The northern lights also called the aurora borealis, are a beautiful natural light show that can be seen in the Northern Hemisphere at certain times of the year. The sun sends electrically charged particles into the Earth’s atmosphere, where they clash with gaseous particles like oxygen and nitrogen. The experience is strange, and the sky is filled with bright shades of blue, green, pink, and violet.
The best places to see the Northern Lights have clear skies, few or no lights, and no rain or snow. Since they can only be seen at night in the north, the best time to see the aurora is from September to April. A lot of the best places to see the northern lights have websites with cameras, and at some hotels, guests can ask the staff to wake them up when the lights come out.
The aurora australis is a less well-known type of polar light that can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere, in places like Antarctica, Tasmania, and New Zealand. This show is harder to find because there is less land mass in this part of the world, so there are fewer places to watch it. But if you’re lucky enough to be able to travel to see the aurora australis, you’ll be able to see beautiful shows of green, blue, purple, pink, orange, and gold light.
Scroll down to the Q&A area at the bottom of this page to learn more about the Northern Lights. Check out the list below to learn about the best places to see the northern and southern lights.
One of the best places in the UK to see the northern lights is this group of beautiful islands, which is about 10 miles off the wild northern coast of Scotland. This natural phenomenon is best seen in the fall and winter. In Shetland, people call them “Mirrie Dancers.” With the nights being cold and dark at this time of year, it’s a great time to watch the clear sky. Along the coast at Birsay or on the beach at Dingieshowe are two great places to see the night show.
Along with the aurora, Orkney has beautiful coastlines and so many sheep that it’s hard to keep track of them all. People who want to travel can also go to the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 5,000-year-old structures. Plan to stay in the ancient town of Kirkwall, which is the capital of the Orkney Islands, during your trip. The Kirkwall Hotel has views of the harbor. At Inganess Bay and Wideford Hill, which are close to town, you can see the aurora.
2. Lapland, Finland
Lapland is in the very north of Finland, just inside the Arctic Circle. The northern lights can be seen here most often from the end of August to April, or about 200 times a year, so there are lots of chances to see them. The Sámi people live in Finnish Lapland. They are the only recognized Indigenous group in the European Union region. There are also about 200,000 reindeer and Santa Claus, who can be seen in the town of Rovaniemi.
From a glass igloo at Santa’s Hotel Aurora in Luosto, you can see the amazing light show, which should be on your dream list. It is about 70 miles north of Rovaniemi to this vacation town, which is in the beautiful and hilly Pyha-Luosto National Park.
You can also spend a magical evening outside under the stars on a sleigh ride pulled by reindeer through the snowy woods while you’re there. The “Seeking the Northern Lights With Reindeer” tour at Jaakkola Reindeer Farm lasts for 2.5 hours and includes a stop at a bonfire camp with snacks, hot drinks, and stories told by people sitting around a fire.
3. Tromsø, Norway
Troms is one of the best places in Norway to see the northern lights. It is 220 miles above the Arctic Circle. From September to March, when the aurora season is at its darkest, the sun doesn’t rise in this northern part of the country. During the day, there is twilight, though. Because it is so dark, there are more chances to see the aurora.
There is a lot to see and do in Tromsø when you’re not looking up at the sky. One of these is going to the beautiful Arctic Cathedral. The Northern Lights Festival takes place in the city from the end of January to the beginning of February. It is a multi-day music and performing arts event with a wide range of musical styles.
People who want to see the northern lights can do so on their own in town, but to get a better view, take one of Arctic Circle Tours’ organized trips or go on an exciting husky trekking trip in the Arctic wilderness. If you plan to stay for more than one day, the Scandic Ishavshotel has rooms with views of the harbor that you can book.
4. Fairbanks, Alaska
With its location right under the auroral circle, Fairbanks is by far one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. The geomagnetic North Pole of Earth is in this ring-shaped zone, which is where most of the aurora action is. During the aurora season, which runs from August 21 to April 21, visitors can see the lights on four out of every five clear nights.
Take a ride on the Riverboat Discovery or pan for gold are some other things you can do in late summer. See the Santa Claus House in the city of North Pole, which is about 15 miles southeast of Fairbanks, during the winter for a fun holiday experience. People who want to travel can also take a dog-sledding or snowmobile trip, or they can see amazing ice sculptures at the World Ice Art Championships in February and March.
Borealis Basecamp is a great glamping lodge set on 100 acres of remote boreal forest about 30 miles from Fairbanks. Book a private igloo there for a great chance to see the aurora. From the springs and tubs at Chena Hot Springs Resort, you can also take a tour to see the northern lights. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot springs, a trip to the Aurora Ice Museum, and a tour to see the northern lights while sipping hot drinks on this trip.
5. Viking Ocean cruise along Norway’s coast
Welcome winter by setting sail for the Arctic Circle to see the Northern Lights in Norway. This 13-day cruise leaves London for the North Sea and stops in ports like Tromsø, Alta, and Narvik which are great places to see the Northern Lights. Bergen is where the trip ends.
On land, enjoy the snow-covered landscapes’ natural beauty and plan activities like spending the night in an igloo or going reindeer sledding that is on your dream list. If you want to see the lights in the wild, you can ride a dog sled through the night, or you can set up a Sámi tent on top of a mountain and watch them.
6. Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Given the limited flight choices, Greenland might not be the easiest place to visit to see the northern lights, but anyone who does make it here will be glad they did. Greenland’s name for the country is Kalaallit Nunaat, and from September to early April, the tundra is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora.
The most daring people who want to see the aurora should go to the top of the Greenland Ice Cap. This amazing glacier covers 80% of the country and can be reached by travel through the small town of Kangerlussuaq. The town’s location on a fjord right next to the Arctic Circle makes it a popular “gateway to Greenland.” It was once a U.S. Air Force base and now has Greenland’s largest airport.
The travel company Greenland.net gives four- or five-day winter tours to Kangerlussuaq that include seeing the northern lights, dog sledding, and Greenland’s ice sheet. Along with the amazing chance to see Greenland’s endangered polar bears, Quark Expeditions offers a 20-day tour that begins in Toronto and sails through the Arctic around Canada and Greenland’s west coast, stopping in Kangerlussuaq.
7. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
At the border between Minnesota and Ontario, Voyageurs National Park is a maze of boreal woods, lakes, and streams that cover about 218,000 acres. In addition to being Minnesota’s only national park, Voyageurs is also one of a kind because you can only get to the park’s center by water for most of the year. As an official International Dark Sky Park, Voyageurs lets you see the Milky Way on clear summer nights. Viewing the aurora is also possible on bright, nights all year, but winter is when it’s darkest for longer, so the show is best.
Voyageurs Outfitters can give you a personalized tour to see the natural nighttime light show, which includes the Milky Way and the stars. It’s possible to see the northern lights and look at the stars from almost any campsite if you’re by yourself, according to park officials. The boat launch sites near Ash River, Kabetogama Lake, and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center also have great views.
Campers who’d rather sleep in a warm, cozy bed can make plans at the Cantilever Distillery + Hotel, a boutique Trademark Collection by Wyndham property in the Minnesota town of Ranier.
8. Nellim, Finland
This faraway Arctic spot in Finnish Lapland, less than 10 miles from the Russian border, is one of the best places to see the northern lights because there isn’t much light pollution there. In between December and March is the best time to go.
For further exploring the area, the Nellim Wilderness Hotel is a great place to stay. There are activities there all year long, such as tours to look for the aurora borealis. There are several ways for guests to see the aurora: they can drive their cars, ride snowmobiles, or walk on snowshoes. You can even ride a sled through the snow to a campsite on Lake Inari. This is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora because there is no light pollution there.
There are rooms, suites, and houses available for guests to stay in. There are also “kotas” at the Nellim Wilderness Hotel that are themed around the northern lights. These are based on traditional Sámi huts. There are also log cabins and bubble-shaped rooms for two people where they can watch the lights dance from the comfort of their warm beds. There is a glass roof on top of the Aurora Bubbles that lets you see the night sky right above your bed. If you’re not looking for the Northern Lights, you can do other fun things in the Arctic, like a husky safari, ice fishing, snowmobiling, or spending the day with the animals that live there.
9. Stewart Island, New Zealand
Some remote places in the far south offer the chance to see the aurora australis, also known as the southern lights. In the Northern Hemisphere, you might be able to see them all year, but in the Southern Hemisphere, there are better months to see them. People think that Stewart Island is one of the best places in New Zealand to see the show. Rakiura National Park covers 85% of the island, so there aren’t many people there and there isn’t much light pollution. It is the most southern island in the country with people living on it. You can fly into Oban and then take a boat to Stewart Island from either Invercargill or Bluff.
From June to August, New Zealand’s winter is the best time to see the southern lights. You can also see them in the spring (September to November) and fall (March to May). The summer months of December through February are brighter, which makes it harder to see the aurora. But between midnight and 4 a.m., there is still a chance you might see the lights.
Make reservations at the cozy Stewart Island Lodge for a room with a view of Halfmoon Bay and the Foveaux Strait for your stay while you’re out looking for the aurora. This lovely place is only a short walk from Oban town, and they will pick you up at the airport or ferry terminal and take you to your stay.
10. Tasmania
It is about 150 miles south of Australia and across the Bass Strait from the mainland. Because of its latitude mild weather and light changes, the mountainous island is one of only a few places on Earth where you can see the aurora every day of the year.
The island’s biggest airport is in Hobart, the capital city, making it the easiest place to get to. It can also be used as a base. You can also find a lot to see and do in the city’s growing food and art scenes. To get to great viewing spots with clear views along the southern and southeast coasts, you can start here. Some examples are Goat Bluff and Carlton Beach.
Book a room at The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in Hobart for your stay. This historic, high-end building is located near the ferry station in a busy waterfront area. Don’t look at the stars at night; instead, treat yourself to a custom, once-in-a-lifetime helicopter ride with Tasmanian Air Tours. If you want, your private pilot can take you to fly over the sea cliffs, visit a local farm to try some local wines or fly south to Port Arthur, Tasmania’s most famous and historic prison, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
FAQ’s
Q1. What are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights, which are also called the Aurora Borealis, are a natural light show that happens in the polar areas of Earth. When charged particles from the sun hit the Earth's atmosphere, they make beautiful shows of colored lights in the sky at night.
Q2. Where can I see the Northern Lights?
People who live near the magnetic poles can see the Northern Lights. They can be seen in Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Russia, and other places on the list of the top 10 places to see them.
Q3. How is the list of the top 10 places determined?
The list is based on things like how often and clearly you can see the Northern Lights, the general experience, how easy it is to get to, and suggestions from experienced aurora hunters and travel experts.
