Tromso’s Solar Spectacle
If you want to see the northern lights, there are a few strict conditions to be met: the sky must be pitch dark and cloudless, and there should be enough solar activity. So said Hassan, our guide in Tromso city, just west of the Norwegian mainland. Witnessing the famed northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, was on my bucket list for a long time. So, on my maiden trip to Norway, my husband and I had booked a tour to witness this wondrous natural phenomenon.
We started from our hotel in Tromso around 6.30 pm in the evening and after an hour and a half of riding in a mini bus, we stopped at an isolated open ground; according to Hassan’s app, this was a promising place to see the lights. Unfortunately, when we arrived, solar activity was minimal. With the temperatures dropping to a freezing negative 4 degrees Celsius and wind speeds up to 45 km per hour, spotting the northern lights was the last thing on my mind. Despite the layers on me, the wind chill felt unbearable, and all I wanted was to go back into our bus.
Aurora Borealis: A riot of colors
Seeing the disappointment on my face, the ever-optimistic Hassan said that it was common not to spot the lights on the first try, and that the app was pointing to another location with better chances to see the lights. I was, of course, more relieved to step into the bus whose interior felt like a warm, welcoming hug. And just as I was starting to get comfortable, Hassan exclaimed, “Guys we need to get out soon, there is great activity happening!”
This got everyone excited, and as we alighted the vehicle, the sky lit up in hues of purple, green, pink and red. Nothing could have prepared me for this compelling display of colors in the night sky. Not surprisingly, the biting cold was the last thing on my mind! What ensued was an enthusiastic scramble for pictures, shooting for Instagram posts, reels and selfies galore. Hassan, in his inimitable style, served us hot chocolate, cake and fire-roasted marshmallows.
Tromso surely lived up to its reputation of being one of the best places in the world to see this magnificent spectacle in the night sky, which happens when atoms in our atmosphere collide with charged solar particles caught up in Earth’s magnetic field.
Tromso: A city for all seasons
Situated on the island of Tromsøya in Norway, Tromso is one of the northernmost cities in the world. While it is most famous for the northern lights, this multifaceted city, located about 700 miles from Oslo, is one for all seasons. Whether you visit during summer or winter, Tromso offers visitors a kaleidoscope of experiences.
Nestled amid icy fjords, Tromso is a city where you can witness the midnight sun from around mid-May to mid-July in the summer and the polar night from mid-November to mid-January. It is a haven for nature lovers and adventure junkies. With easy accessibility from the capital city of Oslo, Tromso is often considered the gateway for Arctic exploration.
Tromso in summer means endless hours of sunlight and a great time to hike in the hills, swim in the ocean and camp outdoors. With almost 24 hours of sunlight, you can explore the fjords, indulge in whale watching and tour some of the quaint fishing hamlets in and around the city.
The peak season for visiting Tromso is, however, winter when it turns into a wonderland. From dog and reindeer sledding and reindeer feeding to snowmobile safaris, Tromso is a favorite with tourists during the colder months.
The most popular activity is, of course, witnessing the northern lights, the celestial spectacle that transforms the sky into a riot of colors. Several tours – like the one I took – track solar activity via apps, and take you to the outskirts, where the chances of sightings are very high.
Mind, Body & Soul
Tromso offers a host of attractions for the discerning traveler. Some of the oldest wooden houses in Norway date back to the 18th century. These colorful houses reveal several socio-cultural histories of the time.
If museum hopping is on your list, Tromso does not disappoint. I enjoyed the Perspective Museum, home to a wide collection of the city’s historical artifacts. It also exhibits the work of amateur and professional Tromso photographers. There is an entire display dedicated to Norwegian author and Tromso native Cora Sandel.
The Polar Museum gives valuable insights into Arctic life starting from the 17th century and chronicles the work of adventurers, hunters and researchers.
The Arctic Cathedral is a prominent landmark in the city and is known for its world-class architecture that boasts of elements like large prism chandeliers, oak pews and glass mosaic work. I was fascinated by the organ in the church – it had 2,940 pipes!
A ride on the Fjellheisen cable car was another highlight of our trip. It brought us from Solliveien in Tromsdalen, which is a 10-minute bus ride from the city centre, to Storsteinen, 421 meters above sea level, in just four minutes! The view of snow-covered Tromso from atop was stunning. It is also a great place for hiking and paragliding in the summer.
Tromso is a spectacular gateway to Arctic experiences throughout the year. Whether it was the solar spectacle or the city’s rich history and stunning landscapes, the city offered us myriad and memorable experiences for a lifetime.
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