12 of the best places to see the northern lights

Has viewing the northern lights been on your bucket list for a bit too long? Perhaps you’re in search of the best place to see the northern lights. 

Well, if you want to view the elusive celestial show, you’re in luck. In this article, we outline the top 12 destinations to view the northern lights. Experience the magnificence of nature for yourself.

The aurora borealis, more commonly known as the northern lights, is one of nature’s most mesmerising displays. 

This phenomenon occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, creating a dazzling array of colours and patterns in the night sky. 

These vibrant light shows are most commonly seen in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in high-latitude regions such as Alaska, Canada, Norway and Sweden.

If you want to view the awe-inspiring hues of green, pink, red and purple, getting your timing right is important. 

Generally speaking, the northern lights are most active around the equinoxes in March and September, as well as during the winter months from December to March. We’ve listed some of the best weather conditions below so you have the best shot of viewing the northern lights on your next trip.

Dark skies

Look for locations with minimal light pollution. The darker the sky, the more vivid the northern lights will look.

Clear skies

Check the weather forecast for clear skies, as cloudy conditions can obscure nature’s display.

Aurora forecast

Look at the aurora forecast to plan your visit. These types of forecasts can predict aurora activity based on solar wind conditions.

Solar maximum

The solar maximum occurs around every 11 years and sees a heightened period of solar activity. Whilst infrequent, considering this when planning your trip can help you have an even better chance of watching the rich colours glide across the sky.

Now you know when the best time is to visit, let’s explore the best places to see the northern lights. Below, we’ve compiled a list of 12 of the best destinations to view the spectacle.

Yellowknife, Canada

With millions of miles of remote, uninhabited wilderness, Canada has some of the world’s lowest levels of light pollution – all the better for spotting the northern lights. 

In Yellowknife, the Dene people who live in Canada's Northwest Territories call the northern lights – 'ya'ke ngas', which translates to the 'sky is stirring'. 

If you visit Yellowknife between mid-August and late April, you’re in with a good chance of catching that famous green glow.

Fairbanks, Alaska

Thanks to its northern latitude, seeing the northern lights in Alaska certainly isn’t uncommon. 

In fact, the city of Fairbanks sits right beneath the auroral oval, offering unique travel experiences with aurora sightings. 

Tours that venture into Denali National Park and the Yukon Territory help visitors get the best view. From August through to May, the swirling, glowing green sky can be seen between 22:00 and 03:00.

Kálfafell, Iceland

On the outskirts of the Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland, near Vatnajökull Glacier, you’ll find a tiny hamlet called Kálfafell, one of the prime spots for viewing the northern lights in Iceland.

The sky is inky black here, so there’s plenty of opportunity to spot the green lights darting across the Icelandic sky.

Tromsø, Norway

Tromsø is an excellent city to view the northern lights from, as it’s based right in the aurora zone. The aurora zone is a specific latitudinal area around 65°N and makes for an ideal location to view the northern lights.

The mountainous and fjord-filled scenery of Tromsø in northern Norway creates a splendid backdrop for the northern lights. 

It’s also relatively accessible, has its own planetarium and an annual northern lights Festival during the winter, with musical events often taking place under a fiery green sky. Prime time to see the lights is between October and mid-March.

Abisko, Sweden

150 miles inside the Arctic Circle, the aurora borealis appears with remarkable clarity over the small Swedish village of Abisko, located near Abisko National Park. 

The Aurora Sky Station in the park offers unique experiences, including gourmet meals and a northern lights exhibition. 

Thanks to the village’s position on the edge of Torneträsk, a 70-kilometer-long lake, the sky above remains clear regardless of weather patterns that affect the wider area. So Abisko’s lake and the location make it arguably one of the best places to see the northern lights.

Ivalo, Finland

Between August and April, the northern lights are a common sighting across Finland. So your chances of catching the celestial display of green and purple are particularly high. 

Ivalo is a village on the Ivalo River in Lapland, the northernmost region of Finland, where there is barely any traffic and no light pollution either. So, the excellent conditions make Ivalo one of the best locations for viewing the northern lights in Finland.

Also, there are various northern lights tours available here. If you’re looking to view the phenomenon on a tour, such as Searching for Aurora with a Snowmobile, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Inari, Finland

On the shores of Lake Inari lies the remote village of Inari. If you go midwinter, venture through thick snow and forests filled with reindeer and look out for the glowing green ribbon dancing in the sky.

Inarin Kalakenttä hotel even has its own private beach for watching the visual spectacle, offering a unique opportunity to see the northern lights in one of the best locations.

Alta, Norway

The town of Alta, deep in the Arctic Circle, was the site of the world’s first northern lights observatory, built on the top of Mountain Haldde in 1899. 

Alta has great weather conditions for watching the lights, with little precipitation and clear skies during winter. 

This location also offers unique travel experiences with optimal aurora sightings, thanks to its minimal light pollution and remote settings, making it one of the best places to see the northern lights.

Sandgerdi, Iceland

Historically a fishing village on the Southern Peninsula, Sandgerdi is now recognised as one of the prime destinations for undertaking trips to see the northern lights.

Even though the village is close to Reykjavik, Sandgerdi remains blissfully quiet, with the northern lights reflecting off the surrounding sea. The peak months for aurora spotting are December, January and February.

Kirkenes, Norway

On the border with Russia, the quiet Arctic town of Kirkenes is in the middle of the northern lights zone.

If you’re after the best time to see the northern lights in Norway, make sure you visit Kirkenes on a polar night in winter. This is because the sun doesn’t rise for weeks on end, and the darker the area, the better chance of seeing the visual delight.

It’s a destination for the most intrepid travellers, as there’s barely anything there, apart from a selection of excursions to explore the Arctic Circle.

Ilulissat, Greenland

Greenland is a hotspot for viewing the northern lights due to minimal light pollution. For context, the third largest city in Greenland – Ilulissat – has a population of just less than 5,000 people. This small population makes for outstanding conditions when viewing Greenland’s northern lights.

Staying three or four nights between September to April in Ilulissat means you’ll be in the aurora belt of Greenland, with mostly reliable weather conditions. 

Orkney, Scotland

Orkney is an archipelago which can be found off the north coast of mainland Scotland. Being in northern Scotland and laying on the same latitude as Stavanger in Norway, you should be in with a good chance of viewing the northern lights.

The magic of Orkney doesn’t stop at its optimal location for viewing the northern lights either. The islands are also privy to a few myths regarding the magic of this natural spectacle

Locals refer to this natural phenomenon as 'Merry Dancers', an ode to how the ribbons of colour light up the sky as they dance through the night.