The 10 Countries Where You Can See the Amazing Northern Lights

The northern lights are a stunning sight to see. The swirly, green lights up in the dark sky can put you in a trance. When you see blue, purple, and red intertwined with the green, it means you have seen a more rare form of northern lights. These magical lights happen because of disturbances in the magnetosphere. Electrons and protons run into the Earth’s gasses, which then cause these flashes in the sky. You may notice that the northern lights, which are more formally known as aurora borealis, are flowing or dancing in the night sky. This dancing is because billions of these flashes take place sequentially.

Although you could see the northern lights as far south as the Mediterranean, this is extremely rare. Usually, you have to see them when you are located close to the North Pole. Let’s explore the 10 countries where you can see the amazing northern lights.

Iceland

Because Iceland is so high up near the North Pole, winters can be dark and gloomy. But the perk of having dark days and nights during winter is the ability to see the northern lights. Of course, it’s not every day that you can see the northern lights. The sky has to be clear, and free from fog, clouds, and other precipitation. The best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is around the two equinoxes in September and March, but with more darkness during the winter months of December and January, you can see them more clearly.

Norway

Another great place to see the northern lights is Norway. Norway’s tourism is not dependent on this amazing phenomenon, but there is an interesting correlation between higher tourism and the northern lights activity. Nordic countries have long benefited from strong economies and scientists determined that there could be a slight correlation between aurora borealis and the economic states of these countries. The best time to see the northern lights in Norway is from mid-September to late March, and the country’s fjords and landscapes make for a stunning view of scenery and dancing lights.

Finland

The third Nordic on the list, Finland is super close to the North Pole, especially the northern regions. Although the best time to visit Finland to see the northern lights is from late August to April, in Finnish Lapland it is possible to see them over 200 nights per year. Finnish northern lights have been getting more popular and the Finnish Meteorological Institute has a dedicated webpage of when to see the northern lights in real-time.

Sweden

Scandinavian countries are the best nations known to feature the northern lights. When it comes to Sweden, the northern part of the country, such as the region known as Lapland, is best to catch the northern lights at its finest. The southern portion of the country may be too south or if you’re in big cities, it could hamper your vision of them due to the light pollution. Like the previous countries, going in the winter months, or from September to March, can greatly increase your chance of seeing the northern lights.

Greenland

Greenland is technically a territory (or country within the Kingdom of Denmark), but it deserves its highlight because of where Greenland is on the map. It’s best to see the northern lights from September to April and can be seen from anywhere in the country. In southern Greenland, however, you can see them starting in late August. Make sure you bundle up though because it’s going to be quite cold any time you go. Unlike some places in Scandinavia, the summer months are not ideal for seeing the northern lights in Greenland because of the midnight sun.

Canada

Not many people equate Canada with the northern lights, but it is possible to see them due to its proximity to the North Pole. For the best visibility, the northern part of Canada is ideal. However, you could technically see them at any place in the country as long as the night is clear and there is no light pollution. You can see the northern lights in the Northwest Territories 240 nights per year and it’s arguably the best place to see them in the country. 

Russia

Russia is one of the best places to see the northern lights, especially the northern parts of the country that are closer to the Arctic. You can see the aurora borealis from September to March, although, depending on the region you are in, it may be better later in the year. The best regions to go see the northern lights in Russia are Murmansk, near the Finnish border, and the Arkhangelsk region, which includes several archipelagos near the Arctic Circle.

United States

The United States is not a country you think of when trying to find out where you can see the aurora borealis. Although it is technically possible to see them in some midwestern states, it is extremely rare. The best option is to see them up in Alaska. The state is very far north and gets dark during the winter season. The best times to see the aurora borealis in Alaska are from August to April. The best location to see the northern lights is in Fairbanks, Alaska, a city in the interior region of the state.

Scotland

In most of the UK, it will be impossible to see the northern lights, but not in Scotland. The country, especially its islands in the north, is in a perfect location to stargaze and see the light show. The further north you go, the better. The best places to see the aurora borealis in Scotland are in the Hebrides islands or the northwest coast of Scotland. The best times to go visit Scotland for the northern lights are in autumn and winter.

Denmark

Denmark is too far south to see the northern lights, but on rare occasions, it’s certainly possible to see them. You should be in a more remote area that is away from light pollution. You can also see them in the Faroe Islands, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. The villages of Gjógv or Klaksvik are great places to see the northern lights. The best times to go are, like all the other countries on this list, in the autumn and winter months, around September to March.

Conclusion

And there you have it, these are the 10 countries where you can see the amazing northern lights. Because they are so high up in the world, close to the North Pole, you can see them at night periodically throughout the year. Visitors from all over the world flock to these countries so they can see this amazing phenomenon. The green, blue, red, or purple lights dancing in the night sky are a stunning sight to see. The next time you find yourself visiting these countries, don’t miss out on seeing the amazing northern lights.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © AndreAnita/Shutterstock.com