10 Best Places to See the Northern Lights

Among nature’s most stunning displays, the aurora borealis or Northern Lights can be seen from locations nearest the North Pole, most commonly during winter. Here are some of the best spots to catch the light show.

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Photo By: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

Photo By: : MARTIN SMEDSÉN and ASAF KLIGER, courtesy of Ice Hotel

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Kakslauttanen, Finland

Kaklsauttenen is one of a handful of resorts catering to Northern Lights tourists. Their igloo rooms offer in-bed viewing of the spectacular lights overhead. 

Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

For even more ephemeral lodgings, Jukkasjärvi Sweden’s Ice Hotel, is rebuilt from snow and ice each winter for Northern Lights tourists.

Frederick Sound, Southeast Alaska

The Northern Lights are visible from almost anywhere in Alaska north of Fairbanks. The University of Alaska even offers a Northern Lights forecast so you can plan your trip.

Abisko, Swedish Lapland

Some consider Sweden’s Abisko National Park the premier locale for viewing the Northern Lights. The area’s unique microclimate, which generates little precipitation, practically ensures clear skies.

Tromsoe, Norway

For Northern Lights with a little nightlife, show up in Tromsoe for the Northern Lights Festival, a celebration that features music, dance and more, for eleven days in late January and early February.

Aberdeen, Scotland

Though the Northern Lights (or Merry Dancers as locals call them), can be spotted in much of the U.K., Aberdeen is probably the best British viewing locale.

Iceland

Iceland’s become a popular tourist destination in recent years, with plenty of activities, including aurora viewing. But if your sole purpose for heading to Iceland is the natural light show, be sure to leave a few buffer days; Iceland is notorious for overcast skies.

Lapland, Finland

Safely within the Arctic Circle, Lapland, Finland enjoys Northern Lights nearly 200 days of the year.

Northern Hudson Bay, Canada

You can get your Northern Lights and ogle polar bears on a single trip to Churchill, Manitoba, where the lights are visible 300 nights a year, and the polar bears are plentiful. 

Greenland

A lengthy Northern Lights season (from September to April) and limited light pollution make Greenland an ideal viewing spot for aurora seekers. 

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