Best places to see the northern lights

Witnessing the northern lights is a magical experience. This naturally occurring light display, known formally as the aurora borealis, can take on hues ranging from pale pink and blue to vibrant red and purple as it dances across the night sky.

Many travelers add viewing the northern lights to their bucket lists, planning full trips around where and when to see them. But how do you choose the right location and timing? This guide will share some of the best places to see the northern lights—and when to plan your trip to improve your viewing odds.

What you’ll learn:

• Destinations like Iceland and Norway are renowned for their dazzling northern lights displays, but glimpses can also be caught in lesser-known locations like Scotland and parts of the U.S.

• In most places, your odds of seeing the northern lights increase fall through spring, especially during the longer, darker winter months.

• If you’ll be traveling internationally to view the northern lights, make sure you have an updated passport and check travel visa requirements at least six months before you leave.

Since the northern lights are a natural phenomenon, predicting where and when to see them can be a little tricky. They occur when the sun sends out solar winds, which are streams of charged particles that get pulled into Earth’s magnetic field, usually by the North and South poles. These particles release energy as light when they collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in this spectacular natural light show.

To see the northern lights, you need a clear, dark sky away from light pollution—and often, a good amount of patience and luck. While no sighting is ever guaranteed, some locations in the world offer better chances. If you’re hoping to experience this wondrous light spectacle on an upcoming trip, here’s where to see the northern lights as recommended by some top travel experts:

Iceland is known as one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. At the southern edge of the Arctic Circle, the auroras occur almost nightly. While the perfect viewing location can vary, generally, the farther away from city lights you are, the better your odds. But the capital of Reykjavik is still a solid destination for viewing, offering various tours and plenty of other attractions, like its geothermal pools. 

When to go: The best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is September through April. On a clear night during the winter, you can join various sightseeing excursions with guides who understand where to find the best conditions that improve your chances of witnessing the aurora borealis.

Norway offers plenty of locations and opportunities to see the northern lights. You’ll want to plan to head to the northern part of the country rather than stay in the capital, Oslo, which is too far south of the Arctic Circle. Towns like Tromsø and Svalbard are popular areas for viewing the northern lights, as long as you can escape light pollution. 

When to go: Like Iceland, planning a trip to see the northern lights in Norway should take place between September and April—the peak months are November through the end of January, when the nights are the longest. With the sky darkening from the afternoon until late the next morning, you’ll have plenty of chances to catch a glimpse of the auroras.

The northern part of Alaska, especially Fairbanks, is a perfect place to see the northern lights. It’s located in a ring-shaped zone called the auroral oval, which circles the North Pole. Visitors typically can view the auroras several nights of the week. Book a northern lights tour with a knowledgeable guide who can take you to the best spots to help improve your odds.

When to go: The aurora season in Alaska is from August to April, with the colors often appearing most vibrant between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. Keep in mind that due to Alaska’s midnight sun, seeing the northern lights in the summer months most likely won’t happen.

Like Alaska, parts of Canada are also located in the auroral oval. In the Northwest Territories, the capital city, Yellowknife, is known for its spectacular northern lights shows. In fact, the Northwest Territories is known to rival Iceland as being the best place in the world to see the northern lights, as the auroras are usually visible for 240 nights of the year. But the wilderness of the Yukon Territory, which shares a border with Alaska, is also an excellent destination for northern lights viewing.

When to go: Between November and early April along with mid-August through October are the best times of the year to see the northern lights in Canada. The nights are long and clear and offer peak visibility chances. And if you go in the fall, you’ll enjoy milder weather too.

Located in the northern part of Sweden, the region known as Swedish Lapland is one of the best places to view the auroras. In this “Northern Lights Belt,” you’ll find small villages, like Jukkasjärvi where you can stay at the famous Icehotel in a special ice room or suite. And the hotel offers excursions you can book to ensure you get the best views of the northern lights. 

When to go: Your best chance of seeing the northern lights in Sweden is between December and March. The winter months bring longer nights, darker skies and stronger solar activity.

Greenland may not be the easiest destination to visit for northern lights viewing, but if you can get there, you’ll be rewarded with some amazing auroral shows. In the northern region, head to the tiny town of Kangerlussuaq, located on a fjord along the Arctic Circle. This area generally sees 300 clear nights throughout the year. But keep in mind that warm clothing isn’t optional—temperatures can fall to 22 degrees below freezing in the winter.

When to go: Plan your trip to Greenland to see the northern lights during the peak season, between September and April.

The northernmost part of Finland is known as Finnish Lapland, located above the Arctic Circle. It’s here you’ll find the best chances for catching views of the northern lights—weather permitting, of course. But because it’s less populated than other regions of Finland, you’ll have more opportunities to be away from city lights to ensure an ultimate aurora-viewing experience. And if you’re a skier, you can hit the slopes at one of the many nearby ski resorts during the day.

When to go: Autumn and spring tend to be the best times of the year to see the northern lights in Finland, specifically the months of September and March. But spring is also the busier ski season, so plan on booking your trip pretty far in advance if you’d like to visit at that time of year.

Scotland might not be the first country to come to mind when thinking about the best places to see the northern lights, but certain regions offer some spectacular views. Head to the northernmost parts of the Scottish Highlands or areas along the country’s west coast, like Applecross or Lochinver. You might also catch glimpses of the aurora borealis on the islands of Skye or Lewis, or further north on the Shetland Islands, where it’s known as the “Mirrie Dancers” in the Shetland dialect.

When to go: You’ll increase your chances of seeing the northern lights in Scotland between September and March, when the night sky is darker than other times of the year.

In 2020, Voyageurs National Park was certified as an International Dark Sky Park, making it one of the best places to see the aurora borealis, not just in the U.S. but in the entire world. The park is located far away from light pollution along the Canadian border of Minnesota. Voyageurs offers around 218,000 acres of wilderness, and on a dark, clear night, visitors are often rewarded with seeing the northern lights along an unobstructed horizon.

When to go: The auroras can be seen year-round at Voyageurs National Park, but your best bet is to visit during the autumn and winter months, when the nights are longer.

Another certified International Dark Sky Park in the U.S., Headlands, is located in Mackinaw City in Michigan’s lower peninsula. While it’s known for its opportunities for stargazing, views of the Milky Way and meteor showers during summer evenings, you might also be lucky enough to witness the northern lights in the night sky. In fact, the county has taken measures to limit light pollution within the park to help preserve the darkness throughout the year. 

When to go: The best times to see the northern lights at Headlands International Dark Sky Park are in late March and late September, around each equinox.

Before you pack your bags and head out in hopes of catching the unforgettable sight of the northern lights, you’ll want to take a few steps to properly plan your trip. 

First, if you plan to travel internationally, make sure you have an updated passport—if not, keep in mind that you’ll need to renew your passport at least six months before you leave. Some countries may also require a travel visa, depending on the length of your stay and where you’re visiting. 

Eligible cardholders can use Capital One Travel to book their flight, hotel and rental car. Plus, while you’re traveling, use your Capital One travel and miles rewards credit card—like Venture or Venture X—to earn unlimited miles on every purchase.

From Iceland to the U.S., you have plenty of options to see the dazzling natural phenomenon known as the northern lights around the world. Just take note of the best time to go after choosing your destination—the time of year can be just as important as the location. 

Ready to plan your next adventure? Compare Capital One travel rewards cards and apply today to earn rewards while you explore.