From Canada to Sweden, and from Greenland to Iceland, these are the top destinations for witnessing the breathtaking Northern Lights around our beautiful planet.
Much like encountering a wild tiger, spotting the aurora borealis is largely a matter of luck. These stunning lights are created by collisions between charged particles from space and gases in our atmosphere. Your best chance to witness this spectacle is to brave the cold on clear winter nights in the Arctic region. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the dancing lights paint the night sky in vibrant shades of green, yellow, and red.
What Are Northern Lights?
An aurora, also known as the northern lights or southern lights, is a mesmerizing natural light display that illuminates the night sky. These lights can appear in shades of blue, red, yellow, green, and orange, shifting gently and changing shape like softly blowing curtains. Auroras are visible only at night and typically occur in the lower polar regions.
Auroras can be seen almost every night near the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, which are located about 66.5 degrees north and south of the Equator. In the Northern Hemisphere, this phenomenon is known as the aurora borealis or northern lights. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is referred to as the aurora australis or southern lights.
Where To See The Northern Lights
The aurora borealis occurs in a ring-shaped region around the North Pole. A winter trip to Greenland, Iceland, Alaska, Canada, Russia, or the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Finland, and Sweden is likely to yield sightings. Improve your chances by driving away from cities, signing up for SMS alerts, and staying awake through the night.
ICELAND
Where to go: Reykjavik
Best time: October to March
Iceland is a good choice for viewing the Northern Lights, particularly in the city of Reykjavik. Just a short 20-minute drive from the capital in any direction can significantly increase your chances of witnessing this natural wonder. Several tours offer guaranteed sightings and often provide free repeats until you see the lights. For those who prefer a more independent approach, renting a car and driving to Thingvellir National Park after dark is a great option. The park, located less than an hour away, boasts minimal light pollution and captivating landscapes to explore, even if the lights don’t appear. If you plan on a road trip around Iceland, stay vigilant each night; your chances of experiencing the Northern Lights are exceptionally high.
Stay: Alda Hotel is ideally situated on the main street of downtown Reykjavik. The spacious rooms and the deck for night-sky viewing add to its appeal (www.aldahotel.is). For a more rustic experience on the outskirts of the city, stay at the Minna-Mosfell Guesthouse. Its location is perfect for easy sightings of the Northern Lights, but a vehicle is necessary to reach it (www.minnamosfell.is). If you’re embarking on a multi-day road trip, note that camping outside city limits is free throughout Iceland, as long as you avoid private property, which is typically marked by a wire fence.
GREENLAND
Where to go: Kangerlussuaq
Best time: September to April
Kangerlussuaq is primarily an airport town, serving as a gateway for flights to other Greenlandic destinations like Nuuk or the Ilulissat Icefjord. It stands out as one of the most accessible places in the country for those eager to witness the aurora borealis. An Air Greenland flight attendant mentioned that their flights to Kangerlussuaq are frequently filled with Japanese tourists during the winter weekends. These travelers believe that conceiving under the Northern Lights brings good fortune to their children, prompting them to undertake the 8,000 km journey for just a night or two beneath the Greenlandic sky. This highlights the reliability of aurora sightings in this small town of 500 residents. Once you arrive, a simple glance out of your warm hotel room window is often all it takes to witness the spectacular display in the sky.
Stay: Options are limited in this small town, but Polar Lodge (www.traveltrade.visitgreenland.com/providers/polar-lodge/) and Hotel Kangerlussuaq (www.visitgreenland.com/local-providers/hotel-kangerlussuaq) are both good choices. The rooms at both locations are adequate for a short stay. For meals, the airport café is surprisingly the most convenient, delicious, and affordable option in town.
NORWAY
Where to go: Tromsø
Best time: January to March
Norway is more accessible than Greenland, but there might be some hide-and-seek involved to see the lights. Head to Tromsø for its skiing, sledding, and other exciting winter activities, where you have a good chance of witnessing the lights. While the aurora can sometimes be seen within city limits, some travelers might prefer to join a specialized tour. The lights typically appear between 6 PM and midnight, making it possible to see them during an evening walk after dinner. To increase your chances, consider subscribing to the Aurora alert service (www.aurora-service.eu), which sends frequent text messages with accurate predictions on the best time and location for sightings.
Stay: Be sure to make reservations well in advance, as this small town is popular with tourists, especially during winter weekends. For a modern setting with beautiful harbor views, consider Scandic Ishavshotel (www.scandichotels.com/hotels/norway/tromso/scandic-ishavshotel).
CANADA
Where to go: Churchill
Best time: September to March
Exploring this remote subarctic city in the winter is best done through a tour. Besides the convenience, the Tundra Buggy is an impressive sight (www.frontiersnorth.com/the-tundra-buggy-adventure). The chances of witnessing a spectacular light show are very high, and during the day, you can enjoy numerous polar bear sightings as an added bonus.
Stay: The Lazy Bear Lodge offers a cozy log cabin experience with warm rooms, local cuisine, and excellent tours (www.lazybearlodge.com).
FINLAND
Where to go: Rovaniemi
Best time: August to April
Finnish Lapland is a prime location for witnessing the Northern Lights, boasting an impressive 200 nights of aurora activity each year. The best time to visit this northern region is during winter when the continuous daylight of summer gives way to nearly constant darkness. Rovaniemi is an ideal spot for experiencing the stunning Northern Lights. This mesmerizing celestial display can be seen from late August to early April, until the nights become too bright for visibility. There are numerous options and locations for viewing the auroras around Rovaniemi, many of which are just a short distance from the city center. Other popular locations for aurora-spotting include the remote town of Utsjoki in the far north, Kilpisjärvi in the west, and the ski resort of Levi. In the central Lapland resort of Luosto, bells are rung to signal the arrival of the aurora—how convenient!
Stay: If the idea of spending a night outside waiting for the aurora makes you shiver, consider staying at the Arctic Treehouse Hotel (www.arctictreehousehotel.com). This hotel features suites with floor-to-ceiling windows at the end of the bed, allowing you to enjoy the view and watch the Northern Lights from the comfort of your warm duvet.
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