Wondering the place you possibly can see the Northern Lights in Europe? Trying to seek out the PERFECT European location the place you possibly can open your door and see the Aurora Borealis twinkling overhead every night time? Here are 7 of the perfect locations in Europe to extend your possibilities of seeing the Northern lights!
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The Northern Lights in Europe
If you’ve ever been fortunate sufficient to see the Northern lights, both in Europe or elsewhere, you’ll know that they’re BREATHTAKING.
Seriously, severely spectacular.
Which I’m guessing you already know, or wish to know, should you’re looking for the perfect locations to see the majestic Aurora Borealis.
In this publish, we’re going to share the perfect locations in Europe to see the Northern Lights, plus do our greatest that will help you see them, by sharing the 4 most important guidelines that the specialists say to comply with if you wish to see the Northern Lights in Europe (extra on these under)
Ready? Let’s dive in!
Where is the perfect place to see Northern Lights in Europe?
I hate to start out this publish off with some irritating information, however should you’re questioning the place in Europe are you able to see the Northern Lights, that you must know one factor first: there may be NO one finest place to see the Northern Lights. They are a transferring phenomenon and the ‘best places to see the Northern Lights in Europe’ change from month to month (even week to week or night time to nighttime!). This is strictly the identical within the Southern Hemisphere for the southern lights in New Zealand or elsewhere- the rattling factor retains transferring!
That mentioned, there are some locations the place your possibilities of seeing the Northern Lights in Europe improve dramatically and they’re persistently the perfect locations to go to.
How to extend your possibilities of seeing the Northern Lights in Europe- suggestions
There are 4 most important guidelines that the specialists comply with if you wish to improve the probabilities of seeing the Northern Lights in Europe. These are:
- Get North of the Arctic Circle between October and March
- Get inland, away from the ocean. Mountains are good as a result of they assist maintain the sky clear
- Be versatile. I do know this isn’t simple, if you’re reserving a vacation, however should you do have the choice to be versatile and journey the place the forecast has the perfect predicitions or the place the skies can be clearer, you’ll improve your probabilities so much!
- Be PATIENT– and settle for that it’s a chance! There is NEVER any assure of seeing the Aurora in anywhere, irrespective of how exhausting you strive. Patience is essential.
Where are you able to see the Northern Lights in Europe- break the principles!
We’ve been fortunate sufficient to see the Northern Lights on 7 separate nights. In reality, out of the 8 nights we’ve spent Aurora looking, just one was unsuccessful. We’ve been very lucky- and we’ve damaged rule quantity 2 just about on a regular basis.
Our first journey was a Hurtigruten cruise from Tromso up the Norwegian coast. It was an awesome journey since that is simply one of many finest European cities to go to in winter (years earlier than I began this weblog sadly), and we spent each night time sitting on deck in FREEZING temperatures, watching the Aurora swirl overhead and mirror on the ocean. It was totally magical.
The second time was in Iceland. We stayed in a small resort on the South Coast, and noticed the Aurora 3 out of 4 nights whereas we explored a few of the finest waterfalls in Europe.
We rented a automotive in Iceland, so drove miles into the wilderness to benefit from the present with none gentle air pollution in any respect! It was fairly superior.
Both instances, we selected our journey primarily based on a chance of seeing the Northern Lights, however with different points of interest which allowed us to have vacation regardless. Personally, I feel that’s the finest plan. Going to any of those locations is expensive- and also you don’t wish to depart upset. So choose someplace the place there’s something else superior to do (like motorhome snowboarding within the Alps!) as you chase the Northern Lights in Europe!
RELATED: Bizarre Customs and traditions in Europe that you simply’ve by no means heard of!
What’s the month for Northern Lights and to see the Northern Lights in Europe?
The finest time to see the Northern Lights in Europe and the perfect Northern Lights months are October- March, north of the Arctic Circle. The solar units very early up right here, which permits loads of darkness to provide the lights an opportunity to point out up.
Many individuals say Autumn or Spring are the perfect instances– winter is nearly TOO chilly. Both instances we’ve been has been March, however we all know many individuals who’ve seen them in different months- it truly is luck of the draw and why the perfect month for the Northern Lights can typically fluctuate. (Travelling in Autumn? Here are some wonderful concepts for locations to see in Autumn in Europe)
Practical suggestions for Photographing Aurora and seeing the Northern Lights in Europe
- Get distant from cities and different gentle air pollution, together with roads
- Allow about half-hour of darkness to your eye to regulate to the night time – making it simpler to do some private aurora images.
- Try and discover a location with an open view in direction of the North- the Aurora tends to point out over the North Pole
- Mountains and/ or lakes are good backdrops for AMAZING pictures when photographing Aurora
- After Twilight or simply earlier than daybreak are widespread instances for the Aurora to point out up and are normally the perfect time of day to see Northern Lights
- Wrap up warmly- you’re going to be exterior for some time!
- Learn learn how to use your digicam and analysis settings beforehand so you possibly can set it up rapidly and do some private Aurora images
- Take a tripod for photographing Aurora!
Where to see northern lights in Europe
The locations under are the perfect locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe and are available extremely beneficial by a whole bunch of travellers. Of course, there are different locations the place you possibly can see the Northern Lights in Europe- that’s a part of the enjoyable!
I’ve heard tales about them being seen as far south as Manchester, England on some (uncommon!) events!
Northern Lights Finland
Finland has just lately change into one of the vital widespread Northern Lights locations in Europe. It’s additionally one of many first locations in Europe that the Aurora tends to be visible- typically as early as mid-August!
Rovaniemi, Finland is the house of Santa (no, severely) and can be one of the vital widespread locations for Northern Light hunters. While on the lookout for the Rovaniemi Northern Lights, you possibly can even keep in log or glass cabins specifically inbuilt areas away from gentle air pollution to permit you a greater probability of seeing them out of your doorstep!
Finland has a low inhabitants ratio, so has stunning darkish skies free from gentle air pollution, loads of gorgeous surroundings together with lakes to mirror the Aurora and a hotter temperature till November. (Those lakes are additionally the right spot to check out ice fishing in Finland– you may even be capable to do it whereas watching the Finland Northern Lights overhead!)
In normal, the possibility of seeing the Rovaniemi Northern Lights on clear nights as round 40%, which can not sound like a lot however is definitely superb!
Best time to go to Finland and see the Finland Northern Lights
September- November (earlier than the massive snowfalls arrive. Snow= cloud= not a lot probability to see the sky! Spring (March/ April) might be good too- however the skies get lighter faster so there may be much less time.
Seeing the Northern Lights in Finland – How to get there
There are direct flights to Rovaniemi airport (Santa’s airport!) from UK and Europe in the course of the winter.
Northern Lights Sweden
Kiruna, Sweden
Sweden is the least populated nation in Northern Europe. Which means much less gentle air pollution. Which means extra probability to see the Aurora Borealis in all its glory.
Sweden additionally enjoys a reasonably delicate temperature till mid-November, which suggests clearer skies. Which means extra probability to see the Aurora Borealis in all its glory.
Kiruna is known for the wonderful Ice Hotel which is constructed every year. You can keep in one of many rooms, or simply go to for a tour. It’s additionally one of many finest European cities to go to in Europe in winter.
Abisko, Sweden
But should you REALLY wish to improve your possibilities of seeing the Sweden Northern Lights, then head north from Kiruna to the little city of Abisko.
This fairly place is VERY distant, however is within the mountains, whose winds assist to maintain the skies clear but additionally to control the temperatures. And the entire lack of sunshine air pollution means even weak Aurora shows might be seen right here. That’s why Abisko is definitely among the best locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe.
Abisko additionally has the Aurora Sky Station , which is an open chair elevate taking you as much as an statement lounge and restaurant on a mountaintop, the place you possibly can watch the Aurora while having fun with a 4-course meal. Wrap up warmly, however the views of the Abisko Northern Lights are SPECTACULAR!
Best time to Visit Sweden and See the Sweden Northern Lights?
September to finish of March
Other actions to take pleasure in
Husky sledding, excursions photographing Aurora, Lapland tour, skimobiles or stress-free in a ravishing log cabin, distant from the world!
Getting there
There are each day flights to Stockholm from the UK and Europe and from there you will get a flight to Kiruna. You also can get a prepare from Stockholm, together with the night time prepare which simply feels like enjoyable! Or, you would all the time street journey there use this publish for some superior street journey concepts in Europe.
To get to Abisko, you will have to make use of the prepare or bus from Kiruna.
Northern Lights Iceland- one of many most cost-effective locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe
Iceland is a cool vacation spot in its personal right- the truth that you may see the Iceland Northern Lights as properly is simply an added bonus! It’s additionally one of many most cost-effective locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe.
Don’t anticipate enormous snowdrifts- however the lack of snow clouds is likely one of the causes you get such excessive viewing stats in Iceland – making it among the best locations to see Northern Lights in Europe.
Again, the Gulf Stream works its magical magic (technical time period) and by some means the temperatures are barely hotter than they need to be. All these volcanoes additionally assist maintain the temperatures hotter too!
Don’t get me fallacious, it’s nonetheless chilly in winter, however get away from the cities and also you’ve received an awesome probability of seeing the Iceland Northern Lights.
Best time to go to Iceland and See the Iceland Northern Lights?
October to finish of March. Autumn and Spring are thought-about the perfect instances.
Other actions to take pleasure in
Rent a automotive and do your individual tour- a 4×4 is a good thought! Otherwise, e book onto a number of excursions to go to Geysers, Volcanoes, Glaciers, Waterfalls, boat cruises and the Blue Lagoon (which we DIDN’T do after we went and we remorse it. So now we now have to return!)
Getting to Iceland
There are frequent flights to Rekyjavik from the UK and Europe.
Northern Lights Norway
Svalbard, Norway
Svalbard is a bunch of islands north of the Northern coast of Norway. It’s the northernmost inhabited place in Europe and it’s well-known for its polar bears.
Svalbard lies within the Arctic Ocean midway between Norway and the North Pole. It’s distant, desolate and an ideal place to see Norway Northern Lights!
It’s coated in untouched glaciers, HUGE mountains and a variety of wildlife (though in winter a lot of it is going to be hibernating or hiding!
During the summer season, the solar by no means units in Svalbard, and in the course of the winter (November to February), there may be NO daylight. None.
This is why you stand such an awesome probability of seeing the Svalbard Northern Lights – it may actually seem at any time of the day or night time.
In October and February, you’ll expertise a twilight and ‘dawn’ with blue gentle, which can be wonderful to see. (Here are some concepts for different nice locations to see in Europe in October)
Other issues to do in Svalbard moreover see the Svalbard Northern Lights
Dog sledding; Snowmobiling; Glacial Ice caving; Snow-shoeing; photographing Aurora excursions and normal Aurora looking excursions
Getting to Svalbard
Svalbard has the world’s most northern airport accepting scheduled flights. The commonest route is from Oslo which takes 3 hours- not many locations in UK or Europe have scheduled flights to Longyearbyen.
NOTE: You WILL want a passport or different Government-issued ID to get to Svalbard.
Tromso, Norway
Tromso is the biggest metropolis in Northern Norway. It’s north of the Arctic circle and, though it’s on the ocean, it’s surrounded by fjords and mountains which assist maintain the sky clear AND give an incredible backdrop for the Tromso Norway Northern Lights to point out off on.
For finest views, attempt to get out of town for the evening- there are LOADS of Tromso Northern Lights tour choices which let you do that! Alternatively, should you’re touring Norway in a motorhome or campervan, be sure you keep properly away from built-up areas on clear nights.
Best time to go to Norway and see the Norway Northern Lights?
September- April
Other actions to take pleasure in in Tromso
Dog sledding; Snowmobile excursions; Polar bear museum and in January there may be the Northern Lights Festival– a music competition showcasing native and worldwide artists starting from classical to jazz!
Getting to Tromso
Plenty of direct flights to Tromso from UK and Europe. There’s additionally a prepare from Oslo, the place you possibly can take pleasure in a few of these breathtaking locations to see in southern Norway
Northern Lights Scotland
Where are you able to see the Northern Lights in Europe? Shetland, Scotland
Can you see the Northern Lights in Scotland?
Absolutely! And the perfect place to see the Northern Lights in Scotland is within the Shetlands.
The Shetlands are among the best locations to see the Northern Lights in Scotland. The Arctic Circle is simply 650 miles north and winter is DARK.
The Shetland Islands are an archipelago of greater than 100 islands, sitting between Norway and Scotland. They’re technically nearer to Norway than Scotland, in order that they’re not precisely subsequent to the Scotland Mainland, which you will be exploring as a part of this unmissable Scotland itinerary!
15 of the Shetland Isles are inhabited and, though they’re very distant, they’ve a singular tradition and heritage, with plenty of Viking museums and memorabilia to discover while you’re ready for the Aurora to point out up and performing some scenic drives in Scotland.
Best Place to See Northern Lights in Scotland and How to get to Shetland
There’s a ferry, however I actually don’t fancy these stormy winter seas! The finest means is by aircraft from both Bergen in Norway or a number of airports in Scotland.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Switzerland
The brief (and considerably stunning reply!) is that sure, you possibly can see Switzerland Northern Lights. But not typically. Occasionally the Aurora Borealis is so robust that it’s going to attain all the way in which south and you may see the Northern Lights in Switzerland. But there isn’t any approach to predict when this can occur and it occurs very VERY hardly ever (each few years or so.)
So don’t e book your journey to Switzerland primarily based on that! (But do nonetheless go- Switzerland is AMAZING and we cherished the GelmerBahn Funicular)!
READ MORE: Everything that you must find out about street journeys & campervanning in Switzerland
So, the place is the perfect place for Northern Lights in Europe?
Wherever you’re and they’re on the identical time! Seeing them is breathtaking and unforgettable. I sincerely hope you get that probability!
Safe travels as you journey to the perfect locations to see Northern Lights in Europe – and let me understand how you get on!
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