Northern Lights Guide to Murmansk: When to Go, Is Seeing Guaranteed, What to Wear?

Written by: Süleyman Öz, co-founder and operations manager of Holitera Turizm

Our guests who ask about the Northern Lights tour always have three identical questions: “When should I go, is it guaranteed to be visible, how cold will it be?” We have been organizing tours to Murmansk with our influencer teams for several seasons now. In this article, I share what we’ve learned on the ground with short and clear answers.

When can the Northern Lights be seen?

The aurora season in Murmansk lasts from late September to late March. The best time is between December and February, as these months feature the longest nights and darkest skies. From the beginning of December to mid-January, the sun never rises in the city (polar night); in the second half of January, days start to brighten, though they remain short. That’s why we schedule our tours for the last weeks of January: both dark nights continue and daytime allows visits to the city and Teriberka.

What time does the trip start at night?

The aurora is most often seen between 21:00 and 02:00. Hunting trips are conducted in areas away from city lights with clear skies. Our guide determines the departure time and direction by checking that night’s cloud map and aurora activity forecast (KP index).

Is it guaranteed to see the Northern Lights?

No, no one can guarantee it; the aurora is a natural phenomenon, and its biggest enemy is clouds. To increase your chances, don’t rely on just one night. Our programs include 3 nights of aurora hunting in Murmansk, with all hunting sessions included in the price.

How cold is it in Murmansk?

In January, temperatures are usually between -10 and -20 °C, with even lower felt temperatures on windy nights. If you dress appropriately, the cold won’t be a problem:

• Thermal base and top layers
• Down jacket or thick ski coat
• Waterproof winter boots with thick soles
• Two pairs of gloves, hat, and scarf
• Extra phone battery (they drain quickly in cold weather)

Tips for photographing the Northern Lights

It’s possible to take photos with a phone too: turn on night mode, stabilize the phone, and use a 3–10 second exposure. If you have a camera, a wide-angle lens, ISO 1600–3200, and a 5–15 second exposure make a good start. We recommend bringing a tripod.

Itinerary: Moscow, Murmansk, and St. Petersburg

Our tours begin in Moscow at Red Square and the Kremlin, then fly to Murmansk; here, guests spend 3 nights hunting for the aurora, visit Teriberka village on the Barents Sea coast, and explore a Sami village with reindeer. On the return trip, they tour the Hermitage Museum and the canals in St. Petersburg. THY flights, hotels, Turkish-speaking guides, and all extras are included in the price; an e-visa is required for Russia; no extra tours need to be paid on site.

Who can join?

We have four different departures for January 2027: Dilara’s Butik Russia Northern Lights Tour, groups with Raakman and Hızlı Gezginler, and Butik Russia Northern Lights Tour. Each group is limited to 25 people, and all our influencer tours are fixed-itinerary. For all itineraries, you can check out our Russia Tours page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join alone?

Yes. We place single participants in the same room as a guest of the same gender and similar age; you can join without paying an extra fee for being alone.

How is payment handled?

You reserve your spot with a deposit; the remaining amount can be paid in installments up to 30 days before departure.

Are there Northern Lights tours in March?

No, we only organize Northern Lights tours in January; this is the darkest and most productive period.