Can you see the northern lights in Narvik?

Yes — Narvik is rated 8/10 for aurora visibility, making it a world-class northern lights destination. The best viewing months are October, November, December, January. You need clear, dark skies and solar activity of Kp 3 or higher. Up to 18 hours of darkness per night in winter gives plenty of viewing windows.

What is the best month to visit Narvik?

The best months to visit Narvik are October, November, December, January, February, March. These months offer the longest dark skies for aurora watching. Temperatures are coldest but skies are darkest and clearest.

How much does it cost to visit Narvik per day?

The average daily budget for Narvik is around $150 USD per person, covering mid-range accommodation, meals, and standard activities. Budget travellers can reduce costs by self-catering and booking tours in advance, while premium aurora lodges and private guided experiences push costs higher.

What activities are available in Narvik?

Narvik offers a wide range of polar experiences including Northern Lights Tours, Skiing, Northern Lights Photography, Wildlife Watching, Snowshoeing, Hiking, and more. Northern lights tours are the headline attraction, with expert local guides chasing clear skies away from town light pollution.

Is Narvik suitable for families?

Narvik can be a rewarding family destination, particularly for families with older children (10+) who can handle cold temperatures and late-night aurora watches. The variety of guided activities and the sense of adventure make it memorable for family groups willing to embrace the polar conditions.

🇳🇴Norway

Narvik

✦8/10

History enthusiasts and skiers who want genuine Arctic atmosphere without the tourist crowds

Aurora Score

8/10 ✦

Daily Budget

$150/day

Access

🛤️ Moderate

Dark Hours (Winter)

18h

About Narvik

Narvik sits at 68.4°N on the Ofotfjord, a compact Arctic city framed by steep mountains and an ice-free harbour that gave it strategic importance far beyond its size. The Narvik War Museum gives the city real historical weight, but Narvik is just as compelling for skiers, photographers and travellers who want northern Norway without Tromsø crowds. Narvikfjellet rises directly above town, delivering wide fjord views, lift-access skiing and, on strong winter nights, the rare possibility of watching the aurora from the slopes. The Ofoten Railway to Sweden is one of Scandinavia's great rail journeys, especially in late winter and early spring when snow still covers the plateau; in May and June it becomes a useful scenic link for travellers combining Narvik with Abisko or Lofoten. Compared with Tromsø, Narvik feels less polished, less busy and often better value, which translates into easier restaurant bookings, calmer viewpoints and more breathing room for self-drive travellers. It is an excellent base from October to March for aurora trips, and a smart shoulder-season pick in April and May when roads are easier but the mountains still look properly Arctic.

Best Time to Visit

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

Monthly Weather & Aurora

Month	Avg Temp	Dark Hours	Aurora Chance
Jan★ Best	-4°C	18h	High
Feb★ Best	-3°C	14h	High
Mar★ Best	-1°C	8h	High
Apr	+3°C	3h	Low
May	+7°C	Midnight sun	—
Jun	+12°C	Midnight sun	—
Jul	+15°C	Midnight sun	—
Aug	+14°C	Midnight sun	—
Sep	+9°C	5h	Med
Oct★ Best	+4°C	11h	High
Nov★ Best	-1°C	16h	High
Dec★ Best	-3°C	18h	High

Activities

Northern Lights Tours Skiing Northern Lights Photography Wildlife Watching Snowshoeing Hiking Fjord Cruises Photography Tours Aurora Camp Kayaking Cross Country Skiing Ice Climbing Midnight Sun Viewing

Getting There

Fly to Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes (EVE), which is the main gateway for both Narvik and the wider Ofoten region, then continue about 1 hour by airport bus, rental car or private transfer. Narvik is also unusually easy to reach by rail: the Ofoten Railway links directly to Kiruna and onward Stockholm, making it one of the smartest Arctic destinations for a Norway-Sweden combo without driving. In ski season and again in late-winter photo season, booking near Narvikfjellet cuts transfer time and makes sunrise, blue-hour and evening outings much easier.

Cost Breakdown

Show prices in

Accommodation Highlights

✓Mountain hotels
✓Ski resort lodges
✓Guesthouses

Location

Budget Estimator

Trip length: 7 nights

3 nights21 nights

Budget

$788

Typical

$1,050

Comfort

$1,470

Based on avg $150/day in Narvik. Includes accommodation, food, local transport & one guided tour. Flights not included.

Quick Info

LanguageNorwegian (English widely spoken)

Regionarctic

Coordinates68.44°N, 17.43°E

Official Channels

@visitnarvik visitnarvik @visitnorway Website

📦

Packing List for Narvik

Interactive checklist with clothing layers, gear, and activity-specific items — based on real weather data.

View packing list →

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Get Aurora Alerts

Narvik is rated 8/10 for aurora. Get a free email alert the moment Kp hits 5+ — so you never miss the lights.

Compare Destinations

See how Narvik stacks up against other top aurora destinations.

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Plan by Month

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

🏨Where to Stay(10)

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Narvik Mountain Lodge

⭐ 4.7

Fjellveien 8515, 8515 Narvik, Norway

lodging

Website

Basecamp Narvik Hotel and Apartments

⭐ 4.4

Nordlyssvingan 2, 8515 Narvik, Norway

resort hotel

Website

Camp 291

⭐ 4.4

Nordlyssvingan 28, 8515 Narvik, Norway

lodging

Website

Breidablikk Guesthouse

⭐ 4.3

Tore Hunds gate 41, 8514 Narvik, Norway

hotel

Website

Bogen Hostel as

⭐ 4.3

⭐ 4.4$$

View all on Google Maps →

Day Out Narvik

⭐ 5.0

Dronningensgate 66, 8514 Narvik, Norway

service

@dayoutnarvik @suricate Website

Njalasouka Adventures AS

⭐ 5.0

Neset 15, 8522 Beisfjord, Norway

tour agency

Narvik Adventures AS

⭐ 4.9

Skogstjernebakken 5, 8515 Narvik, Norway

lodging

Website

Divenarvik

⭐ 4.8

Havnegata 1A, 8514 Narvik, Norway

⭐ 4.3

Kongensgate 39, 8514 Narvik, Norway

tourist information center

How Does Narvik Compare?

Side-by-side breakdowns featuring Narvik

Comparison

Narvik vs Tromsø for Northern Lights

A rising star in Norway's aurora scene versus its undisputed capital — Narvik offers exceptional powder skiing alongside Arctic lights, sitting at a similar latitude to Tromsø but with a very different mountain character. Both are well above the Arctic Circle.

vs TromsoSee comparison →