While some in the UK may have been blessed with views of the iconic Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, those seeking the best chance of catching a glimpse of the beautiful colours is by heading to the pretty European city of Tromsø in Norway.
Tromsø, over 186 miles north of the Arctic Circle, is renowned for its prime location and stable weather. It is the largest urban area in northern Norway and the third largest north of the Arctic Circle anywhere in the world.
It is so far north that when the sun sets at the end of November it does not come up again until the end of January. On the other end of the scale, during June and July Tromsø also enjoys 24 hours of daylight.
To maximise your chances of observing the lights, it is recommended to venture away from the city light pollution and find locations with wide, unobstructed views.
One of the best spots for panoramic views over the city and aurora borealis is Mount Storsteinen, 421 metres above sea level. This can be accessed by riding up the Fjellheisen cable car up or climbing up the 1,200 stone steps on the Sherpa staircase.
For those hunting for a city break, you can still enjoy the view of the lights and the city’s stunning architecture from one of Tromsø’s sky bars. Equally, Parkgata Street is located close to Kongsbakken City Park and benefits from the absence of streetlights, creating a darker and more immersive environment.
The optimal time to witness the Northern Lights in Tromsø is generally from September to April. The period between October and March offers higher chances of experiencing the spectacle.
Under 80,000 people live and work in Tromsø and its surrounding area, with tourism and fishing being the key economic industries.
Tromsø has been christened by some as the “Paris of the North” thanks to its student culture, with year-round concerts and festivals to attend. The city is full of arctic history, rich culture, modern cuisine and unspoilt surroundings. There are several interesting museums and art galleries to explore, such as the Polar Museum.
Every year, its hundreds of summits attract ski-touring enthusiasts and in autumn there are plenty of hiking opportunities. It is also possible to go dog sledging or visit an Alaskan husky farm nearby.
On a guided whale safari, you stand a chance of getting a unique view of humpback whales and killer whales.
On Tripadvisor, one lucky visitor to Tromsø was able to witness the Northern Lights, writing: “The trip was just awesome. The sky exploded with lights blue, green, red, pink.”
Another said: “We were able to see the lights multiple times so amazingly. I was actually mind blown by how amazing it was…”