The Aurora Borealis or famously known as the Northern Lights are one of the world’s most beautiful natural sights to behold. This nature’s spectacular phenomenon is listed on every traveller’s bucket list, and a lot of people travel abroad just this grand event. So if you are planning to see it, here are the best places and locations you can visit.
Where Can I See the Northern Lights?
1. Iceland: Thingvellir National Park and Most of the Country
Unlike other countries where you can see the Aurora Borealis, in Iceland, you can spot this spectacular phenomenon from almost anywhere in the country. The best place to view it is the Thingvellir National Park and the vast open plains. Iceland is also an ideal place to visit because it has so much else to offer, including the Great Geysir, Gullfoss and more.
2. Sweden: Swedish Lapland, Abisko and Kiruna
The microclimate around Abisko National Park in Swedish Lapland offers a fantastic opportunity to watch the Northern Lights. There is barely any light pollution, and the nearby mountains keep the sky mostly clear, so it is though if you stay there for just three days, you have as much as an 88% chance of seeing the Northern Lights. The winter night close to the Abisko National Park is perfect for watching the night sky, also perfect to see the famous “blue hole of Abisko”. It’s just like hitting two birds with one stone.
3. Norway: Alta, Finnmark, Svalbard and Tromso
The city of Alta is where one of the first Aurora Borealis observatories on Norway was built in the 19th Century, and now it offers restaurants, museums and shops too. Kirkenes which sits 70 degrees north of the Arctic Circle also offers a high chance of seeing the lights, with opportunities to go snowmobiling too. Tromso, the northern town of the country is brimming with Aurora Borealis activity when the summer days end. While you are there, you can also check out the world’s most northerly brewery, University and planetarium, which are ideal places to check out once in the country.
4 Finland: Ivalo, Luosto, Utsjoki, Kakslauttanen and Nellim
The lights can be seen during as many as 200 nights a year in Finnish Lapland, which works out to every other clear night on average. The most popular ways to see the lights are during winter activities such as cross-country skiing and dog sledding, but there are plenty of cosier places to spot them from if you prefer the comfort of a roof over your head. In Rovaniemi, you can stay in cosy ‘tree houses’ such as these, or glass igloos to experience fantastic views of the lights, while near Kemi and the SnowCastle you can stay in villas complete with kitchens.
Hotel Aurora in Luosto, Northern Finland is the ideal place to stay in the country if you want to see the Northern Lights. They’ll be handing you the “Aurora Alarm” that beeps whenever the spectacular phenomenon appear. You can also catch the lights over the town of Nellim, close to Lake Inari, on chilly cloudless nights.
5. Russia: Siberia, Kola Peninsula and Murmansk
In northern Russia, the best place to find the lights are Kola Peninsula, Murmansk and Siberia. The key area that will give you the best chance is the proximity of the peninsula, and the best place stay is the town of Murmansk.
6. Canada: Yukon Territory, Calgary, Manitoba and Ontario
The northern Canada’s tundra backcountry and the areas around the pristine Lake Superior are prime viewing spots. You can also see the Northern Lights is the Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory. The country’s vast wilderness may also be a front row seat to behold the amazing lights.
7. Greenland: Ammassalik and Kulusuk
Similar to Iceland, you can see the Northern Lights from anywhere in the country of Greenland. As a final frontier for many travellers, the country’s internal ice remains the premier viewing spot, but you can also catch the swirling lights from more accessible areas. The south and east part of the country are also great viewing spots.
8. Alaska: Denali, Anchorage, the Yukon and Fairbanks
The country’s vast wilderness of Denali and the Yukon are prime viewing spots of the swirling green lights. Yukon offers a wide range of activities throughout the year, so even if you aren’t lucky enough to see the Aurora, there is plenty to see and do. Fairbanks is under the “Aurora Oval”, where the lights can be found most often, meaning Fairbanks is a reliable place to visit for the Northern Lights.
9. Scotland: Northern Highlands, Aberdeen, Dunnet Head and Isle of Skye
Surprisingly, Northern Scotland lies at the same latitude as Stavanger in Norway, so you don’t have to go far for a chance to see the Northern Lights, known as “Mirrie Dancers” in Scotland. The best chance to get a glimpse of the amazing swirling green lights in this country is in the dark winter months, in between the unfortunately regular thick clouds.
10. Denmark: All Islands within the archipelago of the Faroe Islands
Mainland Denmark is sadly too far south to see the Northern Lights, but the Danish Faroe Islands which sit between Norway and Iceland offer beautiful views. Visiting the Faroe Islands is also a great chance to see Puffins. Unlike Finland however, the Faroe Islands have 200 days of rain per year, so you’ll have to keep your fingers crossed for clear skies!
Northern Lights Holidays
As you can see, there are many places you can visit to see the aurora borealis. Once you have chosen your destination, you can decide whether to do an organised northern lights tour or trip or to try and find the perfect spot to view them on your terms.
When are the Northern Lights?
For the best chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis, you need a cold, clear night with minimum cloud cover and light pollution. The further north you go, the more often they show and therefore the better your chances of seeing them, but the winter months are generally the best time to see the beautiful displays.