One of nature’s most dramatic and fantastical visuals. Nothing beats the performance of the skies than the Northern Lights. It appears as a faint green arc, sometimes a curtain of light that stretches across the horizon or an aurora storm that creates a visual spectacle.

2026 is known to be the best year for aurora as the rarely seen violent and pinks accompany the green. But seeing them requires more than travelling north. Darkness, clear skies and auroral activity must coincide, and even the most reliable destinations cannot guarantee a sighting.

The best places to see the Northern Lights offer different advantages. Some have excellent access to guided excursions and Arctic activities; others offer dark wilderness, distinctive landscapes or opportunities to combine aurora viewing with wildlife, local culture and winter adventures.

The following destinations stand out for their geography, viewing conditions and the experiences available beyond the aurora itself.

View this post on Instagram

What is the best month to see the Northern Lights?

There is no single best month for every destination. The viewing season generally runs from late summer or early autumn into spring, and the nights are based on luck. So to make the most chance for seeing the northern lights, you need to stay around 3 nights to give yourself a larger viewing window.

In that way, if one or two nights are cloudy, then the third night will give you a better chance. This chance can also jump to 85-90% of seeing the lights if you drive out of cities and light polluted areas. Make sure to check the cloud forecasts and keep more than one night open for aurora light viewing as this magnificent beauty is not guaranteed to appear.

That said, there are months where you can catch the Northern Lights in a bit of frequency than the other months due to more clearer skies. March, September and October are the best bet if aurora sighting is the main focus of your trip.

Winter in these places brings the polar nights while summer brings the midnight sun. So, the months completely depend on the other activities you’d also like to experience.

Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands, Norway

Lofoten and Tromso offer two different ways to experience northern Norway. Tromsø is the practical base for chasing the aurora, while Lofoten provides one of the most distinctive landscapes in which to photograph it.

Tromsø: Whale Watching and Northern Lights

Located above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø sits beneath the auroral oval, the region surrounding the geomagnetic North Pole where aurora displays occur frequently. The Northern Lights paint the skies from late August to early April when darkness and weather conditions allow.

What makes Tromso unique is the rare sight of watching whales against the backdrop of colorful skies. If you’ve seen Treasure Planet where Jim Hawkins watches the sky whales against the twinkling stars, this comes close to its real-life counterpart.

For this particular scene to happen though, many conditions must meet at once: whales appearing, clear skies and lights. Though if you do happen to spot one, it will become an experience that would never die down.

Guided Northern Lights tours are a major advantage here. Cloud cover can vary considerably between nearby coastal and inland areas, so experienced guides may drive away from Tromsø in search of clearer skies. This recommended Northern Lights chase is one such experience.

During the day, travelers can book explore Sami cultural experiences or take fjord excursions.

Through October to January, Tromoso becomes a popular sight for whale watching so if you want to hit two birds with one stone, this travel season provides a window where you can see the majestic ocean creatures during the day and chase Aurora lights during the night.

When to go: September and October offer autumn colours and generally less severe winter conditions. November through January brings longer nights and a stronger winter atmosphere. February and March offer returning daylight alongside dark evenings for aurora viewing.

Lofoten: Northern Lights over fishing villages and jagged peaks

The Lofoten Islands offer a different experience from Tromsø.

Lofoten has steep mountains rising directly from the Norwegian Sea, and traditional red fishing cabins stand beside sheltered harbors. Beaches, bridges, islands and snow-covered peaks create striking foregrounds for aurora photography.

The islands lie within the broader northern Norwegian aurora region, but their coastal climate brings changeable weather. Clouds and precipitation can cover the sky even when auroral activity is strong. If you choose Lofoten as your Northern Lights chasing spot, make sure to stay at least three nights in order to give you a chance at seeing the lights.

This aurora lights chase will take you on a 4-hour journey with experts that view forecasts and opt for clear skies to see the Northern lights.

Lofoten is popular for travelers wanting to explore Norway’s cultural side by exploring fishing villages, walking along accessible coastal paths when conditions permit, photograph mountain scenery and sample local seafood. Stockfish, traditionally dried outdoors in the Arctic air, is one of the region’s distinctive foods.

Lofoten is not as straightforward as Tromsø for travelers who want a large choice of dedicated aurora excursions. A rental car offers flexibility, but winter driving requires experience, careful planning and attention to changing road conditions. Guided tours are a better choice for visitors unfamiliar with Arctic roads.

When to go: September to early April offers the main viewing window. October and March are useful periods to consider if you want a combination of aurora viewing and daylight for exploring the islands.

Lapland, Finland

Finnish Lapland combines aurora viewing with the kind of magical Arctic holiday many travellers imagine: forests heavy with snow, frozen lakes, husky sleds, reindeer and cabins far from artificial light.

Its appeal lies partly in the range of places to stay. Visitors can choose a resort with organised activities, a small village with practical services, an apartment hotel right in the center of the city or a cabin amidst the pine trees and reindeers.

Saariselkä: Wilderness with organized winter activities

Saariselkä, in northern Finnish Lapland, is a good option for travelers who want access to Arctic nature without arranging every activity independently. The surrounding landscape includes forests, fells and access to Urho Kekkonen National Park.

The area is famous for Finland’s longest Toboggan run where you slide down mountain slopes on a sled called toboggan. Saariselkäis well suited for combining evening aurora viewing with daytime snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing.

Accommodation ranges from conventional hotels to cabins and glass-roofed units marketed specifically for Northern Lights viewing.

Best Northern Light hunt in Saariselka and tours:
Northern Lights Hunt with pick up and drop off

Ivalo: A Riverside Beauty

Ivalo offers a different atmosphere from larger Lapland destinations. Situated around 68° north, this small settlement provides access to northern Finland’s forests, rivers and expansive wilderness, and has lesser light pollution that urban centers, which gives a higher chance of seeing the Aurora lights from your cabin.

The river adds another dimension to Lapland with autumn coloring its banks with crimson and orange hues while summer makes it an ideal spot for taking a trip down the water with boat rides.

It’s also situated close to Saariselka and Inari, giving travelers a better chance to explore Sami culture, and go ice floating in winter.

Come between September and early April for your best opportunity to see the aurora. December to March is ideal if you want snow-covered forests and classic Arctic winter scenery, although temperatures can plunge well below freezing.

Booking tip: Book the Aurora village in Ivalo to make your Northern Light experience even better! Due to the low light pollution, Aurora viewing has a higher chance in this place without chasing hundreds of kilometers but given the right conditions and clear skies.

When to visit: Late September to early April for Northern Lights opportunities. December to March is particularly suitable for a snow-covered winter holiday, although temperatures and snow conditions vary through the season.

Inari: Sami culture and the Arctic wilderness

Farther north, Inari offers a different angle to Northern Light tours and the Finnish experience. The village sits beside Lake Inari, a large lake surrounded by extensive northern wilderness. In winter, the landscape becomes a setting for frozen lake scenery and long nights.

Inari is also an important centre of Sami culture. The Siida museum and nature centre explores Sami heritage and the environments of northern Finland. Visiting offers useful cultural context for travelers whose itineraries also focus on snow and aurora photographs.

Travelers can look for accommodation outside the brightest areas, join local aurora excursions and arrange winter activities. Lake and wilderness conditions vary, so guided outings are preferable to venturing onto frozen terrain without local knowledge.

Rovaniemi

No Northern Lights chase is complete without mentioning Rovaniemi as Lapland is considered to be one of the best places in the world for viewing the Aurora Borealis and at its center is Rovaniemi.

Rovaniemi offers both city convenience with Northern Light excursions where guides drive you out of way to see the lights. Rovaniemi is also famous for the Santa Village that comes to life in Christmas making it a winter wonderland with all the Christmas magic. Think Polar Express and that’s what you get in this destination.

Snowmobiling, huskie and Reindeer farms are amongst the activities that makes Rovaniemi a popular spot for those wanting to see the Northern Lights as well as experiencing the Christmas magic.

When to go: September and October bring darker nights before the deepest winter cold. December offers a winter wonderland while January offers a classic snow-covered Lapland setting. March to April covers more daylight with melting snow. .

Murmansk, Russia: Underrated Aurora viewing spot

Murmansk is one of the most underrated places for Northern Lights. While many flock to Sweden, Norway and Finland, Murmansk go under the radar yet its position in the Artic circle makes it equal if not more of a better place to see the Aurora Borealis.

Murmansk is more of a rural place than the other destinations, so it has it’s specific websites for booking stays and hotels and you won’t find it in bigger sites like Booking.com. Getting to Murmansk is also better via domestic flights as drives are long and difficult across the ice roads.

But once you get there, Murmansk offers Reindeer sledding, visiting huskies, and Christmas lights. As it’s in Russia, travelers can also experience the beauty of the rest of the country across Moscow and St Petersburg.

Murmansk also has a distinctive maritime and military history. It is a major Arctic port, and the city’s identity has been shaped by its strategic location and its role in northern shipping. Visitors interested in history can combine an aurora trip with museums and city sightseeing.

When to go: September and October provide the beginning of the darker season, while November through February offers long nights. March can provide a useful balance between darkness and returning daylight.

Fairbanks, Alaska, USA: Parks and Skies

Fairbanks is one of Alaska’s best-known Northern Lights bases. Its inland position and location beneath the auroral oval make it a strong candidate for aurora-focused travel. The surrounding region offers access to dark skies, winter accommodation and organized excursions beyond the city.

One advantage of Fairbanks is that the trip can be built around several nights of aurora viewing rather than one fixed excursion. There are also plenty of other things to do in Fairbanks such as visiting the Denali National Park Alaska is known for.

Depending on the season and conditions, visitors can explore the Chena River area, visit museums, experience dog sledding and learn about Alaska’s northern environment. Chena Hot Springs distance makes transport planning important which is why guided tours to the place is recommended.

Winter temperatures can fall dramatically below freezing. Traveler’s should check what clothing is supplied by each operator, especially if they intend to spend several hours outside waiting for the aurora. A tour that provides insulated outerwear may be worth more than a cheaper excursion requiring visitors to supply specialist gear.

When to go: September and October can offer autumn landscapes and the beginning of the aurora season. November to February brings longer nights and a deeper winter atmosphere. March can be particularly attractive for travelers who want snow-based activities alongside returning daylight.

Abisko National Park, Sweden: Lake Reflections

Abisko, in Swedish Lapland, has a strong reputation among Northern Lights travelers because of its local weather patterns and mountain setting.

The area is often described as having a relatively dry microclimate compared with some surrounding locations, which can mean more opportunities for clear skies. However, this is not a guarantee that any particular night will be cloud-free.

The landscape is part of the attraction. Abisko sits within a dramatic northern mountain environment, close to Lake Torneträsk and the surrounding national park. When the sky clears, the aurora can appear above the lake, making for a truly spectacular sight under the right conditions.

Aurora chases within Abisko park is a popular excursion to spot the lights.

The Aurora Sky Station is a well-known viewing attraction associated with Abisko, offering visitors a dedicated setting for learning about and observing the aurora when operating conditions allow.

During the warmer months, you can explore Abisko’s beautiful designated trails while winter brings a white scenery through Swedish Lapland.

When to go: October through March is a useful planning window. Midwinter provides long nights, while autumn and early spring can offer a different balance of light and darkness.

Iceland: Northern Lights atop Volcanoes & Waterfalls

Iceland is known for its extraordinary, designed landscape and it only makes it more heightened when the Northern Lights shine above it.

Depending on weather and location, you can get a very “Eragon” like experience as the aurora lights can appear above waterfalls, black-sand beaches, glaciers and lava fields. Nothing else speaks fantasy quiet like this one. Join a 4×4 Northern Lights chase and you can make this dream a reality.

Iceland is a destination where even if the skies are cloudy, there are plenty of other things to do that makes your trip worthwhile. You can explore geothermal areas, waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, coastal villages and hot springs during daylight, then look for clear skies after dark.

Popular places where you can view these magnificent lights and photograph them are around the Kirkjufell area on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and landscapes around North Iceland. But remember! The best Northern Lights are about the clear skies more than the area they appear.

When to go: September and March are attractive for travellers seeking a mix of daylight sightseeing and aurora opportunities. December and January offer long nights, but some outdoor excursions may be restricted by winter conditions.

Whitehorse and the Yukon, Canada: Northern Lights in the wilderness

Whitehorse, the capital of Canada’s Yukon Territory, is a useful base for exploring the region’s northern landscapes. It offers a mix of everything that makes a stay convenient with luxurious accommodations and transport as well as guided trips for catching the aurora.

Yukon is a choice if you want to explore Canada’s wilderness and local history with a touch of Northern Lights at night.

One of the region’s attractions is the sense of space. Outside settled areas, the landscape opens into forests, valleys and distant mountain ranges.

Whitehorse, on the other hand, has a history connected to the Klondike Gold Rush and the development of the north. You can explore local museums and heritage attractions during the day, then join an evening aurora excursion.

The wider Yukon also offers opportunities to travel farther north, including towards Dawson City, although longer distances, limited services and winter road conditions require a bit of planning if you are in the mood to explore the road.

When to go: September and October are useful for travelers who want autumn colors and milder conditions. December through February offers longer nights and a full winter experience, while March can combine snowy landscapes with more daylight for daytime activities.

How to choose the right Northern Lights destination

The best destination depends on what you want the trip to include. For those who wants to enjoy wilderness trails and culture, Canada or Sweden is a great destination. Iceland is preferrable for those who want the drama and landscapes where dragons can probably fly.

Want to experience what Arendelle in Frozen is like? Head to Norway. If you want to experience one of the best Christmas destinations where Santa Claus is said to live, cross the Arctic Circle and live in a magical winter wonderland, then Finnish Lapland is your destination.

And nothing like Alaska can get you an American trip better than the US state.

******************