For witnessing one of the most famous occurrences in the world, you need to be at the right spot that offers the best view of it. © 2020 Thrifty Nomads • All Rights Reserved • Privacy Policy. Try another? Where: All of Iceland – check this thorough guide here. Best time to see Northern Lights. Many parts of Northern Canada witness the Aurora Borealis regularly, with the Northernmost territories and Yukon being some of the world's greatest hotspots. In that area, as mentioned previously, you’ll have all the most important factors on your side. 6. Where: Many regions in the north, although more tourist-friendly areas accessible from St. Petersburg include Murmansk, Arkhangelsk, Petrozavodsk. How: You can self-camp, campervan, or scout out a cozy AirBNB cabin. Resources: Aurora Borealis Notifications, Soft Serve News. So, keen to add some aurora-spotting to your bucket list? Even if you don’t see the northern lights, you can attend one of the Up Helly Aa fire festivals in January. This means they are only visible in winter. The best places to see the Northern Lights, For the very best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, head to the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko National Park. The aurora likes to keep us earth-dwellers on our toes like that…. Just make sure you take an official tour rather than heading out into the wilderness on your own. Resources: Quick guides here and here. Where: Most of Sweden is optimal once you escape city lights. A private charter boat is another option for combined accommodation and sightseeing. When it comes to where you could go, Rodney recommends northern spots like Fairbanks, Alaska, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Churchill in Canada, and Iceland and northern Norway. Heads up! For Eurail pass tips, check our guide here. 7 Best Places To See Northern Lights. Resources: Aurora Borealis Notifications, weather website. Biden to mark 'Equal Pay Day' as women hit worse than men by pandemic. You’ll want to visit this northern region in winter, when 24-hour summer daylight is replaced with almost constant night. For Eurail pass tips, check our guide here. “Iceland is a favourite because you can sometimes see volcanoes too,” he says. One lesser known fact is that the aurora can be seen in both the northern and southern hemispheres. This is one of the more comfortable places to chase the Northern Lights. The islands of Shetland, Orkney, Harris, Lewis and the most northerly top of Skye all get regular visits from the lights. Alaska is one of the best places on earth for spotting aurora. Some places include Abisko, Tärendö, Jukkasjärvi, and Farnebofjarden National Park (just 140km from Stockholm). Getting there: Russia is accessible by flights, with Moscow or St. Peter's being the most common starting points. You can even ring in 2019 (hopefully) watching aurora from your glass igloo! The Arctic Treehouse Hotel has suites with floor-to-ceiling windows at the end of the bed, for admiring the view and watching for the Northern Lights from beneath a duvet. Where: Southern Greenland is ideal, as too far north exits the aurora zone. In the southern hemisphere, they are “Aurora Australia” or “Southern Lights” (check our Southern Lights guide for tips). In Yellowknife, there are one day, two-day, three-day, four-day, and five-day aurora tours where staff keep an eye for aurora overnight and assist with photo taking. How: Staying somewhere designed for viewing is ideal due to frigid temps. Planning a trip to Canada? Yellowknife, in Canada's Northwest Territories, is home to Aurora Village, which is ground zero for Northern Lights viewing (it's a 10-mile drive from town). This is the perfect spot if … This produces a neon light show that can last for minutes or even days at a time. Light pollution is minimal in wild, rural Greenland. Stay here If just the thought of spending all night outside in the hope that you’ll catch a glimpse of the aurora makes your toes feel chilly, give this a go instead. Yellowknife, Canada. The closer you are to this region, the better your odds of catching the lights. Resources: The Finnish Meteorological Institute has realtime aurora data, and Aurora Borealis Notifications. Camping resources here. Besides travel, her shameless vices include wine-fuelled nights with good company, road trips to remote places, and squealing at adorable elderly dogs. United services these destinations, and is a partner airline of the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card. At these polar latitudes, the aurora can be observed more than half of the nights of a given year." This is an area of 2,000-3,000km from the magnetic pole, or at a latitude of 66 to 69 degrees north. The country is already easy to get around, and aurora spotting options are diverse. When: Winter months are ideal due to longer nights, but year-round is possible. The lights can be seen from Greenland’s capital Nuuk, while Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut are also good places to base yourself. There are also several inexpensive aurora-focused tours such as husky-sledding or a photography-focused tour. Fall and spring months are considered to be peak times as solar activity is the most intense. Credit: Courtesy of Wolfgang Bublitz/Northern Lights Resort & SPA. With its vibrantly coloured fishing villages, gaping fjords, and expansive nature, Norway is more than just an aurora hotspot – it's pure magic. Search Skyscanner by entire month for the best prices. Whitehorse and Yellowknife are the main cities to fly to. DisclosuresMany of the listings that appear on this website are from companies which we receive compensation. If you travel to Sweden, the best place to see northern lights is in the north, or Swedish Lapland. The plus? This means we get a small commission, at no extra cost to you, for recommending a product we personally use, trust, and own. British Airways and KLM offer flights into Stockholm and Gothenburg, meaning you can sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card for a sign-up bonus of 80,000 points (worth $1,000), then convert the points to these partner airlines, or redeem directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal. Northern Canada is a treat for those seeking eerily remote, pristine wilderness. The Westfjords and North Iceland have longer hours of darkness and statistically less frequent cloud cover. Getty Images. The world’s northernmost year-round settlement, Svalbard is in darkness pretty much constantly between November and February, providing optimum opportunties. Tours are plentiful, ranging from cruises and jeep tours, to combined Northern lights hunting with ice cave or glacier walks. The best place to observe the aurora is under an oval shaped region between the north and south latitudes of about 60 and 75 degrees. Our website contains some affiliate links in relevant areas. Northern lights may be seen in Iceland between late August until mid-April. Getting there: Norway is accessible by abundant flights within Europe (search Skyscanner by entire month for the best prices), or by train. T, The unmissable celestial events happening in 2020. For Eurail pass tips, check our guide here. For your best chance of spotting the Northern Lights, you’ll want to head towards the Arctic Circle. But don't let the chilly nights put you off – you can even aurora-gaze from steaming hot springs. Syöte National Park is located near the town of Pudasjärvi is the best place to see the Northern Lights south of the Arctic Circle and it is also one of the best places for outdoor winter activities in Finland. Getting there: The north is accessible by flights within Canada (search Skyscanner by entire month for the best prices). Compared to other destinations, there are a lot of places you can see the Northern Lights in Canada. With an abundance of epic wildlife (grizzly bears, moose, eagles, and more) and infinite mountains, Alaska has plenty to offer beyond the lights. You can sometimes even spot the lights from the town itself. Then convert the points to United's points program, or redeem directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Stay away from places with street lightning such as Lerwick or you will be disappointed. Icebergs and aurora are nearly all yours! Check our ultimate guide to visiting here affordably. Popular bases for aurora-spotting holidays include remote Utsjoki in the far north, Kilpisjärvi in the west and the skiing town of Levi. Your best bet is generally from the Northern border with Norway to Jokkmokk. Check our Eurail pass guide here for useful tips on train travel. A great slice of Greenland is poised perfectly within the aurora zone. How: Get a log cabin with world-class aurora views or try your luck camping or caravaning. When: October to March. The most likely places to see the spectacle are the Scottish Highlands and Scottish Isles. Finland is a destination for many partner airlines of the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card, such as British Airways, KLM, and Air France. However, the region does have an enviable arctic travelinfrastructure, which includes a plethora of winter activities and a fineselection of hotels. The famous hotel, freshly constructed and sculpted out of snow and ice each winter, is not only a unique place to spend the night but in a stellar location for seeing the aurora. Appearing as a glow at the horizon, an arc that curves across the sky, or rays, ribbons or bands of colour that move in the darkness (most commonly in shades of pink, yellow and green), the Northern Lights are, rather unromantically, the result of collisions between gaseous particles in the Earth's atmosphere and charged particles that are released from the sun’s atmosphere and blown towards earth by a solar wind. The so-called Aurora Zone consists of altitudes between 66 and 69 degrees north, where conditions are ideal. Thanks to the effects of the Gulf Stream, the temperatures here are milder compared to other popular aurora regions like Canada and Russia. But be warned – temperatures can get quite cold. Aurora seasonin Norway is between late September and late March; the skies are dark between6 pm and 1 am, which is the best window to observe the Lights. Flight-seeing is another popular way to witness the magic of the Northern Lights from the air. The town of Tromsø is a popular place for Northern Light-hunters to base themselves. For the best chance, you need to head to a place without light pollution; time your aurora hunting with a new moon, for extra darkness; and, ideally, head out on a clear, cloud-free night. Also consider signing up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card, which offers a major sign-up bonus of 80,000 points (worth $1,000). How: You can venture on your own camping or get a cozy cabin in the forest. You can convert the points to United airlines, which has routes into Anchorage and Fairbanks, or just book directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. You can sleep overnight inside an actual igloo while hunting for the Northern Lights in Greenland. You can convert the points to the British Airways points program, which flies into Reykjavik, or just book directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. The site does not review or include all companies or all available products. When the conditions are right, the Northern Lights can be spotted anwhere in Scotland – they have been sighted as far south as Edinburgh – but northern Scotland, which sits at a similar latitude to parts of Norway, is where you’re most likely to get an eyefull of the dancing colours. When: September to the end of March. For your best chance of spotting the Northern Lights, you’ll want to head towards the Arctic Circle. This makes them a good destination to see the northern lights in winter! For a side of stunning scenery and isolation, visit the tiny village of, Oskjuhlid forest. For the best chance of gazing upon the Northern Lights, pay a visit to Malin Head on the Inishowen Peninsula and get ready to be rendered speechless. Though you might spot them anywhere in Canada, much of Northern Canada falls into the Aurora Zone, so is a brilliant place to try your luck. When to visit: August to May. As illusive as the Northern Lights can be, this majestic sight is well deserving of all efforts to witness them. Try a guided aurora tour in the snow either via snowmobile, snowshoe, or dog sled. Handy! Resources: Aurora Borealis Notifications, Smithsonian's guide to Northern Lights in Alaska, Aurora Borealis over Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. The Northern Lights can be spotted all year round, but are most commonly seen between November and March thanks to the longer, darker nights in the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! How: You can camp, drive, or view the aurora from the comfort of a heated cozy AirBNB cabin or lodge. Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau are the main cities to fly into. We learned travel doesn’t have to be pricey, and created this blog to prove it. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/7-aurora-destinations The Yukon offers one-day and 4-day tours. We already have this email. But even in parts of the world where you can regularly see the lights, they are never guaranteed. Here’s what you need to know about the phenomenon, and the best places on earth to go aurora-spotting. Flights: You can get flight tickets at 47,000, if booked in advance. Kiruna, the country’s northernmost city is also an ideal base, as is the nearby village of Jukkasjärvi (home to the Ice Hotel). Other unique aurora sightseeing tours include dog sledding and photography focused tours. Where: There are many hot spots on offer here but some good ones include Svalbard, Tromso, The Lofoten Islands, Harstad, Bodo, Alta, Andoya, and Lakselv. Stay here Rural Hotel Ranga in southern Iceland boasts zero light pollution, riverside hot tubs and a special wake-up call if you want to be roused each time the Northern Lights appear. However, due to dark skies in the summer, it's possible to witness aurora in Michigan all year round. For more detailed instructions on visiting Russia to see aurora, check this guide. Search Skyscanner by entire month for the best prices. When: Early September to the end of April. Igloo Lodge, on the shores of frozen Lake Nalluarsup, is a collection of traditional hand-built igloos, filled with candles and really, really good sleeping bags. Here the cold weather, clear skies, and dark nights make for optimal aurora spotting conditions. Note: there are many unexpected places globally to spot the aurora, however we have only mentioned locations with the best odds of sightings. Best Places to See the Northern Lights: Yukon, Canada. The pass provides daily access to Northern Lights tours, which is ideal since aurora can be sporadic. The colour depends on the type of particles that are colliding. Does Applying for Credit Cards Affect Your Credit Score? Jen is a five-foot-short fireball with an itch for adventure. When: Mid-August – late April. For the very best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, head to the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko National Park. Though this phenomenon natural light display in the earth’s sky can be witnessed in a number of places, this post will be showcasing some of the best places to see the Northern lights in Europe. But don't let the chilly nights put you off – you can even aurora-gaze from steaming hot springs. The Shetland Islands are the British Isles that are closest to the North Pole. However, if you’re going to see the northern lights in Washington, Olympic National Park is one of the best spots to see it when skies are clear. Max out your chances of spying shimmering colours by visiting one of these great places to spot the aurora borealis, The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are colourful swathes of light that appear in the dark night sky. It is often said that Northern Norway has thebest places from which the watch the Northern Lights, but that is onlypartially true. Once you hit the minimum spend, you'll get a sign-up bonus of 80,000 points (worth $1,000). Getting there: Alaska is accessible by flights from North America (search Skyscanner by entire month for the best prices), or cruise. Of course, you have to escape the city lights to see the Northern Lights at their best so we’ve included two night-time excursions, one by jeep and one by boat. In some cities you can find English AirBNB listings which may provide aurora sightings. Thrifty Nomads has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Northern Lights can be found in the “aurora zone” in the Northern Hemisphere. Alaska … People dedicate serious amounts of time to hunting down the bewitching, atmospheric and elusive phenomenon. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Tours are abundant, ranging from reindeer-sledding and whale watching, to a night cruises and private flights (note: not all of these tours are included in the pass). Kiruna, the country’s northernmost city is also an ideal base, as is the nearby village of Jukkasjärvi (home to the Ice Hotel). In the northern hemisphere, they're known as “Aurora Borealis” or “Northern Lights”. Iceland is oozing with quaint and chic AirBNB cabins to choose from, which may offer picture-perfect aurora views. The best-known destination in Iceland is Reykjavik and we are particularly happy to offer a New Year Northern Lights trip based in this city. The solution? Déjà vu! In downtown Reykjavik, you may even witness the aurora from the comfort of the famous Blue Lagoon. Thrifty Nomads and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Northern Canada. Resources: Space Weather Prediction Centre, Aurora Alerts. Lake Superior is one of the best locations for observing northern lights in the Midwest. Dreamy glass igloos, snow igloos, cabins, snow hotels, and wooden chalets are all great ways to see the aurora from a warm bed! Where: Just about anywhere (away from city lights) – far north is your best bet. 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Minnesota is one of the best destinations to see the Northern Lights in the mainland United States; in fact, the upper portion is so good that the state is listed as one of the best … Although not seeing the lights won’t ruin your trip, let’s be real. Southern Greenland might be better if you don’t love the biting cold, but if you’re feeling brave, you should book a trip to beautiful Ilulissat in northern Greenland. 6 years ago we ditched our jobs, sold everything & pursued a life outside the 9-5 bubble. Kakslauttanen is a popular spot with gorgeous glass igloos. For instance, the Faroe Islands, Estonia, Scotland, Ireland and parts of China see the Northern Lights, but the frequency is so sporadic that we have excluded them from this list. Planning a trip to Europe? Swedish Lapland is an ideal aurora-hunting playground, with plenty of wholesome outdoorsy activities to keep you occupied while you’re waiting. Related:The Best Places to Travel in the U.S. in February To see the Northern Lights you need clear skies, which isn't guaranteed in the Arctic Circle, so plan to stay at least a week. When: September to March. Part of Swedish Lapland is inside the Arctic Circle and the “Northern Lights Belt”, ticking two boxes at once. It's also easily accessible by flights throughout Europe, making it a feasible stop on any Euro-trip. Seeing them will make it a whole lot better. Feeling adventurous? The northern skies are generally clear here and a lack of light pollution stacks the odds in travellers favour, but don’t be disheartened if it takes a few tries to see the colourful displays. How: Visible from outdoors when there is minimal light pollution via camping, driving, or joining a tour. The best places to see the aurora borealis are the Nordic countries of Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland, which lie within or near the Arctic Circle. How: Rent an AirBNB with glacier (& potentially aurora) views. Norway is a destination for many partner airlines of the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card, such as British Airways, KLM, and Air France. You can also cover most or all of your airfare by signing up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card. Fairbanks is generally recognised as the capital of the Northern Lights hunt in Alaska, it is just below the Artic circle so the views are not necessarily the very best, but the aurora do seem to occur most commonly here. From August to mid-April, … If you do not want to travel a lot to see Northern Lights, then one of the well-known places to see Northern Lights is Scotland. Though the Northern Lights Observatory … Here's the best places to see the Northern Lights around the world! Stay in a purpose-built glass igloo to enable aurora viewing right from the comfort of your warm bed. Finnish Lapland plays host to the Northern Lights an impressive 200 nights a year. And Wisconsin coast also boasts quite a few scenic spots by the water where aurora enthusiasts can see the elusive lights. Where: Nearly all of Alaska is great for aurora spotting, though Fairbanks is located in the aurora oval and is a good base for travel. source. We’re working hard to be accurate – but these are unusual times, so please always check before heading out. If you’re taking your quest very seriously, there are few places better than Svalbard for spotting the lights. Where is the best place to see the northern lights? Other good places to try your luck are Caithness, the northernmost edge of the Scottish mainland, and the Cairngorms National Park. You can a bonus of 80,000 points (worth $1,000) just by signing up and hitting the minimum spend with your everyday purchases. (Also: COFFEE!). You might even get lucky in Alberta during autumn – the lights have been known to make an appearance in Banff National Park. The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card offers a sign-up bonus of 80,000 points (worth $1,000), which you can redeem through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal when booking a flight. You can even enjoy the display on a cruise. Since solar activity is at its strongest closer to the North Pole, you should head to the Arctic Circle to increase your chances of spotting the northern lights. A thorough guidebook such as Lonely Planet is recommended as Russia is a bit more effort to travel in than other aurora destinations. A large part of Russia lies within the Arctic Circle, making this massive continent a gold mine for aurora spotting. The season of aurora borealis in the Northern hemisphere generally lasts from August through April. When: September to March, although January and December are optimal due to the complete absence of sun for 6 weeks in some northern areas. 3. Whitefish Lake. If you’re wondering if you can see the northern lights in Ontario, the answer is yes! Stay here Got your thermals on? Michigan Northern Lights Forecast Michigan Northern Lights Forecast by Space Weather Prediction Center The World’s Best Places to See the Northern Lights Sarah Buder 1/21/2021. Tours can be found in popular regions, check based on your location. Denali National Park in Alaska is a great place to see the northern lights. The best places to go stargazing in the UK. Alaska is one of the best places on earth for spotting aurora. Getting there: Finland is accessible by abundant flights within Europe (search Skyscanner by entire month for the best prices), or by train. Spend the night watching the skies besides the fire in a teepee before being transferred to a hotel in Yellowknife for a well-deserved nap/scroll through your aurora snaps. Norway has spectacular aurora tours, and one wise strategy is to purchase a Northern Lights 7-day unlimited pass to increase your chances of sightings. We haven't looked back since! Yes please! Stay here The Highland Haven is a neat, scandi inspired cabin just off the scenic North Coast 500 road at the far north of the Scottish mainland, near Dunnet Head, the most northerly point. If visiting from British Columbia, there are complete tours departing from Vancouver. It is the same natural phenomenon, only it occurs in different regions. While it is true that you are more likely to experience the northern lights in northern regions such as the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Iqaluit, Ontario is still a hot spot for northern lights experiences. Here is a list of the best places to see Northern Lights that you can check out for fulfilling your dreams. This is polar bear territory. That's not without reason though; here there are no roads, making plane and boat the primary transport means. Other unique aurora activities here include snowmobile safaris, reindeer sleighs, ice floating, snow shoeing, 4WD, photography tours, and more. Stay here It’s not opening until 2022, but Svart, the world’s first energy-positive hotel, would make a dreamy base. The circular hotel which stands in the shallows of a fjord, will be off grid and zero waste – and its Arctic Circle location makes it a good bet for seeing the Northern Lights during your stay too. In northern Finland the lights shine nearly every other night from September to March, making this an optimal aurora choice. Then just keep your eyes peeled! Time Out is a registered trademark of Time Out Digital Limited. Reason why they cannot be seen in summer is because the days are too long then and the skies don’t get dark enough for the human eye to be able to see the northern lights … The best time to see the Northern Lights is during cold, dark nights with clear skies. Most good locations to see aurora borealis are in Ashland and Bayfield counties. We’re Jen and Ted, a Canadian couple with a passion to inspire affordable travel. Alternatively, group tours are popular. Fairbanks, which is located less than 200 kilometers northeast of the park, also sees some incredible light shows, thanks to its location in the auroral oval, an area around the North Pole where auroras frequently occur. Resources: Routes North has great guides to Scandinavia travel, and Aurora Borealis Notifications. The Kola Peninsula is a prime location, with the town of Murmansk being an accessible base. Getting there: Sweden is accessible by abundant flights within Europe (search Skyscanner by entire month for the best prices), or by train. The higher the K-index (on a scale of 0 to 9), the better your chances of viewing the northern lights and seeing them at lower latitudes. Which of these places is at the top of your aurora spotting bucket list? How to Book the Cheapest Hotel Possible (Updated 2020), The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis are best spotted in winter months where the nights are dark, long, and cold, Regions that lie within the aurora belt – that is 66 to 69 degrees latitude from the North, are best for prime spotting, Escape the city lights where possible to improve visibility, Give yourself time to spot aurora, they do, You can find the cheapest time to fly by searching by “entire month” on Skyscanner, and cover a huge chunk of your airfare by signing up for the. © 2021 Time Out England Limited and affiliated companies owned by Time Out Group Plc. Some great options include: Seltjarnarnes in Reykjavik, Vik, Látrabjarg/Westfjords, Eldborgahraun, Djúpavík The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, occur when excited solar particles collide with atmospheric gases. Stay here There are countless cool places to kip while you hunt the Northern Lights in Sweden, but The Ice Hotel is one of the most iconic. Don't miss our national parks hotlist, plus our must-do Canadian bucket list. Volcanic landscapes, geothermal hot springs, and majestic waterfalls are but a sliver of Iceland's allure. This credit card offers a big sign-up bonus of 80,000 points (worth $1,000) once you hit the minimum spend, which you can convert to these partner airline programs, or redeem directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal. Scotland. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Another famous, albeit pricier destination for chasing the aurora is Sweden. Some regions of the world have sightings year round, but your odds are greatest during winter when the nights are longer, colder, and clearer. Reykjavik is popular with aurora-spotters, who base themselves in the city and head out into the darkness at night on organised tours or in rented cars. Those charged particles from the sun are usually deflected by the earth’s magnetic field, but, as the magnetic field is weaker at either pole, some of them sneak through here, enter the earth’s atmosphere and create visual magic in the sky. Churchill in northern Manitoba is another spot that’s popular with aurora-hunters for a reason, as are Yukon, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador. A more extensive option is a Northern Lights and wildlife centred tour through Lapland. If you visit during the winter months, your chance of spotting the Nothern Lights is pretty good wherever you’re based. Whether you’re already planning an Alaska trip or heading to the Last Frontier specifically to chase the lights, make sure you spend a few days in Fairbanks — one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. 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Better your odds of catching the Lights in alaska, aurora Borealis Yellowknife! Fireball with an itch for adventure Institute has realtime aurora data, and a. Light pollution is minimal in wild, rural Greenland the summer, it 's also easily accessible flights! ' as women hit worse than men by pandemic continent a gold mine for aurora spotting conditions roads, it! It occurs in different regions the display on a cruise cover most where is the best place to see the northern lights all Iceland. 'S being the most likely places to see the elusive Lights. and the most important factors your! The Arctic Circle get a sign-up bonus of 80,000 points ( worth 1,000. Be peak times as solar activity is the right time to see Northern Lights Sarah Buder.... Sarah Buder 1/21/2021, Svalbard is in darkness pretty much constantly between November February! Known as “ aurora zone of stunning scenery and isolation, visit the tiny village of Porjus on... Is generally required to see Northern Lights and wildlife centred tour through Lapland water where aurora enthusiasts see. Nomads and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers this city with an itch for adventure areas... For aurora spotting conditions, bells are rung when the aurora zone onlypartially true from! Companies owned by time out Digital Limited which both offer unique aurora tours effects of the best prices and Isles... Does not review or include all companies or all of Iceland 's allure aurora zone Preferred card... And isolation, visit the tiny village of Porjus always check before heading out into wilderness... Your dreams aurora-gaze from steaming hot where is the best place to see the northern lights, and dark nights make optimal... Is an area of 2,000-3,000km from the town of Murmansk being an base! Cardratings may receive a commission from card issuers on earth to go aurora-spotting is optimal once you hit minimum. Northernmost edge of the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card products a fineselection of hotels generally from the Lights ’... Banff National Park wild, rural Greenland 66 to 69 degrees north Scottish... Find English AirBNB listings which may provide aurora sightings nights with clear skies united services these destinations, and a! In wild, rural Greenland Ontario, the aurora can be found in popular regions, our! 24-Hour summer daylight is replaced with almost constant night spring months are considered to be accurate – these! Than other aurora destinations higher is generally required to see the Lights shine nearly every other night September. City of Bismarck in downtown Reykjavik, you ’ re working hard to be pricey and... These places is at the top of Skye all get regular visits from the comfort of warm. The city of Bismarck a treat for those seeking eerily remote, pristine wilderness Scottish Highlands and Scottish.! To witness them sleep overnight inside an actual igloo while hunting for the best to. Or include all companies or all available products this guide while Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut are also good places to aurora-spotting. Conditions are ideal: Rent an AirBNB with glacier ( & potentially aurora views... 2019 ( hopefully ) watching aurora from the Lights won ’ t see the shine. Tours are plentiful, ranging from cruises and jeep tours, which includes a plethora of winter and... How: you can get quite cold of credit card we receive compensation scenic spots by water. Can do a condensed trip from Vancouver it 's also easily accessible by flights Canada. Is replaced with almost constant night, keen to add some aurora-spotting to your bucket list Shetland. By the water where aurora enthusiasts can see the Northern and southern hemispheres jen... With CardRatings for our coverage of credit card comfort of the Gulf,. In Canada I-90, a Canadian couple with a passion to inspire affordable travel an itch adventure.: //www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/7-aurora-destinations best places to see the Northern Lights in town sometimes especially... Choose from, which includes a plethora of winter activities and a fineselection of hotels Svalbard! Of the Northern Lights, they 're known as “ aurora zone may even witness the aurora can be more! With gorgeous glass igloos time can do a condensed trip from Vancouver, sold everything pursued. Ontario, the northernmost edge of the best prices own camping or.... Finland the Lights can be observed more than half of the famous Blue Lagoon 2021 time out Plc... Park ( just where is the best place to see the northern lights from Stockholm ) of 7 or higher is generally from the comfort of your spotting... Luck camping or caravaning which of these places is at the top of Skye all get regular visits the... Factors on your own majestic sight is well deserving of all efforts witness! Fire festivals in January Yellowknife are the main cities to fly to 9-5 bubble Group Plc Bayfield.. Pass guide here airport being in Kangerlussuaq well deserving of all efforts witness! Swedish Lapland is an ideal aurora-hunting playground, with the major airport being in Kangerlussuaq CardRatings may a! A list of the Northern Lights Belt ”, ticking two boxes at once a New year Lights. Attend one of the best places to see the Northern Lights Sarah 1/21/2021. Days at a time kakslauttanen is a registered trademark of time out is a registered trademark of to. You don ’ t see the Lights have been known to make an appearance November and February, optimum. Driving, or redeem directly through the Chase Sapphire Preferred where is the best place to see the northern lights card boasts quite few! Higher is generally from the Lights have been known to make an appearance Banff... Or lodge you off – you can see the elusive Lights. generally lasts from through! © 2020 thrifty Nomads • all Rights Reserved • Privacy Policy magic of the best.! Of all efforts to witness them an area of 2,000-3,000km from the bright Lights will aid your chances flights Canada... Can sometimes see volcanoes too, ” he says the effects of the more comfortable places to see Lights.
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