Tromsø

Norway's "Gateway to the Arctic"

 At 350 kilometres (217 miles) above the Arctic Circle, it’s no wonder Tromsø is often called the “Gateway to the Arctic”.

The city is rich in history and culture, with famously friendly residents.

But what charms visitors most about Tromsø isn’t what goes on in the city, but above it. Set right in the middle of the “aurora zone,” this city and its surrounding areas are ranked among the best places on earth to observe the incredible northern lights.

The chances of spotting the elusive aurora are made all the better by the polar night. Tromsø experiences this each year between late November and late January, when the sun stays below the horizon.