When it comes to natural phenomenons, the aurora borealis is one of the most magical things the planet has to offer. The Northern Lights occur when shafts of coloured light become visible in the night’s sky, and they actually originate from the sun itself. Most of you won’t care so much about the science behind them – to be honest, you don’t need to know how they occur or why. No, the brilliance behind them lies in how gorgeous they look. You can only see this magnificent light show from certain places on earth – and at specific times in the year. It’s definitely worth putting a trip together to see the Northern Lights, but where are the best places to go? Below, you’ll find a list of the top destinations to see these lights in the 2021/22 winter season: Reykjavik, Iceland One of the most well-known spots for a fantastic orbital light show. It’s a popular place for a lot of travellers, primarily because the city offers plenty of tourist attractions and is easy to get to from a lot of main UK airports. The good news is, the lights are visible for a very long period in the evenings, spanning from September to April. So, you can plan a nice winter getaway at the end of this year – or the start of the next one. Of course, don’t forget to take in the other delights the capital of Iceland has to offer, such as its scorching geothermal pools.
Lapland, Finland In the north of Finland, you have a region that’s called Lapland. It’s sparsely populated, yet a massive tourist hotspot in this cold area of the world. You probably already know one reason tourists come here; to see Santa Claus! This is said to be the home of the great bearded present-giver, and there are loads of tours for families where you get to meet reindeer and have a magical Christmas experience. As a bonus, if you go to Rovaniemi in Lapland, you’ll be at the perfect place to see a magical Northern Lights show. Again, the optimal viewing time is the same above, but this is a truly special place to see the lights reflecting against a massive frozen lake. Oh, and if things couldn’t get any better, you can actually stay in igloo hotels there. It’s ridiculously expensive, but it’s a once in a lifetime experience for those that can afford it.
Tromso, Norway Yes, we’re still in Scandinavia, and that’s because it is such a brilliant region to get the best views of this natural phenomenon. If you were to search for Northern Lights holidays, you’d always see Tromso come up as a recommended destination. Situated in the Arctic region of Norway, it is slap bang in the aurora zone, meaning you see a full spectrum of colours from this dazzling light display. There are direct flights to Tromso from many big UK airports, and it’s a very pretty city to visit as well. If you’re looking for a romantic winter escape, this is certainly the best-suited place so far! Yukon, Canada You don’t need to be in Scandinavia to see the beautiful Northern Lights. Venture up to Yukon in Canada, and you get a very unique experience. It’s pretty much in the middle of nowhere, but there are plenty of lodges and nearby places to stay. The thing that makes Yukon so different is the climate. There’s a solar wind that brushes through the area, making the lights alter their appearance. As well as the typical greens and blues, you get a gorgeous purple tinge to them – it’s genuinely magnificent. Alaska, USA That’s right, you can see the Northern Lights from some parts of Alaska. In fact, there are plenty of tourist destinations set up specifically for this. The Aurora Winter Train will take you on a journey under the lights at night, offering a very interesting way of taking in this sight. Or, there are hotels and lodges with loads of accommodation offering beautiful views of the display. The reason Alaska is so popular is that it has the perfect conditions to see the Northern Lights. The sky is clear and black at night, and there’s minimal light pollution. If you want to pinpoint a single location to go in the region, Fairbanks is definitely your best bet. From Scandinavia to North America, there are lots of places you can go to see the Northern Lights up close and personal. Generally, they are mainly visible between the Autumn and Winter months. If you travel to any of these destinations between now and April 2022, you’re bound to see this natural wonder.
