for Tromsø), and just uphill enough for clearer skies.
Staff share nightly updates on aurora forecasts, and you can walk to tour pick-ups in five minutes.
Best for: Forest setting + aurora reflections
Stay in small riverside cabins surrounded by snow and birch trees, only a couple of kilometers from the city center.
You can see the lights right above the river — magical on calm nights.
Best for: Aurora wake-up calls & wild Arctic views
Located about an hour south of Tromsø, this resort has glass-roof cabins and an “aurora alarm” system that rings your room when the lights appear.
Perfect if you’re looking for a weekend of quiet skies and sauna time.
Quick planning tips
We saw this amazing aurora in October!
Best months: October to March for darkest skies.
Best time of night: 8 pm–1 am but they can appear anytime it’s dark. Find out the best time to see the northern lights in our guide.
Stay: at least 3 nights (chances rise each night, and the weather can be moody)
Join a tour: even if your hotel has views — guides take you where the skies are clearest You can also rent a car to chase clear skies.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
We use Heymondo on every trip to the Arctic — it’s affordable, covers cancellations, and includes winter activities like dogsledding.
Get 5–15 % off Heymondo travel insurance through our link.
🐋 From November to January, the fjords around Tromsø come alive with migrating orcas and humpbacks chasing herring. Locals can sometimes spot them right from the harbor.
If you fall in love with these Arctic giants, you can actually follow one’s journey through our partner Fahlo — their Whale Bracelet supports marine research and lets you track a real whale’s migrations in the North Atlantic.
💙 Our readers get 20% off through this link: Track a real whale with Fahlo
🌌 FAQ — Best Hotels in Tromsø for Northern Lights
Is Tromsø a good place to see the Northern Lights?
Yes. Tromsø sits directly under the auroral oval, which means high activity throughout winter. Even when the KP index is low, you can still get strong shows. Clear skies matter more than the forecast.
Can you see the Northern Lights from Tromsø city?
Sometimes — but city lights dilute the display. You’ll get better results at hotels outside the centre, on hilltops, or by booking a Northern Lights chase.
What’s the best time to visit Tromsø for the Northern Lights?
Late September to early April. Peak viewing months are generally December, January, and February, when nights are longest.
Do I need a car in Tromsø?
Not required. Tromsø has excellent tours, airport buses, and hotel pickups. A rental car helps if you want to chase auroras independently or stay far from town.
How many nights should I stay to maximize my chances?
Three to four nights is ideal. That gives you multiple weather windows and enough time for at least one clear night.
Are these hotels suitable for families?
Yes. Many lodges, cabins, and city hotels welcome families and offer easy access to winter activities like reindeer sledding, husky tours, and fjord cruises.
Is it expensive to stay in Tromsø during winter?
Yes — winter is peak season. Prices rise sharply from December to March. Booking early or staying slightly outside the centre helps reduce costs.
Tromsø is often called the Arctic Capital, and it’s probably larger than what you would expect at this latitude. It’s also surprisingly accessible. Whether you’re watching the aurora from a glass rooftop, a cozy fjord cabin, or right outside your hotel door, few places on Earth make the Northern Lights feel this close.
Pick a base that suits your style — central if you love cafés and tours, or outside town if you crave silence and stars — and let the Arctic nights do the rest. With a little luck, Tromsø will reward you with that unforgettable green swirl in the sky.
Planning a northern lights trip in northern Norway? Check out our guides:
❄️ Alta, Norway — Ice hotels, rock carvings, and one of the best places on Earth to spot the aurora.
🌌 Northern Lights Tours in Alta, Norway — Clear skies, quiet roads, and a front-row seat to the aurora.
🌌 Northern Lights in Norway — Your guide to clear skies, fjords, and the best aurora spots.
🌡️ Best hotels with sauna in Alta — Warm up in the Arctic after your northern lights chase.
🦌 Alta vs. Tromsø — How to choose the perfect Norwegian Arctic getaway.
🧊 Svalbard & Jan Mayen — Polar bears, ghost towns, and next-level Arctic mystery in Norway’s far north.
⛰️ Lofoten Hiking Guide — Dramatic ridges, secret beaches, and cod-drying racks in Arctic Norway.
🏠 Lofoten Hotels & Rorbuer — Fishermen’s cabins, sea views, and that Arctic calm you’ll wish you could pack home.
🏨 Alta Hotels — Where to stay under the northern lights in Norway’s quiet Arctic capital.
🏨 Hotels in Bodø — Where fjords meet the Northern Lights (and the ferry to Lofoten).
🧖♀️ Bodø, Norway — Things to Do — Floating saunas, sea eagles, and the Arctic city everyone skips (and shouldn’t).
🏠 Best Hotels to see the Northern Lights in Europe — Watch the aurora from your bed.
✨ Northern Lights for Dummies — How to actually see the aurora (without freezing your butt off or waiting 12 nights in vain).
📅 Best Time to See the Northern Lights — Month-by-month, season-by-season, when the sky is most likely to dance.
