13 Bucket-List Destinations for Aurora Borealis Lovers
The Northern Lights, or the ‘Aurora Borealis’ is anatural wonder that moves with swirls of light green, light purple, and light pink through the night sky. The experience is soul stirring, viewed by many as incredibly powerful and binding to the cosmos. Those who love stargazing or are simply curious about nature’s magic will want to chase the Northern Lights.
Such a trip isn’t just about packing your bags and hoping for clear skies. It’s a case of location, timing, and even a bit of luck. Here are 13 incredible destinations around the globe where the Northern Lights shine their brightest to help you make the most of your chances of catching this celestial light show.
Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø is also known for being the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’ and the conditions here for viewing Northern lights is some of the best you can find. It’s nestled within the Northern Lights Oval, one of the best spots in the world to see them. Nighttime visitors can also combine their adventures with a dog sledding, reindeer safari or a visit to the Polar Museum.
Abisko, Sweden
The Aurora Sky Station nestled in Abisko is a spot known for unspoilt skies and extremely low levels of light pollution. The unique weather gives this area a “blue hole” effect, meaning that there are usually clear skies even when the areas surrounding are experiencing cloudy weather. This tiny village provides a quiet, snow covered backdrop for stargazing.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks is a top choice for Northern Lights activity, as Alaska’s interior region is a hub for Northern Lights activity. This city is a magnet for enthusiasts with many nights of Aurora potential each year. You can watch the lights with a soak in a hot spring at a resort.
Reykjavík, Iceland
Although Iceland’s capital is a vibrant city, the dark countryside is just a short drive away, and is ideal for Aurora viewing. Popular spots includes Þingvellir National Park and the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. An Aurora boat tour is a mix of adventure and comfort or a stay in a remote glass cabin.
Yellowknife, Canada
Yellowknife is the city that has earned itself the title of the “Aurora Capital of North America” due to its ideal crystal clear skies. The city is located under the Aurora Oval and has many cloud free nights. The cultural dimension of the experience comes with Indigenous guided tours, stories and traditions centred around the lights.
Rovaniemi, Finland
This is the official Santa Claus’ hometown, but also just a great place to Aurora hunt. Rovaniemi has magic and adventure, cozy glass igloos, endless snow covered forests and snowmobiling and ice fishing. Finnish call the lights revontulet, which means ‘fox fires’ after a local legend.
Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
While it’s not the easiest place to get to, the rewards are unmatched. The dry, stable climate of Kangerlussuaq offers almost ideal conditions for Aurora viewing. If you are there, take the opportunity to explore Arctic landscapes.
Svalbard, Norway
Svalbard, where extreme cold meets extraordinary beauty, is far above the Arctic Circle. Though primarily known for its polar bears, the archipelago offers a unique twist: to see the Aurora during the polar night when the sun doesn’t rise for months. It’s almost otherworldly.
Murmansk, Russia
The lesser known but great place to see the Northern Lights is Murmansk, a port city in Russia. It’s a unique place to visit, with Arctic scenery. Trips to remote tundra areas with little or no light pollution are offered by local guides.
Scottish Highlands, Scotland
Scotland isn’t the first place you might think of for the Northern Lights, but the Highlands can surprise. Locally, the phenomenon is known as the Mirrie Dancers and it lights up the sky on rare, clear nights. Your best chances are in remote areas such as the Isle of Skye or Cairngorms National Park.
Kiruna, Sweden
Kiruna is another top-notch Aurora destination and is Sweden’s northernmost town. It’s also where you can stay in the world famous Icehotel, where you sleep on a bed of ice but with reindeer skins to keep you warm before heading out to admire the lights. Fascinating tours about space and atmospheric research can be taken at the nearby Esrange Space Center.
Lapland, Finland
Rovaniemi is in Lapland, but you can see the Northern Lights elsewhere in the wider area of which it is part. Out here it is endless wilderness and staying in a remote cabin or aurora dome is a uniquely intimate way to experience the Arctic. On a three night trip, it’s said that Lapland has a 90% chance of clear skies.
Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
Not only is this UNESCO World Heritage site Iceland’s largest national park, it’s also a stellar spot for Northern Lights viewing. Imagine yourself standing near Europe’s largest glacier while the Aurora ripples above. What a great way to immerse yourself in nature’s wonders.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
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