Chasing the Dance of the Northern Sky
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, have long been regarded as one of the most breathtaking natural phenomena that humankind can witness. When night falls over the Arctic, the sky suddenly bursts into waves of green, purple, and pink, like immense ribbons of silk dancing gracefully across the heavens. It is a moment that leaves every spectator silent in awe, overwhelmed by the feeling of touching the universe’s magic.
Photo credit: collected
Yet the aurora does not appear everywhere. To witness this phenomenon, you must be in the right place, at the right time, with a touch of luck. Among countless destinations, a few stand out as almost certain, where the chances of seeing the Northern Lights are so high that travelers can confidently expect to marvel at nature’s most spectacular light show. Below are the six best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, arranged from the highest probability to lower, though each promises a dreamlike Arctic adventure.
Top spots to see the Northern Lights worldwide
Yellowknife, Canada - The Aurora Capital of North America
Best time to visit: Late August to April
If there is one place on Earth where you are almost guaranteed to see the Northern Lights, it is Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories. Situated directly beneath the auroral oval, Yellowknife boasts more than 240 nights of aurora displays each year. The skies here are clear, dry, and free from light pollution, making it the perfect stage for the Northern Lights.
Photo credit: collected
Many visitors head to Aurora Village, a unique lodge dotted with traditional teepees. Imagine standing by a crackling campfire, a cup of hot cocoa warming your hands, when suddenly the sky explodes into shimmering ribbons of green and violet. The sight makes you forget the biting cold, leaving only wonder and the sense of witnessing one of the universe’s most sacred secrets.
Abisko, Sweden - The Clear Skies of the Blue Hole
Best time to visit: September to April
If Canada holds the record for aurora nights, Europe treasures a gem called Abisko, famed for its unique “Blue Hole.” This is a patch of sky that almost never clouds over, even when surrounding areas are blanketed by storms. Thanks to this rare phenomenon, Abisko offers one of the most reliable chances in the world to see the Northern Lights.
Photo credit: collected
In the heart of Swedish Lapland, travelers can ride a cable car up to the Aurora Sky Station, where the vast night sky unfolds above. When the aurora appears, pale green lights ripple against the starry sky, reflected on the frozen surface of Lake Torneträsk. Standing there, silence surrounds you, broken only by the soft dance of light across the heavens. In Abisko, the Northern Lights are less a coincidence and more a promise from nature itself.
Fairbanks, Alaska - The Heart of the Auroral Oval
Best time to visit: August to April
In North America, Fairbanks is one of the most famous and reliable places to see the aurora. Positioned right within the auroral oval, where the lights are most active, Fairbanks offers excellent chances of witnessing the spectacle throughout the long Arctic winter.
Photo credit: collected
Fairbanks also pairs its aurora magic with experiences unique to Alaska. By day, you might explore the Aurora Ice Museum, where sculptures glisten in icy blue light, or try ice fishing and dog sledding. By night, nothing compares to soaking in the Chena Hot Springs while the sky erupts in a dazzling dance of green and purple above you. It is a moment of deep serenity, a memory that stays with you forever.
Tromsø, Norway - The Aurora Capital of Europe
Best time to visit: September to March
In Europe, no place is more synonymous with the Northern Lights than Tromsø. Located right in the auroral oval, this small Arctic city is often called the “Aurora Capital of the World.” During winter, it becomes a hub for travelers from across the globe, all waiting for the night sky to ignite.
Photo credit: collected
What makes Tromsø special is the variety of ways to experience it. Join a large Aurora Chase bus tour, traveling snowy roads in search of clear skies, or opt for a small-group tour with a professional photographer to capture your perfect shot. And when the lights finally swirl across the sky, a cup of hot chocolate or a cozy dinner by a bonfire makes the experience all the more magical.
Lapland, Finland - Watching the Lights from Glass Igloos
Best time to visit: September to March
In Lapland, the Northern Lights are not only a natural wonder but also a carefully crafted experience. The region is world-famous for its glass-roofed igloo hotels, where you can lie in bed wrapped in warmth and watch the aurora dance directly above you. On average, the lights appear here on 200 nights each year, giving travelers plenty of opportunities.
Photo credit: collected
Lapland also enchants visitors with other Arctic experiences: visiting Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, riding husky sleds through snowy forests, or gliding on a reindeer sleigh across frozen landscapes. Together, they create a journey that feels both mythical and romantic, where the Northern Lights shine as a gift from the far north.
Iceland, Auroras - Over Volcanoes and Waterfalls
Best time to visit: August to April
While Iceland may not have the sheer number of aurora nights as Yellowknife or Abisko, it offers some of the most dramatic backdrops on Earth. At Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, the aurora reflects on icebergs to create a surreal painting. At Skógafoss Waterfall, the lights seem to pour down with the cascade, glowing with raw energy.
Photo credit: collected
Many travelers combine aurora hunting with the Golden Circle route, exploring geysers, waterfalls, and rift valleys by day before watching the sky ignite at night. Others prefer to soak in the Blue Lagoon, when suddenly the heavens shimmer with green and violet above. In Iceland, the Northern Lights are unpredictable, but when they appear, they transform the entire island into a stage of pure wonder.
First-Time Northern Lights Experience Tips
- Preparation is key: If you are chasing the aurora for the first time, plan carefully and be well prepared.
- Start from your first night: The lights are unpredictable, so give yourself as many chances as possible.
- Watch between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.: This is usually the best time, so be ready to stay up late or use hotel aurora wake-up calls.
- Dress warmly in layers: Wear multiple layers, gloves, hats, boots, and bring hand warmers, since you may be outdoors for hours.
- Bring the right camera gear: Use a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a tripod, because phone cameras rarely capture the full beauty.
- Escape city lights: The darker the sky, the brighter and clearer the aurora will appear
Photo credit: collected
A Northern Dream to Remember
Seeing the Northern Lights is not just about travel, it is about touching the grandeur of the universe. Whether you choose the certainty of Yellowknife, the clear skies of Abisko, the wilderness of Fairbanks, the vibrance of Tromsø, the romance of Lapland, or the raw beauty of Iceland, each destination offers a unique journey where the aurora becomes a lasting memory etched into your heart.
Once you witness the aurora with your own eyes, you will understand why it is called the Northern Dream, a dreamlike gift from nature that everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime.
