Top 5 Best Places To See the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights are commonly known as the Aurora Borealis, and the name comes from Aurora – the goddess of dawn in the Roman mythology. The phenomenon happens in Northern Europe, and the display is extremely visible in areas that are really close to the Arctic Circle and the North Pole. Scientifically, the lights materialize at night, on the clear sky when charged electrons that come from the solar wind bump and clash into various atmospheric elements surrounding the North Pole. Even though we can’t always predict when the Northern Lights will show up, there are some excellent viewing spots where travelers have the highest chances of catching a glimpse.

Svalbard, Norway

Positioned between parallels 74 and 81, Svalbard is a Norwegian island with some pretty amazing natural attractions. This travel spot is hailed by tourists from all around the world because it’s peaceful and serene, but also because of the Northern Lights. A s a result of the high latitude, seeing the display is an almost sure fact. The Aurora can be admired between the months of November and February. Between the months of November and January, tourists come to Svalbard to witness another exquisite phenomenon – the Polar Night. During this time of the year there’s no daylight. That being said, the Northern Lights will shine brighter than ever.

Kakslauttanen, Finland

The Finish Lapland is one fabulous travel spot to check out. Here you can rent an igloo and admire the Northern Lights for days. There are many traditional accommodation spots at the Kakslauttanen Resort you can try out. Relax your mind and body in a Jacuzzi or spend your evenings outside, by the fire. For a clearer view of the display, try out the available winter activities, or stop by the Urho National Park to admire the wildlife.

Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Positioned in the Swedish region of Kiruna, the beautiful village of Jukkasjärvi is a great place to catch the Northern Lights. Here you’ll find the country’s first and most imposing ice hotels, so you can always lodge in if you like unconventional accommodation. In terms of attractions, Jukkasjärvi is home to the Esrange Space Center. Travelers can stop by to admire the stunning starry skies of Sweden in case the Northern Lights are not visible.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik, is considered one of Europe’s most convenient places to admire the Northern Lights. The city is becoming increasingly popular with every year that goes by. For example, a whooping 16,000 Britons came to Iceland in January 2014 on holiday. It happened because last winter specialists claimed the Aurora Borealis would have a peak season – and they were right. Leaving aside the beautiful lights, there are numerous others activities you can try out while exploring this beautiful capital. You can’t miss out the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most iconic places of interest. Enjoy your Northern European holiday to the fullest, go skiing and snowboarding, and if you’re a Game of Thrones fans, check out some of the locations where the TV series was filmed.

Scotland, United Kingdom

Last but not least we have Scotland, where the Northern Lights were absolutely stunning this past February. The best viewing spot was Caithness, a coastal area positioned far north of the country. As a matter of fact, this stunning natural phenomenon can be admired from any spot in Scotland provided that there’s no pollution and the sky in clear. Some other regions where the display can be admired are Shetland, the Outer Hebrides, and Orkney.

The Northern Lights are an exceptional natural display that people should see at least once in a lifetime. Who wouldn’t want to take a hot bath in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, and at the same time admiring the Aurora Borealis? What’s great about these travel spots is that they’re packed with additional places of interest and natural sights. This means you have the chance to experience a unique holiday experience to Northern Europe. Hunt for the lights, explore the wilderness, and try out the amazing winter activities. Make the most of the every minute spent by the Arctic Circle, and have the greatest time.

Author Bio: William Taylor is a travelling freak who has travelled many destinations around the world. He also loves writing about his traveling experiences and the places he has explored. He writes for a site Baltic Travel Company which is Specialists in Baltic holidays, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and the Nordics.