7 Destinations to Capture the Magic of the Northern Lights

The festive season might have just wrapped up but this doesn’t mean that there’s no more exciting travel opportunities for the rest of wintertime! For many people it’s a lifelong dream to experience the Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as the Northern Lights. This natural phenomenon happens when energized particles from the sun collide with the contents of the Earth’s upper atmosphere. 

The beautiful dance of lights can be best observed from early autumn all the way to early spring, particularly around the equinoxes of September and March. That being said, the winter months are ideal because of the limited hours of sunlight across the Arctic Circle; the contrast of the dark sky makes it easier to observe and capture this majestic natural phenomenon on camera.

In this article we will explore seven destinations in the Arctic Circle that offer both the essential tourism infrastructure, as well as the right coordinates to enhance skywatching. Let’s go!

Tromsø is the largest city in Northern Norway, numbering around 70,000 inhabitants. It’s known worldwide as one of the best places for whale-watching, as well as for its potential for aurora-watching. The city was already a Viking stronghold since the 9th century and has since developed into a cultural, research and tourism hub.

While you are waiting for the Northern Lights to appear, visit the beautiful Arctic Cathedral, or spend some time familiarizing yourself with working huskies at one of the local kennels. Tromsø also hosts the northernmost botanical garden in the world, including multiple species of alpine flora that would otherwise be out of reach for the average person.

The Swedish Lapland is a vast area, bigger than many countries in the world. Its financial and cultural center is Kiruna, a city long-known for its close proximity to vast, untouched wilderness. Kiruna is a city undergoing critical transformation; due to mining making some areas unsafe for building, the local authorities are in the process of literally moving the whole city and all its infrastructure to more stable ground by 2035.

Kiruna is mostly known to tourists for two things: its Aurora Sky Station and the Ice Hotel. The former lies just an hour’s drive away in Abisko, offering premium conditions for Northern Light-watching, while the latter has made headlines for its ice sculptures and for offering a fairytale-like atmosphere.

The land of ice and fire has inspired many generations of travelers, explorers, and artists. Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, is the perfect base to hunt for the Aurora Borealis. The city is home to impressive buildings such as the Hallgrímskirkja and the Perlan, which manage to fit in the local landscape perfectly while looking impressively contemporary. The city is also home to over 60 museums and multiple annual festivals.

What’s even more interesting for the visitor is Reykjavik’s close proximity to the so-called Icelandic “Golden Circle”. This 300km route covers three beautiful natural wonders of high significance for the Icelandic nation: the Þingvellir National Park, the Gullfoss waterfall, and the Haukadalur geothermal park.

Known as the ‘Official Hometown of Santa Claus’, Rovaniemi is the administrative capital of the vast Lapland region of Finland. Much of its touristic product revolves around the Santa Claus myth, offering a large variety of themed spots, such as the ‘Santa Claus Post Office’ and the ‘Santa Claus Village’. While in the area, animal lovers can delight in the opportunity to take a sleigh ride with well-trained working husky dogs or pet reindeer at the renowned Elf’s Farm Yard.

The whole Lapland area boasts great potential for aurora-spotting and Rovaniemi is no exception. A particularly inviting spot for skywatching is the Arctic Garden, adjacent to the Arktikum Science Center and Museum. The garden is maintained by the University of Lapland and is also a premium spot to photograph the Midnight Sun phenomenon during the summer months.

The second largest city by population in the state of Alaska, Fairbanks is closely connected to the Northern Lights phenomenon. The city hosts the Geophysical Institute, issuing one of the most accurate aurora forecast services globally. Its prime location within the Auroral Oval makes it a great spot for skywatching.

Although landlocked Fairbanks is not as popular a destination as the dramatic coastal areas of Alaska, it still has plenty of things to offer. The city is known for its large number of museums and festivals for its small size. The Aurora Ice Museum stands out for being the world’s largest year-round environment shaped exclusively by ice.

This tiny town of 900 in the Canadian frontier is known as the ‘polar bear capital of the world’. Up until a few decades ago, it was common for locals and visitors alike to spot polar bears roam free in and around town, as Churchill was built on their annual migratory route from the ice cap in the winter to more stable ground in the spring and summer. Today, the town remains popular for wildlife photography tours, although the local bear population has dwindled significantly.

In addition to all that, Churchill is also conveniently located in the Auroral Oval, making it a great spot for Aurora Borealis hunters. Heated glass domes have been constructed out of town for visitors to be able to admire the natural phenomenon. February and March are cited as the two months when the Northern Lights are strongest in this part of the world.

The Northern Lights capital of North America, Yellowknife is the administrative center and only city in the vast Northwest Territories of Canada. As you can already guess, the main attraction in this part of the world is the aurora itself and most of the area’s tourism product revolves around spotting and capturing this beautiful phenomenon.

Another thing that Yellowknife is known for is its rich local culture. The whole Northwest Territories region is home to a large number of different indigenous peoples, each boasting their own unique language and customs. Fishing, hiking, and other activities are organized by the locals, bringing tourists closer to these once isolated and relatively unknown cultures.