Close Menu
World Travel Blog
    • Airlines
    • Destinations
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Travel Deals
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Palestine Action Group Banned In The U.K.
    • Big Changes Are Coming For Airline Passengers In The European Union
    • How To Move Abroad According To Experts
    • Explore LGBTQ-Friendly Malta
    • More Anti-Tourist Protests in Spain
    • Brazil Allows Gender Changes On Official Documents
    • Before You Book Your Summer Trip You May Want To Consider The Weakening U.S. Dollar
    • CDC Issues Travel Advisories For Countries With High Exposure Risk To Dengue Fever
    Wednesday, July 16
    Facebook Instagram
    World Travel BlogWorld Travel Blog
    Subscribe
    • Airlines

      Big Changes Are Coming For Airline Passengers In The European Union

      July 11, 2025

      What You Need To Know About REAL ID

      May 7, 2025

      World’s Best Airports for 2025 Revealed

      April 25, 2025

      What You Need To Know About Japan Airlines’ Free Domestic Flight Program

      April 13, 2025

      European Union Delays New Digital Entry/Exit System

      October 27, 2024
    • Destinations

      Palestine Action Group Banned In The U.K.

      July 14, 2025

      How To Move Abroad According To Experts

      July 9, 2025

      Explore LGBTQ-Friendly Malta

      July 5, 2025

      CDC Issues Travel Advisories For Countries With High Exposure Risk To Dengue Fever

      June 10, 2025

      Summer Fun In Provincetown

      June 4, 2025
    • Events

      Summer Fun In Provincetown

      June 4, 2025

      The Key West Film Festival 2024!

      November 4, 2024

      Wonderful Wedding & Honeymoon Destinations Around The World

      August 29, 2024

      The Olympics Issues New Guidelines For Journalists Covering Trans Athletes In Paris

      June 23, 2024

      Pack Your Bags For The Malta Biennale!

      March 25, 2024
    • Hotels

      Six Best-Kept Secret Hotels to Book in 2025

      January 4, 2025

      Palm Springs Getaway!

      November 10, 2024

      The Growing Allure of Independent Accommodations

      September 14, 2024

      Your Hotel Concierge Is The Perfect Travel Guide

      April 30, 2024

      Airbnb Updates Its Cancellation Policy

      April 13, 2024
    • Restaurants

      Must-Visit Restaurants in Venice, Italy

      September 22, 2024

      The Growing Allure of Independent Accommodations

      September 14, 2024

      New ‘Everywhere is Queer’ App for LGBTQ Travelers

      July 19, 2024

      20 Top Cities for Vegans and Vegetarians

      October 5, 2023

      Apps To Help You Find The Best Restaurants

      September 22, 2023
    • Travel Deals

      Before You Book Your Summer Trip You May Want To Consider The Weakening U.S. Dollar

      June 13, 2025

      MSC Cruises Unveils New 22-Deck Ship in Florida

      April 24, 2025

      What You Need To Know About Japan Airlines’ Free Domestic Flight Program

      April 13, 2025

      Easy And Affordable Digital Nomad Visas

      February 27, 2025

      Affordable Destinations For Foodies

      February 25, 2025
    World Travel Blog
    Home»Destinations»The Best Places to See The Northern Lights
    Destinations

    The Best Places to See The Northern Lights

    Lauren MulveyBy Lauren MulveyOctober 7, 20234 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Reddit Email
    The Northern Lights in Iceland (Photo by Krivosheev Vitaly)
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Nature’s very own light show, the Northern Lights, are one of Earth’s most mystical sights. Scientifically known as the Aurora Borealis, this phenomenon is a chemical reaction between electrically charged particles from the sun colliding with gaseous particles in the Earth’s atmosphere. The collision makes for a shimmering show of multicolored lights arching through the night’s sky. 

    If seeing this beautiful event in-person is on your bucket list then there are plenty of places you can see it. Every year, the lights are most visible between September and March in the Northern Hemisphere. The goal is to be close to or within the ‘Northern Lights belt’ which sits at around latitudes 65 to 72 degrees, close to the Arctic Circle. The farther north you travel, the more vibrant they become. To make sure you’ve got the best view, consider traveling to the following destinations.

    Iceland

    October through March is the best time to plan a trip to Reykjavik to see the Aurora Borealis. Not only is Iceland a breathtaking destination, but its stunning parks are the perfect place to see the lights and enjoy plenty of other natural wonders like waterfalls, glaciers, ice caves, geothermal rivers and more. Though Reykjavik is not technically within the Arctic Circle, the northernmost part of the country hovers into it, so you may also have a better view if you travel north in Iceland.

     

    Lofoten Islands, Norway (Photo by Denis Belitsky)

    Norway 

    There are plenty of spots at the top of Norway where the lights shine their brightest, but the best are worth traveling the distance. Some of the most highly recommended cities for the lights are Tromsø and Kirkenes which have cozy small town vibes with amazing views of the surrounding regions. However, The Lofoten Islands offer something magical for your stay if you book your trip for the winter months. Islands surrounded by snow capped mountains make this a heavenly destination. Here, not only will you see the Northern Lights, but you will fall in love with the beautiful sights surrounding you.

     

    The Northern Lights in Alaska (Photo by Beth Ruggiero-York)

    Canada & Alaska

    In Canada and Alaska, both of which have portions in the Arctic Circle, there are great viewing spots for the Northern Lights. In Alaska, your best bet is Fairbanks, a small city with a river running through it, but to get the best view of the lights you’ll need to drive a ways out of the city to areas with less light pollution. Here the views of the Aurora Borealis are considered some of the world’s best. In Canada, make your way to Yellowknife, a gold rush town that sits on a lake and offers dog sledding, cross-country skiing, and plenty of wintertime activities. 

     

    Abisko National Park in Sweden (Photo by Conny Sjostrom)

    Sweden

    Once you’ve arrived in Sweden you’ll want to head straight for Abisko, a small village at the tippy top of the country that sits on the Torneträsk lake. When you arrive, you may be surprised at how remote the village appears, with not many buildings, industry, or commercialism. But that’s good because it’s just you and sky. You can also visit Kiruna, a slightly bigger city—the northernmost in the country (even further than Abisko). Here there will certainly be more buildings and people if that’s more your pace. Fun fact: Swedish indigenous populations believed the Northern Lights were the flickering souls of the dead.

     

    Aurora Borealis in Greenland (Photo by Posteriori)

    Greenland 

    If you opt for Greenland, the place to go is Kangerlussuaq on the southwestern coast of the island. It sits at the end of a fjord and offers some of the country’s best views of the Aurora Borealis, which are pretty much guaranteed to be seen on a winter visit. Old Inuit myths say the Northern Lights appearance occurs when the souls of the dead play ball with a walrus’ cranium. Also in Greenland you can see gorgeous glaciers, take a cruise and explore the island’s settlements, and go whale watching.

    Featured Image: The Northern Lights in Iceland (Photo by Krivosheev Vitaly)

    adventure travel Alaska Aurora Borealis canada gay travel Greenland Iceland LGBTQ travel Northern Lights Norway passport magazine Sweden travel Travel Guide visit Iceland winter winter destinations winter events winter travel wintertime
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous Article20 Top Cities for Vegans and Vegetarians
    Next Article ETIAS Travel Registration Delayed to 2025
    Lauren Mulvey

    Lauren Mulvey is a freelance writer based in upstate New York who specializes in regional travel, culture, and sustainability across the Hudson Valley and beyond.

    Related Posts

    Palestine Action Group Banned In The U.K.

    July 14, 2025

    Big Changes Are Coming For Airline Passengers In The European Union

    July 11, 2025

    How To Move Abroad According To Experts

    July 9, 2025
     
     
     
      
     
    Don't Miss It!

    Palestine Action Group Banned In The U.K.

    By Lauren MulveyJuly 14, 2025

    Activist group Palestine Action has been labeled a terrorist organization by the United Kingdom, and…

    Big Changes Are Coming For Airline Passengers In The European Union

    By Lauren MulveyJuly 11, 2025

    Big changes are coming for airline passengers in the European Union, and it’s good news…

    How To Move Abroad According To Experts

    By Lauren MulveyJuly 9, 2025

    If you’re living in the U.S. right now, you might be thinking get me out…

    Our Latest

    Palestine Action Group Banned In The U.K.

    July 14, 2025

    Big Changes Are Coming For Airline Passengers In The European Union

    July 11, 2025

    How To Move Abroad According To Experts

    July 9, 2025

    Explore LGBTQ-Friendly Malta

    July 5, 2025
    Editor's Pick!

    How You Can Help The People in Florida Impacted by Hurricane Ian

    By Robert AdamsOctober 4, 2022

    The people of Florida impacted by Hurricane Ian appreciate your help, but make sure what…

    Perfect Destinations For Every Season In 2025

    December 24, 2024
    For You

    Drag School to Open in San Francisco

    By Lauren MulveyOctober 30, 2023

    As drag takes one hit after another on the national stage, a collective in San…

    Travel The World With Music: The Best Destination Songs

    By Keith LangstonSeptember 19, 2019

    There’s nothing better than great music… Actually, there is. Great music that takes you on…

    © 2025 The World Travel Blog — USA
    • Destinations
    • Events
    • Health
    • Travel
    • Global Cocktails Blog

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.