Chasing the Northern Light in Norway

It is just when the winter cloaks Norway in silence and snow, the sky begins to tell its own story — one painted in ribbons of emerald, violet, and gold. The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, transform the Arctic skies into a living canvas, drawing travelers from every corner of the globe. From ancient folklore to modern science, this celestial spectacle continues to enchant all who venture north to witness its otherworldly glow.

Now is the time to start preparing for an unforgettable voyage to Norway’s Arctic Circle, where snow-draped mountains, dramatic fjords, and serene coastal villages form the perfect backdrop for one of nature’s most elusive spectacles: the Northern Lights. From the vibrant city of Tromsø to the cultural enclave of Alta and the frozen frontier of Svalbard, Norway offers myriad ways to witness the celestial ballet that is the Aurora Borealis.

TROMSØ

The capital of the Aurora Borealis

Affectionately known as the “Paris of the North”, Tromsø is nestled just 350 kilometers from the North Pole, placing it squarely within the heart of the so-called “Aurora oval” – a geographical sweet spot where conditions are optimal for aurora sightings. With nearly 200 opportunities annually to view this dazzling light display, Tromsø has rightfully earned its reputation as the “Capital of the Northern Lights”. Local folklore even suggests that, under the right conditions, one can hear the Northern Lights – a phenomenon yet to be confirmed by science, but enchanting nonetheless.

While the city is a year-round destination, aurora seekers typically arrive between September and March. For those averse to the harsh cold of deep winter (when temperatures often plunge below -10°C), late March to early April offers a more temperate alternative – though the shorter hours of darkness slightly diminish the likelihood of a sighting. To optimize your chances, search “Aurora View Point” in the Windy application so that you can locate remote vantage points away from city lights, monitor cloud cover and check aurora forecasts.

But Tromsø’s charms extend beyond the sky. Take a leisurely stroll along Storgata, the city’s bustling main street lined with quaint wooden architecture, chic cafés, gourmet restaurants, boutique shops, a local cinema, and even a craft brewery. Be sure to visit the iconic Arctic Cathedral, which boasts a striking modern design that mirrors the region’s rugged peaks, and Polaria, an Arctic-themed aquarium and science center offering insight into polar life

ALTA

A city steeped in nature, culture, and UNESCO heritage

A scenic journey from Tromsø brings you to Alta, a town in the highlands of northern Norway’s Finnmark county where the charm of Arctic nature, rich cultural heritage, and thrilling outdoor adventures converge in one remarkable destination.

Home to the world’s first permanent Northern Lights observatory – established in 1899 atop Haldde Mountain at 900 meters above sea level – Alta has long been at the forefront of aurora research. The pioneering research conducted here has helped demystify this natural phenomenon, identifying it as the result of solar wind colliding with Earth’s magnetic field – an invisible battle turned breathtakingly visible. Though the observatory now operates from Tromsø, its legacy remains central to the town’s identity.

Alta is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to the extraordinary rock carvings of Alta in Hjemmeluft. This prehistoric art, etched into sandstone cliffs by hunter gatherers millennia ago, provides an evocative glimpse into early Arctic life.

Cultural and outdoor activities abound here – explore the award-winning Alta Museum, gain insight into indigenous Sami traditions at the Boazo Sami Siida reindeer camp, and immerse yourself in local life at the Borealis Vinterfestival held each March, which celebrates music, art, and gastronomy. Don’t miss the Finnmarksløpet, a long-distance sled dog race organized every year – a thrilling testament to Arctic endurance

SVALBARD

Land of eternal light and endless nights

Remote, raw, and utterly otherworldly, Svalbard is the northernmost inhabited settlement on Earth – an archipelago that lies closer to the North Pole than to mainland Norway. Its ancient Norse name translates as “Land of the Cold Shores,” a fitting description for this land of extremes. Although first sighted by Viking seafarers in the 12th century, Svalbard remained largely uninhabited until the 16th century due to its formidable landscape and climate.

Svalbard offers not just one, but two remarkable atmospheric phenomena. From April to August, the height of summer brings the Midnight Sun – a surreal period when daylight lingers endlessly and the sun never dips below the horizon. In stark contrast, winter ushers in the Polar Night – more than three months of near-total darkness, perfect for uninterrupted aurora hunting.

Yet Svalbard is not merely about celestial spectacles. It is a wildlife sanctuary teeming with Arctic foxes, reindeer, whales, dolphins, walruses, seals – and polar bears, whose numbers surpass the human population. Signs warning of bear encounters are not ornamental, but a practical necessity in this unforgiving wilderness.

Beyond its breathtaking landscapes, Svalbard invites visitors to embrace adventure in every form – from snowmobiling across vast fields of ice and snow, to venturing into otherworldly glaciers and shimmering ice caves, to dog sledding with eager Alaskan huskies. For a gentler pace, a stroll among the colorful wooden houses of Longyearbyen offers a charming glimpse into life at the edge of the Arctic.

Unfolding the myth of the auroras with your own eyes. Fly to Oslo, Norway with Thai Airways!