Northern lights · September to March
Where to see the northern lights
The aurora borealis can be seen around the Arctic Circle when the nights are long and dark: from September to late March. These are the best places to try your luck, and what you should know before you go.
Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides
Norway
-
NorwayTromsø
The capital of Arctic Norway, right under the band with the most auroras, with night tours to chase clear skies. Thanks to the nearby sea, winter is less extreme than you might think.
September to March
What to see in Tromsø -
NorwayLofoten Islands
Peaks plunging into the sea, fishing villages and red cabins: the northern lights over the Lofoten fjords are among the most sought-after photos.
September to March
What to see in Lofoten Islands
Lapland: Finland and Sweden
Snowy forests, little light pollution and cabins where you can watch the sky from your bed.
-
FinlandRovaniemi
Santa Claus’s home town, on the Arctic Circle, with glass cabins and husky or reindeer sleigh rides to get away from the lights.
September to March
What to see in Rovaniemi -
FinlandSaariselkä
A small village among hills and forest, far to the north, with very little artificial light around.
September to March
What to see in Saariselkä -
FinlandInari
The land of the Sámi, beside a huge lake, and one of the places in Finland with the most aurora nights.
September to March
What to see in Inari -
FinlandLevi
A ski resort with auroras: slopes by day and the sky by night.
November to March
What to see in Levi -
SwedenAbisko
Famous for its “blue hole”, a microclimate that keeps the sky clear more often than in the surrounding area, and a lookout reached by chairlift.
September to March
What to see in Abisko -
SwedenKiruna
Sweden’s northernmost city, with the Icehotel at Jukkasjärvi next door.
September to March
What to see in Kiruna
Iceland
Auroras over glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls, and very easy to combine with the rest of your trip.
-
IcelandReykjavik
Night tours leave from the capital, and on good nights you can see them even from the outskirts.
September to April
What to see in Reykjavik -
IcelandJökulsárlón
Icebergs in the glacier lagoon with the aurora overhead: one of the most spectacular landscapes on the island.
September to March
What to see in Jökulsárlón -
IcelandSnæfellsnes Peninsula
Kirkjufell mountain under the northern lights is one of the most famous images of Iceland.
September to March
What to see in Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see the northern lights?
From September to March, when the nights are long and dark. September, October and March tend to have plenty of activity and less cold; December and January have more hours of darkness. What really matters is a clear sky.
Where is it easiest to see the northern lights: Norway, Finland or Iceland?
You can see them often in all three. Tromsø and Finnish and Swedish Lapland sit right under the band of highest activity; Abisko stands out for having clear skies more often; Iceland adds unique landscapes. The key is to have several nights in case some are cloudy.
Can you see the northern lights in Spain?
Very rarely: only during very strong solar storms, and as a reddish glow to the north, as happened in May and October 2024. To really see them, you have to go to the Arctic.
How many nights do you need to see the northern lights?
The more the better: with three or four nights in a good area your chances are high, because what usually lets you down is the cloud, not the aurora.
What should you wear to see the northern lights?
Layers: thermal underwear, a fleece and a down jacket, hat, gloves and snow boots. At night you spend a long time standing still outdoors, often well below freezing.
Bagintravel · We travel together
Shall we plan your trip wherever you choose?
Tell us where and in under a minute you’ll have your day-by-day route, with places to stay, transport, expenses and tips. And we go with you in your pocket, offline too.
The app is currently available in Spanish.
More travel ideas
- Snow destinations in Spain and Europe
- Christmas markets in Europe
- Where to spend New Year’s Eve
- All ideas
Reviewed 19 October 2026. Dates and seasonal warnings: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.
Cover photo: Andi Gentsch (CC BY-SA 2.0), Wikimedia Commons.