The 6 Best Places in the World to See the Northern Lights
Imagine standing under a sky ablaze with colors, witnessing a spectacle that leaves you breathless. Welcome to the world of the Northern Lights. Let's embark on a journey to discover the six most stunning locations to experience this celestial phenomenon.
The best way to catch aurora borealis in all its lit-up beauty:
Go to the darkest places on earth, at just the right time, and hope for the best
- The best time of year to see the northern lights is from late August to mid-April, but you can certainly catch the aurora in midsummer if you time it right
- Best sightings will occur during the darkest hours of the night, between 10 P.M. and 2 A.M
- Picking a geographic location close to the North Pole will help boost your chances of seeing the lights
- Places like Iceland, Canada, Alaska, Norway, Finland, and Sweden are sure bets
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
This 218,000-acre national park is one of the most remote northern spots in the lower 48.
- The International Dark-Sky Association designated it an official dark sky park in 2020, meaning there’s minimal light pollution way out here.
Levi, Finland
In winter, Levi is home to one of the biggest ski resorts in Finland, but many people also come here for the northern lights.
Djupvik
Backcountry skiers visit Norway’s Lyngen Alps in winter for the legendary ski touring. While there, they might be treated to a brilliant showing of the northern lights.
Hella, Iceland
The 51-room Hotel Rangá offers an aurora wake-up service, which buzzes your in-room phone whenever the lights appear at night, ensuring you won’t miss the spectacle.
- Once you’re awake, you can watch the night sky from three geothermally heated hot tubs or the hotel’s own rooftop observatory.
Fairbanks, Alaska
From August to April, you can see the northern lights from most clear nights
Whitehorse, Canada
Northern Lights Resort recently added three new glass chalets, with prime nighttime viewing of the northern lights and three-night packages (from $1,190).