The aurora borealis can be seen in different parts of the world, but your best bet is to head far enough north. A northern location alone, however, does not determine what you will see in the sky. Clear weather is essential, and it is best to find a viewing spot away from city lights.
So, where is the best place to see aurora borealis? In this article, we explore some of the world’s best-known aurora destinations, compare different options, and look at where to see the northern lights in Finland. You will also find practical tips for choosing a good place to watch the aurora.
Best places to see aurora borealis – top 5
The aurora borealis can be seen in different parts of the Northern Hemisphere, but for travelers hoping to see the northern lights, these five regions are generally among the most interesting:
- Finnish Lapland
- Northern Norway
- Northern Sweden
- Iceland
- Alaska
Where is the best place in the world to see the aurora borealis?
It is difficult to name a single place as the best aurora destination in the world, as the northern lights can be seen across a wide area at high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. From a traveler’s perspective, the Arctic regions of Northern Europe and North America are particularly interesting.
Finnish Lapland has a long aurora season, and it is easy to reach dark, natural surroundings even from the main tourist resorts. In North America, Alaska, is known for its location beneath the auroral oval. Next, we will take a closer look at what makes these two regions popular destinations for seeing the northern lights.
Finnish Lapland is a reliable aurora destination in Europe
Finnish Lapland is an excellent choice if you are planning a trip to Europe to see the northern lights.
One of Lapland’s greatest advantages is its long aurora season, which begins in late summer and continues well into spring.
In Northern Finland, the northern lights occur on around 200 nights a year, and during the aurora season, they can be seen in Lapland on average every other night. Open areas can be found along lakeshores and in the fells. Another advantage is that you can quickly reach darker surroundings from the main tourist resorts, giving you plenty of opportunities to see the northern lights during the winter.
Lapland also has plenty to offer during the winter days. While evenings can be spent looking for the northern lights, during the day you can go skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, take a husky or reindeer tour, or try other winter activities.
On the other side of the world, Alaska attracts aurora seekers
In North America, aurora travel is largely focused on the northern parts of the continent. For those who do not want to travel to Europe, Alaska is one of the best-known options, and Fairbanks in particular has established itself as a popular base for aurora seekers.
One reason for this is Fairbanks’ location beneath the auroral oval. The auroral oval is a ring-shaped zone around the Earth’s magnetic poles where auroral activity is typically concentrated. When auroral activity increases, the oval can expand, allowing the northern lights to be seen farther south than usual.
In Fairbanks, the aurora season generally runs from late August through April. The area’s low precipitation and location far from the coast contribute to clearer nights, making Fairbanks well suited for aurora viewing.
Where to see aurora borealis in Finland?
In Finland, the best chances of seeing the aurora borealis are in the northern parts of the country, especially in Lapland. The farther north you travel, the more often you can spot the aurora in the night sky. It is sometimes possible to see the northern lights in southern Finland as well, but if seeing the aurora is the main goal of your trip, we recommend heading to Lapland.
Good bases for aurora hunting include Rovaniemi and areas farther north in Lapland, such as Levi, Pyhä, Salla, and Kilpisjärvi.
At My Lapland Travel, we organize northern lights tours from Rovaniemi. We monitor the weather conditions and take our guests to locations where the chances of seeing the aurora are best that evening. However, we are not limited to the Rovaniemi area, and if necessary, we can travel farther, even beyond Finland’s borders.
Where is the best place to see the aurora borealis in nature?
A good place to see the aurora does not always have to be a remote wilderness area or the top of a fell. What matters more is having as little artificial light as possible and a clear, open view of the sky. The direction you are facing also matters, especially when the aurora appears low on the horizon.
The FMI Space research website sums up the key features of a good aurora viewing spot well: “Find a dark, open place preferably far away from town lights. As auroras are most often seen on the northern sky, try to find an unrestricted view at least toward the northern horizon.”
Next, we will take a closer look at how these factors affect your chances of seeing the aurora.
Find an open area with a clear view of the sky
For aurora viewing, choose an open spot where you can see as much of the sky as possible. A lakeshore, an open field, or a fell landscape can all provide good conditions.
Tall buildings, a nearby hillside, or trees surrounding you in the middle of a forest can block part of the sky, making it easier to miss auroras that appear low on the horizon.
Get away from city lights
The less artificial light there is around you, the easier it is to see the northern lights. The faintest auroras are only visible in dark conditions, so instead of staying in the city center, look for a spot away from streetlights and other sources of artificial light.
It is also best to avoid car headlights and other bright lights whenever possible. Giving your eyes time to adjust to the darkness makes even faint auroras easier to spot.
Look for clear, cloudless skies
Cloud cover is one of the most important factors affecting whether you can see the northern lights. Even strong aurora activity will not help much if the sky is covered by thick clouds. A few clouds are not necessarily a problem, though, as the aurora can still be clearly visible between them.
That is why it is worth paying even closer attention to the weather forecast than to the aurora activity forecast. Even if it is cloudy in one location, the sky may be clear just a short drive away. This is also why we keep our northern lights tours flexible and, when necessary, head to areas where the weather looks more promising.
Wait until the sky is dark
Auroras occur throughout the year, but the sky needs to be dark enough for you to see them. This is why the northern lights are practically impossible to see during Lapland’s bright summer nights.
The long hours of darkness make winter nights particularly good for aurora viewing, but the northern lights can also be seen in autumn and early spring. As the Finnish Meteorological Institute explains, auroras are most commonly seen within a couple of hours around midnight.
“However, they can occur at any time during the night, and during major geomagnetic storms, they may even light up the sky from sunset to sunrise.”
Be prepared to wait and, if necessary, change locations
Patience is important when hunting for the northern lights. Even when the forecast looks promising, you may sometimes have to wait quite a while for the aurora to appear. So do not worry if you do not see anything as soon as it gets dark, as conditions can change very quickly.
When searching for the northern lights, be prepared to wait and, if necessary, continue to another location. As we mentioned earlier, the sky may be clear just a few dozen kilometers away even when it is cloudy where you are.
Summary: Finnish Lapland is the best place to see aurora borealis
Finnish Lapland is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. Its northern location, long aurora season, and easy access to dark natural surroundings create ideal conditions for seeing the aurora. There is also plenty to do during the day, so aurora hunting can easily be combined with an unforgettable winter holiday in Lapland.
Looking for an unforgettable northern lights experience? On our northern lights tours at My Lapland Travel, we choose the route and destination based on the conditions each evening. Our local guides monitor the weather and cloud cover and head wherever the skies look most promising. If necessary, we travel farther from Rovaniemi in search of clear night skies.
Our tours are arranged in small groups of up to eight guests, and we travel in a comfortable van. During the evening, we may also stop by a campfire for some snacks while waiting for the northern lights to appear.
Would you like to see the northern lights for yourself in Finnish Lapland? Get in touch or book a northern lights tour and join us in search of the aurora.
Sources
When and where can you see the northern lights?
Northern Lights Tours from Rovaniemi Across Lapland