Seeing the Northern Lights is considered by many to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This year, the Aurora Borealis became visible as far south as southern England, but you can usually only catch a glimpse if you head somewhere very cold, and very, well, northern.
But if you thought this was a good year for the amateur astronomer, just wait for 2026. We’re approaching what’s known as a ‘solar maximum’, which happens once every 11 years, and – simply put – means the sun is about to get super energetic. The Northern Lights are the result of charged particles from the sun hitting the Earth’s surface, so during periods of high activity, they become more visible.
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This stretch will last until next March, so this winter is the best chance you have to see the Aurora until 2037. Here’s a few ideas of where to go on your hunt for shimmering skies.
The best places on Earth to see the Northern Lights
The Nordic countries including Iceland, Sweden, Norway, and Finland see the lights on more than 200 nights a year, according to Travel Republic.
In Iceland, Þingvellir National Park, just outside of Reykjavik, benefits from dark skies, while the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon offers a pretty spectacular backdrop for the dancing lights.
In Sweden, the further north you can get the better – Abisko National Park is a known hotspot for seeing the lights in the country.
Finland is a great choice if you want to turn your Northern Lights trip into a longer holiday. Lapland in the winter means family days with Santa and his reindeer, and evenings staring at the starry skies. Alternatively, head to Oulu, a European city of culture for 2026, and a place where the Aurora Borealis are common.
Norway is known for being one of the best places in the world to see the lights. Places like Tromsø and Svalbard offer full-on Aurora experiences including glass-topped igloos to stay in, excursions to viewing spots, and uniquely, very short days. At the height of winter, Svalbard basically doesn’t see daylight, meaning you could see the lights at pretty much any time.
Another great option in Norway is Reine, a small fishing town recently named the third most gorgeous village in the world by Forbes.
As for North America, some parts of Canada’s Northwest Territories see 240 nights of activity per year – according to Travel Republic, ‘the Yukon and Nunavut also offer some of North America’s most consistent aurora sightings. Vast, dark skies and minimal light pollution make these regions ideal for photography’.
You could also opt for a cruise. From a boat, almost all light pollution is eliminated, meaning you could even see the lights from the balcony of your room – the ultimate comfort.
What are the Northern lights?
What we see as the Northern Lights is actually a complex chemical reaction happening at the surface of the Earth’s atmosphere. Put simply, when solar particles get close to Earth and hit the molecules in our air, they’re moving at millions of miles an hour. This interaction causes the particles to appear to light up in various colours from thousands of miles below – that’s how we see them down here.
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