The Best Places to See the Northern Lights Around the World 🌌

Finland

In Finland, the aurora borealis feels like a quiet companion through the long northern nights. Deep in Lapland, snow-covered forests stretch for miles, and the air feels still and clear. Rovaniemi, often called the “Gateway to the Arctic,” is one of the best places to see the northern lights in Finland. You can stay in a glass igloo, a cozy cabin, or a lakeside lodge where the lights sometimes appear above the trees.

Farther north, the villages of Saariselkä and Inari offer darker skies and excellent viewing conditions, especially on cold, clear nights. Autumn is also a lovely time to visit, when the birch trees turn gold and some lakes still reflect the glow of the sky before winter fully sets in.

Sweden

Northern Sweden is one of the most reliable places on Earth to see the northern lights. Abisko National Park is especially well known for its “blue hole,” a patch of sky that often stays clear even when the surrounding mountains are covered in clouds.

At the Aurora Sky Station, you can take a chairlift above the trees and watch green and violet ribbons drift across the horizon. The view is wide and peaceful, framed by snow-covered peaks and the quiet stillness of the Arctic.

Norway

Norway offers one of the most scenic backdrops for aurora viewing. In Tromsø, colorful wooden houses line the harbor, with mountains and fjords stretching out just beyond the city. It’s one of the best northern lights destinations in Norway, offering easy access to the wilderness without leaving the comforts of town. Visitors often take short drives or join night tours outside the city, where the sky is darker and reflections shimmer on the water. On a clear night, the aurora can appear right above the fjords, painting the entire horizon in color.

Iceland

In Iceland, the northern lights often appear above landscapes that already look like another world. Þingvellir National Park, just an hour from Reykjavík, is one of the country’s most striking viewing spots. Here, the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet in a wide rift valley filled with lava fields, cliffs, and rivers that sometimes freeze in winter. When conditions are clear, the aurora lights up the entire valley, and reflections ripple across the water and ice. Pair a visit with a daytime drive around the Golden Circle to see waterfalls and geysers, then return after dark for a truly Icelandic show.

United States (Alaska)

Alaska offers some of the world’s most reliable northern lights sightings. Fairbanks sits directly under the auroral oval, making it one of the best places to see the aurora in North America. On clear nights, you can watch the lights from remote lodges, cozy cabins, or even outdoor hot springs surrounded by snow. Many visitors travel between late August and April, when nights are long enough for frequent displays. The cold can be intense, but when the colors appear above the forest, it feels like the world is holding its breath.

When to See the Northern Lights

The best time to see the northern lights is from late September through early April, when the nights are longest and the skies are darkest. Around the equinoxes in March and September, solar activity tends to peak, creating brighter and more frequent displays. Look for clear weather, low humidity, and minimal light pollution, and always give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. The aurora doesn’t follow a schedule, but that’s part of its magic. When it finally appears, it’s a sight you’ll never forget.

FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Seeing the Northern Lights

Where is the best place in the world to see the northern lights?


Some of the most reliable destinations are Lapland in Finland, Abisko in Sweden, Tromsø in Norway, Þingvellir National Park in Iceland, and Fairbanks in Alaska. All are within or near the Arctic Circle, where auroral activity is strongest.

What month is best for seeing the northern lights?


The northern lights season runs from late September through early April, with the highest activity often around the equinoxes in March and September.

What time of night can you see the northern lights?


The best viewing hours are typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., though the aurora can appear anytime during full darkness. It’s worth checking outside several times a night if conditions are clear.

Do you need to book a guided tour to see the northern lights?


Not always. Many people see the lights right from their hotel or cabin, especially in rural areas. However, guided tours can help you find clearer skies and better vantage points when conditions vary.

Can you see the northern lights with the naked eye?


Yes. The aurora borealis is visible to the naked eye, though colors can appear softer or paler than in photographs. Cameras use longer exposures, which makes the hues look brighter.

What causes the northern lights?


The northern lights occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere, creating visible light near the magnetic poles. The result is a display of green, pink, and purple light that moves and shifts across the night sky.