By james art The most impressive auroras occur when the Sun emits really large clouds of particles called “coronal mass ejections.”
The Northern Lights were seen across the UK in 2024.
And now experts have revealed the best places to go to see them this winter.
Simon Lynch, global product director at luxury tour operator Scott Dunn, shares his expert recommendations on the best places and months to travel to witness the Northern Lights before the end of the year, and tips for when you’re there.
Finland (North, Finnish Lapland)
Finland is often considered the happiest country in the world and is nestled in the heart of Scandinavia, encompassing Finnish Lapland, the northernmost part of Finland. Thanks to its latitude of 67° north, it places Finland in the path of the Northern Lights.
With around 75% of its surface covered by forests and an average December snowfall of 30cm, Finland feels like a true winter wonderland when the aurora borealis dances above you in the night sky.
The lights are best seen in Finland the further north you go, making Finnish Lapland ideal. The northern lights are visible about 200 nights a year in Lapland.
Rovaniemi, Inari and Levi are some of the best places to visit and offer Husky sled tours and desert hideaways and glass-roofed igloos to stay in during your trip.
The peak light season runs from late August to early April, with the best time occurring after nightfall, between 10pm and 2am. Combined with numerous winter activities such as snowmobiling, skiing and exploring Santa’s cave in Lapland, Finland offers a special setting for viewing the Northern Lights.
Iceland (on the other side of the island)
The best places to view the aurora are around the polar regions and usually occur between 60 and 75 degrees latitude. Located at 65°N at the southern edge of the Arctic Circle, Iceland is also known as one of the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights.
Iceland is known as the Land of Fire and Ice due to its vast volcanic landscape and glaciers. It’s easy to get somewhere dark on the island, which is necessary to see the natural light show. It’s the only place besides Greenland where you can theoretically see the lights from anywhere in the country. With a population of just 376,000 people, you can take full advantage of Iceland’s remote areas that avoid light pollution.
October to December is the best time to view the Northern Lights in Iceland, with peak viewing times between 9pm and 2am.
It’s never guaranteed that you’ll see the Northern Lights, but Iceland has plenty more to see. The island’s hot springs, waterfalls and ice caves will provide travelers with an abundance of unforgettable experiences while offering a unique backdrop for witnessing the spectacular aurora borealis.
Sweden (northwest, Swedish Lapland)
Sweden is famous for displaying the aurora borealis, especially in the arctic wilderness of Swedish Lapland, the most northwestern corner of Sweden. Covering a quarter of the country, Swedish Lapland is home to mountains, forests, wild rivers and frozen lakes.
Abisko National Park, Kiruna and Luleå are considered some of the best places in Sweden to observe the Northern Lights. These locations offer once-in-a-lifetime access to unique stays like Sweden’s Icehotel and Treehotel and charming Scandinavian tipis.
The endless days between October and January give visitors the advantage of long winter nights that are perfect for viewing the Northern Lights. On clear evenings, the best time to spot the light show is between 6pm and 2pm.
Swedish Lapland is not without arctic activities in addition to aurora spotting. Ice fishing, sailing on frozen lakes and moose safaris create a unique itinerary for visitors to Sweden.
Norway (in the north – Tromsø and Svalbard)
Norway is a hotspot for aurora hunting as the seasons change quickly, meaning there are longer dark nights.
Its latitude of 62°N means it is ideally located in the Northern Lights belt, giving visitors a great chance to see the light show in the night sky. Tromsø and Svalbard are considered the best places in Norway to see the light show. The hotels offer scenic views of snow-capped mountains and offer outdoor wood-burning fireplaces and hot tubs to warm up from the cold.
The season of lights in Norway is from September to March from 6pm to 1am. In particular, the “polar night”, when the sun does not rise for weeks, begins in mid-November, making it an excellent time to see the Northern Lights.
Alaska (North – Talkeetna and Denali National Parks)
Across the lake, the US state of Alaska is considered one of the best places on earth to view the Northern Lights.
Although the light shows happen in all four seasons of the year, if you want to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, the best time to visit is during the cold months between September and April, also known as the “aurora borealis season”.
Alaska is a vast and wild state, and the further north you travel, the better your chances of witnessing the bright colors in the sky.
Talkeetna and Denali National Park, located at about 63°N latitude, offer unique hotels and accommodations, as well as Northern Lights packages. As the light show becomes more intense with pure black skies, these remote locations are ideal.