Few natural wonders capture the imagination like the Northern Lights. Also known as the Aurora Borealis, these shimmering green, purple, and pink lights dancing across the Arctic sky are a bucket-list experience for many travellers. But as magical as they are, the aurora can be elusive. Unlike a landmark or museum, there’s no guarantee you’ll see them on your trip. It all comes down to timing, conditions, and a bit of luck.

The best places to see the Northern Lights?

1. Norway (especially Tromsø, Svalbard, Lofoten Islands)
2. Sweden (Abisko, Kiruna)
3. Finland (Lapland region, Rovaniemi, Inari)
4. Iceland (entire country is under the oval)
5. Greenland
6. Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, northern Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta)
7. Alaska (USA) (Fairbanks, Denali)

The good news? With the right preparation and a few insider tricks, you can significantly increase your chances. Below, I’ve put together 10 practical tips for seeing the Northern Lights based on both science and personal experience.

1. Travel During Peak Aurora Season

The best time to see the Northern Lights is between September and March, when nights are longer and skies are darker. Winter (December–February) often offers the clearest conditions, though early autumn and late spring are also said to provide spectacular shows.

👉 Pro tip: If you can, plan your trip around the autumn or spring equinoxes (September and March). Statistically, aurora activity is slightly higher around these times.

2. Use an Aurora Forecast App

The aurora is affected by solar activity, weather, and cloud cover. To stay updated, download an aurora forecast app like My Aurora Forecast (@myauroraforecast) - download on apple or android.

• Look for a KP index of 3+ for visibility.
• The higher the KP index, the stronger the aurora.
• Combine this with cloud-free skies for the best chance to see them.

Some apps like @myauroraforecast send real-time alerts, so you won’t miss out if the lights appear while you’re indoors.

3. Escape Light Pollution

The darker the skies, the better. Light pollution from cities and towns can completely wash out the aurora. Head to remote areas, national parks, or rural open spaces for the clearest views. Many Northern Lights hotspots (like Tromsø, Abisko, or Iceland’s countryside) are designed with dark-sky chasing in mind.

4. Choose a Clear Night

Even with high solar activity, clouds are the enemy. Low, heavy cloud cover will block your view of the aurora completely.

• Check local weather forecasts daily.
• If conditions are clear, be ready to head out, even at short notice.

5. Be Patient (and Stay Late!)

They may appear early in the evening, but often the best displays happen between 10pm and 2am. Be prepared to wait, keep warm, and stay alert. This is where your aurora app will come in handy as it will notify you when activity spikes.

6. Dress Warm and Layer Up

Aurora chasing usually means standing outdoors in freezing Arctic conditions for hours at a time. The key? Layers, layers, layers.

• Thermal underwear
• Wool socks
• Waterproof boots/shoes
• Gloves and hand warmers
• Beanie and scarf

👉 Top tip: Heat pads for your hands and feet are lifesavers. Being warm makes waiting much more enjoyable.

7. Avoid Full Moon Nights

While a full moon looks beautiful, its brightness can dilute the aurora and make weaker displays harder to see. If possible, plan your trip around the new moon for maximum darkness.

8. Join a Guided Northern Lights Tour

If you’re not sure where to go, booking a Northern Lights tour is one of the best investments. Local guides know the prime locations, monitor weather and solar forecasts, and sometimes even drive long distances in one night to find clear skies. Bonus: many guides are also great photographers who can help you capture the perfect shot.

9. Use Your Camera to Spot Faint Auroras

Sometimes the aurora is too faint to see clearly with the naked eye, especially during lower KP activity. This is where your camera comes in:

• Use night mode or manual settings with a slow shutter speed.
• A lightweight tripod will keep your shots steady.
• Do a 360° scan of the sky—auroras can appear overhead or shift positions quickly.

👉 Even if the display looks faint in person, your camera may pick up vibrant colors you didn’t realize were there.

10. Stay Flexible With Your Plans

Above all, remember that the Northern Lights are unpredictable. They’re a natural phenomenon, not a guaranteed attraction. To increase your chances:

• Stay for multiple nights if possible.
• Keep your itinerary open so you can chase the aurora whenever conditions are good.

Final Thoughts

The Northern Lights are one of the most awe-inspiring sights you’ll ever witness! However, they require patience, preparation, and luck. Whether you’re traveling to Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Greenland or Canada, following these tips will give you the best chance to see the aurora borealis (northern lights) in all its glory.

✨ And if you don’t catch them the first time around? You’ll still have experienced the raw beauty of the Arctic night sky, which is unforgettable in its own right.

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