Top places to see aurora borealis
Take a trip to the Arctic Circle for your best chance of catching the northern lights
Norway
The aurora borealis is at its most active between late autumn through to early spring, with many taking the opportunity to hunt for the lights at around 6:00pm to 1:00am between the equinoxes.
While you will be able to see the northern lights from any location in Norway, the best locations are above the Arctic Circle in northern Norway or the Svalbard Islands. It’s said that there’s no other place on Earth that offers better chances of spotting the lights since the aurora borealis belt hits Norway’s Lofoten Islands, following the coast all of the way up to the North Cape.
Iceland
While you can see the northern lights from almost anywhere in the country of Iceland, a recommended spot involves you leaving the capital of Reykjavik and heading out to the plains of the Þingvellir National Park to catch nature’s light show.
Your best chance of spotting the aurora borealis is during September and October or during the end of February and beginning of March. Remember that during May and all the way through to August Iceland becomes the land of the midnight Sun. That’s when it’s daytime all of the time, so be sure to avoid these months if you’re hunting for the northern lights.
If you’re feeling adventurous you can catch a domestic flight to Akureyri, a town in the northern part of the country. Here, you’ll be provided with a doorway to other rural parts of Iceland and free of light pollution.
Sweden
The northern lights usually make their appearance during the winter months through late March or early April and can even be spotted as early as September in the northernmost parts of Sweden.
Abisko National Park, the village of Jukkasjärvi and the Torne Valley as well as Porjus and Laponia in Swedish Lapland are favourite locations to witness the aurora borealis. Other regions in Swedish Lapland, even those close to large towns such as Luleå, Jokkmokk, Arvidsjaur and Gällivare, offer opportunities to see the lights. If you prefer to head out into the wilderness, far from bright artificial lights, be sure to visit the Brändö forest.
Finland
In Finnish Lapland it’s been estimated that you can see the northern lights roughly 200 nights a year, provided these nights are free of cloud and free of any other hindrances such as light pollution. Kakslauttanen, which is situated close to Finland’s Urho Kekkonen National Park, is a natural area that’s highly regarded as a very good region to spot the northern lights. In Finland your best bet of seeing aurora borealis is during late August all of the way through to April.
Northern Canada
Northern Canada provides an excellent base for aurora seekers. Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories of Canada, also known as Aurora
Village, is situated directly beneath the aurora oval,