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 fjord-side city best known for the fierce Battle of Narvik during World War II, where Allied and Axis forces clashed over this strategically vital ice-free port in 1940. The Narvik War Museum and Ofoten Museum bring this history to vivid life. But Narvik is also an outstanding winter sports and aurora destination: the Narvikfjellet ski resort rises 1,000m directly behind the city, offering excellent downhill skiing with the rare bonus of possible aurora sightings from the slopes. At 68.4°N, Narvik sits well inside the auroral oval and experiences polar night from mid-December to late December. The dramatic Ofoten Railway journey from Riksgränsen in Sweden — traversing snow-laden tundra and dramatic fjord views — is one of Scandinavia's most scenic train rides. Far less touristy than Tromsø, Narvik offers an authentic Arctic Norway experience with genuine local character, competitive prices, and excellent aurora viewing from October through March.

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 (EVE) with connections via Oslo. Alternatively, reach by the scenic Ofoten Railway from Sweden — one of Scandinavia's most spectacular rail journeys.

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 →

🌌

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 →