The Top Places In The World To See The Northern Lights

The natural world is just incredible. If you want to see something beautiful, the planet always has you covered. Of course, some of the Earth's most stunning sights aren't visible everywhere. For instance, if you want to marvel at the wonder of the Northern Lights, you'll need to do a bit of traveling first.

Thankfully, while this phenomenon might not be on display everywhere, there are plenty of spots where you can enjoy it. If you wish to see it in its full glory, though, we'd recommend heading to one of the top places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Don't know where they are? That's not a problem.

Tromsø's views of the Northern Lights make the cold weather worth it

Given their name - the Northern Lights - it shouldn't surprise you that the best destinations to see this phenomenon are the ones that are further north. That means places like Norway, with Tromsø being particularly good for catching a clear glimpse of the aurora borealis. As the city is some 220 miles above the Arctic Circle, you can expect to feel the cold while admiring the view. However, the low temperature is worth it for all the colors you'll spot in the sky. We'd recommend visiting in the earlier or later months of the year, making sure to travel away from the city if you wish to see the lights at their brightest.

Abisko National Park is free of light pollution, making it perfect for stargazing

Wherever you are in Sweden, there's a decent chance that you'll be able to spot the Northern Lights. However, the phenomenon tends to be more visible in some areas over others, with Abisko National Park a particular standout. It's a very remote location, which means you won't have the lights from the city interfering with your views. If you really want to get up close and personal with the aurora borealis, you can take a chair lift up to the Abisko Sky Station. What could be more magical than gazing at the Northern Lights from the top of a mountain in a remote area of Sweden?

Saariselkä is where you'll find glass igloos perfect for watching the Northern Lights

Thanks to the location of the Scandinavian countries, this region is well-suited to spotting the Northern Lights. Finland is another place where you should be able to see them at their best, especially if you visit Saariselkä. The reason you should come here is that this is where the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is located. Here, you'll be able to stay in glass igloos which offer stunning views of the sky overhead. That means you won't have to go out into the cold to admire the beauty of the Northern Lights. You can gaze up at them from the comfort of your bed and pray for the moment to last forever.

Iceland's long, dark nights make it a perfect viewing spot for the Northern Lights

Another country you might want to consider for excellent views of the Northern Lights is Iceland. If you're going to visit here, you'll probably want to aim for the end or beginning of the year, as this is when darkness tends to reign. Nights start pretty early in this part of the world, and they tend to be longer than you get in the US. That means more opportunities to catch a clear view of this natural phenomenon. Where in the country it's best to view the Northern Lights tends to change from day to day. Luckily, it's not too hard to get around the island, so it's easy to chase the aurora borealis to wherever you need to go.

Voyageurs National Park is one of the best spots in the US for this phenomenon

You don't actually need to leave the US if you want to enjoy the Northern Lights. If you don't wish to travel overseas, you can always just head to Minnesota, where Voyageurs National Park should offer up some stunning views. This place is notable for the aurora borealis because there's little artificial light here blocking the views. It's known as an International Dark Sky Park, where the natural phenomenon is on display throughout the year. Of course, to see it at its best, you'll probably still want to visit in winter as that's when the nights are longer. Other areas in the US that may also be good for the Northern Lights are Acadia National Park in Maine and Fairbanks in Alaska.

If you've seen pictures of the Northern Lights, you'll know just how stunning this natural phenomenon is. However, we'd argue that photos simply don't do it justice. To really appreciate the majesty of the aurora borealis, you have to see it with your own two eyes. Fortunately, all of these places will let you do just that.