The Best Places to See the Northern Lights in 2023
After years of limited international travel, people are more willing than ever to travel to the most remote corners of the world, and we are not getting any younger.
If you have long dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights and are thinking of going hiking in 2023, it would be helpful to know where you have the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights in person. Luckily, Kiwi.com’s travel experts have put together a list of destinations to consider. Here’s what you need to know.
How to Increase Your Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights
Before we get to the destinations, we would like to mention a few general strategies to maximize your chances of catching the Northern Lights:
- September-April are the best months to plan a trip.
- While you can’t control the weather, you can plan your trip around the moon: the northern lights will be most visible during a new moon or crescent .
- Stay as far away from cities and light pollution as possible.
The best places to see the northern lights in 2023
According to Kiwi.com experts , you have the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights in 2023 at one of the following locations:
Finland
- Revontuli : about 15 minutes from the Hankasalmi observatory; also classic Finnish sauna and resort town
- Nellim : Another resort town where the northern lights can be seen from the frozen shores of Lake Inari.
Norway
- Tromsø : port city; take a boat tour for the best views
- Alta : Surrounded by tundra, mountains and forests; The Northern Lights are visible almost all night
Sweden
- Abisko : home of the Abisko National Park and the Aurora Sky Observatory.
- Kiruna : Sweden’s northernmost city with an upscale “camp” (resort) designed for those looking for the Northern Lights.
Iceland
- Lake Kleifarvatn : 30 minutes from Reykjavik, but potentially less crowded than Thingvellir National Park (also located near the capital).
- Sandgerði : Fishing village on a peninsula in the southwestern part of the island with stunning views of the horizon.
Canada
- Northwest Territory : A barren, remote landscape of forests, mountains, lakes, islands, and tundra.
- Yukon : Home of the Dawson City Midnight Dome and other amenities for tourists hoping to see the Northern Lights.