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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are one of nature’s most breathtaking spectacles. This magical display of dancing green, purple, and blue lights occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere.
While catching the Northern Lights isn’t always guaranteed, heading to the right spot during peak season significantly increases your chances. If you're dreaming of witnessing this mesmerizing phenomenon, pack your warmest coat and head to one of these best places to see the Northern Lights!
List of Top Places to Catch the Northern Lights
As you might have known, the Northern Lights are primarily visible around the Earth’s north pole, particularly in the so-called auroral zone. To get the best viewing experience of this hypnotizing phenomenon, therefore, you need to go to the north, to countries or places in the auroral zone, notably Sweden, Greenland, Canada, and some others.
Condé Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure have compiled some of the best places to see the Northern Lights, offering unobstructed views and greater visibility. Read on for the complete list.
1. Fairbanks, Alaska, U.S.
Let’s start with something closer to home, shall we? You can catch the Northern Lights by heading to Alaska, specifically to Fairbanks. Thanks to its location under the "Auroral Oval," the city experiences frequent and intense aurora activity, notably from late August to the end of April.
For a more elevated aurora hunting experience, visit the nearby Chena Hot Springs which offers a perfect way to warm up while waiting for the lights to appear.
2. Upper Peninsula, Michigan, U.S.
Besides Alaska’s Fairbanks, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is another place at home to observe the aurora borealis. Places like Keweenaw Dark Sky Park are the prime location to spot the light show.
Upper Peninsula offers some of the best Northern Lights views in the lower 48 states, largely attributable to its little light pollution and unobstructed north-facing views. Most importantly, you don’t need to travel to the Arctic or even show your passport to enjoy the otherworldly vista.
3. Churchill, Canada
Churchill is your go-to if you wish to see polar bears during fall or beluga whales in summer. But, it is also an incredible spot for aurora hunters.
This remote town in Manitoba sees the Northern Lights almost 300 nights a year. The combination of its location and low light pollution makes it a top choice for those who want a guaranteed aurora experience.
4. The Yukon Territory, Canada
The Yukon Territory is an underrated hidden gem when it comes to prime spots to catch the Northern Lights. From late August to mid-April, the skies over the Yukon are often painted with glowing auroras.
For a more enjoyable experience, head to Whitehorse and book one of the glass chalets at the Northern Lights Resort and Spa, which pampers visitors with its all-inclusive winter aurora and activities package.
5. Bláskógabyggð, Iceland
Iceland is a Northern Lights hotspot, and Bláskógabyggð is one of the best places to catch the show. Specifically speaking, the Thingvellir National Park, which lies in the southwestern part of the country, is ideal for aurora viewing, thanks to its flat terrain.
6. Svalbard, Norway
Svalbard is our next best place to see the Northern Lights, and you’ll see why. This Norwegian archipelago experiences "polar night" from November to January, meaning the sun doesn’t rise for weeks. This condition gives you more opportunities to witness the aurora borealis, even over breakfast.
7. Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø is one of the most popular places in the world for Northern Lights tourism, hence named “Paris of the North”. With minimal light pollution, you can take in the magnificent light display or take it to the next level by riding a cable car up Mount Storsteinen.
The best time to visit Tromsø for aurora hunting is during the dark season, which is from September to mid-April.
8. Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Kangerlussuaq has over 300 clear nights a year, making it one of the most reliable spots for aurora viewing. You can also partake in a tour conducted by local guide company Albatros Arctic Circle, which gives you the opportunity to camp on the Greenland Ice Sheet while admiring the immersive northern glow.
9. Rovaniemi, Finland
Located in Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi offers the opportunity to experience the stunning Arctic scenery under the night sky. The region is home to inclusive hotels purposely built to dig in the winter’s glow, which is primarily visible around 200 nights per year.
10. Abisko, Sweden
Last but not least, Abisko rounds off our list of the best places to see the Northern Lights. In particular, Abisko National Park is your go-to. Thanks to its microclimate, which ensures an unobstructed view from clouds and rain alike, the national park has some of the clearest skies in the country, ideal for optimal aurora viewing.
From Canada to Sweden, these places promise the best viewing experience of aurora borealis. Don’t forget to capture nature’s most dazzling show with your camera and upload it to your social media. To find the best camera settings for photographing the Northern Lights, click here.
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