12 Mesmerizing Northern Lights Viewing Spots in the World
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Seeing the vibrant, surreal colors of the Northern Lights is a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you want to see the stunning skies created by Aurora Borealis for yourself, then the best places on earth are scattered across northern Europe and North America.
The following destinations offer far more than a good chance of witnessing the greatest light show on the planet. From Swedish Lapland or the Finnish home of Father Christmas to glaciers, the land of the Midnight Sun, floating icebergs, the Aurora Sky Station, sled dogs, Neolithic sites, and mining heritage, here’s where to head for an outstanding winter experience.
Tromsø, Norway
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Tromsø in Norway is widely regarded as one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. The Norwegian destination is famed for clear sightings, being at the epicenter of the aurora zone, and the lights often put on a spectacular show between late August and late April. In summer, this is also the land of the Midnight Sun, giving visitors a great excuse to stay up all night!
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Lofoten Islands, Norway
A Norwegian alternative to Tromsø is the Lofoten Islands. This archipelago is already famed for its spectacular scenery, which becomes even more dramatic whenever Aurora Borealis decides to make an appearance.
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The Lofoten Islands also offer the Lofotr Viking Museum, complete with a reproduction Viking longhouse, soaring mountain peaks, and the colorful fishing village of Henningsvær. This is also the land of the Midnight Sun.
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Ilulissat, Greenland
Located in Greenland, Ilulissat is truly a one-off—even without the multicolored skies caused by aurora. Uniquely, you can see floating icebergs from Greenland’s third-biggest city, and there’s also the UNESCO-protected Ilulissat Icefjord.
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Animal lovers will also delight in the fact that thousands of Greenland sled dogs call the city home. Visit between late August and late April for the best chance of witnessing a stunning night sky light display.
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Abisko, Sweden
The small Swedish village of Abisko lies in a valley north of the Arctic Circle. Glaciers have carved out the landscape, and mountain peaks enclose the village. Abisko National Park is just outside the settlement and is home to flora and fauna, including the Lapp orchid and reindeer.
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The area’s attractions include the King’s Trail and Torneträsk Lake, but perhaps best is the Aurora Sky Station, a Northern Lights observation center.
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Lapland, Sweden
For those who love the holiday season and all things wintry, Swedish Lapland (or Lappland) is a dream destination. Add a strong chance of seeing the Northern Lights, and you have yet another reason to visit this magical part of Scandinavia.
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Lapland is Sweden’s Arctic region and comprises almost a quarter of the country’s land mass. A major outdoor destination, it offers unique places to stay, including Icehotel and Treehotel. In addition to the Aurora Borealis, you can also see the midnight sun here.
Read also: Must-Visit National Parks
Rovaniemi, Finland
An alternative to Lapland in Sweden is Rovaniemi in Finland, which is famous for being the official home of Santa Claus. In addition to spotting the bearded, red-suited grandfatherly figure, you might also spy the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi’s night skies.
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During the day, activities to keep adults and kids smiling include riding across the bright, white expanses on a dog-drawn sled or snowmobile, trying ice fishing, or visiting the local museums. Arktikum showcases the Arctic region and local history, while the Science Centre Pilke focuses on Nordic forests.
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Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland
Located in the country’s west, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is like a microcosm of Iceland. The dramatic Snæfellsjökull Volcano dominates the photogenic landscape and offers everything you might expect from this northern country, including lava fields, glaciers, black pebble beaches, and traditional fishing villages.
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The big skies and low levels of light pollution also increase the chance of seeing a stunning Northern Lights show.
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Reykjavik, Iceland
If you’d prefer to take your chances with Aurora during a city break, your best bet is to head to Reykjavik in Iceland during winter. The city’s parks in particular, provide the perfect viewing spots for the Northern Lights, and residents and visitors often get lucky.
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If you do want to escape the city, any unpolluted place is the best place to witness the most jaw-dropping natural light show on earth.
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Orkney Islands, Scotland
Within Europe, you don’t necessarily need to venture as far as Scandinavia or the Nordic region to see Aurora Borealis. The Orkney Islands, off Scotland’s northeastern coast, are prime lights-spotting territory, as they lie close to the Arctic Circle.
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Again, the relative absence of light pollution makes the archipelago a Northern Lights hotspot. The Neolithic sites and seal colonies also attract history and wildlife lovers.
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Fairbanks, Alaska
If you want to see the Aurora Borealis in the United States, head to Fairbanks, Alaska, for your best shot. The dancing, dazzling colors often light up the night sky between late August and April.
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Fairbanks lies within the main aurora zone and offers glaciers, husky racing, geothermal hot springs, the Museum of the North, and the World Ice Art Championships.
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Yellowknife, Canada
Head to the Canadian northwest and visit Yellowknife, on Great Slave Lake’s northern shore. By day, you can take a scenic drive along the Ingraham Trail or delve into the city’s rich mining heritage or indigenous culture.
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At night, you have a good chance of being treated to an aurora show in the chilly Yellowknife area, particularly in fall and winter.
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Whitehorse, Canada
Yukon in Canada is a gorgeous destination at any time of year. It’s awash with mountains and alpine lakes and has lots of glorious hiking trails. It’s also arguably the best place in North America to see the Northern Lights, especially from early fall until early spring.
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Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon and offers a fascinating gold rush heritage. The Takhini Hot Pools are also nearby, and during the colder months, you can often see the Aurora Borealis from them.
Read also: Gorgeous Cities Across the Globe
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Tracy Chesterson is a freelance content writer specializing in travel. UK-based, she’s traveled widely, particularly in Europe, Oceania, and Southeast Asia, and spent a year exploring Australia. Tracy has also worked in the travel trade. In her spare time, she loves to spend time outdoors and plan future trips.
