The Best Time to See the Northern Lights is Now
Nordic Nights
If you’ve ever had the Northern Lights on your bucket list, now’s the time to book it. And here’s why:
Every 11 years, the sun undergoes a significant change in its behavior, known as solar maximum, transitioning from calm and quiet to dramatic and stormy. We’re currently at the peak of that cycle, which means more sunspots, stronger solar flares, and the kind of solar activity that creates those jaw-dropping aurora displays you’ve been dreaming about. Translation? This is your chance for Northern Lights travel, when nature’s most spectacular light show is performing at maximum intensity.
This year’s solar maximum means destinations like the northern US and the United Kingdom may also get a glimpse of the magic. Here’s my breakdown of the best destinations to see the Northern Lights.
Where to See the Northern Lights
In the Arctic, the world feels both infinite and hushed. Swedish Lapland is a landscape of frozen rivers, pine forests, and the distant shimmer of the Northern Lights. At the Aurora Safari Camp, nights are spent under vast skies that seem to hum with color — bands of green and violet rippling across the horizon. The air is crisp, the silence deep, and time feels elastic, stretched between darkness and light.
Nearby, the Arctic Bath floats serenely on the Lulea River — a striking circle of timber and ice, half frozen into the water’s edge. It’s a place that reminds you how luxury can mean simplicity: a warm sauna after a cold plunge, or a quiet evening by the fire as snow begins to fall.
Arctic Bath floating on the Lulea River.
Across the border in Finland, the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel offers its own kind of magic — cozy glass-fronted cabins tucked among evergreens, each one angled just so to frame the night sky. You fall asleep watching the aurora move, as if the universe is whispering above your pillow.
Even farther west, Norway’s fjords reflect the light of distant towns, while Oslo buzzes softly with design, coffee, and candlelit warmth. It’s the perfect balance between nature and culture — a reminder that even in the coldest places, life glows.
Kottbullar plate in Sweden
Meals in the north are as honest as the landscape. Reindeer stew, smoked fish, wild berries, and foraged mushrooms make up the rhythm of Arctic cuisine. In city restaurants, those same ingredients are elevated — transformed into something elegant, restrained, and deeply Nordic.
Signature dishes
Norway: Lutefisk (dried fish reconstituted in lye) and Rakfisk (fermented fish) are traditional dishes, often enjoyed during winter.
Sweden: Meatballs (köttbullar) served with lingonberry sauce and gravlax (cured salmon) are staples of Swedish cuisine.
Denmark: Smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches) and Frikadeller (meatballs) are popular, hearty choices.
Finland: Karjalanpiirakka (rice-filled pastries) and Ruisleipä (rye bread) are Finnish comfort foods.
Lodging at Arctic TreeHouse
Choosing the Right Spot
The Northern Lights are visible from many destinations, so it's important to choose the one that's right for your style, pace, and budget. That's where I come in.
The Nordics: Norway, Sweden, and Iceland are well known for their prime viewing. Plus, they offer dog sledding, ice fishing, and other authentic Arctic experiences.
Faroe Islands: Situated between Iceland and Norway, these islands are an ideal destination for travelers seeking to escape the beaten path. Book a room at Hotel Føroyar for the best Northern Lights viewing.
Fairbanks, Alaska: No passport? No problem. Directly under the "Aurora Oval," Fairbanks is known for excellent aurora borealis viewing.
Northern Canada: You can technically see the Northern Lights in most of Canada, but to avoid coastal fog, head to the Northwest Territories.
Reindeer in Tromso, Norway
Spotlight: Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø delivers Northern Lights with a side of local culture. This Arctic city sits in the sweet spot above the Arctic Circle, where coastal weather patterns create clearer skies than you'll find inland. Enlist an indigenous guide—or Sámi—to add a historic and cultural perspective with their centuries-old storytelling.
Eleven Deplar Farm
Spotlight: Eleven Deplar Farm, Northern Iceland
This award-winning lodge is set on the remote Troll Peninsula of Northern Iceland. You’ll find stylish rooms, upscale dining, and even a spa, but the best part is soaking in the geothermal pool while the Northern Lights glow overhead.
Havgrim Seaside Hotel 1948, Faroe Islands
Traveler Tips: Maximize Your Chances
Many of my tour partners offer guarantees, taking you out night after night until you see the auroras. However, it's important to remember that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can't be fully guaranteed.
Here is how you can maximize your chances:
Timing: Travel between September and early April, and plan around new moons and equinoxes. Plus, the best aurora usually appears within an hour or two of midnight.
Location: Choose destinations to minimize light pollution. The farther from city glare, the better. Connect with me to book some of my favorite remote hotels.
Chase smarter: Use the Space Weather Prediction Center's Aurora Forecast tool to be in the right place at the right time.
Are you ready to plan your next trip? As a travel and food expert, I’m here to help you uncover the world’s most delicious secrets. Click the link below to get started.
