Best Places to See the Northern Lights

Since the dawn of civilization, people have been fascinated with the Northern Lights, represented in French cave paintings as early as 30,000 BC. Only on dark, clear fall and winter nights can one usually view them in the northern regions of the Northern Hemisphere, close to the Arctic Circle.

We are fortunate to be at the “solar maximum” part of the current solar cycle, which means that in the next few years, increased solar activity will make it possible to find the best place to see northern lights.

For ages, the Northern Lights have captivated humanity. Norse mythology regarded them as reflections from the Valkyries’ armour that led fallen warriors to Valhalla. In Scandinavia, however, indigenous Sami tribes connected the lights to spirits. Even though we now comprehend the magic’s physics, the intrigue endures.

Since 2025 is predicted to be an amazing year for aurora hunters, now is the perfect time to start planning your trip to explore the best place to see the northern lights. Seeing this natural light show is worth the effort, whether you are planning a short vacation or an exciting trip. 

However, deciding where to see the northern lights might occasionally feel like a wild guess. For this reason, we have compiled a list of the best places to see northern lights. Not sure where to go? Read on to discover the best places in the world to see the northern lights.

Top Destinations for Northern Lights Viewing

To organize the best northern lights vacation, you should travel to the Arctic Circle because solar activity is strongest near the North Pole. We’ve compiled a list of the best places to see northern lights in Scandinavia and the Nordics based on accessibility, quality, and viewing frequency to give you the best opportunity to see the celestial ballet.

Tromsø, Norway

Norway is the best country to see northern lights. Travel north of the Arctic Circle to this remote sliver of land and search for the lights flashing above the sky.

Tromsø in Norway, in the middle of the Northern Light’s oval and an active solar area, is a well-liked destination for aurora chasers and good causes. Nestled above the Arctic Circle, the city offers one of the world’s best chances of seeing the lights. The best time to observe the lights is between September and mid-April, when there is very little cloud cover and light pollution.

Joining this trip is the best way to see northern lights here. Skilled aurora chasers monitor the most recent reports of solar flares in an attempt to identify them; some operators even provide a second tour at no cost if the lights are too timid to appear on the first attempt.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland is among the world’s best places to see the northern lights. Its proximity to the North Pole and just below the Arctic Circle increases the likelihood of seeing this natural phenomenon because of the best viewing circumstances. Iceland is a great northern lights country because of its large open expanses and low levels of light pollution.

In Iceland, late September to early April is the ideal time of year to witness the Northern Lights. These months have long, dark evenings, which make the auroras sparkle against the ideal backdrop. Usually, the greatest viewing hours are from 9 PM to 2 AM, although you may be able to see them earlier or later if the solar activity is high enough.

Abisko National Park, Sweden

Abisko National Park is perhaps the greatest location for travellers where to see northern lights becomes an incredible reality. Abisko’s “Blue Hole,” an area of the sky that typically stays clear even when the surrounding skies are clouded, is the optimal location for aurora viewing. 

The best time and place to see northern lights is in Sweden between December and March, but the season here lasts from late September to early April. Devoted aurora hunters frequently visit Abisko’s Aurora Sky Station.

Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks cannot miss your attention as another best place to see the northern lights, among the top destinations in the United States. While waiting for the lights to arrive, the town provides activities like dog sledging and relaxing in the Chena Hot Springs, and it even has a special Aurora Ice Museum.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Approximately 200 evenings a year between late August and April are suitable for seeing the Northern Lights, making Finland’s Lapland region one of the most enchanted locations to do so. Where is the best place to see the northern lights in Finland? Rovaniemi, the “official” hometown of Santa Claus, combines the best aurora viewing with a touch of seasonal charm.

When you stay in wilderness lodges or comfortable glass igloos, you don’t need to freeze outside. You can observe the lights from the warmth of your bed.

While waiting for the auroras, Lapland has a lot to offer. Santa Claus Village, husky sledging, reindeer safaris, and snowshoeing are a few of the activities available. For a raw experience, venture farther into the countryside, where secluded cottages and national parks such as Pallas-Yllästunturi offer a more private and tranquil location for witnessing the Northern Lights.

You decide where to see the northern lights best based on your interests and personal trip requirements.

Best Time to See the Northern Lights

Your trip should be planned far in advance to increase your chances of witnessing the northern lights. Since one of the primary prerequisites for seeing them is gloomy skies, nighttime is the best time to see the northern lights.The aurora’s colors swirling above you are easier to see in darker skies.

For this reason, tours of the northern lights are conducted in the evening. Many hotels also provide aurora wake-up calls in case the lights appear in the middle of the night.

Optimal Seasons for Viewing

Wintertime, from October to April, is when you have the best chance of seeing the northern lights. This occurs due to fewer daylight hours and a darker night sky throughout the winter. To observe the colors of the aurora borealis, you need darkness because they are more difficult to see during the day.

In Northern Europe, winter means long, gloomy nights, especially from December to February. The “polar night” is a phenomenon in which the sun doesn’t rise at all in some far-northern areas. The likelihood of seeing the aurora borealis increases with the number of hours of darkness.

Weather and Solar Activity Factors

At incredible speeds of up to 45 million miles per hour (72 million kilometers per hour), charged particles from the sun collide with the Earth’s upper atmosphere to produce an aurora. Fortunately, the magnetic field surrounding our planet serves as a barrier, keeping these solar particles safe while producing the breathtaking sight known as the northern lights.

Auroras provide information regarding the density, composition, flow rates, and intensity of electrical currents in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. These, in turn, provide information on the Earth’s magnetic field, its spatial extension, and its dynamic changes. Protecting Earth and space-borne electronics from the dangers of “space weather,” of which the aurora is a component, requires all of this.

The solar wind stays constant for an approximately 11-year period, but the sun’s output varies in activity. Sometimes, there are lulls; other times, great storms shake the planet violently. The most frequent and intense northern lights occur during this period.

How to Plan Your Northern Lights Adventure

Winter is the ideal time to see the Northern Lights, despite its incredible unpredictability. As a result, you need to plan your holiday carefully, considering all the relevant aspects. Planning a trip to view the Northern Lights may be challenging.

Here are some considerations:

• Timing. Seeing the Northern Lights is most enjoyable during the winter. To maximize your chances of viewing the lights, there are tours that last four to five days.
• Select the country. When organizing your Northern Lights adventure, one of the first things you need to decide is which country to visit.
• Expect various colours. Be prepared to witness the various hues of the Northern Lights during the journey. The most sighted colour is green, which you might expect to see, but you could be shocked to observe other colours, including red, blue, violet, and even grey. If the sky is foggy, it can be difficult to see grey.
• Check the forecast. In the days before your journey, watch the Northern Lights forecast. This forecast will anticipate the Northern Lights’ activity each day. If the scale’s Kp value is 3 or above, your chances of witnessing the Northern Lights after sunset are at their best. Before you depart, don’t forget to check the forecast. 
• Check the weather. The weather affects how well you can view the Northern Lights. You have a limited chance of seeing them if it is raining or there is a lot of cloud cover. Check the weather because a day with clear skies is the best day to witness them.

Booking Northern Lights Tours

The knowledgeable tour leaders are seasoned professionals who are well-versed in the optimal viewing spots, climate, and solar activity.

To locate the ideal location for seeing the Northern Lights, they can assist you in navigating the isolated area while avoiding city lights and light pollution. The experience is further enhanced and made more unforgettable because guided tours frequently offer instructive insights into the physics and mythology underlying the Northern Lights.

The price of Northern Lights trips varies by location and duration, from $100 to $2,000 per person. Accommodations, meals, and guided aurora hunts are frequently included in multi-day tours.

Despite the high cost, the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights in some of the most stunning and lonely places on earth is well worth it.

What to Pack for a Northern Lights Trip

Consider taking plenty of layers and warm clothing on your trip. Since you will spend time outside, check the weather, dress in layers, and select a wind- and water-resistant outer layer.

While watching the lights at night, you can stay warm by carrying a thermos full of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Below is a basic packing list to get you started.

1. Tops, shirts, and pants are the foundational layers of clothing.
2. More than one pair of dense socks.
3. Wool or fleece jumpers and sweaters.
4. Cap, heavy gloves, and a woolen scarf.
5. Boots that are sturdy and waterproof.
6. Waterproof and windproof coats and trousers.

Taking images might be challenging when wearing thick gloves, as they can make it tough to use your phone and camera. You could remove the heavy gloves to take shots and use microfiber gloves underneath.

Bottom line

Seeing the Northern Lights is an experience that will never be forgotten, regardless of your level of competence with photography or your desire to experience the enchantment of the aurora. With the proper preparation, equipment, and luck, you can capture nature’s most beautiful phenomena.