Alta has this calm magic to it.
No huge cruise ships.
No chaos.
No crowds fighting for a patch of darkness.

Just a dry valley, open sky, and some of the most reliable aurora weather in northern Norway.

We’ve chased the Northern Lights all over the Arctic — Svalbard, Lofoten, Swedish Lapland, Greenland, Finnish Lapland, Iceland, Churchill — but Alta remains where the sky has surprised us the most. Not once. Repeatedly.

This is the full guide to seeing the aurora in Alta: where to go, when to go, how to chase it, and how to give yourself the best possible odds.

If you want the science behind the aurora, photography settings, how colors work, or where else in the world to go, you’ll find everything neatly gathered in our Northern Lights Hub.

Now let’s get you under that green sky.

We spend a big chunk of our life staring at wild places — waiting for the Northern Lights on frozen lakes, leaning over boat rails in Greenland while whales surface in the fjord, swimming with dolphins in New Zealand, observing a sea turtle returning to the sea in Costa Rica, spotting reindeer wandering through Kiruna, or following polar bear tracks in Churchill.

So it makes sense that animal tracking bracelets ended up sticking with us. Not as a trend — just as a tiny habit that kept the wild close when we were back home editing photos and drinking too much coffee.

The idea is simple: you wear a bracelet, scan the card, and suddenly you’re following a real tracked animal — a turtle crossing warm currents, a giraffe wandering across savannah, a shark migrating along the coast. Fahlo’s bracelets make it surprisingly personal and fun… and it’s not just for kids!

Kiruna in winter feels like stepping into its own Arctic dimension — blue-hour days that stretch forever, forests that glow with frost, and nights where the sky tears open in green. We’ve returned here many times, and every time it reminds us why Swedish Lapland hits differently: it’s calm, quiet, and somehow deeply personal.

If you’re heading north, here are the winter experiences that make Kiruna unforgettable.

Alta in winter feels like the Arctic at its most honest — long blue hours, slow mornings, and skies that come alive at night.
Alta isn’t just “another Northern Lights town” — we actually compare Alta vs. Tromsø here— It’s calmer, smaller, and beautifully authentic.

You don’t come to Svalbard for fancy hotels — you come for silence, polar light, and the shock of realizing humans aren’t the main characters here.

But when the wind howls outside and you’re sipping hot chocolate under a reindeer pelt? Comfort matters.

Kiruna holds a special place for me (Eli). That’s where my passion for the Arctic was born, back in 2007! As soon as I got off the plane, I knew it was true love at first sight. Maybe it’s the strange mix of mining town grit and Arctic wonder, or the way the Northern Lights appear right above the grocery store. Or the unpretentious authenticity, and the friendly locals.

We’ve been here seven times — long enough to watch part of the town literally move east to escape the expanding iron mine — including the church this past summer (2025). What hasn’t moved is the atmosphere: cozy cafés to warm up while watching the snow fall, locals on snowmobiles or sleds doing their grocery run, and hotels that feel built to survive winter (yes, even made of ice).

The Lofoten Islands aren’t just a place to sleep — they’re a place to dream. Where jagged peaks rise straight from the sea, where the air smells of salt and pine, and where every window could frame a postcard.

Staying here is part of the adventure: quiet villages, fishermen’s cabins perched over turquoise water, and saunas that steam in the Arctic air. Whether you’re coming for hiking, the Northern Lights, or the feeling of being at the edge of the world, choosing the right stay matters, as it’s part of the experience.

We’ve tested a few ourselves — from rustic rorbuer to modern apartments — and prepared a list of the dreamiest ones.

Winter in Iceland feels like a different planet. The sun barely rises, the air smells like snow and sulfur, and every drive turns into an Arctic movie scene. It’s quieter, wilder, and often cheaper than summer — fewer crowds, cheaper hotels, and the magic of the Northern Lights dancing above empty landscapes.

If you can handle icy roads and the occasional blizzard, winter rewards you with scenes so surreal they’ll make your camera battery freeze.

Watching the Northern Lights in Iceland doesn’t have to mean freezing outside with a tripod and a thermos. Although it has its magic and we really like it, we understand it’s not for everyone!

Some hotels let you do it the cozy way — wrapped in blankets, hot chocolate in hand, with green and pink ribbons dancing right above your bed.

We’ve picked the best Northern Lights hotels in Iceland — real places that balance comfort, location, and those once-in-a-lifetime aurora views.

Nuuk is overlooked by many visitors, who go straight on a ferry or a plane to Ilulissat. And that’s a shame, because we absolutely fell in love with it — read our Nuuk Travel Guide!

Nuuk is a one-of-a-kind capital where snow-capped mountains meet the sea and the rhythm of everyday, modern life blends seamlessly with the raw, untamed beauty of Greenland.

Greenland’s tiny but mighty capital isn’t just a gateway to glaciers and fjords, it's a vibrant, growing city full of character. The vibe there is just… cool, in every sense of the word!

From intimate guesthouses and self-catering apartments to upscale hotels, Nuuk’s accommodations reflect the city’s unique charm and mix of modernity with traditional Greenlandic influences. Whether you're looking for luxury or simplicity, there’s a place for everyone to rest their head after a day of Arctic adventure.

Alta doesn’t roar like Tromsø. It hums, with that northern calm that gets under your skin (or, at least, under ours).

After years chasing the aurora across the Arctic, Alta was the place that made us stop rushing. And we’re planning to go back soon!

We enjoyed every minute, hiking, talking to locals and watching magical green lights stretch over the sky. So, if you’re heading here — to see the northern lights, visit Sorrisniva, or just slow down — here’s where to stay in this underrated corner of Finnmark.

If you're planning a winter trip to Lapland, you're probably torn between magical Rovaniemi, the "official" hometown of Santa Claus in Finland, and Kiruna, Sweden's Arctic gem. But wait — there’s more! Other Lapland destinations like Tromsø, Norway, and other less known towns, might also be calling your name. So, which icy wonderland should you choose? Let’s break it down.

When we got to Alta, locals kept asking us: “Why Alta”?

Indeed, many visitors skip Alta on their way to the North Cape, or just stop in Tromsø. And you know what? They’re missing out. Big time.

Alta might not be plastered all over Instagram, but that’s the beauty of it. And, as you know, our kind of destinations at Penguin Trampoline!

Interestingly for us, Arctic addicts, Alta is considered the northernmost city in the world with a population surpassing 10,000.

So, keep reading to find out why visit Alta, Norway!

Bodø doesn’t shout the way Tromsø or Lofoten do — it whispers. The Arctic city sits between mountains and sea, where the light changes by the minute and ferries glide toward the islands like floating postcards.

It’s easy to think of Bodø as a stopover, but spend a night or two and it becomes something more: a place where the Northern Lights dance over modern hotels, and where fjord air seeps into every plan.

Here’s where to stay, rest, and recharge before heading deeper into the Arctic. And we absolutely love the vibe.

Tucked into the fjords just north of the Arctic Circle, Bodø sits in Norway’s Nordland county as a quiet city surrounded by wild nature.

Bodø combines modern comfort with remote landscapes — so you can explore powerful nature, floating saunas, sea eagles, and Northern Lights without the crowds. In our humble opinion, it’s one of the most underrated places in Norway, and it probably won’t last.

If you’ve seen the Lofoten hype and want something a little quieter (especially in summer) — Bodø might just be your perfect stop.

In Luleå, winter doesn’t whisper — it glows. Between November and March, nights stretch long enough for the Northern Lights to take over the sky, turning this quiet city on Sweden’s frozen coast into one of the Arctic’s most underrated aurora destinations.

We stayed there a week in February, and saw the aurora 3 nights in a row!

Most travelers rush north to Kiruna or Abisko — and miss Luleå’s secret: you can see the Northern Lights here without leaving civilization.

Somewhere between Stockholm’s bustle and the Arctic wilderness, Luleå glows quietly on Sweden’s northern coast. In winter, the sea freezes into an ice road, locals skate to work, and the Northern Lights shimmer above the bay. It’s peaceful, real, and a just the right amount of wild — but with great coffee and cozy beds.

Whether you’re here for the aurora, the architecture, or just a slower pace, here are the best Luleå hotels and nearby Arctic stays.

Svalbard sits halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole — a scatter of icy islands where glaciers meet sea, foxes pad across snowfields, and polar bears outnumber people.

We first arrived by the small prop plane from Tromsø, stepping into that eerie polar stillness that feels less like travel and more like landing on another planet.

This isn’t just a place you visit. It’s a place you feel, and it will redefine your idea of Arctic wilderness.

Here’s how to plan your own Svalbard expedition or tour, season by season — with honest notes from our own time on the islands.

Rovaniemi, Finland, isn’t just Santa’s hometown — it’s the gateway to the Arctic, a cozy, snow-dusted city where Northern Lights dance above the rooftops and reindeer wander along frozen rivers.

We’ve stayed here several times in different seasons, and the truth is: there’s no “wrong” place to stay — only how close you want to be to nature, and how much you want to watch the aurora from bed.

That being said, it’s always better to be a bit further from city lights. And, personally, we love to have our own cabin with sauna for a true Nordic experience (you also save on food).

So here’s our handpicked list of the best hotels in Rovaniemi — from luxury spas to dreamy cabins — all with that essential Arctic magic.

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.