Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, cannot be described, but they are an experience of a lifetime. They are said to be beautiful and odd, mythical and scientific. You can see the Aurora in the Earthโs Northern Hemisphere. The Aurora is green or pink, yellow or blue, and the best time to see it is in a clear night sky.
I am falling short of words to describe this magical experience of when the sky is filled with colourful lights.
Pragya, Canada Hustle
If you have any plans to visit the northern part of the world, then you might witness this unique natural wonder. You can see the Northern lights from different parts of the world. However, some countries give prime vantage points of this natureโs beauty. So, here I have mentioned the top countries offering this celestial display of vibrant colours across the night sky that will mesmerize you.
1. Iceland
Iceland has some of the best places to see the Aurora. The Aurora Borealis can be seen every night as the country is ideally located 65 degrees North on the Arctic Circleโs southern edge. The chance to see the awesome Northern Lights is extremely high as the nights in Iceland are clear and dark. The Northern Lights may be seen in any part of Iceland if the weather is right and conditions are favourable.ย
Let me tell you the finest places to see the Northern Lights in Finland
With longer periods of darkness and fewer clouds, the Westfjords and North Iceland are surreal to watch the magic of the Northern Lights. The Auroral activity is bright and colourful here. Next, you will see some of the best light shows in South Iceland on a trip to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and the black sand beach.
South Icelandโs Winter season is considered one of the best times of year to watch the polar lights. There are many parks around Reykjavik where you can see the Aurora Lights. It is a tremendous possibility that you can see the Auroral activity in all its beauty and varied colours of green, red, and purple. I highly recommend you a trip to Klambratun Park and Laugardalur Park from September to March. It would be great to see the Polar Light Show.
Grotta Lighthouse at Seljarnarnes peninsula in Reykjavik is another excellent viewing spot for the ever-eluding Aurora Borealis. Or you can go to Oskjuhlid Hill and the Perlan Restaurant to witness the great view of the northern light! In some places in Iceland, you can travel to campsites to see the Aurora lights without any extra cost between April and September. Although, you must have sufficient luck to see the Aurora in the autumn and winter seasons.
2. Finland
Guys, if you have any plans to visit Finland; you could be the lucky one to see the Northern Lights there. Finland has some of the best places to see the Auroras, but Norway has often overlooked Finland. A trip to Finland is just as good as a trip to Norway for Polar Lights, and Finland is termed one of the best aurora destinations in the world. Auroras in Finland can be seen from the Autumn season (late August to September) and the long winter season between December and March. In Spring, they may not be visible in Finland.
The finest places to see the Northern Lights in Finland
- Aurorain Rovaniemi is seen nearly 150 times a year. A trip to Rovaniemi will guarantee the pleasure of watching the Auroras for hours.
- Donโt forget to include Kemi in your list. It is one of the best travel spots known for its Snow Castle; Kemi has all the ingredients to watch the polar lights. You can rent glass villas to view them. September and October are the best time of the year to experience the Auroras.
- And if we talk about Saariselka, the Northern Lights are best visible in the winter between September and March for as many as 200 days here! Besides that, this small village in Finland is a great place to explore some outdoor activities during summer and winter.
3. Norway
Many believe Norway is the right place on Earth to see the Northern Lights, and it has seen plenty of visitors during its winter months. Every tourist to this destination has confessed that viewing the Aurora in Norway has been great. They are seen in the autumn (September to November) and winter seasons (December to March). Due to the onset of the autumnal equinox in September, the possibility of seeing an Aurora each night is certain. During the winter season, the northern lights are often seen as the nights are long. In some places in Norway, the nights are so long that the sun does not rise between November and January.
Finest places to see Auroras in Norway
- A trip to Svalbard has the greatest advantage of its location. Between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole, skygazers can see the Northern lights during the night and the day in the territories of Svalbard.
- Another prime place to see the Aurora is Bodo, located a few miles from the Ranvikfjelit mountain, which is the best destination to see the Aurora show.
- You can also plan your trip to Norwayโs largest city, Tromso. It is pollution-free and has some of the best viewing spots.
The Aurora borealis are good to watch from this destination. Norway is often regarded as the best place to see the northern lights, as the auroral activity is unique and spellbinding. And the best part? The chances of viewing the Auroras are quite high and you donโt need to wait for long to see them.
4. Canada
Aurora Lights in Canada can be seen all year round. From October to March, the hours of darkness are the highest in Canada. So, viewing the Northern Lights is best if you visit Canada during winter. A trip to Canada in the summer months to the southern provinces would be awesome as well to see the Lights. The Auroras appear nearly 200 nights of the year in the Canadian territory. Northwest Territories in Canada have the longest and most frequent appearance of the Northern Lights due to its perfectly placed location under the Earthโs band of auroral activity. So, if you are crazy to watch this wonder, I highly recommend you plan a visit to Canada.
Finest places to see the Northern Lights in Canada
The Canadian province of Yukon is in the North. The Aurora lights in this part of Canada are visible throughout the year, but winter is the right time to visit Yukon, as this Canadian province enjoys the midnight sun during the summer months. The time would be around 10 pm to 3 pm. The best places to see the Auroral activity in Yukon are Campbell, Blonde, Kluane, Watson Lake Region, and The Whitehorse Region.
You can watch the Northern Lights while riding a dog sledge or visiting different places in Ontario. A scintillating ride of a lifetime pulled by a majestic husky will help you reach the perfect spot to view the dazzling display.
Another city in Canada that is exactly located in the Auroral Oval is a quaint town called Churchill. At the Polar Bear Capital of the World, Churchill, Aurora can be seen 300 nights a year. Try to visit Churchill between June and September and October and November to experience the Aurora Borealis. You can find special structures such as Aurora Domes and the LEED Silver facility, constructed exclusively to experience the awe-inspiring lights.
The Aurora Domesโ 360-degree view of the sky enables visitors to experience the Polar Lights in all their glory. If you want a good view of the Northern Lights, you need to either wake up early or stay up late at Churchill. The Canadian Rocky Mountains are one of the best places in Canada to see the Northern Lights at lower latitudes.
You can explore Banff National Park and Jasper National Park to see wildlife and the Northern Lights. Photography enthusiasts are generally encouraged to travel to the Canadian Rockies, as the environment is congenial and can capture some of the best moments of the Aurora Borealis. Another remote location in Canada is Nunavut in Iqaluit, which has some good spots to see the night show in September and October.
5. North America
Although Norway, Finland, and Iceland are popular destinations for seeing the Northern Lights, there are quite a few surprisingly good places in North America where you can also view the glimmering light display.
Finest places to see Northern Lights in North America
Fairbanks is an exceptional arctic location where you can enjoy the polar light display as it is primarily placed under the concentration of Auroral activity. If you want to visit Fairbanks, Alaska, you must first research the weather forecast. During a three-day stay, there is a 90 percent chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis.
Next, you can travel to Idaho for the Auroras between September and March. The right time to look for light displays is between 22:00 and 02:00. The right places to view the polar lights are the Panhandle National Forest and Heyburn State Park. The solar storms in the crystal clear skies of Idaho are both magnificent and soul-searching.
Viewing the Auroras in Minnesota is an experience that will force you to come back over and over again. The skies in Minnesota are clear, and the place is largely pollution-free. Many areas of Minnesota are naturally dark, which makes the Auroras appear like a beautiful flowing river. Cook County in Minnesota offers an awesome display of the northern lights and the Milky Way, whichย shines onto Lake Superior at Gunflint Trail. Voyageurs National Park has an International Dark Sky Park that enables visitors to watch the spell-binding night show.
Michigan Headlands International Dark Sky Park is one of the best places in Michigan to view the lights. Some factors that make viewing the amazing Auroras easier in Michigan are its strategic latitude and light pollution. The Headlands International Dark Sky Park does not allow visitors to camp, but since it is open all year round, it is frequented by photographers, amateur astronomers, and tourists.
When Can You See the Northern Lights?
The best time of year to see the Aurora is during the winter season in the Arctic region. The night sky during the winter season is dark and clear of any clouds. The winter season is the time of year that lasts from late September to late March or early April. The sky is dark, and the viewing conditions during this time of year are often the best time to observe auroral activity. They can be seen between 05.00 pm and 02.00 am. Many auroras appear only for some time and then move away to return.
The Northern Lights Finalsโ Bow
The phenomenon of the Northern lights is undoubtedly awe-inspiring. The solar lights are as unpredictable as the weather so you may get disappointed but not lose heart. There will be a time when the lights will be visible, so putting effort into viewing them would be an added advantage. Every spectacle of light display gives us a feeling that the God of the Universe is watching all. Therefore, I highly suggest you include these cities in your bucket list to witness the Northern Lights, as the Auroras transport you into a galaxy of the unknown.
Last Updated on April 22, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani
Northen lights are literally a small piece of heaven on Earth , everyone truly wants to experience this view once in their lifetime but faces many challenges while choosing the right destination your article will surely help many .
I want to see the northern lights at least once in my life. I hope I get the opportunity to visit one of these countries and see the northern lights.
Northern Lights is the first thing that comes to mind when someone asks about my bucket list and Canada and Norway are among the countries from where it can be seen about which I already knew but thanks to this post I know the 5 countries now.