Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Europe (and how to choose)
Eli welcoming Lady Aurora in Alta, Norway. Our Northern List playlist worked (see below)!
You’ve seen the photos. The swirls of green and purple. The ice hotels and starry skies. But how do you actually plan a Northern Lights trip in Europe without blowing your budget, freezing your face off, or ending up in the wrong place at the wrong time?
It doesn’t have to be a crazy dream: you can make it happen! We’ve chased the aurora across Scandinavia and beyond — from cozy Finnish cabins to Swedish frozen lakes. We’ve waited hours in the cold, sometimes with a reward and sometimes with nothing but frostbite (minor!). We’ve tested apps, gear, and all the local tips we could get.
So, here’s our not-boring, fully practical guide to the best places to see the Northern Lights in Europe — and how to pick the one that matches your vibe.
Want the full geek-out? Read our guide: Northern Lights for Dummies.
Spoiler alert: Results are not guaranteed. You might have all the technology in the world, all the conditions reunited, nature is always unpredictable. Lady Aurora has moods. And that’s part of the magic!
Quick Guide: Best Northern Lights spots in Europe
So, Jake is not actually proposing on this pic. He attempted it in Svalbard, but the Northern Lights didn’t show and he ended up proposing at the polar bear area limit. Then we staged this pic in Luleå just for fun!
| Location | Country | Why Go | Bonus Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tromsø | Norway | Reliable auroras + city comforts | Combine with whale watching in fall/winter |
| Lofoten Islands | Norway | Jaw-dropping landscapes + fewer crowds | Stay in a rorbu (fisherman’s cabin) |
| Alta | Norway | Quiet, authentic, less touristic | Visit the Ice Hotel & Sami museum |
| Kiruna | Sweden | Great value, lots of tours | Don’t miss the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi |
| Luleå | Sweden | Coastal city with frozen sea adventures | Try dogsledding on the ice |
| Rovaniemi | Finland | Santa + auroras = magic | Go beyond town for better viewing |
| Inari | Finland | Remote, peaceful, culturally rich | Visit Siida Sami Museum |
| Ilulissat | Greenland | Icebergs + auroras = mind-blown | Catch the ferry to Nuuk if you can |
| Iceland | Iceland | Volcanic landscapes + auroras = wow | Avoid main tourist destinations |
| Svalbard | Norway | The edge of the world, out of this world, off the beaten path | Do prepare yourself for extreme conditions |
| Faroe Islands | Denmark (sort of) | Wild weather = dramatic skies | Stay multiple nights for best chances (lower latitude) |
Did you know?
When the kp-index is high enough, - more on this in our Northern Lights for Dummies Guide - the northern lights can be seen as far south as Scotland, Ireland, the northern United States and even sometimes England
Where to see the Northern Lights in Europe (with tips)
These are the best spots across Northern Europe where auroras dance above icy landscapes, fjords glow green, and your breath fogs up while your jaw drops. We’ve personally explored many of these — and we’re only slightly obsessed. 15 auroras and counting for us (we’re very stubborn and sing to Lady Aurora. True story).
Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø’s famous bridge. You can see the lights from the city when activity is strong
Tromsø is the classic Northern Lights city. Why? It’s well above the Arctic Circle, has relatively mild coastal weather (compared to its latitude), and offers one of the best combos of nature and nightlife. You can chase the auroras at night, then eat Arctic char and cinnamon buns by day. There are lots of flights in winter, which also means too many people in our opinion.
That being said, it’s a good place for a first Arctic experience, there are lots of accommodation options, and you can see whales from November to January!
We once saw the lights here from a parking lot near the fjord, and you’ll most likely need to go out of the city because of light pollution — unless activity is very high.
👉 Amazon Arctic gear: gloves, thermal socks, hand warmer
👉 Track & help a whale or another sea animal with a Fahlo Bracelet - 20% Off
Lofoten Islands, Norway
We drove to the other side of the islands to get a clear sky that night (Haukland Beach)!
The Lofoten archipelago is a photographer’s dream: jagged mountains, red rorbuer cabins, and dramatic skies. In winter, it’s quieter than Tromsø, and the auroras are just as brilliant. The snow and sea reflect the lights, making everything glow in ghostly pastels.
Thanks My Aurora App for featuring my Lofoten picture (not the reason why I mention it.)
You’ll need a car to explore and avoid the clouds — check this yr.no for the most reliable forecast — as the weather can be very fickle — but that’s part of the magic.
👉 Stay in a fisherman’s cabin on Booking — we love Rostad Retro Rorbuer
👉 Get your camera tripod, extra batteries, and waterproof boots on Amazon
Alta, Norway
We could already see the northern lights from the plane! After landing, we rushed to our accommodation and this was waiting for us…
Alta flies under the radar — and that’s exactly why we love it. Fewer crowds, lower prices, and a deeper connection with local Sámi culture. It’s one of the best places for aurora viewing without bumping elbows with 50 other tourists. Plus, you can stay in an ice hotel and take part in reindeer or husky sledding tours.
👉 Find an affordable accommodation on Booking
👉 Stock up on cozy gear: thermal leggings, balaclavas, snow grips
5º in Alta, Norway: the perfect bikini weather!
The cold factor is also extremely important, especially if you don't have a car. Indeed, it's not the same to wait hours outside at -30 Cº than at 5 Cº. And if you're by the sea, don't forget the lovely wind chill!
Kiruna, Sweden
Even if Lady Aurora doesn’t show up, you’ll get to enjoy other magical experiences…
Sweden’s top northern destination for aurora viewing. Kiruna is a mining town — but head out to Abisko (just an hour away), and you’ll find one of the most statistically reliable places in the world to see the Northern Lights thanks to its "blue hole" weather pattern (aka less cloud cover).
It’s one of our favorite winter destinations, as it’s a lot more authentic, a lot less popular (and cheaper) than Rovaniemi.
The Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi is just outside Kiruna — stay for one night if you can afford it, or visit during the day!
👉 Sleep at the first Ice Hotel in the world — they also have warm cabins
👉 Shop for merino base layers and insulated boots on Amazon
Luleå, Sweden
Island-hopping on foot is just too cool!
Never heard of Luleå? Perfect! In this coastal city, the sea freezes solid. In winter, you can walk, skate, or even dog sled across the ice, island-hopping — all under glowing green skies. It’s less touristy than Kiruna and full of Swedish charm, from candlelit cafés to traditional wood saunas.
In February, we saw some incredible northern lights there 3 nights in a row!
👉 Find a cabin near a frozen lake or by the sea on Booking
👉 Recommended gear: good jacket, shoes, the works
We stayed by Kemijärvi Lake (1h drive from Rovaniemi) and wow!
Rovaniemi, Finland
Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, Santa lives here (well, that’s still being discussed but we did see him). But Rovaniemi still delivers Northern Lights magic — especially if you get out of town. Stay in a glass igloo, drive a snowmobile through the forest, or just lie in the snow and look up.
It’s a good place for a first Arctic trip, as you’ll find all the modern comforts and options. Plus, Rovaniemi airport has a lot of flights in winter. And you can take the Santa train from Helsinki!
It’s obviously a good choice for families, but if you don’t have kids, we highly recommend to leave the Rovaniemi area (see below).
👉 Book glass igloo stays on Booking
👉 Thermal socks, mittens, and everything Arctic on Amazon
Inari, Finland
Near Utsjoki — Fall is great to enjoy both northern lights and ruska (fall) colors!
Now we’re talking remote (and, if you’ve been reading us for a while, you know that means a Penguin Trampoline kind of place!) Inari is north of the Arctic Circle and home to Sámi culture, pristine lakes, and skies so dark you’ll swear the stars are multiplying. The auroras here feel more intimate — less performance, more poetry.
Visit the Siida museum, sleep in a lakeside log cabin, chat with locals at the pub (around a reindeer pizza) and enjoy the silence. You’ll feel it in your bones.
👉 Find a cabin by a lake or a wilderness lodge on Booking
👉 Get equiped for Finnish Lapland on Amazon
Ilulissat, Greenland
In late April, it was too bright for northern lights. But can you imagine this with an aurora?
Okay, not technically Europe — but close enough to deserve an honorary mention (especially since flights often route via Denmark). The Ilulissat Icefjord is surreal. Imagine watching the auroras curl above blue-white icebergs, then walking back to your warm guesthouse or cabin by the sea under a moonlit sky.
You’ll need more planning to get here — but it’s 100% worth it and we have an complete series of articles on Greenland to help you out.
👉 Track a polar bear with Fahlo Bracelet and help protect them - 20% off
👉 Polar gear and photo accessories on Amazon
Iceland
Ok, we didn’t see the northern lights over Jökulsárlón, but what a sight it would be!
Because where else can you chase the Northern Lights and soak in a hot spring while doing it? Iceland’s dramatic landscapes — think volcanoes, glaciers, and black sand beaches — turn even cloudy aurora nights into an epic trip. The Ring Road makes it easy to plan even in winter, and the weather makes it… interesting.
But all this coolness has a price, and Iceland has become way too popular for us. So, don’t just stay in Reykjavík. Head east or north (like around Lake Mývatn or Höfn) for fewer crowds and better odds of a light show.
👉 Pack waterproof everything via Amazon
Svalbard
In Svalbard, it’s just you, the elements, and wonders at every corner
It’s one of the world’s northernmost inhabited places, with polar night skies so dark and crisp they look photoshopped — except they’re not. Add in dog sledding, snowmobiles, and the possibility of seeing a polar bear (from a safe distance, and with an armed guide), and it’s basically Arctic magic.
Base yourself in Longyearbyen and book guided tours. You have to unless you have a weapon permit — DIY travel here is tricky, and polar bear safety is no joke.
👉 Warm gear and extreme-weather layers via Amazon
👉 Track a polar bear with Fahlo Bracelet and help protect them - 20% off
Faroe Islands
Even if northern lights don’t show, the Faroe Islands will reward you in a thousand ways
Windy, dramatic, unpredictable — and pure magic when the lights show up. The Faroe Islands aren’t as far north as other destinations so you will have less chance to see the northern lights, but their low light pollution and frequent clear patches make them a wild card for aurora hunting.
It’s also not as cold as the other destinations of this list. Plus, you’ll get waterfalls, cliffs, and sheep. So many sheep.
👉 Find a cool fisherman cabin by the sea on Booking
👉 Waterproof hiking boots and thermal rain jackets on Amazon
FAQ: Seeing the Northern Lights
Right in front of our accommodation in the Lofoten Islands!
Where shall I go to see Northern Lights?
Top spots include Northern Norway (like Alta and Tromsø), Iceland, Swedish and Finnish Lapland, Greenland, and northern Canada. In short: go north, avoid cities, and keep checking the sky.
When is the best season to see the Northern Lights?
The best months are from late September to late March, when the nights are longest and skies are darkest. Peak season is usually December to February, but the tricky part is to get both clear skies AND solar activity.
What’s the best time of night to see the aurora?
Try to be on the lookout between 9 PM and 2 AM, ideally somewhere dark and open like a frozen lake or field. Dress warm and don’t give up after 30 minutes. They can appear at any time.
Do I need to book a tour to see them?
Not necessarily. If you’ve got a rental car, decent map skills, and an aurora forecast and weather app, you’re good. That being said, tours can help with cloud dodging, insider tips, and finding photogenic spots.
Can you see them in summer?
No. Even if there’s solar activity, the midnight sun means it’s just too bright. And, even if it seems dark, you need astronomical night up there. Darkness is non-negotiable, which usually means no auroras from late May to early August in most Arctic regions.
What causes the aurora?
We’ll try to keep it short and not boring: charged solar particles hit gases in Earth’s atmosphere (like oxygen or nitrogen), and boom — you get colorful skies.
Can I photograph the Northern Lights with my phone?
Nowadays, absolutely, especially if the aurora is intense. Newer phones with night mode can catch the glow, especially if you keep the camera steady. But a real camera, tripod, and manual settings will still give you the best results.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
Is this an aurora?
If you spot a weird-looking cloud and you can see the stars through, it might be a faint aurora, or the beginning of one. To be sure, take a picture with the manual mode of your camera. If the cloud is green on the picture, it's an aurora and it might be worth sticking around to see if it develops!
What should I wear to watch the Northern Lights?
Layers. Layers. Layers. Did I say layers? Go for a merino base layer, insulated mid-layer, windproof shell, gloves, beanie, and solid winter boots.. Make sure to read our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide for more packing tips.
Do I need travel insurance for a Northern Lights trip?
We recommend it. Arctic trips = snow, ice, reindeer crossings, and unpredictable everything. If you’re snowmobiling, dogsledding, or chasing the northern lights off the beaten path, you’ll want proper coverage. We partner with Heymondo, which covers outdoor adventures and offers 5% off (sometimes up to 15% during promos). Book your discounted policy here.
What tips do I need to know before going on a Northern Lights trip?
We share our best, tried-and-tested tips on our exhaustive guide: Northern Lights for Dummies. Best of luck!
Here is our playlist to call Lady Aurora:
Whether you’re tucked into a cozy fisherman’s cabin in Lofoten, chasing lights past frozen lakes in Inari, or watching the sky swirl above Icelandic lava fields, the Northern Lights are a reminder that Earth still knows how to throw a party — and what a party.
The trick isn’t just where to go — it’s how you go. Linger. Explore. And leave room for weather, wonder, and warm socks. If the aurora doesn’t show up, don’t get too disappointed. Keep trying, and when you finally see them, it will be even more special.
Planning a trip to the Arctic? Don’t miss our guides:
✨ Northern Lights for Dummies — How to actually see the aurora (without freezing your butt off or waiting 12 nights in vain).
🥶 Our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide — How to explore, survive, and avoid becoming a polar bear’s lunch.
🧊 Svalbard & Jan Mayen — Polar bears, ghost towns, and next-level Arctic mystery in Norway’s far north.
⛰️ Lofoten Hiking Guide — Dramatic ridges, secret beaches, and cod-drying racks in Arctic Norway.
🌋 Iceland Guide — Volcanoes, waterfalls, and the road trip of your geothermal dreams.
🎄 Finnish Lapland — Reindeer, saunas, and winter magic with a side of forest silence.
❄️ Swedish Lapland — Aurora skies, Sami culture, and the northern edge of cozy.
🌌 Alta, Norway — Northern Lights HQ with quiet trails and snowy adventures far from the crowds.
🐋 Greenland Travel Guide — Icebergs, ferries, and Inuit traditions in the wildest place we’ve ever been.
🦅 Alaska Travel Guide — Grizzlies, glaciers, and getting gloriously lost in the Last Frontier.
🐻❄️ Churchill, Canada — The polar bear capital of the world. No roads in, plenty of wildlife out.
🦌 Arctic Food Guide — Whale steak? Cloudberries? Reindeer stew? What to eat (or not eat) in the high North.
