Best places to see the northern lights around the world

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One of many world’s most well-known pure sights, the northern lights appeal to folks to areas across the Arctic in hopes of seeing the uncommon show.

Attributable to the redirection of particles from the solar that hit the Earth’s ambiance, the beautiful atmospheric phenomenon is seen because the Holy Grail of skywatching and principally happens in areas round Norway, Finland, Sweden and Greenland.

The lights will be seen in different components of the world; the UK has even had sightings in Scotland, Whitley Bay, and Tyne and Put on in March this 12 months as we expertise the solar is in its photo voltaic most part.

Sadly, such sightings are uncommon and most of the people desirous to see the aurora borealis (the scientific identify for the phenomenon, coined by Galileo Galilei) must journey additional north.

That can assist you in your quest to see the spectacular mild present, we’ve put collectively a listing of one of the best locations for seeing the northern lights and when to go to maximise your probabilities.

The perfect locations to see the northern lights around the globe

1. Tromso, Norway

There’s a high probability of seeing the lights in Tromso — There’s a excessive likelihood of seeing the lights in Tromso (Getty Pictures/iStockphoto)

Tromso sits on the centre of the northern lights’ oval, that means that the lights will be seen even when exercise is low. In response to the tourism web site, Tromso is “one of many locations on this planet with the very best likelihood of seeing the lights”, and there may be “at all times a great likelihood of seeing” them between September and April.

Temperatures are moderated by the Norwegian Sea and westerly winds, that means that they’re much milder than traditional for the latitude, with averages of between 2C and -1C throughout peak viewing instances (in comparison with Svalbard, the place the common January excessive is -13C).

When to go to Tromso

Your greatest likelihood of seeing the lights in Tromso is between September and April, when the skies are darkish sufficient for them to be seen.

Learn extra: 7 of one of the best northern lights holidays in Norway

2. Svalbard, Norway

The lights shine over Svalbard (Getty Pictures/iStockphoto)

This Norwegian archipelago is residence to extra polar bears than folks and experiences harsh winters, with the solar not correctly rising over the horizon between mid-November and mid-January.

Whereas the islands don’t expertise whole darkness (and due to this fact you aren’t assured to see the lights), the principle island, Spitsbergen, hosts a number of several types of expedition to provide the greatest likelihood of catching the phenomenon. For those who’re fortunate, chances are you’ll even see some polar wildlife similar to reindeer, Arctic foxes and walruses too.

When to go to Svalbard

The lights season right here is barely shorter than in Tromso, working from September till the center of March. The perfect time of day to try to see the lights is between 6pm and midnight.

Learn extra: 8 greatest ski resorts in Norway to your 2025 snowboarding vacation

3. Rovaniemi, Finland

See the aurora in the official home of Santa Claus — See the aurora within the official residence of Santa Claus (Getty Pictures)

Positioned in Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi markets itself because the ‘Official House of Santa Claus’ and incorporates a Santa Claus Village and Santa Park. The northern lights are seen right here on “round 150 nights a 12 months” from August, and the tourism websitesprovides concepts for close by places to view them.

Amongst its recommendations are the Arctic Backyard (a 10-minute stroll away) and the highest of Ounasvaara fell (an extended, 45-minute stroll from the city). Amongst different snow-based actions – similar to sledding – you possibly can be part of snowmobile journeys and ice floating excursions as particular methods to benefit from the lights.

When to go to Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is one vacation spot the place the northern lights season is exceptionally lengthy, working from late August to early April. Nonetheless, one of the best time to go to is through the Polar Evening interval, from mid-November to mid-January.

Learn extra: What it’s actually like dwelling within the ‘world’s happiest nation’

4. Reykjavik, Iceland

Whisps of purple and green illuminate central Reykjavik — Whisps of purple and inexperienced illuminate central Reykjavik (Getty Pictures/iStockphoto)

Iceland is positioned roughly 65 levels north, making the nation a wonderful choice for these making an attempt to see the northern lights. They are often seen in a number of places, similar to Thingvellir Nationwide Park or Kirkjufell Mountain, however one of the best place to remain when visiting needs to be Reykjavik. The Icelandic capital is a typical Nordic metropolis in type and acts as a wonderful base for seeing the pure sights of the nation within the day earlier than happening a guided journey to see the lights by night time.

When to go to Reykjavik

Iceland has a reasonably typical size to its lights season, working from September to April.

Learn extra: How Reykjavik is making a reputation for itself as a culinary vacation spot

5. Abisko, Sweden

Abisko National Park receives no light pollution — Abisko Nationwide Park receives no mild air pollution (Getty Pictures/iStockphoto)

Located in Swedish Lapland, proper on the coronary heart of the aurora oval, Abisko Nationwide Park receives no mild air pollution and has one of many lowest rainfall climates within the Nordic space. With many surrounding mountains to maintain the skies clear, Abisko additionally gives the prospect to check out a number of actions similar to snowmobiling, fishing and mountaineering.

The Aurora Sky Station markets itself as “one of the best place on Earth to expertise northern lights”, however plainly this confidence isn’t unfounded: when you had been to remain for 3 nights in Abisko, you’d have an 88 per cent likelihood of seeing the lights, whereas the federal government web site additionally claims that the world generally receives “greater than two weeks of consecutive northern lights nights”.

When to go to Abisko

Maximise your possibilities of catching the lights by visiting between mid-September and early March.

Learn extra: I ditched my telephone and hiked 110km by means of the Swedish wilderness

6. Yukon, Canada

Book a tour of Yukon to watch the waltz of the aurora — Guide a tour of Yukon to observe the waltz of the aurora (Getty Pictures/iStockphoto)

With a land space of 483,450sqkm, the Yukon is an enormous area which is sort of as giant because the entirety of Spain. Roughly 80 per cent of the territory is wilderness; it’s residence to the longest river in Canada, the second tallest peak in North America (Mount Logan, at 5,959m excessive), the smallest desert on this planet (Carcross, at 1.6sqkm) and dozens of animal species, from moose to brown bears.

With this in thoughts, whereas exploring by yourself could also be tempting, in the case of viewing the lights you’re greatest off reserving a tour. It’s a good suggestion to base your self in Whitehorse (the capital, with a inhabitants of simply over 28,000), the place guided excursions will take you to close by spots to provide the greatest likelihood of seeing the sunshine present.

When to go to Yukon

One other place with a lights season lasting practically eight months, Yukon’s most lively time for mild shows is between October and mid-November.

Learn extra: Contained in the mad world of Canada’s hair-freezing competitors

7. Ilulissat, Greenland

The aurora dances over Ilulissat (Getty Pictures/iStockphoto)

Essentially the most sparsely populated nation on this planet, Greenland gives the prospect to see the lights with uninterrupted calm and tranquility. With a inhabitants of slightly below 5,000 folks, Ilulissat is “wealthy in Inuit historical past” and is residence to “thousands and thousands of icebergs”. Low ranges of sunshine air pollution and lots of clear nights will provide a great likelihood of seeing the lights throughout your keep.

With a inhabitants of simply over 500, places similar to Kangerlussuaq additionally provide good alternatives to see the lights however could also be too distant for some. However with a brand new worldwide airport, entry is simpler than ever.

When to go to Ilulissat

Together with the remainder of Greenland, Ilulissat has a reasonably typical season, lasting from September to March.

Learn extra: Why Greenland is price getting enthusiastic about

8. Outer Hebrides, Scotland

The northern lights over the Hebrides in Scotland (PA Media)

House to “among the darkest skies within the UK”, among the islands within the Outer Hebrides sit on the identical latitude as components of Norway and Alaska. The aurora has been seen as far south as Edinburgh, however the islands of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra are your greatest likelihood for seeing the lights within the UK.

Extra accessible than many of the different places on this listing, the islands are additionally typically a great place for seeing totally different astronomical sights, such because the Orion Nebula, the Milky Manner and the Andromeda Galaxy.

When to go to the Outer Hebrides

Lights season in these islands runs from September to April, though one of the best time to see the lights is through the equinox and solstice, so between March and April and September and October respectively.

Learn extra: Swap the North Coast 500 for this under-the-radar Scottish street journey

9. Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

Dark skies and dry conditions bless Fairbanks — Darkish skies and dry situations bless Fairbanks (Getty Pictures/iStockphoto)

The second largest metropolis (by inhabitants) in Alaska, Fairbanks is located close to the centre of the state and is residence to simply over 32,000 folks. Positioned on an analogous latitude to Iceland, situations listed below are excellent for viewing the lights: darkish skies, dry situations and an absence of sunshine air pollution.

One of many major advantages of Fairbanks (versus another places on the listing) is the truth that you don’t even have to go away the town to see the lights, and as a significant settlement, all the mandatory facilities can be found alongside the numerous excursions on provide.

When to go to Fairbanks

The season right here lasts barely longer than traditional, stretching from late August to April.

Learn extra: 8 of one of the best northern lights cruises from the UK, Norway, Iceland and Canada

10. Finnish Lapland

See the lights on snowmobiles or reindeer-drawn sleighs in Finnish Lapland (Lehtikuva/AFP through Getty Pictures)

Whereas Rovaniemi has already been talked about on this listing, there are such a lot of worthy locations in Finnish Lapland that your entire space needs to be really useful. Levi is the biggest ski resort in Finland however is much less crowded than different European resorts, and gives the prospect to see the lights on snowmobiles or on reindeer-drawn sleighs. Harriniva is one other resort that gives comparable actions, with the Muonio River including one other scenic contact. Saariselka gives a special, village setting with wonderful spots for viewing the lights solely half a kilometre away.

When to go to Finnish Lapland

The official Finnish tourism web site states that one of the best instances to see the lights are in autumn and spring, firstly and the tip of the season, with the season itself working from mid-August till early April.

Learn extra: The best way to go to Father Christmas in Lapland on a price range

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