The famous Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is an astonishing natural light show near the Arctic Circle. It’s a phenomenal natural light show born of the unique union of charged atmospheric and gaseous particles. The best time to take in these distinctive dancing lights is on any dark, clear night during the winter, fall, or even early spring.

While visibility is dependent on various weather conditions, location is key. The farther north you can go, the better the view. There are many lovely locations to actually experience this exceptional attraction. Here then, without further ado, are the world’s best places to see the Northern Lights.

1. Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

The city of Fairbanks is found in the well-known auroral oval, a circular region around the North Pole. Visit here from August to May when the lights are most often visible. If you’re a night owl, that’s even better because the lights become more intense between the hours of 10:00 pm and 2:00 am.  

No matter where you stay, keep in mind the lights are sometimes unpredictable. Even experts admit you might have to look for them for a while. You can sign on for a guided tour, or venture out on your own every night of your stay until you see them. TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals suggest booking a stay at the waterfront rental Moose Walk Cabin. There you can enjoy four-wheeling, hiking, and snowmobiling during the day, and sky-watch for the lights at night.

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Norway

Tromso is in the northern part of the country above the Arctic Circle. Like the previously-mentioned city of Fairbanks, it too is found within the auroral ring. The best time to visit Tromso is reportedly between October and mid-March. If you touchdown in January, you can even attend the yearly Northern Lights Festival, when both the locals and visitors participate in special outdoor events, live music, and other enjoyable activities.  

Rent the renovated oceanfront barn named Fjosen. This apartment/condo comes complete with three bedrooms and features floor-to-ceiling windows that allow you to look out over Ersfjordbotn, a.k.a. the “northern lights fjord,” and the nearby mountains too.

There’s also Borgvaag On The Water. This is a one-bedroom rental ensconced on the lovely Lofoten Islands, also above the Arctic Circle. Here you’ll enjoy 360-degree views of the aurora borealis.

You can also visit the popular Polarlight Centre Lofoten in Laukvik. There are instruments there that actually track all the magnetic activity of the famed lights, so people can get a better idea of when the lights are most visible. 

Another Lofoten Islands rental, Hattvika Lodge, provides travelers with not only noteworthy night views of the Northern Lights but daytime views of the charming Ballstad fishing harbor. If you visit in the summer, watch for the midnight sun.

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Iceland

The best time to see the colorful northern lights here is from August through April. Check the local forecast prior to heading out to increase your chances of catching them. Go to Selfoss, near Reykjavik, and see them from one of the villas available at Marta House.

If you arrive in winter, look for the lights from the popular Viking Cottage in Akureyri. It’s a cozy. one-bedroom rental that overlooks the bay. During their summer season, you can see the stunning midnight sun here too.  

If you travel to Reykjavik, check in at Brekka Cottage. Situated on a hillside, “brekka” means slope, this rental features three bedrooms. From here you can take in scenic views of the surrounding mountains, the Atlantic Ocean, and the lights as well. During the day you can even sign up for a popular Iceland Winter Adventure.

They offer hikes on the ice-blue glaciers, go snowshoeing across the lava fields, and see bubbling hot springs and frozen waterfalls. They also offer trips to see the magnificent, multi-colored northern lights.

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Scotland

Here they call the northern lights the “Mirrie (Merry) Dancers.” They’re generally brightest in the well-known northern Highlands. You can even get free alerts on the best time to see the lights here via email, Facebook, Twitter, or smartphone.

Visit Scotland’s Shetland Islands in January. They’re the closest British Isles to the North Pole. If you’re longing for lights of blue, green, orange, pink, and purple, wintertime is best. Rent Muckle Roe Chapel, situated on the attractive isle of Muckle Roet. This renovated chapel provides travelers with panoramic views of both the ocean and the aurora borealis.

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Alberta, Canada

Veteran visitors confirm you can see the lights from nearly “anywhere in Alberta,” but the best places here are in the famous Jasper and Wood Buffalo National Parks. They’re two of the world’s largest Dark Sky preserves.

Watch the skies over the Yukon Territory from August 1st to April 15th. Visit Watson Lake’s Northern Lights Centre, in Watson Lake to hear about the legends of the lights and learn about their origins.

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Finland

200 nights of the year, the Northern Lights can be seen here. Here you can drift off to sleep under the aurora borealis inside a glass igloo at the Kakslauttanen Resort, located north of the Arctic Circle. Search the night sky for the lights from a romantic reindeer-drawn sleigh ride through the wilderness.

There are many options including wood and glass igloos, lakeside domes, seaside glass villas, and sky cabins complete with glass roofs and windows. You can even stay in a traditional log house that has its own private sauna! 

Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, USA

If you live in the US and need to stay closer to home, visit Cherry Springs State Park. Luckily, you don’t need a passport to see the aurora borealis. This is an official Gold Level International Dark Sky Park. (Gold is actually the highest rating assigned by the renowned International Dark Sky Association.) Here park staff employ special light fixtures that do not inhibit your visibility and even have strict rules regarding flashlights and vehicle headlights.

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