where to see northern lights

The ten greatest locations on earth to see the Northern Lights

Seeing the northern lights in individual is on virtually each adventurous traveler’s bucket record. This magical phenomenon of colourful lights within the evening sky is really a sight to behold. Most individuals by no means get to see them as a result of, nicely, seeing them shouldn’t be precisely straightforward. There are just a few locations on the planet that recurrently get handled to the northern lights. And even then, many individuals miss out on the northern lights attributable to poor climate. On this put up we are going to undergo the place to see northern lights and our prime 10 locations to see the northern lights on this information under.

NORTHERN LIGHTS BASICS

The aurora borealis – extra generally often called the northern lights – is a phenomenon that happens close to the earth’s poles brought on by collisions of electrically charged particles from the solar within the earth’s ambiance. They often present up in shades of inexperienced, however will be crimson, purple, and pink as nicely. As darkish skies are wanted and polar areas expertise the summer season midnight solar, the northern lights are solely seen from September to April, relying in your location.

The looks of the northern lights is often constrained to eight nations. These are the USA (Alaska), Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Generally the aurora oval (consider the aurora oval like a rain radar map however for the northern lights) dips down into locations just like the UK, Eire, the Faroe Islands, the contiguous United States, and the Baltic nations, and some instances a 12 months even additional south. However this isn’t frequent sufficient to base a northern lights targeted journey in a kind of locations. All northern lights journeys ought to be primarily based in one of many eight nations talked about above.

We gained’t undergo all the perfect ideas for viewing the northern lights  on this put up. Right here we simply deal with places. Under we’ve listed the ten greatest locations on earth to see the northern lights primarily based on our private expertise in addition to data from fellow northern lights hunters. The record is particular places and never generic places like “Norway” (duh!).
The places are vetted primarily based on chance of seeing the northern lights, climate, and winter daytime actions, which is crucial to any northern lights primarily based trip. The record is in no order, so don’t take into account it a rating system.

1: AKUREYRI, NORTHERN ICELAND

The far north of Iceland gives vacationers with a wild expertise. Considerably much less populated than Reykjavik, Akureyri is the de facto capital of northern Iceland. Barely 30,000 folks name it dwelling and the small metropolis is tucked away between towering coastal mountains. Whereas northern Iceland will get extra snow than the south on common, it usually has clearer skies than the Reykjavik area.

The world round Akureyri is quiet and uninhabited, making it the proper place to keep away from mild air pollution. You’re simply south of the Arctic Circle on this a part of Iceland, and the aurora oval passer overhead nearly each evening.

Within the sunlight hours, the Akureyri area gives quite a few leisure actions and a few of the most spectacular waterfalls in all of Europe at Godafoss and Dettifoss. These waterfalls additionally make for unimaginable backgrounds for northern lights pictures.

2: BETWEEN VIK AND JOKULSARLON, SOUTHERN ICELAND

The Iceland Ring Highway between Vik and Jokulsarlon is one other probably the greatest locations on the earth to see the northern lights. Whereas it’s farther from the Arctic Circle, South Iceland usually has sturdy aurora forecasts. There usually are not too many accommodations between Vik and Jokulsarlon however there are dozens of cozy cabins. An Icelandic cabin is ideal to loosen up in whereas awaiting the northern lights to make an look.

Probably the most well-known seaside in Iceland – the Reynisfjara Black Sand Seashore – is simply outdoors of Vik and gives a ravishing backdrop to the snowcapped cliffs above the seaside. You’ll want to additionally try the Vik i Mydral Church, one other wonderful place to observe for the northern lights. There’s nothing just like the aurora borealis dancing throughout the sky over an Icelandic church in the midst of nowhere.

About 200 km northeast of Vik you’ll discover the glacier lagoon of Jokulsarlon. This can be a shallow lagoon filled with little icebergs as the bottom of an enormous glacier. The lagoon is virtually on the coast, simply separated from the seaside by a slim strip of land. The seaside – often called Diamond Seashore – can be filled with tiny icebergs, although they’re extra like ice rocks than icebergs.

The backdrop of the Jokulsarlon glacier and lagoon make for a tremendous place to see the northern lights. There may be not a lot civilization between Vik and Jokulsarlon. The intense lack of any mild air pollution provides to the expertise of viewing the northern lights on this a part of Iceland.
Close to Jokulsarlon, you’ll additionally discover the Skaftafell Glacier, one in every of few glaciers on the earth you may nonetheless stroll on, although solely via an organized tour.

3: SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA, WESTERN ICELAND

Iceland is a rustic with extremely pure magnificence, and maybe nothing exemplifies that greater than the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. On the western finish of the island, this skinny volcanic peninsula protrudes out into the North Atlantic Ocean.

A rugged land of volcanoes, geothermal sizzling springs, and dramatic mountain peaks, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula gives thrilling actions for the sunlight hours. However when the solar goes down is de facto when the Snaefellsnes enjoyable begins. The peninsula has very variable climate, and hardly goes too lengthy with full overcast skies. Meaning that you’ve got the prospect to see the northern lights virtually each single evening.
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula holds Iceland’s most well-known mountain peak, Kirjufell. This sharp peak comes proper out of the ocean, and w

ith the dueling waterfalls on the base of the mountain (on the opposite facet of the street, nonetheless), it makes for one of the crucial stunning locations to observe the northern lights in Iceland. The dueling waterfalls are a highly regarded place for northern lights images, so make certain to stake out a spot for the perfect photographs.

4: TROMSO AND SENJA, NORWAY

Norway gives a few of the most dramatic coastal surroundings on the earth. It additionally incorporates one of the crucial trendy and cosmopolitan cities north of the Arctic Circle. Tromso is dwelling to over 70,000 folks and is simple to get to, with quite a few each day flights from Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki and Frankfurt and seasonal flights from many different European locations like London and Paris.

Whereas Tromso has loads of mild air pollution, the encompassing area is an Arctic winter paradise, with gorgeous mountains and only a few folks. In the event you drive about 3 hours southwest of Tromso you’ll arrive on the dramatic coast of Senja Island. Senja is likely one of the most stunning locations in a rustic filled with spectacular pure surroundings. It’s comparatively unknown on a global scale and gives miles of darkish roads good for chasing the northern lights.

5: LOFOTEN ISLANDS, NORWAY

The Lofoten Islands are definitely essentially the most stunning place on the planet to observe the northern lights. This chain of islands in Arctic Norway is understood for its steep coastal mountains and tropical wanting white sand seashores. Only a few phrases can describe simply how gorgeous the Lofoten Islands are. Getting there isn’t even too tough, as there are a couple of small airports on the islands that fly to Oslo.

The Lofoten Islands are simply above the Arctic Circle and obtain about 6 hours of twilight through the polar evening. A winter go to shall be fairly snowy, and plenty of eating places, museums, and retailers shall be closed. However resort and cabin charges are considerably discounted from summer season highs, and there’s nothing fairly like watching the northern lights dance over a jagged peak out of your seaside cabin within the Lofoten Islands!

6: ROVANIEMI, FINLAND

Of all of the locations on this record, Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland is the one vacation spot that’s particularly catered to winter journey. Not that no person visits in the summertime, however Rovaniemi’s peak vacationer season aligns with northern lights season.

Rovaniemi payments itself because the official dwelling of Santa Claus. Reindeer are all over the place and reindeer sledding is a well-liked exercise within the area. Canine sledding and snowshoeing are additionally well-liked within the winter. There’s even a Santa Claus themed village about 5 miles north of city.

Rovaniemi is an honest sized metropolis simply south of the Arctic Circle that’s dwelling to over 60,000 folks. In current a long time the Rovaniemi tourism board has accomplished a tremendous job of attracting worldwide guests to the area for winter actions. There are quite a few igloo accommodations and resorts outdoors of town which are particularly designed so that you can view the northern lights from the consolation of your mattress. A few of these resorts even have aurora alarms that can ring in your room at any time when the lights are on show simply so that you don’t miss it.

In the case of winter luxurious in northern lights territory, nothing beats Rovaniemi. There are many price range lodging choices too, nonetheless, as Finland normally is cheaper than its Scandinavian counterparts. Rovaniemi is a hip place to go to within the winter although, so count on quite a lot of different guests and better costs than different locations in Finland.

6: KILPISJARVI, FINLAND

If you wish to go to Lapland, Finland however keep away from the hordes of different northern lights seekers, Kilpisjarvi within the far, far north of the nation is likely to be for you. Simply 2.5 hours from Tromso, Kilpisjarvi is a winter wonderland of boreal forests and frozen lakes good for dogsledding below the twilight of the polar evening.

Kilpisjarvi is much smaller and cheaper than Rovaniemi as nicely. There are just a few eating places and one grocery store. However the lack of people makes for a tremendous place to see the northern lights. There is just one freeway out and in of Kilpisjarvi, however there are quite a few locations to drag over alongside the street to attend for the northern lights. And with the city being so small, you don’t even actually have to try this. You may chill in your cabin and catch the aurora dancing throughout Saanatunturi mountain to the east of the border with Sweden to the west.

8: ABISKO, SWEDEN

Whereas just a little off the radar for most individuals, the tiny city of Akisko is well-known in Sweden for being the perfect place within the nation to see the northern lights. On the very far north of Sweden, Abisko is likely one of the few locations in Sweden with mountains.

Extra importantly, Abisko is understood to be in a selected location that varieties pockets of clear skies. As clouds type over the Norwegian mountains to the west, the distinctive geography and geology of Abisko retains them away from the valley and surrounding Swedish mountains. Mix the customarily clear skies with restricted mild air pollution and the truth that the Aurora oval travels throughout this a part of Scandinavia virtually each evening and you’ve got prime circumstances for seeing the northern lights.

Throughout the sunlight hours Abisko shouldn’t be fairly as entertaining as a few of the different places on this record. Whereas it’s largely recognized for a summer season mountaineering space, snowshoeing and cross-country snowboarding are frequent within the winter months. Attending to Abisko can be not too tough, because it’s close to Narvik Airport in Norway. There’s additionally a practice station do you have to want to take an epic practice journey from Stockholm!

9: YELLOWKNIFE, CANADA

Yellowknife is actually the center of nowhere. Situated on the northern coast of the Nice Slave Lake within the Northwest Territories province of Canada, Yellowknife is tough and costly to get to. However for those who make the journey to Yellowknife, you’ll doubtless be handled to a spectacular northern lights present sooner or later throughout your journey. The town is small, making it straightforward to get outdoors of city and away from any mild air pollution.

The Canadian skies are darkish up right here, and the aurora oval usually hovers over Yellowknife. Being so removed from any ocean, the skies are often clear for days on finish, that means your possibilities of seeing the northern lights are excessive. The one factor you actually need to handle in Yellowknife is the bitter chilly.
It’s far, far colder on this a part of the world than it’s in Iceland or Scandinavia. Assume -30 levels chilly. At that time it doesn’t even matter if that’s in Fahrenheit or Celsius. It’s simply plain chilly. However for many who courageous the chilly and are available ready with correct clothes, seeing the northern lights over the frozen Canadian tundra is an expertise not quickly to be forgotten.

10: IN AND AROUND FAIRBANKS, ALASKA

Whereas the perfect locations to see the northern lights in the USA is likely to be within the far north of Alaska, locations like Barrow and Gates of the Arctic are tough to get to and unforgiving through the polar evening. This makes Fairbanks the de facto northern lights capital of the U.S. Situated about 200 miles south of the Arctic Circle, the Fairbanks area falls throughout the Aurora oval on most nights and gives huge journey alternatives through the sunlight hours.

The town of Fairbanks is dwelling to about 33,000 folks. It’s just a little metropolis, however its dimension implies that you often need to get outdoors of city away from synthetic mild to chase the northern lights. That is straightforward, nonetheless, with ample roads out and in of town. Throughout the day, it’s a brief 20-minute drive to the Christmas-themed village of North Pole, Alaska, the place you may have fun Christmas each day of the 12 months and possibly even catch northern lights present over Santa’s workshop!

BONUS: SVALBARD, NORWAY

In the event you’ve by no means heard of Svalbard, it’s a series of islands within the Arctic Ocean that’s up to now north you may principally see Santa Claus. At 78 levels north, its capital metropolis of Longyearbyen is the furthest north repeatedly inhabited place on earth. It’s solely about 650 miles south of the North Pole and is inhabited by blood-thirsty polar bears.

Up right here, the polar evening will get literal. From November 13 to January 29 the sky is pitch black. There isn’t any twilight. The solar lastly rises in mid-February and the times improve in size quickly from there. The entire and utter darkness makes seeing the northern lights potential 24 hours a day, although the nighttime hours will nonetheless provide the perfect possibilities.

Svalbard isn’t on most individuals’s radar for northern lights journeys, as the whole darkness will be tough to regulate to and winter temperatures are dangerously chilly. However do you have to want to expertise 24-hour darkness there are each day direct flights to Oslo even via the center of winter. And as for the polar bears? You don’t have to fret about them within the winter whereas they’re hibernating.

Some efficient ideas for viewing the Northern Lights

1. Choose an acceptable time and placement: For optimum viewing, plan to go to distant areas or excessive latitudes through the winter months (September to March) when there’s much less mild air pollution.
2. Monitor the climate circumstances: Clear skies are essential for seeing the Northern Lights, so make sure to examine the climate forecast prematurely.
3. Train persistence: Seeing the Northern Lights shouldn’t be assured, so be ready to spend a number of nights looking for them.
4. Gown appropriately: Northern Lights viewing will be chilly and prolonged, so costume warmly in layers and produce correct gear resembling hand heaters, hats, gloves, and durable footwear.
5. Carry crucial tools: A digicam with handbook controls, a tripod, distant shutter launch, and further batteries are advisable for capturing the Northern Lights.
6. Take into account reserving a tour: In case you are uncertain of discover the Northern Lights or the place to go, take into account reserving a guided tour with an area professional who can present transportation, information, and tools.

By following the following tips, you may improve your possibilities of witnessing the charming great thing about the Northern Lights and profit from your expertise.

Conclusion on the place to see Northern Lights

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