17 Best Places To See the Northern Lights
One of the most enchanting natural phenomena in the Northern Hemisphere is the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis.
On the proper night, with perfect weather conditions and peak solar activity, you can see the stunning lights paint the night sky. 2024 has turned out to be an epic year for seeing them all over the world—this year, we even saw the lights as far south as Tulsa, Oklahoma.
People wait their entire lives to cross viewing the Northern Lights off their bucket list. If that sounds like you, here are some of the best places with the highest probability of seeing them.
1. Reykjavik, Iceland
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Reykjavik offers much to see and explore, like geothermal pools, volcanic tours, and excellent culture, but you should also check out the Northern Lights between September and April. Just take a short journey to Hofdabrekka, near Vik in southern Iceland, where Aurora Borealis enthusiasts can soak up this wondrous site.
2. Abisko National Park, Sweden
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One of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Sweden is Abisko National Park. Located in the very north of Sweden, along the Norwegian Sea, visitors can watch in wonder as these beautiful lights dance and fill the winter night sky.
3. Westfjords, Iceland
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The Westfjords of Northern Iceland make for an ideal location to see the Northern Lights. As a popular viewing destination, there are many tours you can join throughout the area.
Plan your trip to Iceland anywhere from September through April for the best chance of spotting the lights.
4. Lower and Upper Peninsula, Michigan, U.S.
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Find a spot along the Great Lakes of Michigan for the best viewing, preferably somewhere dark without ambient light. The best times to see the Aurora Borealis in Michigan are April, October, and November — though the lights tend to flare throughout the winter into spring.
5. Yellowknife, Canada
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About 250 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Yellowknife is part of Canada’s northwest territories. It is also the Northern Lights Capital of the North American continent, making it a great destination for seeing them.
Visitors may start to see the lights anywhere from September through the end of March.
6. Tromso, Norway
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Tromso has darkness and good weather that’s conducive to seeing the lights. Book your trip in late January or early February to glimpse the Northern Lights. You can even see them from the cable car on Storsteinen Mountain.
7. Lapland, Finland
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Native Sami people of Finnish Lapland believe the lights occur because of fire foxes running so fast across the sky that their tails brush against the mountains and create sparks in the sky. With an average of 200 nights per year of Aurora Borealis (which means arctic dawn) from September to March, the best time to catch the light show is right before midnight.
8. Oymyakon, Siberia
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The story goes that God looked down on what he created and dropped diamonds that fell across the Yakutia region, which are the Northern Lights often seen in Siberia. Oymyakon is a remote location, but the trip and time spent with locals in their homes (there are no hotels in the area) will make the journey worth it.
9. Fairbanks, Alaska, U.S.
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Fairbanks is a popular spot for tourists to stop on their trip to Alaska, with the upside of possibly seeing the Northern Lights during their stay. Many local hotels also offer complimentary wake-up calls to let you know when the lights are out. Talk about full service!
10. Ilulissat, Greenland
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The Inuit people of Greenland believe that the lights are spirits of the dead playing games in the sky with a walrus skull. Most of the country is uninhabited, which makes it a great place to see the lights without city light pollution. Ilulissat is one of the most popular areas in Greenland for viewing during the autumn months.
11. Churchill, Canada
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Rumor has it that Churchill in Manitoba boasts a whopping 300 nights of visibility of the Northern Lights. You’ll have a good chance of seeing the lights for most of the year. However, visitors should plan their trip to northwestern Canada from January to March for the best viewing time.
12. Isle of Skye, Scotland
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In Scotland, the Northern Lights are known by locals as the “merry dancers,” thought to be fallen angels and warriors. Autumn and winter see a decrease in visitors, making it the perfect time to travel to one of the most iconic destinations in the country to view the Northern Lights.
13. Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
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Another ideal location in Greenland — one of the best in the world — is in the small village of Kangerlussuaq. With less than 1,000 people, limited artificial lights, and clear skies, you can experience the Aurora Borealis from October through April.
14. Svalbard, Norway
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Adventure seekers get the most out of their trip to Svalbard. Aside from joining a tour to see the Northern Lights, you can also go on a cruise or join a dog-sledding and hiking trip to make the experience even better. It’s best to travel between October and February, during the darkest months, for the best viewing.
15. Shetland Islands, Scotland
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As the northernmost area of Scotland, the Shetland Islands puts you closest to the Arctic Circle, meaning you’ll have a better chance of viewing the Aurora Borealis here. This relatively remote destination offers excellent viewing of the lights from the end of autumn through early spring.
16. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Iceland
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If you’re visiting south Iceland, you can still view the Northern Lights by traveling to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. A drive from a neighboring village, Vik, will take you to the lagoon, or you can find a nearby black sand beach to enjoy the show.
17. Whitehorse, Canada
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The Yukon capital, Whitehorse, is a reasonably accessible area to see the Northern Lights. It offers lodging and tours for the whole family. Winter months are the best time to visit Whitehorse, and many tours operate then.
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