Best Places to see the Northern Lights

These destinations will inspire even the most experienced aurora chaser. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are a spectacular natural light show visible at certain times of the year in the northern hemisphere. This phenomenon occurs when electrically charged particles from the sun enter the Earth’s atmosphere and collide with gaseous particles, such as oxygen and nitrogen. The experience is surreal, with vibrant hues of blue, green, pink, and violet dancing across the night sky. The best places to see the aurora borealis offer little to no light pollution and clear skies. Many top viewing spots have websites with aurora trackers and staff members at some hotels will wake up visitors when the lights appear (if requested). Read on to discover the top destinations where you can see the kaleidoscopic northern lights.

Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks, Alaska Fairbanks is one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights as it’s located directly under the Auroral Oval. This ring-shaped zone sits over the Earth’s geomagnetic north pole, where aurora activity is concentrated. Visitors can expect to see the lights on an average of four out of five clear nights during aurora season, which lasts from Aug. 21 to April 21. Other activities visitors can enjoy in late summer include a ride on the Riverboat Discovery or panning for gold. For a festive holiday experience, visit the Santa Claus House in the city of North Pole (around 13 miles southeast of Fairbanks). Travelers can also see ice sculptures in February and March at the impressive World Ice Art Championships or take a dog sledding tour. For excellent chances of aurora viewing, book accommodations at the upscale Aurora Villa.

Tromsø, Norway

Located above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is one of several top spots to view the northern lights in Norway. The northern part of the country is dark from the early afternoon until late morning between September and late March. With this extreme darkness, there are more opportunities to see the aurora. Tromsø itself is a modern city, so there’s plenty to see and do when you’re not looking up at the sky, including a visit to the beautiful Arctic Cathedral. In late January to early February, the city hosts the Northern Lights Festival, multiday music and performing arts event. Aurora chasers can view the lights on their own, opt for a five-day guided Nordic adventure with Kensington Tours, or go on an exhilarating husky trekking tour in the Arctic wilderness.

Lapland, Finland

Lapland is located in the Arctic region of Northern Europe, meaning that the northern lights are visible approximately 200 nights a year. Finnish Lapland is also the home of Santa Claus, the indigenous Sámi people, and approximately 200,000 reindeer. In northern Lapland, aurora chasers can expect to see the lights every other clear night between September and March. They can appear suddenly, and then quickly vanish, any time after sunset and just before dawn. For a bucket list experience, watch the impressive light show from a glass igloo in Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle in Luosto. This resort town is about 72 miles north of the town of Rovaniemi and is set among the picturesque and hilly landscape of Pyhä-Luosto National Park.

Orkney, Scotland

This group of captivating islands, located on Scotland’s remote northern coast, is one of the top places to see the northern lights in the country. Fall and winter are the best seasons to witness the aurora, also known in local dialect as the “Mirrie Dancers.” This time of year brings cold evenings with clear skies, which makes for ideal viewing conditions. A few places to see the spectacular light show include from the top of Wideford Hill, along the coast in Birsay, or on the beach at Dingieshow. In addition to the aurora, Orkney is home to breathtaking coastal landscapes and more sheep than you can count. Travelers can also visit the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes monuments dating back 5,000 years. While here, plan to stay in the historic town of Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands.

Yellowknife, Canada

Yellowknife is the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories. It’s also known as the Aurora Capital of North America. With its position in the middle of the Auroral Oval, the city puts on one of the world’s most awe-inspiring light shows from January through March. Located on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife boasts winter sports such as ice fishing and snowmobiling. At the end of March, as temperatures begin to warm, Yellowknife hosts the Long John Jamboree on Yellowknife Bay. The event’s festivities include sugar shacks, ice carving, and dogsled races. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, make reservations to stay in a teepee at Aurora Village to view the lights. The property offers aurora-themed tours as well as activities like dog sledding and snowshoeing.

Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

The optimal place for viewing the aurora in Sweden is in the northern part of the country, in Swedish Lapland. Visitors to this region can see the illuminated skies during the darkest months, from September to March. The small Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi sits about 124 miles above the Arctic Circle on the Torne River and is an ideal locale for aurora viewing in Swedish Lapland. Plan to book accommodations at the world’s first year-round ice hotel, ICEHOTEL 365. If you’re up for the adventure, reserve one of the artist-designed cold suites with temperatures as low as -8 degrees Celsius. The rooms are sculpted of ice and include beds with reindeer hides and thermal sleeping bags. For the less adventurous, the property also offers heated traditional rooms and chalets. During your stay, take advantage of the property’s guided Northern Lights Safari that includes a snowmobile ride and dinner in a wilderness cabin. You can also learn how to capture incredible images of the northern lights on one of their photography tours.

Reykjavik, Iceland

September to April is the best time to chase the aurora borealis in Iceland. For optimum viewing away from the light pollution, head to Öskjuhlið. This densely wooded area in Reykjavik has walkways and paths where you can see the nighttime show. Atop of this forest sits Perlan, which features the only planetarium in the country as well as a museum with exhibits about Iceland’s nature and geography. While here, don’t miss the panoramic views of the city from the institution’s observation deck. From this vantage point, visitors can see the Snæfellsjökull glacier, Keilir Volcano, and the mountain of Reykjavik, Esja. During your stay in Reykjavik, consider splurging on an overnight tour with Buubble.com. This experience includes multiple sightseeing spots and a night spent under the magical northern skies in a bubble at the 5 Million Star Hotel.

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