Questioning the perfect locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe? Looking for that PERFECT European location the place you’ll be able to open your door and see the Aurora Borealis twinkling overhead every evening? We’ve bought you covered- listed below are essentially the most stunning locations in Europe to go to to extend your probabilities of seeing the Northern lights!
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Greatest locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe
In case you’ve ever been fortunate sufficient to see the Northern lights, both in Europe or elsewhere, you’ll know that they’re BREATHTAKING.
Critically, severely spectacular.
Which I’m guessing you already know, or need to know, should you’re looking for the perfect locations to see the majestic Aurora Borealis.
On this put up, 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 consultants say to comply with if you wish to see the Northern Lights in Europe (extra on these under)
Prepared? Let’s dive in!
The place is the perfect place to see Northern Lights in Europe?
I hate to start out this put up off with some irritating information, however should you’re questioning the place in Europe are you able to see the Northern Lights, you could know one factor first: there’s NO one greatest place to see the Northern Lights.
They’re a transferring pure phenomenon and solely happen within the excessive latitudes in each hemispheres. Their look relies on many elements of the Earth’s environment (most of which I don’t faux to know!) however the essential factor to know is that they’re NOT there on a regular basis and the place they seem can change every evening, and even all through the evening.
Due to this fact, the ‘greatest locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe’ is unimaginable to pinpoint. That is precisely the identical because the Aurora Australis within the Southern Hemisphere for the southern lights in New Zealand and Australia.
That stated, there are some locations the place your probabilities of seeing the Northern Lights in Europe enhance dramatically and they’re persistently the perfect locations to go to. These are largely contained in the Arctic circle (though not usually instantly above the poles.)
After all, you can even see the Northern Lights somewhere else within the excessive latitudes of the Northern hemisphere, like Alaska, Greenland or Fairbanks in Canada, however we’re focussing on Europe for this put up.
Professional Tricks to enhance your probabilities of seeing the Northern Lights in Europe
There are 4 most important guidelines that the consultants comply with if you wish to enhance the chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Europe:
- Get North of the Arctic Circle (between October and March)
- Get inland, away from the ocean. Nationwide Parks and mountains are good as a result of they assist preserve the sky clear
- Be versatile. I do know this isn’t straightforward, 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 prediction or the place the skies shall be clearer, you’ll enhance your probabilities of success lots!
- Be PATIENT– and settle for that it’s of venture. There may be NEVER any assure of seeing the Aurora in anyplace, irrespective of how onerous you attempt. Persistence is essential.
The place are you able to see the Northern Lights in Europe?
Having stated all of the above, don’t stick with the principles too rigidly.
We’ve been fortunate sufficient to see the Northern Lights on 7 separate nights. In truth, out of the 8 nights we’ve spent Aurora searching, 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 Tromsø up the Norwegian coast, previous Nordkapp and to the Russian border. It was a unbelievable journey and ticked so many issues off my bucket record!
It was an incredible journey since that is simply one of many greatest European cities to go to in winter and we spent each evening sitting on deck in FREEZING temperatures, watching the Aurora swirl overhead and replicate on the ocean. It was totally magical.
The second time was in Iceland. We flew in to Reykjavik and 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 greatest 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.
Each occasions, we selected our journey primarily based on a risk of seeing the Northern Lights, however with different points of interest which allowed us to have an excellent vacation regardless. Personally, I believe that’s the greatest plan.
Going to any of those locations is expensive- and also you don’t need to go away disenchanted. 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: Weird Customs and traditions in Europe that you just’ve by no means heard of!
What’s the perfect month to see the Northern Lights in Europe?
One of the best time to see the Northern Lights in Europe and the perfect Northern Lights months are October- March, when 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 indicate up.
Many individuals say Autumn or Spring are the perfect occasions– winter is sort of TOO chilly.
Each occasions 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 generally fluctuate.
Sensible suggestions for Photographing Aurora and seeing the Northern Lights in Europe
- Test the climate forecast- you’re searching for clear skies. There are additionally some web sites which share reviews of photo voltaic exercise and the probability of you seeing the Aurora every evening.
- Get far-off from cities and different gentle air pollution, together with roads
- Enable about half-hour of darkness on your eye to regulate to the evening – making it simpler to do some private aurora images.
- Attempt to discover a location with an open view in the direction of the North- the Aurora tends to indicate over the North Pole
- Mountains and/ or lakes are excellent backdrops for AMAZING photographs when photographing Aurora
- After Twilight or simply earlier than daybreak are widespread occasions for the Aurora to indicate up and are often the perfect time of day to see Northern Lights
- Wrap up warmly- you’re going to be exterior for some time
- Discover ways to use your digital camera and analysis settings beforehand so you’ll be able to set it up shortly for Aurora images
- Take a tripod for regular photographs
The place to see the Northern Lights in Europe
The locations under are the perfect locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe and are available extremely advisable by a whole lot of travellers. After all, there are different locations the place you’ll be able to 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 lately turn into one of the fashionable Northern Lights locations in Europe. It’s additionally one of many first locations in Europe that the Aurora tends to be visible- generally as early as mid-August!
Rovaniemi, Finland is the house of Santa (no, severely) and can be one of the fashionable locations for Northern Mild hunters.
Whereas searching for the Rovaniemi Northern Lights, you’ll be able to even keep in log or glass igloos/ 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 beautiful surroundings together with lakes to replicate the Aurora and a hotter temperature till November.
(These lakes are additionally the right spot to check out ice fishing in Finland– you would possibly even have the ability to do it whereas watching the Finland Northern Lights overhead!)
Generally, 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!
Greatest 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) could be good too- however the skies get lighter faster so there’s much less time.
Seeing the Northern Lights in Finland – Find out 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 suggests much less gentle air pollution. Which suggests extra probability to see the Aurora Borealis in all its glory.
Sweden additionally enjoys a reasonably gentle temperature till mid-November, which implies clearer skies. Which suggests extra probability to see the Aurora Borealis in all its glory.
Kiruna is known for the superb Ice Resort which is constructed every year. You may keep in one of many rooms, or simply go to for a tour. It’s additionally one of many greatest European cities to go to in Europe in winter.
Abisko, Sweden
However should you REALLY need to enhance your probabilities of seeing the Sweden Northern Lights, then head north from Kiruna to the little city of Abisko and the Abisko Nationwide Park.
This beautiful place is VERY distant, however is within the mountains, whose winds assist to maintain the skies clear but in addition to control the temperatures. And the entire lack of sunshine air pollution means even weak Aurora shows could be seen right here. That’s why Abisko is definitely among the finest locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe.
Abisko additionally has the Aurora Sky Station , which is an open chair raise taking you as much as an statement lounge and restaurant on a mountaintop, the place you’ll be able to watch the Aurora while having fun with a 4-course meal. Wrap up warmly, however the views of the Abisko Northern Lights are SPECTACULAR!
Greatest time to Go to Sweden and See the Sweden Northern Lights?
September to finish of March
Different actions to take pleasure in
Husky sledding, excursions photographing Aurora within the lengthy polar evening, Swedish Lapland tour, snowshoeing, skimobiles or stress-free in stunning log chalets, far-off from the world!
Getting there
There are day by day flights to Stockholm from the UK and Europe and from there you may get a flight to Kiruna. It’s also possible to get a prepare from Stockholm, together with the evening prepare which simply seems like enjoyable! Or, you would at all times highway journey there use this put up for some superior highway 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 would possibly see the Iceland Northern Lights as nicely is simply an added bonus! It’s additionally one of many most cost-effective locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe.
Don’t count on large 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 finest locations to see Northern Lights in Europe.
Once more, the Gulf Stream works its magical magic (technical time period) and one way or the other the temperatures are barely hotter than they need to be. All these volcanoes additionally assist preserve the temperatures hotter too!
Don’t get me incorrect, it’s nonetheless chilly in winter, however get away from the cities and also you’ve bought an incredible probability of seeing the Iceland Northern Lights.
Greatest time to go to Iceland and See the Iceland Northern Lights?
October to finish of March. Autumn and Spring are thought of the perfect occasions.
Different actions to take pleasure in
Lease a automotive and do your personal tour- a 4×4 is a good thought! In any other case, ebook 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’ve got to return!)
Attending to Iceland
There are frequent flights to Rekyjavik from the UK and Europe.
Northern Lights Norway
Svalbard, Norway
Svalbard is a gaggle 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 lined in untouched glaciers, HUGE mountains and a variety of wildlife (though in winter a lot of it will likely be hibernating or hiding!
Through the summer time, the solar by no means units in Svalbard, and in the course of the winter (November to February), there’s NO daylight. None.
This is the reason you stand such an incredible probability of seeing the Svalbard Northern Lights – it may actually seem at any time of the day or evening.
In October and February, you’ll expertise a twilight and ‘daybreak’ with blue gentle, which can be superb to see. (Listed below are another concepts for nice locations to see in Europe in October)
Different issues to do in Svalbard apart from see the Svalbard Northern Lights
Canine sledding; Snowmobiling; Glacial Ice caving; Snow-shoeing; photographing Aurora excursions and basic Aurora searching excursions
Attending to Svalbard
Svalbard has the world’s most northern airport accepting scheduled flights. The most typical 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 Authorities-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 preserve the sky clear AND give a tremendous backdrop for the Tromso Norway Northern Lights to indicate off on.
For greatest 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, you’ll want to keep nicely away from built-up areas on clear nights.
Greatest time to go to Norway and see the Norway Northern Lights?
September- April
Different actions to take pleasure in in Tromso
Canine sledding; Snowmobile excursions; Polar bear museum and in January there’s the Northern Lights Pageant– a music competition showcasing native and worldwide artists starting from classical to jazz!
Attending to Tromso
Loads of direct flights to Tromso from UK and Europe. There’s additionally a prepare from Oslo, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a few of these breathtaking locations to see in southern Norway and you would lengthen your keep to go to the well-known Lofoten Islands.
Northern Lights Scotland
The place are you able to see the Northern Lights in Europe? Shetland, Scotland
Are you able to see the Northern Lights in Scotland?
Completely! And the perfect place to see the Northern Lights in Scotland is within the Shetlands.
The Shetlands are among the finest 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, so that they’re not precisely subsequent to the Scotland Mainland, which you’ll 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 a number of Viking museums and memorabilia to discover while you’re ready for the Aurora to indicate up and doing a little scenic drives in Scotland.
Greatest Place to See Northern Lights in Scotland and Find out how to get to Shetland
There’s a ferry, however I actually don’t fancy these stormy winter seas! One of the simplest ways is by aircraft from both Bergen in Norway or a number of airports in Scotland.
Are you able to see the Northern Lights in Switzerland
The quick (and considerably shocking reply!) is that sure, you’ll be able to see Switzerland Northern Lights. However not usually.
Sometimes the Aurora Borealis is so sturdy that it’s going to attain all the best way south and you may see the Northern Lights in Switzerland. However there is no such thing as a strategy to predict when this can occur and it occurs very VERY not often (each few years or so.)
So don’t ebook your journey to Switzerland primarily based on that. (However do nonetheless go- Switzerland is AMAZING!)
READ MORE: The whole lot you could learn about highway journeys & campervanning in Switzerland
So, the place is the perfect place to see the Northern Lights in Europe?
Wherever you’re and they’re on the similar time! Seeing them is breathtaking and unforgettable. I sincerely hope you get that probability!
Secure 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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