Top 10 Places to See the Northern Lights (Photos)

Every traveler's life list should include viewing the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena. As the sun moves through its 11-year solar cycle, the activity that causes Aurora Borealis is expected to increase, peaking in 2013, which is why destinations like Sweden made it into Fodor's Go List for 2012. From late November to March within the Northern Lights zone—latitudes 65 to 72 degrees—solar particles collide with atmospheric gases to create colorful curtains (near the South Pole, Aurora Australis are the Southern Lights). Ideal viewing conditions are crisp, cold, clear, and cloudless skies with little light. You can see this most impressive light show—lasting from a few minutes to several days—in the following regions close to the Arctic. By Lola Akinmade

Norway: Observe Polar Night and Polar Lights

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Northern Lights near the town of Svovaer in the Lofoten Islands

Northern Lights near the town of Svovaer in the Lofoten Islands

Why Go: The northern town of Tromsø teems with Aurora Borealis activity when those extended summer days are long gone. Its location above the Arctic Circle, and within the Northern Lights zone, makes it one of the top places to view shimmering green lights. The town also boasts the world’s most northerly university, brewery, and planetarium. You can cruise Norway’s fjord-lined coast aboard a Hurtigruten ship and get wake-up calls to head out on the deck when the lights appear.

Best Viewing Locations: Tromsø, Alta, Svalbard, Finnmark

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Norway Travel Guide

Photo: Courtesy Johnny Mazzilli/Innovation Norway

Sweden: Learn about Beautiful Blue Holes

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Swedish Lapland's Aurora Borealis: green is the most common Aurora color

Swedish Lapland's Aurora Borealis: green is the most common Aurora color

Why Go: The area around Abisko in Swedish Lapland is scientifically proven to be an ideal viewing spot due to a unique micro-climate. Close to Abisko National Park, the dark winter night is perfect for sky watching. The 70km (43mi) long Torneträsk Lake helps create the infamous "blue hole of Abisko"—a patch of sky that remains clear regardless of the surrounding weather patterns. For more on Sweden's spectacular front row seat, check out Fodor's Go List for 2012.

Best Viewing Locations: Kiruna, Abisko, Swedish Lapland

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Sweden Travel Guide

Photo: Fredrik Broman/www.humanspectra.com courtesy www.imagebank.sweden.se

Finland: Listen for Your Aurora Alarm

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Aurora Borealis with green and purple in Northern Finland

Aurora Borealis with green and purple in Northern Finland

Why Go: Head to Luosto in Northern Finland to the Aurora Chalet where, upon arrival, you’ll be handed an "Aurora Alarm" which beeps once Northern Lights appear. In the nearby town of Sodanklya, the Northern Lights Research Center relays your message via the hotel. On chilly cloudless nights, you’re also bound to catch the lights shimmer in the skies over the town of Nellim, close to Lake Inari—Finland’s third largest lake.

Best Viewing Locations: Luosto, Nellim, Utsjoki, Ivalo, Kakslauttanen

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Finland Travel Guide

Photo: Courtesy Visit Finland

Iceland: Explore Beyond Reyjavik's City Lights

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Ghost (from long camera exposure) watching the Northern Lights with Reykjavik city light

Ghost (from long camera exposure) watching the Northern Lights with Reykjavik city light

Why Go: Leave the bustling nightlife of the capital city and head out into the wide open plains of Þingvellir National Park—a UNESCO Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian continental plates meet to cause a rift valley. Under clear dark skies on a freezing night in early March was where I first witnessed the lights dance across the Icelandic sky. Though the show only lasted for 12-15 minutes, it felt like an hour.

Best Viewing Locations: Outside Reykjavik, Þingvellir National Park, the entire country.

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Iceland Travel Guide

Photo: iStockPhoto / Tibinko

Alaska: View Northern Lights in the U.S.

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Vibrating Aurora Arc with Big Dipper and clouds near the horizon in Alaska

Vibrating Aurora Arc with Big Dipper and clouds near the horizon in Alaska

Why Go: Alaska’s location within "the zone" means you’re almost guaranteed to see spectacular light displays. Be sure to move further away from city lights of Fairbanks into the region’s vast wilderness areas of Denali and the Yukon Territory.

Insider Tip: Check the University of Alaska’s Northern Lights forecast to help schedule your viewing trip.

Best Viewing Locations: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali, Yukon Territory

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Alaska Travel Guide

Photo: iStockPhoto / Romko_chuk

Canada: Go North of the Border for Great Views

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Northern Lights and illuminated Teepee in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Northern Lights and illuminated Teepee in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Why Go: Areas around pristine Lake Superior in Ontario and Northern Canada’s tundra backcountry are prime viewing spots. Head to the town of Whitehorse within the Yukon Territory to best see the swirling lights. Sometimes, the glowing sky can be seen as far south as the American border, but stick to Canada’s vast wilderness for your front row seats.

Best Viewing Locations: Calgary, Ontario, Yukon Territory, Manitoba

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Canada Travel Guide

Photo: Tania Spencer/GNWT

Greenland: Experience Great Auroras All Over

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Northern Lights are in Greenland all year but they can't be seen during summer's Midnight sun

Northern Lights are in Greenland all year but they can't be seen during summer's Midnight sun

Why Go: Greenland still remains a final frontier for the average traveler and from its interior ice remains optimal location, however more accessible areas south and east of Greenland provide just as good viewing opportunities. You can see northern lights from most parts of the country (similar to Iceland).

Best Viewing Locations: Kulusuk, Ammassalik

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Europe Travel Guide

Photo: John Kjær/Greenland Tourism

Scotland: Watch the Sky for a Weather Break

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A bright pink and green Aurora covers the starry night sky

A bright pink and green Aurora covers the starry night sky

Why Go: The British isles are known for stormy, foggy, and cloudy weather—far from ideal conditions for observing the sky, but on those rare occasions when thick cloud covers break momentarily during dark winter months, you’ve got a good chance of witnessing the display in parts of Scotland's north.

Best Viewing Locations: Aberdeen, Isle of Skye, Northern Highlands, Dunnet Head


Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Scotland Travel Guide

Photo: iStockPhoto / ngc131

Russia: Brave the Arctic Cold for Arctic Lights

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An Aurora dances above the mountains in Russia

An Aurora dances above the mountains in Russia

Why Go: In Northern Russia, you’ve got a good chance of seeing Aurora Borealis. The Kola Peninsula’s proximity to the Northern Lights zone also makes it a key area and the town of Murmansk is a popular base . . . if you can handle the below freezing temperatures of a typical Siberian winter.

Best Viewing Locations: Murmansk, Siberia, Kola Peninsula


Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Europe Travel Guide

Photo: shutterstock

Denmark: Visit Remote Norwegian Sea Islands

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Differences in altitudes and gases create a variety of colors, like this rare red Aurora

Differences in altitudes and gases create a variety of colors, like this rare red Aurora

Why Go: North of Scotland between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic, the Faroe Island archipelago is mostly known for puffins and Viking folklore. While its stormy weather mimics that of the British Isles, visitors to this Denmark-owned province could also see the iridescent lights.

Best Viewing Locations: All islands within its archipelago

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's Denmark Travel Guide

Photo: iStockPhoto / shawnwaite

Member Comments (5)  Post a Comment

  • Roy_Magnussen on Jan 24, 11 at 06:08 AM

    Hi,

    You can seethe northernlights already in september or as soon as the sky is dark enough to observe it. Some of my best experiences has been in september, lying on the lawn watching the lights as it flckers over the sky in shifting yellow, green, red colours has been in september.

    Regards

    Roy
    Hammerfest, Finnmark, Norway

  • digitalcarpet on Jan 26, 11 at 02:57 PM

    Aurora in Alaska - While it is sometimes possible to see the Aurora in Anchorage, it is far more reliable and somewhat brighter in Fairbanks. The Fairbanks Visitors Bureau says you have an 80 percent chance of seeing them if you stay there for three nights. If you are making a trip to Alaska specifically to see the lights - go straight for Fairbanks and skip Anchorage.

  • Borealis on Jan 26, 11 at 09:45 PM

    The aurora borealis (northern lights) are most active near the equinoxes, that is, March and September. Might be due to earth's position in its orbit around the sun, because it's the activity of the sun that causes the northern lights.
    You also need a clear and dark sky to see them (obviously - I guess - although I've known people who expected to see them on cloudy nights!!). In North America they are common from 52 degrees north and up further north.
    It doesn't have to be cold to see the northern lights - the local weather has nothing to do with the collision of CMEs (coronal mass ejections) with earth's magnetic field!!!!

  • TheRae on Oct 28, 11 at 11:01 AM

    Hey Fodor's,
    Would it be possible for you to post this as a complete article so I can download it all at once?

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