4 Best Places in Tromsø to see the Northern Lights

Tromsø, Norway is one of the best places in the world to witness the magic of the aurora borealis. While there are many different options for guided tours and cruises to see the Northern Lights in Tromsø, they can be quite expensive (let’s face it, nearly everything in Tromsø can be quite expensive). If you’d rather save your kroner for souvenirs, you can easily plan a DIY aurora chase from the city center on your own.

Here are four fantastic locations to see and photograph the Northern Lights that are close to Tromsø city center and are accessible by foot or public transportation:

Prestvannet Lake

Popular with both locals and visitors, Prestvannet Lake is fantastic spot for aurora gazing. Situated on a hill just outside the city center, it’s an excellent vantage point where city lights won’t compete with nature’s show. Plus, the elevated position means you’ll have an unobstructed view of the sky.

Getting There: From the city center, walk west along Storgata until you hit Mellomvegen. Then, it’s a scenic 25-minute walk uphill to the lake. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight, as paths can be icy and dimly lit.

Why It’s Worth It: This spot has a natural, open setting ideal for capturing long-exposure shots, with the quiet lake and potentially some snow-dusted trees adding extra texture to your photos.

Telegrafbukta

If you’re looking for a Northern Lights viewing spot with a water reflection twist, head south to Telegrafbukta Beach. It’s a bit further from the city center but still accessible, with sweeping views over the water, where the aurora can sometimes double its beauty by reflecting off the waves. The gentle lapping of the Arctic Sea makes this spot feel especially peaceful, even if there’s a small crowd.

Getting There: Hop on Bus 34 from the city center toward Tromsø Museum and get off at the Telegrafbukta stop. The ride takes about 15 minutes, and from there it’s a quick 5-minute walk down to the beach.

Why It’s Special: The beach setting is perfect for photographs with the aurora reflecting on the water, and the added element of waves or snow covered rocks can create truly unique images.

Tromsø Bridge

For a more urban aurora borealis experience, head to the pedestrian path on the Tromsø Bridge. Here, you’ll have the dramatic backdrop of the city lights glowing against the snow-covered mountains, with the aurora above for a surreal, layered photo composition.

Getting There: From central Tromsø, walk east on Storgata and head across the bridge. It’s only about 15 minutes on foot, and once you’re on the bridge, find a vantage point where you can steady your tripod.

Why It’s Unique: The contrast of the city lights below and aurora overhead can make for mesmerizing photos.

Top of Mount Storsteinen

Take the Fjellheisen cable car to the top of Mount Storsteinen for an epic northern lights viewing point t 421 meters above sea level. From here, Tromsø’s lights sparkle below and you’ll have a sweeping view of the aurora-prone Arctic sky. At 421 meters above sea level, you’ll get one of the best Northern Lights vantage points near the city, plus a cozy cafe at the top (open till 11:30PM) where you can warm up between shots.

Getting There: Take Bus 26 from the city center towards Tromsdalen and get off at the Fjellheisen stop. The bus ride is around 10 minutes, followed by a short walk to the cable car station. The cable car itself takes about 4 minutes to get the summit.

Why You’ll Love It: The panoramic views make this a must-see, even if the aurora doesn’t appear. But if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see Tromsø’s city lights sparkling below and the aurora swirling above—absolutely breathtaking.

Tips for Northern Lights Photography in Tromsø

• Pack Smart: Make sure to dress warmly in layers. Make sure you have a good pair of gloves, something warm in a thermos, and hand and foot warmers.
• Camera Tips: Bring a tripod, as the long exposures needed to capture the Northern Lights can lead to blur if your camera isn’t stable. Set your ISO between 800–1600, and experiment with exposures of 10-30 seconds.
• Time It Right: The Northern Lights are most active from late evening to early morning, roughly between 10 PM and 2 AM, but the aurora can be unpredictable, so keep checking apps or local forecasts for solar activity. The Aurora app is a great option.

Witnessing the Northern Lights is a magical experience that doesn’t have to cost a thing. Have you visited any of these spots or do you have a favorite Northern Lights vantage point in Tromsø? I’d love to hear about it – drop a note in the comments!

Happy aurora hunting!