Senja
The best places to see the Northern Lights in Senja
- At Tungeneset or Bergsbotn viewpoint, both on the National Scenic Route.
- From a hot tub at Hamn in Senja.
- From one of the white sand beaches like Ballesvikstranda, Ersfjordstranda or Bøstranda.
- Snowshoeing in Ånderdalen National Park.
Imagine that you are far away from civilisation. It’s completely silent, and you are breathing in pure, fresh air. And if you are lucky, above your head the majestic northern lights are dancing across the night sky. When was the last time you experienced complete silence?
If you want to get away from the crowds, Senja, just an hour's scenic boat trip from Tromsø, is the place to go. The coastline around Senja is wild and dramatic. Here, you will see alpine peaks, fjords and white beaches, in every direction.
There are several resorts in Senja, with delicious restaurants, and even some with steaming hot saunas or jacuzzis. Hamn is the biggest village and a haven for adventurers, offering a variety of winter activities from fishing, snowshoeing, body rafting and wildlife safaris, to aurora hunting and ski touring. The modern Senja Fjordhotell and Mefjord Brygge are both focused on fishing, but are also popular among ski tourers. There are also several other smaller establishments and tour companies that offer cosy accommodation and help to plan your winter adventure.
Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and RIB-safaris are other popular activities on the island. A visit to the tiny village of Husøy, or "house island", where they still practice the siesta, a Spanish tradition that came to Senja with Spanish sailors many hundreds of years ago. It's also a must for explorers.
If your aim is to hunt the northern lights in Senja, its local professional guides always know the best spots. The wild nature will make your aurora adventure an eventful trip for both body and soul. And if you are lucky, you might spot moose, eagles, seals, and reindeer along the way.
Winter in Northern Norway
Did you know that you can experience the northern lights as early as late September until late March?
4-day tour including a cruise with Hurtigruten. Choose from a wide selection of winter activities including dog sledding and northern lights excursions.
Price from NOK 7 080Book Now
6-day tour, including a return cruise from Tromsø to Kirkenes with Hurtigruten. Visit the North Cape and try winter activities including dog sledding and snowmobiling.
Price from NOK 12 030Book Now
Join a northern lights cruise and enjoy delicious arctic tapas from our partner in Tromsø, while hunting for the northern lights!
Price from NOK 1 790Book Now
Spend 5 days in Alta at an Arctic wilderness resort, a forest chalet and an igloo-style dome. Enjoy dog sledding, snowmobiling, and ice-fishing.
Price from NOK 40 800Book Now
4-day winter break to Tromsø, including dog sledding and a northern lights chase by minibus. Additional winter activities can be added.
Price from NOK 9 060Book Now
4-day break to Tromsø with a cruise and hunt for the northern lights. With one free day, you can add winter activities like dog sledding, a reindeer safari, and more.
Price from NOK 7 690Book Now
This 6-day tour includes a guided day tour of Tromsø, sea kayaking, and a sea eagle safari. Stay in a small fishing village and learn how to capture the northern lights on camera.
Price from NOK 16 275Book Now
4-day trip with an aurora-chase guided tour, RIB boat tour, and accommodation in a traditional fisherman's cabin.
Price from NOK 9 498Book Now
6-day winter adventure. See the fjords and the Arctic city of Tromsø. Winter activities like dog sledding, a northern lights safari, and much more can be added.
Price from NOK 8 490Book Now
Explore the Tromsø fjords on a hybrid-electric boat with panoramic windows, while savouring a delicious dinner and keeping an eye out for the magical northern lights.
Price from NOK 1 590Book Now
Join a 6-day northern lights round trip. Fly from Oslo to Tromsø and experience all the highlights of the region, including several opportunities to chase the northern lights.
Price from NOK 27 995Book Now
6-night round trip from Oslo. Stay at an ice hotel, go on a king crab safari, take a reindeer sleigh ride, and enjoy an Arctic gourmet dinner.
Price from NOK 31 595Book Now
Round trip from Oslo including a scenic train ride to Trondheim, two nights onboard a cruise ship, a visit to Bodø, Tromsø, and a Viking feast on the Lofoten Islands.
Price from NOK 24 350Book Now
Fly from Oslo to Kirkenes and stay overnight at a snow hotel, then go wilderness dog sledding before taking a 5-night cruise to Bergen. Visit Trondheim's Nidaros Cathedral and Lofoten along the way.
Price from NOK 34 510Book Now
Join a 7-day adventure through Norway. Chase the northern lights, go on a king crab safari, experience dog sledding, and explore Flåm and the UNESCO fjords.
Price from NOK 26 890Book Now
7-hour trip. Your guide will choose the camp location with the highest chance of seeing the northern lights. All camps have shelters, toilets, campfires, and benches outside.
Price from NOK 1 590Book Now
Combine a northern lights experience with comfort and luxury. These once-in-a-lifetime stays are in prime locations for optimal aurora borealis viewing.
Price from NOK 3 000Book now
Hunt the northern lights along Norway's entire coastal route with 34 ports, 1,000 mountains, and more than 100 fjords. Enjoy insightful lectures from astronomers during the voyage.
Price from NOK 28 048Book Now
Spend a night in a private crystal Lavvo in the Lyngen Alps. Learn how to photograph the aurora and try snowshoeing. Return transfers, lunch, dinner, and breakfast are also included.
Price from NOK 3 390Book Now
Enjoy two nights in central Tromsø , including a northern lights tour. Stay in a Crystal Lavvo in the Lyngen Alps, with a view of the auroras. Local transfers, activities and meals included.
Price from NOK 11 220Book now
Try reindeer sledding, spend the night in a traditional Sami tent, feed reindeer, and enjoy Arctic landscapes. With some luck, the northern lights might appear!
Price from NOK 3 995Book now
Experience Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic and a great place to witness the spectacular northern lights! This holiday package includes two nights stay in a cosy hotel and two unforgettable tours that maximise your chance of seeing the mighty aurora borealis.
Price from NOK 6 790Book nowWhat to do
Where to stay
Where to eat
Getting There
The island has good roads.
National Tourist Route Senja is a magnificent route that runs between the ocean and the mountains.
The train stops in Fauske, from where you can take a bus to Senja via Narvik.
If you are coming from Sweden, the Swedish SJ railway company operates a service to Narvik, from where frequent buses go to Senja and Central Troms.
The nearest airport is Bardufoss Airport, which offers several daily connections to Oslo.
You can also fly to Tromsø Airport or Harstad airport and go by boat to Senja.
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There are bus connections from Finnsnes to most of the western villages in Senja. However, travelling between villages on the western side is difficult by public transportation, and good planning is essential.
Fast, comfortable high-speed ferries link Tromsø and Harstad, calling at Finnsnes and smaller ports along the way.
An hour's drive from Tromsø, the car ferry between Brensholmen and Botnhamn is a year-round service.
In summer, there is a ferry connection from Andenes in Vesterålen to Gryllefjord.
The Norwegian Coastal Voyage Hurtigruten calls at Finnsnes twice a day.
