Best Places to See the Northern Lights in the World
Oops, I moved my arm — hence the blur! Enjoying the northern lights in Luleå, Sweden
The northern lights don’t understand borders (and sometimes, neither do we). From the icy plains of Alaska to the wild Southern Ocean, auroras ripple across both hemispheres in glowing ovals of light. If you’ve already dreamed your way through Iceland or Norway (see our Europe guide), here’s the global bucket list: the best places in the world to chase the aurora borealis — and even its southern twin, the aurora australis.
Want to dive in deeper? Read our guide: Northern Lights for Dummies.
Spoiler alert: Northern lights can never be guaranteed. Nature is unpredictable, and it’s part of its beauty. You might have our best tips, the best technology and all the conditions reunited, Lady Aurora might not show up. Best of luck, though!
The science bit: aurora ovals
Live aurora forecast from the Space Weather Prediction Center
Auroras form in oval-shaped zones around Earth’s magnetic poles. This is why Iceland, Alaska, and Lapland all sit in prime “aurora real estate,” while places near the equator rarely get a show.
But here’s the twist: the size and shape of those ovals change day by day depending on the Sun. When the solar wind is calm, the ovals shrink and hug close to the poles. When a geomagnetic storm hits (measured by the KP index, which runs from 0–9), the ovals expand — sometimes so much that people in Spain, Texas, or Japan catch a faint glow on the horizon. In other words, the aurora isn’t a static circle on a map, it’s a living, shifting halo of light around our planet.
You can check the aurora live forecast here.
Did you know?
The KP index is a 0–9 scale that tells you how active the aurora is:
KP 0–2: Small, quiet oval. Good for Tromsø, Fairbanks, or Lapland.
KP 3–4: Stronger displays, visible across much of Scandinavia, Alaska, Canada.
KP 5–6: G1–G2 geomagnetic storm. Aurora can dip into Scotland, northern US, or Germany.
KP 7–8: Major storm. Lights possible as far south as France, northern Spain, or New York.
KP 9: The full cosmic rave. Aurora seen in Texas, Japan, or southern Europe.
Our pic was featured by My Aurora App, which we use to check the KP and aurora oval.
Interested in more northern lights science? Check our article “What are the northern lights”.
North America
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).
Alaska 🇺🇸
Northern lights in Fairbanks late August — Sorry for the quality, I took this 15 years ago!
Fairbanks is the classic — clear nights, strong auroras, and even hot springs to thaw out afterward.
For wilder vibes, head north to the Brooks Range or Denali — fewer crowds, more wolves, bears, moose, the works.
Season: Late August to April.
Canada 🇨🇦
In Churchill, polar bears steal the show to the northern lights!
Yukon & Northwest Territories: Some of the clearest skies on Earth. Yellowknife is practically aurora HQ.
Churchill, Manitoba: Polar bear capital + aurora hotspot = win-win. When I (Eli) went to see polar bears in the Hudson Bay, I caught northern lights on the plane. Arctic travel doesn’t get better than that!
Nunavut: Remote and raw — for those who want bragging rights. What? Leo goes there.
👉 Get your camera tripod, extra batteries, and waterproof boots on Amazon
Greenland 🇬🇱
We didn’t see the northern lights in Greenland (thanks, Midnight Sun…) but imagine them dancing with such a backdrop…
A frontier for serious travelers — and we absolutely fell in love with it. No trains, no highways — just ferries, sled dogs, and skies so dark the aurora looks painted on. Towns like Ilulissat and Kangerlussuaq are small but perfectly placed for Northern Lights watching.
If you’re curious about exploring beyond the aurora, check out our other Greenland guides:
Ilulissat — icebergs, whales, and midnight-sun magic.
Ferry from Ilulissat to Nuuk — the slow travel route through Greenland’s fjords.
Nuuk — the world’s tiniest capital with a big Arctic heart.
Greenland Travel Guide — our full rundown of adventures, culture, and survival tips.
What to Wear in Greenland — so you don’t find out the hard way that jeans + Arctic wind = regret.
Europe
We chased (literally) an awesome aurora in the Lofoten Islands!
Scandinavia & Iceland 🇳🇴🇮🇸🇸🇪🇫🇮
We’ve covered these in depth in our Europe guide. But quick hits:
Norway: Tromsø, Alta, Lofoten Islands.
Iceland: Basically everywhere once you escape Reykjavik’s glow.
Sweden & Finland: Abisko, Rovaniemi, glass igloos, reindeer.
Scotland & Ireland 🇬🇧 🇮🇪
Not prime territory, but when solar storms are strong, the aurora dances over the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland, and Donegal. Locals call it the Mirrie Dancers.
Russia & Siberia 🇷🇺
Remote, vast, and spectacular. Murmansk in the Kola Peninsula is the most accessible spot. Venture deeper into Siberia and it’s just you, the tundra, and blazing skies.
A quick safety note: While Russia’s Kola Peninsula and Siberia are technically within the auroral oval, current political realities make travel here complicated and, for most visitors, unsafe. Visa restrictions, sanctions, and regional instability mean that aurora tourism in Russia isn’t a realistic option right now. If you want similar skies without the risk, look to northern Norway or Finland just across the border.
Southern Hemisphere: Aurora Australis
Red southern lights - Pic credits: Arthur Debons
Tasmania 🇦🇺
Head to South Arm Peninsula or Cockle Creek for dark skies. Winter (May–August) is prime time.
New Zealand 🇳🇿
Stewart Island/Rakiura is the gold standard, with Dunedin and Lake Tekapo also offering good chances. The Maori name, Tahu-nui-a-rangi, means “great burning in the sky.”
Patagonia 🇦🇷
Auroras this far north are rare, but during strong solar storms, faint glows have been spotted on the horizon from southern Patagonia. Even when the aurora doesn’t show, the skies over Tierra del Fuego and Torres del Paine are some of the clearest stargazing spots on the planet — a Southern Hemisphere dream for night-sky lovers.
Antarctica 🇦🇶
The ultimate bucket list. Scientists wintering at bases see auroras blazing for months — but tourism access is rare and extreme.
FAQ: Where to see the northern lights in the world
Unforgettable night in Alta, Norwa
Where shall I go to see Northern Lights?
Some of the best spots include Northern Norway, Iceland, Swedish and Finnish Lapland, Greenland, and northern Canada. In short: go north, get away from city lights, and keep looking up.
When is the best season to see them?
Aurora season runs from late September to late March. Peak months are December to February, when the nights are longest, but remember — you need both clear skies and solar activity. For a month-by-month breakdown, see our best time to see the northern lights guide.
What should I wear to watch the Northern Lights?
Layers are everything. Start with a merino wool base layer, add an insulated mid-layer, then finish with a windproof outer shell. Don’t forget gloves, a beanie, and serious winter boots. For the full packing breakdown, see our What to wear for a Northern Lights trip guide.
Do I need to book a tour to see them?
Not always. With a rental car, good maps, and an aurora forecast app, you can DIY. But tours are great for cloud dodging, insider spots, and photo help — especially in places like Tromsø or Yellowknife.
Can you see them in summer?
Nope. Midnight sun = too much light, even if the Sun is storming. You need astronomical night (proper darkness), which usually means no auroras from late May to early August in the Arctic.
What causes the aurora?
Short version: charged particles from the Sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, making them glow. Oxygen = green/red, nitrogen = purple/blue. For the full story (with folklore and dog howls), see our article: “What are the northern lights”.
Can I photograph them with a phone?
Yes — newer phones with night mode can pick up auroras if they’re strong. Keep it steady (tripod or even a snowbank works). For the real deal, a camera with manual settings wins. Check out our northern lights photography tips here.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
Iceland and Norway’s Lofoten Islands deliver jaw-dropping aurora backdrops — think waterfalls, fjords, and black-sand beaches glowing under green skies. But coastal weather is notoriously fickle: clouds can roll in and ruin the show in minutes. If you want more reliable clear skies, head inland to places like Kiruna (Sweden) or Fairbanks (Alaska), where the climate is drier and your odds of cloud-free nights are much higher.
Shall I get travel insurance for a Northern Lights trip?
Yes. The Arctic is gorgeous but unpredictable — think snowstorms, icy roads, and the occasional reindeer in the middle of nowhere. If you’re snowmobiling, dogsledding, or chasing auroras off the beaten path, proper coverage is a must. We use Heymondo, which includes outdoor activities and gives 5–15% off.
Any tips before I go chasing the aurora?
Check the aurora forecast, keep extra batteries in an inside pocket (–30°C kills them fast), and pack more patience than you think you’ll need. We’ve rounded up all our best advice in our exhaustive guide: Northern Lights for Dummies.
We use this playlist to call the northern lights (it works… or not):
The northern lights are a planetary light show — from Alaska’s wilderness lodges to New Zealand’s far southern skies. Whether you’re chasing the aurora in Iceland or rare red glows in Tasmania, they’re always a reminder that Earth is connected to the Sun in dazzling, unpredictable ways.
Wherever you go, dress warm, bring patience, and remember: the best aurora stories come not just from the lights you see, but from the wild places you had to reach to see them. May the auroral force be with you!
Planning a northern lights trip? 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).
🇪🇺 Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Europe — Iceland, Norway, Lapland and beyond.
📅 Best Time to See the Northern Lights — Month-by-month, season-by-season, when the sky is most likely to dance.
📸 Northern Lights Photography Tips — Camera settings, tripods, and how not to end up with 200 blurry green smudges.
🌌 What Are the Northern Lights? — The science, the legends, and the cosmic drama behind those glowing ribbons.
🧤 What to Wear for a Northern Lights Trip — Layer up or freeze up: the packing list you actually need at –30°C.
