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There are few experiences that top watching the Aurora Borealis Northern Lights dance across a dark Arctic sky. This natural phenomenon, also known as aurora borealis, pulls travellers north each winter in search of clear skies, minimal light pollution, and that magical green, purple, and pink glow. A Northern Lights trip can be unpredictable, but that’s part of the thrill.
If you’re planning a Northern Lights vacation, Europe has some of the best places to see aurora Borealis, from the frozen lakes of Finland to the dramatic fjords of Norway. This guide highlights ten incredible destinations where you’ll have the best chance of seeing the aurora Northern Lights, along with tips on Northern Lights photography, winter travel inspiration, and what else you can do while you wait for the skies to put on a show.
1. Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø is often called the capital of the Arctic, and it’s one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. Thanks to its location above the Arctic Circle, it sits right under the auroral oval where solar wind activity sparks regular displays. The city is lively, with a mix of museums, restaurants, and a buzzing student scene, so it’s a great base for a Northern Lights trip that isn’t only about aurora viewing.
Northern Lights tours run almost every night in winter, taking you out of town to escape cloud cover and light pollution. Popular activities include dog sledding, reindeer experiences, and fjord cruises. For Northern Lights photography, Tromsø has countless viewpoints where the aurora Borealis sky reflects over snowy peaks and fjords.
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2. Abisko, Sweden
Abisko National Park is a dream for Northern Lights travel thanks to its unique microclimate. The mountains here block much of the cloud cover that can ruin aurora borealis viewing further south, meaning Abisko enjoys clearer skies than most places in the north. Scientists and travellers alike agree it’s one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Europe.
The famous Aurora Sky Station is a must-visit, offering chairlift rides up the mountainside for aurora viewing in near-total darkness. The surrounding national park is also perfect for daytime activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and winter hiking. A Northern Lights vacation here balances wilderness adventure with some of the most reliable aurora Borealis viewing conditions in the world.
3. Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus, but it’s also one of the best places to see the aurora borealis in Finnish Lapland. The town is family-friendly with a big focus on winter activities and festive attractions. It’s further south than Tromsø or Abisko, but Northern Lights tours here still regularly deliver stunning aurora displays.
Spend your days visiting Santa’s Village, going on husky rides, or snowmobiling across frozen rivers. At night, head out on a lights tour to chase the aurora borealis across the Arctic Circle. Light pollution is limited just outside town, so aurora viewing can be surprisingly good without needing to travel too far. It’s an ideal Northern Lights vacation for families wanting magic beyond the aurora.
4. Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik may not be the best place to see the Northern Lights in terms of low light pollution, but it’s a brilliant base for Northern Lights travel. A short drive takes you into Iceland’s dramatic wilderness, where you’ll find black sand beaches, frozen waterfalls, and wide open skies. Iceland sits under the auroral oval, so you’re in with a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
Northern Lights tours leave the city almost every evening in winter, heading out towards Þingvellir National Park or the Reykjanes Peninsula. For those who want more than just aurora viewing, Iceland is packed with winter travel inspiration: volcanoes, geothermal pools, glacier walks, and whale watching. Even if the aurora doesn’t show, your Northern Lights vacation here is far from wasted.
5. Kiruna, Sweden
Kiruna is the northernmost town in Sweden and a prime spot for viewing the aurora borealis. Being so far north, you’ll find long nights and minimal cloud cover compared with further south. This is one of the best places to see Northern Lights if you want to combine the spectacle with skiing, snowshoeing, or even ice hotel stays.
The famous Icehotel is located nearby in Jukkasjärvi, where you can spend the night surrounded by ice sculptures before heading out on a Northern Lights tour. Kiruna also offers snowmobile safaris and husky sledding, making it a great all-around Northern Lights vacation destination.
6. Alta, Norway
Alta has a long history with the aurora Borealis, as scientists studied the magnetic field here in the 19th century. Today, it’s a quiet town in northern Norway that offers both fascinating history and fantastic aurora viewing. Being north of the Arctic Circle, Alta is one of the best places to see Northern Lights away from busy crowds.
The Northern Lights Cathedral in town is worth visiting, while the Alta Museum has rock carvings that date back thousands of years. For Northern Lights photography, head out on dog sledding trips or snowshoe hikes in the surrounding wilderness. Alta is less crowded than Tromsø, making it perfect if you want a more peaceful Northern Lights trip.
7. Saariselkä, Finland
Saariselkä is a small resort village in Finnish Lapland that has become famous for its glass igloos. Staying in one of these means you can lie in bed and see the Northern Lights dance across the aurora Borealis sky from the comfort of a warm duvet. It’s one of the most unique ways to enjoy a Northern Lights vacation.
Beyond igloo stays, Saariselkä is known for skiing, snowmobiling, and aurora tours. Light pollution is almost non-existent in this part of Lapland, giving you an excellent chance to see the lights. The combination of comfort and wilderness makes Saariselkä one of the best places to see the aurora Borealis in Europe.
8. Scottish Highlands, Scotland
The Scottish Highlands are not usually the first place that comes to mind for aurora Borealis viewing, but thanks to their northern latitude and low light pollution, the phenomenon known locally as the “Mirrie Dancers” does make appearances. While sightings aren’t as frequent as in Lapland or Norway, the Highlands offer one of the best places to see the Northern Lights further south in Europe.
Top spots include Caithness, Sutherland, and the Isle of Lewis, where clear skies and strong solar wind activity can create stunning aurora displays. As an added bonus, you don’t need to cross the Arctic Circle to get your Northern Lights fix. Combine aurora hunting with whisky distilleries, castles, and rugged coastal hikes, and you’ve got a very different kind of Northern Lights vacation.
9. Svalbard, Norway
Svalbard is one of the northernmost inhabited places in the world, located halfway between Norway and the North Pole. It’s unique because you can see the Northern Lights even during the day, thanks to the long polar night. This makes it one of the best places to see the Northern Lights for serious aurora hunters.
Activities here include snowmobiling, dog sledding, and exploring ice caves. Wildlife lovers might spot polar bears, reindeer, and Arctic foxes. With its remote location, clear skies, and minimal light pollution, Svalbard is ideal for viewing if you’re after a truly once-in-a-lifetime Northern Lights vacation.
10. Kakslauttanen, Finland
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is world famous for its glass igloos, log cabins, and romantic winter atmosphere. It’s one of the best places to see the Northern Lights for couples wanting a memorable getaway. Located deep in Finnish Lapland, this is prime territory for aurora viewing with very little cloud cover.
The resort also offers husky safaris, snowmobile tours, and reindeer sleigh rides, all perfect Northern Lights travel activities. Northern Lights photography here is incredible, with the aurora Boreal reflected in frozen forests and snow-covered landscapes. For many, Kakslauttanen is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Finland.
11. Lofoten Islands, Norway
The Lofoten Islands combine jagged mountains, fishing villages, and wild beaches, making them one of the most scenic places to see the Northern Lights in Europe. Located within the auroral oval, these islands give you a high chance of aurora Borealis sightings, with fjords and coastlines creating amazing backdrops for Northern Lights photography.
During the day, the islands are perfect for winter hiking, fishing trips, and exploring colourful harbours. At night, Northern Lights tours take you to beaches and mountain viewpoints for aurora viewing. If you’re after winter travel inspiration, Northern Lights style, Lofoten is a magical pick.
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