HomeDESTINATIONS9 Best Places To See the Northern Lights 2024

9 Best Places To See the Northern Lights 2024

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Are you looking for the best places to see the Northern Lights across the globe? Or has the beauty of the Northern Lights left you in admiration? We’ve got you, keep reading.

The Northern Lights, also called Aurora Borealis, are natural light display that happens in the northern hemisphere at night.

It occurs when electrically charged particles from the sun crash into atoms and molecules in the atmosphere of the Earth. There are different colors of northern lights, like green, red, blue, purple, and yellow.

Locations that are geographically close to the magnetic poles of the Earth, such as Iceland, Norway, Canada, and Alaska, offer the best opportunities to view the Northern Lights.

On the other hand, you can also come across them in other northern locales such as Scotland, Finland, or Sweden.

For the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights, winter is the best season to visit, when the evenings are long, and the skies are dark.

The Auroras have been portrayed in art, literature, and music throughout history. Legends and stories about the lights can be found in a wide variety of cultural contexts.

Many individuals consider going to see the Northern Lights to be an event that should be checked off their bucket list, and as a result, more and more people are traveling to the northern hemisphere.

Without wasting much time at all, below are the top best places to see the Northern Lights around the world.

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9 Places to see the Northern Lights

When looking for the Northern Lights, where and when to find it are very important. Not only that, having the support of Tour operators in guiding you and ensuring your safety is also Paramount. Therefore, these are the best places to see the Northern Lights around the world.

1. Jokulsarlon, Iceland

Jokulsarlon is a famous location for spotting the Northern Lights due to its absence of light pollution and clear skies.

This place is a glacial lagoon that could be found in the southeast region of Iceland. The Vatnajokull Glacier completely encircles the lagoon. During the day, it is a breathtakingly beautiful location, but when night falls, it changes into a mystical setting where you can watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky.

It is recommended to go to Jokulsarlon in the wintertime, when the nights are longer and darker, so that you have a better chance of experiencing the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis.

Before you travel, it is essential to verify both the weather prediction and the intensity of the Aurora. Just to see the Northern Lights at Jokulsarlon, Iceland is an incredible experience that compensates the effort required to get there.

2. Tromsø , Norway

The city of Tromsø in Norway is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights because of its proximity to the Arctic Circle.

If you want to view the Northern Lights in Tromsø, the best time to go is between the end of September and the beginning of April. During this time, the sky is dark enough to see the lights, and the weather is usually clear.

Snowmobile trips, dog sledding tours, and reindeer sledding tours are just a few examples of the many tours and excursions that are offered in Tromsø that provide the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights.

A heated cabin or a boat on the fjord both provide excellent vantage points from which to observe the Northern lights.

Please keep in mind that the Northern Lights are a natural occurrence and therefore cannot be promised.

Yet, the position and environment of Tromsø make it one of the best spots in the world to witness this stunning spectacle.

3. Fairbanks, Alaska (USA)

The Northern Lights can also be seen in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The city’s location in the interior of Alaska affords clear views of the Northern Lights and the night sky.

In Fairbanks, the favorable time to view the Northern Lights is between late August and early April, when the evenings are longest and darkest.

The equinoxes, which occur in March and September, are when the lights are most active.

There are numerous ways to observe the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, including guided trips and independent expeditions.

Among the most popular activities are aurora viewing excursions, dog sledding tours, and snowmobile trips.

Besides this, the lights can be viewed from hot springs or a heated lodge.

When it comes to watching the Aurora Borealis, Fairbanks boasts some of the best conditions in the world, with low light pollution and pure skies.

If you intend to visit Fairbanks to view the Northern Lights, you should dress properly and be prepared for cold weather.

4. Yellow Knife, Canada

Yellowknife is located in the most northern part of Canada, is a one-of-a-kind and breathtaking tourist destination that ought to be on the bucket list of every traveler.

Yellowknife is home to a wide variety of experiences that are available for tourists to explore, ranging from the amazing natural splendor of the Northern Lights to the abundant cultural legacy of the region’s Indigenous people.

The optimal time to watch the Northern Lights in Yellowknife is between late August and early April, with the peak viewing season happening between December and March.

Yellowknife is a must-see location that will leave you with lifelong memories, whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, cultural encounters, or the chance to view one of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders.

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5. Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Kangerlussuaq is a small village located at the eastern end of a deep fjord in western Greenland.

At Kangerlussuaq, there are variety of methods to view the Northern Lights.

A guided tour will take you to the best viewing locations and provide information on the lights.

Optionally, you may rent a car and go to a rural place away from the city lights.

This will improve your chances of experiencing the Northern Lights without any light pollution.

September through April is the finest period to view the Northern Lights in Kangerlussuaq.

During this season, the nights are longer and darker, providing a more suitable backdrop for the lights.

To see the Northern Lights in Kangerlussuaq, you must also have clear skies, so check the weather forecast before scheduling your visit.

6. Rovaniemi, Finland

Another popular spot to find the northern lights around the world is Rovaniemi. It is located in Lapland, a region famed for its winter activities and magnificent scenery in Finland.

The ideal time to view the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi is from late September to early April, with the peak season occurring between December and January.

Depending on weather circumstances and solar activity, they may be visible as early as late August and as late as early May.

It is suggested that you stay at least a few nights in Rovaniemi and join a guided tour to enhance your chances of viewing the Northern Lights in this location.

These tours frequently take participants to rural regions away from city lights and equip them with warm clothing and beverages.

Rovaniemi remains a wonderful place to visit to witness the majesty of the Northern Lights and to take in the splendor of the winter landscape of Lapland.

7. Murmank, Russia

The city of Murmansk in Russia is often considered to be among the top locations in the world where you can see the Northern Lights.

The months of December and January offer the finest opportunities to watch the Aurora Borealis in Murmansk, although the best time to visit is between the months of September and April.

It is advisable that you go outside of the city and away from any light pollution if you want to improve your chances of viewing the Northern Lights.

In Murmansk, you can book a tour to see the aurora borealis by contacting a number of different tour operators.

These tours will often take you to secluded locations outside of the city, where you will get the opportunity to view the Aurora Borealis in all its splendor.

However, it is essential to wear thick clothing because, during the winter months, the temperature in Murmansk can fall far below zero.

Layer your clothing and be sure to wear hats, gloves, and boots that can keep your feet warm.

8. Abisko, Sweden

Clear sky and low levels of light pollution make Abisko, which is in Sweden, one of the best places to view the Northern Lights.

It is common for people to travel to Abisko National Park in Sweden’s far north to witness the aurora borealis.

The park provides tourists with opportunities to observe the natural wonder, such as guided tours and observation stations.

The Aurora Sky Station, which can be found in the park atop Mount Nuolja, is a well site for basking in spectacular view of the Northern Lights.

The months of December through March, which are the darkest of the year, are by far the ideal time to visit Abisko to view the Northern Lights.

It is recommended that you stay for at least a few nights in a bid to improve your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

But it is also important to have some degree of flexibility with your plans in case the weather or solar activity does not cooperate.

9. Shetland, Scotland

Another good spot to view the Northern Lights is the Shetland Islands, which are situated north of Scotland.

As a result of their location at a high latitude, the islands provide an excellent vantage point from which to observe the northern lights.

You can travel to Shetland between October and March, when nights are longer and darker, for the best chance of viewing the Northern Lights.

It is also important to pick a night that is cloudless or has very few clouds, and to look for a spot that has a low level of ambient light, such as a secluded beach or a high point in the landscape.

There are several tour operators and local guides available that are able to offer guidance and aid in locating the ideal sites from which to watch the Northern Lights in the Shetland Islands of Scotland.

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Conclusion – Places to See the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)

People across the world have found the Aurora Borealis to be an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon that deserves to be enjoyed for generations.

It is essential to keep in mind that the Aurora Borealis are a natural occurrence that cannot be predicted with absolute certainty. But to increase your chances, the best places to see the northern lights around the world have been listed above.

You could contact the Tour operators around the locations to get more insight and assistance in finding the northern lights.

What do you think of this article on the best places to find the northern lights around the world? And tell us which of the countries or places you would prefer to go in search of the Aurora Borealis.

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