6 Best Places to Watch the Northern Lights

Northern lights, Aurora Borealis, named after Aurora, the Goddess of Dawn, are natural glows that appear in the sky as a result of the interaction of the earth’s magnetic field and charged particles from the Sun. So where are the Northern Lights, where are they seen?

These radiations, which are generally observed at night, are also referred to as polar auroras or polar lights because they occur mainly in poles and are observed from areas close to the poles. You can also take advantage of the North Star to follow the northern lights, but if you are in a place to be seen, you will not be overlooked anyway.

1. Svalbard, Norway

We can say that Svalbard, located between the 74th and 81th parallels, is located within the Arctic region. If you prefer this island connected to Norway, you will have a high chance of observing the northern lights between November and February. Also, the higher you go, the greater your chances of seeing Norwegian northern lights. If you come to Svalbard in times other than “Polar Night” where there is no daylight, you will have a higher chance to see reindeer, walruses and polar bears.

2. Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Jukkasjärvi Village in Kiruna District is another pleasant spot where you can see the Northern Lights. Night tours are organized to see Aurora Boresalis. If Aurora is not visible, it will also be enjoyable to take a tour of the Esrange Space Center and watch the starry Swedish sky. There is an ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi Village, but since these types of hotels are very expensive, you can choose more suitable accommodation options to stay in the nearby Kiruna.

3. Kakslauttanen, Finland

In Kakslauttanen, in the region of Lapland, which is within the borders of Finland, you can experience the privilege of viewing the Northern Lights from your Eskimo house, made of special glass. Watching the lights as you warm up in your room with a blazing wood fire and sweat in the sauna offers a truly luxurious and different experience. If you can’t see the lights, don’t worry, you can join the Reindeer safari or take a stroll in the nearby Urho Natural Park.

4. Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik still remains one of the most affordable and accessible places where you can see the Northern Lights. In the meantime, besides seeing the Northern Lights, you may also like to visit the natural hot spring pool, the Blue Lagoon, which maintains its warmth throughout the year, or to visit the venues where Game of Thrones is taken with a snowmobile.

5. Northern Regions of Canada

Canada is also a great option for Aurora hunters, as it includes many areas where the Northern Lights can be seen. Northern Lights can be traced in many parts of the country, such as Yukon, Saskatchewan, Northwest States Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and British Columbia.

If you catch the right timing and weather conditions, you can observe the lights in these regions and decorate your holiday with skiing and other snow activities. With the map here, you can explore points and times where you can observe the Northern Lights.

6. Scotland, United Kingdom

Another country where you can see the Northern Lights is Scotland. The Caithness beach in the north is shown as one of the best places to watch Aurora in this country. If you are interested in other activities than watching the lights, Aviemore and Cairngorms National Park are among the places you can visit.