10 countries to observe the Northern Lights

Do you want to live a magical moment? The feet on earth, the head in the stars, discover 10 countries where to observe the northern lights!

Is there a more intriguing and magical phenomenon than the Northern Lights? Unpredictable and splendid, these natural manifestations make each one of us dream. To be able to observe this, travellers will have to venture into mysterious, perched and glazed lands. From Lapland to Canada's North, passing through Greenland or Tasmania, going in search of polar aurora will make you discover beautiful and enchanting places. Far from these glazed lands, you can only be dazzled by their polar beauty, their givded scent and their fantasy lights! Tracing Northern Lights is not a thin business. Fortunately, the determined adventurers will be rewarded with an incredible show. Star dust, luminescent colors, multicolor scarves floating in the sky, the beauty of the aurora boreals can only marvel at you!

So what are the places in the world where you will have the most chance to see them? You are mentioned in this article in 10 countries where the Northern Lights are observed. You will have all the information to go on adventure and discover them!

Finland

Lapland necessarily evokes enchanting images and decors. After all, this Finnish region is Santa's refuge! To observe a boreal aurora in Finland, you are recommended to join Rovaniemi In the North. The city serves as access to neighbouring national parks. It is also in this magical place, surrounded by snow-covered and reindeer-populated forests, that passengers will be able to observe a boreal aurora.

Between two bright shows, you can discover Santa's Village, take a sledge, cross-country skiing or simply relax in the sauna like any laplant. In Lapland, the celestial fireworks show about one night in two between mid-September and late March! If the weather is clemency, you may have the chance to observe several during your stay in Finland.

Iceland

Iceland is a unique place in the world. With its glaciers, huge waterfalls, volcanoes and impressive geysers, it is a country to visit absolutely! In addition to its natural wonders, it is possible to attend games of heavenly light. Indeed, its latitude and its longitude make Iceland one of the most beautiful countries to observe the northern lights. If the weather is not always cooperative, you can admire them everywhere on the island. To enjoy the legendary Icelandic nights, just take a flight to Reykjavik . We can see boreal lights in its suburbs!

You can also admire beautiful dawns near Kirkjufell Mountain on the west coast or near Mývatn Lake in the north. Not far from the capital, the Snæfellsnes peninsula is also known to be one of the best spots in Iceland. To observe Northern lights in Iceland , we recommend coming from late August to early April.

Sweden

Like its neighbour, Swedish Lapland is one of the best places to observe the northern lights. In Kiruna, the northernmost city of Sweden, you can discover the beautiful mountains of the Abisko National Park, the local Saami culture and observe majestic reindeer. From this city, a short car ride will lead you to great places to admire the dawn. To be sure to observe one, you are advised to join the Aurora Sky Station, at the tip of the Abisko National Park. This is Sweden’s drier and brightest point. Located 900 metres above sea level, it is known as the best place to observe Northern Lights in Sweden.

As in Finnish Lapland, the Northern Lights appear here between mid-September and late March. As the weather is fairly stable in the area, you will likely be able to observe several during your stay in northern Sweden.

Norway

Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the Norwegian coastline is often milder than in other Nordic countries! This climate is particularly conducive to the observation of the northern lights. To discover them, you will only have the embarrassment of choice. Boreal lights can be observed in many places in Norway. The most popular are, of course, Lofoten, Tromsø, North Cape or nearby. It is particularly recommended that the magnificent Lake Prestvannet, located a few kilometers from the centre of Tromsø. This natural reserve without artificial light presents an ideal setting to observe the northern lights.

In addition to the aurora, you can discover beautiful fjords and majestic mountains during your stay. Norway is known for its spectacular landscapes! It should be noted that you can observe Northern Lights in Norway from mid-September to late March.

Canada

Canada is certainly one of the countries in which to observe the best known and appreciated Northern Lights! Crossing the Atlantic, you can discover famous places to admire them. Indeed, Canada is at the level of the auroral oval, that is, where we can see the most auroral aurora in the world! If the sky is clear, it is almost certain to be able to observe one of these heavenly wonders. As a result, sites are not missing in Canada: Whitehorse in Yukon, Yellowknife the capital of the Northwest Territories, or Wood Buffalo Canadian Park. Located in Alberta, Alberta is one of the most limpid places in the world.

On site, several companies organize observation circuits, with accommodation in a wooden hut or equimaux, in a tipi or in the beautiful star! It should be noted that it is also possible to observe the northern aurora in Quebec. However, they appear much more rarely and over a shorter period than elsewhere. The best sites in Quebec are Radisson and James Bay. To observe the Northern Lights in Canada, you can come from mid-August to late April. In Churchill and Wood Buffalo, they can also be admired from early August to early May.

United Kingdom (Scotland)

You may not have to travel to the other end of the world to be able to admire the Northern Lights. Although less known, Scotland is one of the countries where Northern Lights are observed. To discover them, we recommend visiting Aviemore or Cairngorms National Park, all in the north. All up there, you may have the chance to admire one of these colorful and bright dance shows. As the country is close to France, it is easier to access it and thus to discover the dawns. You can also enjoy this opportunity to visit Scotland and its wonders!

To have the chance to observe the Northern Lights in Scotland, you will have to come from October to early March.

Greenland

To admire these polar light games, you can also get to the North in cold and mysterious lands! Greenland offers a gigantic space, a virgin of all visual pollution. To enjoy the great purity of the night and admire the northern lights, you will have to go near the capital Nuuk or on the east coast to Tasiilaq. You can also observe beautiful aurora further south, in Fjord Tasermiut or near the Qaleraliq glacier. On this occasion you can also admire small floating icebergs, even in the summer!

Note that it is possible to observe the Northern Lights in Greenland from mid-August to late April in the south and from late August to mid-April in Nuuk.

Alaska

Alaska is obviously one of the best regions in the world where the northern lights are observed! Located just two degrees below the Arctic, Fairbanks is certainly the best place in the United States to see the dark and cold night light up. The city even offers its own forecast system as well as circuits to take the travellers away from the city's lights. You can also join Nome, who faces the Strait of Bering and Russia. The two cities focus more than 200 days of dawn a year!

Enjoy your stay in Alaska to visit Denali National Park. The latter houses Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America! Note that you will be able to observe the Northern Lights in Alaska from late August to mid-April.

Tasmanie New Zealand

This may surprise, but the Tasmania located south of Australia and New Zealand are among the countries where the Northern Lights are observed! If the celestial lights of the north are well known, the southern polar aurora are a little less. The phenomenon thus takes the name of southern aurora in the southern hemisphere.

In New Zealand, you can admire them on two sites, Mount John, near Lake Tekapo, and Stewart Island. In Tasmania, the best sites are Mount Wellington in Hobart, the Cradle Mountain Natural Park, and the Seven Miles Beach. These are the most accessible and close to the South Magnetic Pole, outside Antarctica. Solar winds that cause these southern aurora are difficult to predict. To observe the northern lights in New Zealand or Tasmania, the best period ranges from March to September.