The 8 Best Places to See the Northern Lights

Would you like to admire the Northern Lights? From Alaska to Sweden, we show you the best places to see the aurora.

Difficult to find, but all the more spectacular to look at: the Northern Lights – also known as the Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights. Don’t you dream of seeing the night sky shine in bright colors once in your life? With a bit of luck and enough preparation, this dream could soon become a reality! Here we show you the top destinations to experience the spectacular natural spectacle live. From Alaska to Finland everything is included!

1. Iceland

Iceland is probably the cheapest and most accessible place to see the northern lights. It’s hard to say from which part of Iceland the Northern Lights are best seen, but in recent years the colorful lights have tended to be spotted in the south and east of the island. Ideally, one waits for the meteorologists’ forecasts and then books a last-minute flight. However, it is cheaper if you reserve your flight to Reykjavik in advance. The flight from Berlin or Munich is available from around €200. The best travel times are September, October, February and March. But even in the other months, Iceland has endless sights that are worth seeing: majestic waterfalls, breathtaking waterfalls and hot springs are just three arguments for this truly magical travel destination.

2. Lapland, Finland

In Finland, too, there is a good chance of admiring the spectacular Northern Lights. Local guides take visitors to the best spots to spend hours staring at the sky and marveling at the colorful spectacle in the sky. The region of Lapland in the north is particularly suitable for this, where you can spend the night in so-called glass igloos under the starry sky. A dream! The nearest airport in the north is the one in Ivalo, which is served by flights from Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin and Hamburg, among others. Become a part of this natural spectacle!

3. Kiruna, Sweden

Scandinavian countries and Iceland have long argued over which country is best for viewing the Northern Lights. In Sweden you have the opportunity to fly cheaply to Stockholm and then continue your journey by train or by renting a car. There are several places to marvel at the magical natural wonder. So instead of having to put up with long car journeys, you can also fly directly to Kiruna in the north of the country, which is a bit more expensive but also much more pleasant. Rent a snowmobile and head out into the beautiful nature to search for the Northern Lights undisturbed!

4. Alaska, United States

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee certificate for the northern lights, but in America’s cold north Alaska the chances are not that bad. There are some special tours that go directly from Anchorage to the Arctic Circle, as well as some by dog ​​sled or snowmobile. If you want to do something really different, you can take a week-long trip through Alaska’s winter wonderland on the Winter Snow Train – it’s absolutely beautiful!

5. Tromso, Norway

Tromsø is a good starting point for visiting the dense forests and lakes of Lapland. Following the Norwegian coast to the North Cape is the best chance to see the Northern Lights or go island hopping along the Lofoten Islands. If you really want to see the aurora, you can also stay in Tromsø and take part in the colorful Northern Lights Festival in January and February. The dreamlike nature of Sweden with its majestic mountains and magnificent fjords offers a unique landscape for observing the natural spectacle!

6. Scotland

The Shetland Islands in the North Atlantic are on the same latitude as Kamchatka in Russia and the island of Nunivak in Alaska. Good conditions to be able to observe the natural spectacle on site. There is also a good chance of seeing the northerners from the Orkney Islands. The Scots call the Northern Lights “Mirrie Dancer” and the further north you go, the more likely you are to actually catch a glimpse of the colorful happenings in the sky! The image above was taken in Caithness, the island is in the far north about 250 miles from Edinburgh Airport. However, on a clear day and with a bit of luck you can see the Aurora from all over Scotland.

7. Yellowknife, Canada

You can combine a trip to Alaska with a trip to Canada, because here too there is a good chance of seeing the northern lights light up in the sky. The capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories, Yellowknife is often referred to as the “Capital of the Northern Lights”. And that’s true! All you need is a warm winter jacket and a starry sky. But you don’t necessarily have to go that far north, you can also discover the northern lights from the southern provinces. Incidentally, the best time to admire the colorful spectacle in the sky is from December to March, the best time of day around midnight from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. – so it’s worth staying awake!

8. Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Greenland is also a great place to be captivated by the playful phenomenon during an arctic night. The best time for this is between the end of September and the beginning of April. The city of Kangerlussuaq is particularly popular for this, with its unique location surrounded by mountains and ice, it has more than 300 clear nights a year. There are various organized Northern Lights excursions during the winter months, but with a bit of luck you can see the Northern Lights without a guide. The dancing lights often shine very clearly over the capital Nuuk despite the numerous street lamps, so that you can also enjoy the natural spectacle here.