Northern Norway Tours & Trips
4.6 stars on(8,914 reviews)- Choose from 50+ Northern Norway tours
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Table of contents
- The best Northern Norway tour packages
- What people love about Northern Norway Tours
- Travel Northern Norway your way
- Best tour companies for Northern Norway tours
- Popular Northern Norway Cruise Ships
- Northern Norway tours for every type of group
- Top Northern Norway travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Northern Norway
- Contact our Northern Norway travel experts
- What our customers ask about Northern Norway Tours & Trips
The best Northern Norway tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaNorthern Norway travel expert at TourRadar
Northern Lights of Scandinavia (Classic)
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This trip was a bucket list trip and Insight Vacations made it an absolutely incredible experience.”
Courtney, traveled in December
Northern lights dance from Honningsvåg's historic church to Alta's Northern Lights Cathedral. Champion dog sledding awaits at Alta's husky farm, while traditional Sámi culture flourishes in Tromsø. Coastal views enhance stays at Scandic Bryggen, with authentic Nordic dining and premium rooms at Radisson Blu Tromsø.
Duration 10 days Destinations Helsinki, Ivalo, Honningsvag, Alta, Tromso, Oslo Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Insight Vacations From $7,970
10% Off- NZ$7,173+$1,080 upfront costsYou save $797
Arctic Experience in Tromsø and Lofoten Islands
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The accommodation was excellent. We saw the Northern Lights in Tromso, and it snowed most days.”
Gerry, traveled in March
Winter magic unfolds from Tromsø to Harstad, with luxurious stays at premium hotels like Scandic Narvik. The world's northernmost Polar Park showcases Arctic predators, while traditional Sami culture comes alive at reindeer farms. Expert guides lead Northern Lights searches across pristine Arctic landscapes.
Duration 6 days Destinations Tromso, Narvik, Svolvær, Reine, Harstad Age Range Ages 8+ Operator V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia From $3,449
4% Off- NZ$3,300You save $149
Duration 8 days Destinations Tromso, Narvik, Lofoten, Nusfjord Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Journaway From $3,496
36% Off- NZ$2,244You save $1,252
Polar Nights in Northern Norway - 5 days
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The weather was on our side and we were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights 3/4 night.”
Ana, traveled in February
Arctic adventures extend from Tromsø's city life to Sommarøy's tranquil fishing village. Sami culture comes alive through reindeer sledding, while Tromsø's Polar Museum shares Arctic history. Arctic Light Campfire sessions and optional Northern Lights cruises complement 4-star accommodation.
Duration 5 days Destinations Tromso, Sommaroy Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $5,355
25% Off- NZ$4,016You save $1,339
Polar Nights in Tromsø & Sommarøy Island
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Well organised. We defintely recommend this tour. Everything else was really great!”
Bianca, traveled in March
Arctic adventures span 5 days across Tromsø and remote Sommarøy Island. The Polar Museum showcases Arctic trappers' history, while Sami guides lead reindeer sledding experiences. Northern Lights searches occur on land and sea, with breakfast and select dinners included.
Duration 5 days Destinations Tromso, Sommaroy Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia From
25% Off- NZ$3,399
What people love about Northern Norway Tours
- Northern Lights of Scandinavia (Small Groups)
Northern Lights tour with Insight Vacations was very well designed to maximize the experience. The tour leader Zsofi was exceptional and our most capable driver Iceman Tom made it an unforgettable experience. I loved the ease of the pace...no rush mornings as most of the activities were later into the day to ensure you were brighteyed and bushy tailed (awake) for the nighttime spectacle we came for...lady Aurora Borealis. And what a,show the fair lady put on for us...we saw her on nights 2 and 3 of the tour. Our hearts were thrilled. Mission accomplished...bucket list checked. The coach, the accommodation the optionals
Rianna was amazing and kept the trip very organised. She was very approachable and went out of her way to find extra activities that travellers asked about to ensure everyone had the best experience possible
Norway Fjords and Northern Lights (From November 2025)
- Arctic Experience in Tromsø and Lofoten Islands
I would have like to receive a detailed itinerary with approximate arrival times in each new location when I booked the trip so I could have planned excursions I would have liked to to do.
Travel Northern Norway your way
The northern lights are the big draw for Norway exploration, and we've structured our 7-10 day Arctic tours to maximize your chances of seeing them. You'll sleep in some really unique spots - glass-roofed cabins at Aurora Village and converted fishing huts called rorbuer scattered across the Lofoten Islands. Our guides track weather patterns and drive you to the best viewing spots, though we're always straight with guests that clear skies and timing play a big role. The prime season runs September through March when the dark Arctic nights create ideal conditions. Our travelers tell us they love how the tours mix outdoor experiences with local culture. You can fish for king crab right near the Russian border, cruise through fjords on eco-friendly vessels and visit North Cape - the northernmost point you can reach in Europe. We've carefully chosen overnight stops in Tromsø, Alta and also Honningsvåg to put you in prime position for both daytime activities and evening aurora watches. A genuine highlight for many guests is meeting working husky farms where they learn about competitive dog sledding and the deep bond between mushers and their dogs.
Explore a wide diversity of self-guided tours through Northern Norway. We have 30 adventures that vary from 5 days to 15 days. With the greatest number of departures in October, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Explore a wide diversity of northern lights tours through Northern Norway. We have 25 adventures that vary from 4 days to 10 days. With the greatest number of departures in January, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Explore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through Northern Norway. We have 17 adventures that vary from 4 days to 11 days. With the greatest number of departures in December, this is also the most popular time of the year.
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for Northern Norway tours
Insight Vacations really delivers on their Northern Lights tours - the coaches are comfortable and the hotels well-chosen. The whole setup is quite thoughtfully designed, according to travelers who've done these trips recently. One of the big standouts is Contiki's tour manager Rianna. Our travelers consistently mention how she keeps everything running smoothly while sharing loads of useful information. She brings a great energy to the trips and takes care of all the little details that make a tour work well. The feedback on TourRadar bookings is a bit mixed though. Some customers felt they weren't given enough updates about how weather conditions might affect their chances of seeing the Northern Lights. There were also some hiccups with airport pickup arrangements that caused unnecessary stress for travelers. When it comes to seeing the Northern Lights, managing expectations is really important. Weather plays a huge role and while the tour companies try their best to maximize viewing opportunities, nature doesn't always cooperate. Clear communication about these factors helps travelers plan better and understand what they're signing up for. My practical take: Insight Vacations and Contiki both run solid Northern Lights programs with good infrastructure and experienced guides. Just be sure to ask detailed questions about the transfer arrangements and weather policies when booking through TourRadar to avoid any surprises.
View operators
Popular Northern Norway Cruise Ships
Northern Norway tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
25 tours in Northern NorwayOur most popular group tours through Northern Norway run 7-10 days, starting in Tromsø before moving on to Honningsvåg and Alta. You'll spend your nights in spots carefully picked for northern lights viewing, plus get plenty of time with local sled dogs at working husky farms. What our travelers really love is how these tours mix outdoor experiences with authentic cultural moments - like sharing meals with Sámi reindeer herders in their traditional lavvu tents, listening to stories around the fire.
Small Group
7 tours in Northern NorwaySmall group tours follow similar routes but keep numbers low so everyone gets more attention from the guides. After kicking off at Helsinki's Art Nouveau GLO Hotel, you'll head north to chase the aurora. The smaller vehicles mean you can reach more secluded viewing spots, well away from city lights. Our customers particularly enjoy connecting with S'ami communities - they'll show you how to feed their reindeer herds and share insights into their traditional way of life.
Private / Personalized
39 tours in Northern NorwayFor complete flexibility, private tours running 4-5 days focus on Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands. Having your own guide means you can try activities like king crab fishing near the Russian border or take eco-friendly boat trips through Trollfjord. Photographers especially appreciate these tours since timing and locations can shift based on conditions. When chasing the northern lights, your guide can drive you to multiple spots in a single night to find the clearest skies.
Top Northern Norway travel itineraries to fit your plans
Our 7-day Norway tours really show what the Arctic is all about, with routes that line up perfectly with northern lights season. The journey from Tromsø to North Cape is particularly good - you'll stay in proper fishing villages and cruise through some incredible fjords. One route we often recommend combines time in Tromsø city with a quiet cruise through Trollfjord before heading to Svolvær, which serves as the main hub of the Lofoten Islands. If you're into wildlife, there's another excellent option that takes you through the Lyngen Alps to see Alta's Ice Hotel and includes a proper adventure - joining a snowplow convoy to reach Europe's northernmost point. For people who love taking photos, the routes through Andenes work really well; you can spot whales and visit some really untouched Arctic beaches.
With 10 days in northern Norway, you get to properly settle into Arctic life. These tours start in Helsinki's Art Nouveau quarter before heading up into Finnish Lapland, where you'll sleep in cabins with glass roofs - perfect for watching the northern lights. Our travelers tell us they really value the time spent with Sámi communities, helping with reindeer herds and listening to traditional songs in lavvu tents. You'll visit Honningsvåg, Alta and also Tromsø, and there's flexibility to try things like king crab fishing, visiting husky farms or exploring UNESCO sites. The pace works well too - you get guided activities but also enough free time to wander around these lovely Arctic towns on your own.
Demographics
Solo travelers fit right in on our northern lights focused tours, with shared stays in glass-roofed Aurora Village cabins and converted fishing rorbuer. These journeys run 5-8 days and naturally bring people together around evening campfires while searching for the aurora. Our solo guests really appreciate how the tours mix guided activities with free time to discover Tromsø's Arctic charm on their own. You'll get practical support like airport transfers and organized meals, plus plenty of space to wander through museums, cafes and also cultural spots independently.
Couples looking for Arctic Circle romance have some really nice options to choose from. Our most-booked couple tours blend cozy nights in traditional rorbuer fishing cabins with evening northern lights cruises away from city glow. You can share intimate moments during traditional Sami meals in lavvu tents and private reindeer sledding trips. Our traveling couples often mention how special it feels watching the aurora together from glass-roofed cabins at Aurora Village or during firelit evenings on Sommarøy's beaches. There's a good mix of planned activities and free time to explore fishing villages and enjoy local seafood restaurants together.
Young adults love our winter itineraries that pack in outdoor action and Arctic nightlife over 7-8 days. You'll lead your own dog sled team, drive snowmobiles through untouched landscapes and join northern lights photo tours. The tours include time in Tromsø - with its lively student vibe and pub culture - plus stays at wilderness camps where you'll connect with other travelers around campfires waiting for the aurora. Active choices fill the days: snowshoeing, hiking Mount Storsteinen and also exploring the Polar Park wildlife center.
Senior travelers can pick from several thoughtfully paced tours running 8-10 days that combine comfort with Arctic exploration. You'll stay in quality spots like the Art Nouveau GLO Hotel and Aurora Village while discovering UNESCO sites, meeting Sami communities and exploring Alta Museum's ancient rock art. Our senior guests particularly like the evening northern lights searches by comfortable coach or cruise ship. The tours also offer flexibility to adjust the pace with extra rest time when needed.
The family tours across Northern Norway really shine with activities that work for all ages. You'll spend multiple days exploring together, starting with visits to working reindeer farms where kids can feed the animals while parents dive into Sami culture and traditions. Winter brings out some great experiences - our travelers tell us driving their own dog sleds creates those perfect family moments that stick around for years. Most tours use Tromsø as a base with its family-ready hotels, then head out to places like Camp Tamok for snowmobiling, husky encounters and northern lights watching around a cozy campfire.
Solo Travelers54 tours All tours for Solo Travelers- Couples50 tours
- Seniors (50+)16 tours
Best time to visit Northern Norway
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Autumn brings back dark skies for aurora viewing while keeping temperatures mild enough for outdoor activities. Our best programs mix northern lights hunting with local culture - one day you're at Alta's original Northern Lights observatory, the next you're joining Sámi people for traditional joik singing. Many tours head into Arctic fjords where you might spot migrating whales while looking for the aurora. The comfortable temperatures and increasing darkness make autumn perfect for king crab fishing near the Russian border, exploring Tromsø's old quarter and also visiting its modern Arctic Cathedral.
- October 2025 16 tours
- November 2025 popular 19 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter in Northern Norway really comes alive with our Arctic tours, running 7-10 days through Tromsø, Alta and also Honningsvåg. The glass-roofed cabins at Aurora Village are a customer favorite - you can watch for northern lights from your bed between September and March. Dog sledding stands out as the top winter activity, where you get to drive your own sled through fresh snow. Our guests tell us how special it feels to meet the husky teams and hear stories from mushers about competitive sledding. The winter routes include reindeer safaris with Sámi guides who welcome you into their traditional lavvu tents for meals and good conversation around the fire. Some tours add overnight Hurtigruten voyages, letting you chase the aurora along Norway's rugged coast on your way to the North Cape.
- 27 tours
- popular 33 tours
- 33 tours
- Spring 2026
Spring tours capture that sweet spot when days get longer but winter activities are still running. Our 5-day programs linking Tromsø with Sommarøy Island work really well, with chances to see northern lights early in the season. You'll go reindeer sledding, visit the Arctic's northernmost Polar Park and walk through charming fishing villages with local guides. What makes spring interesting is how you might go dog sledding one morning then hop on a RIB boat to spot sea eagles that afternoon. The clear spring air and extra daylight give photographers plenty to work with, especially during northern lights watches from dark beaches away from city lights.
- popular 30 tours
Contact our Northern Norway travel experts
Micaela
Expert in Northern Norway at TourRadar
Micaela is one of our seasoned Northern Norway Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Northern Norway tours answered!
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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Northern Norway Tours & Trips
What's the best time to see the Northern Lights in Northern Norway?
You'll get your best shot at catching the Northern Lights during spring around March and April or autumn in September and October. These months are perfect really - you've got those nice dark skies and the aurora shows up frequently. If you're planning a trip you'll want to look at tours running September through April. The Norway Fjords and Northern Lights tour kicks off in November and it's a great option for light chasers.
What local cultural experiences can you join in Northern Norway?
The Sami people's culture is something you can really dive into here. You'll get to try reindeer sledding join traditional meals in their lavvu tents and learn about their fascinating history including their unique joik singing. Most of these experiences happen around Tromsø and up in Finnmark where you'll find reindeer farms and Sami camps. Our travelers absolutely loved the reindeer sledding on the Under the Northern Lights: Arctic Dreams Norway tour. The Norway Fjords and Northern Lights tour also lets you visit a Sami camp and spend time with reindeer plus your visit helps support the local community.
What natural areas can you explore outside the cities in Northern Norway?
The Lofoten Islands are just incredible - this archipelago with its dramatic peaks and fishing villages is easy to reach by car on the E10 or by ferry. The Arctic Experience tour takes you through Lofoten where you'll see these amazing white beaches mountains lakes and cute fishing villages. Then there's the Lyngen Alps which are perfect for hiking with stunning fjords and challenging trails. You can explore them through guided tours rent a car or catch the bus. The North Cape Under the Snow tour drives through the Lyngen Alps and you'll see where these massive mountains meet the Arctic Ocean it's really something.
How do you get around Northern Norway?
Getting around's pretty flexible here. The ferries connect all the coastal towns and islands though schedules change with the seasons. If you're on the Tromsø and Lofoten by Land and Sea tour you'll take a really nice ferry ride back to Tromsø from Svolvær. The Hurtigruten coastal ship runs daily between Bergen and Kirkenes it's great for both getting around and sightseeing. Renting a car gives you freedom to explore but watch out for winter driving. Buses connect the bigger places but they're less frequent in remote areas. People who took the North Cape Under the Snow tour loved their Hurtigruten journey especially watching for Northern Lights from the sea.
Which lesser-known spots should you check out in Northern Norway?
Narvik's this fascinating port city that doesn't get as crowded as Tromsø but it's surrounded by gorgeous fjords and mountains. You can visit the Narvik War Museum hit some hiking trails or try winter sports. The Arctic Experience tour stops here and really shows you why this place was so important in World War II. The Vesterålen Islands are another hidden gem - they're perfect for whale watching hiking and exploring these charming little fishing communities that feel really authentic.