11 best Aurora viewing spots! Northern Europe or North America? From classics to hidden gems

The northern lights, shining across the northern skies, are a natural masterpiece that everyone dreams of witnessing at least once in their lifetime. Many say that the beauty of the aurora can make you forget the cold, and it’s also known that a surprising number of people become repeat visitors to aurora destinations.

Aurora viewing locations are broadly divided between Northern Europe and North America, each offering different levels of accessibility and beauty. This article explores the key points, advantages, and drawbacks of aurora viewing in both regions, as well as recommending top viewing spots.

Basic knowledge about the Aurora! Where is the best place to see it?

The name "Aurora" comes from the Roman goddess "Aurora," but it is unclear how it became a scientific term. In ancient times, it was believed that this mysterious light was created by something beyond human understanding, and in Eskimo legend, it was said that the dead "travel to the Land of the Aurora." Scientific analysis of the Aurora began in the 18th century, and it was not until the 20th century that the cause of the Aurora's glow was discovered.

By the way, the rarest color is said to be "purple."

◆There are only a limited number of areas where you can see the aurora.

The aurora cannot be seen everywhere, but it is particularly common on the "aurora belt" between 65 degrees north and 70 degrees north latitude. The famous aurora tourist spots in Northern Europe and North America are also located on this aurora belt. The season is from late August to April, but the best time to see it is during the polar night (around October to March) when the sun does not rise all day.

In places such as Yellowknife in Canada, which I will introduce later, you can sometimes see the aurora in a not-so-cold environment if you go around late August to September.

As an aside, in 2023, the aurora was observed in Rikubetsu Town in Japan for the first time in eight years. However, it only glows red near the horizon, which is nowhere near the beauty of Northern Europe or North America.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of viewing the Aurora in Northern Europe and North America?

In conclusion, if you want to see the Northern Lights easily, Northern Europe is recommended, but if you want to see the beautiful Northern Lights, North America is recommended.

Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each region below.

◆ Northern Europe is easy to access, while North America is difficult to access

There are no direct flights between Manila (MNL) and Helsinki (HEL), the capital of Finland, which is the gateway to aurora viewing. Most flights require at least one stop, often with carriers like Cebu Pacific, Oman Air, or Pegasus Airlines. Layovers are usually in hubs such as Doha, Dubai, or Istanbul. There are several days a year when the aurora can be seen in Helsinki, but if you want to see a higher-quality aurora, head to regional cities in Finland, Sweden, or Norway.

On the other hand, in North America, you will need to transfer to Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, etc. The straight-line distance to Anchorage, Fairbanks, Yellowknife, etc. is not that far, but it is a slightly longer route, so the fare will be higher.

As of October 2023, there are flights from Seattle and other cities to Anchorage with Alaska Airlines, Delta Airlines, etc.

◆ Northern Europe is surprisingly warm, while North America is bitterly cold

Depending on where you stay in Northern Europe, Norway's Arctic coast has a temperate climate and is said to be the northernmost temperate zone in the world. Norway is the only country in the world where temperate zones are distributed north of the Arctic Circle (66 degrees 33 minutes north latitude). In this region, the minimum temperature sometimes exceeds 0°C in winter, and there are days when it is warm, let alone the capital Oslo!

This region has a relatively warm climate due to the warm current called the Western Pacific Current. A similar climate can be found in Iceland, where you can see the Northern Lights in the capital Reykjavik.

However, Finland and Sweden, other than the Norwegian Arctic coast, are "subarctic (cold) zones," so the minimum temperature is about -10°C. Although it is not as cold as North America, it is still quite cold, so we recommend wearing warm clothes such as down jackets.

Meanwhile, in North America, the temperature often drops below -20°C during the best season for the Northern Lights, so sufficient cold weather measures are a must.

◆ Northern Europe has fewer days when you can see the snow, while North America has more days when you can see the snow.

In Northern Europe, it depends on the location, but for example, it is said that the probability of seeing the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, Finland is about half of that of a clear day.

In contrast, in Fairbanks, Alaska, the Northern Lights appear on average 240 days a year, which is more than the 200 days (in Rovaniemi, Finland).

There is an element of luck involved, but if you want to see the Northern Lights in both areas, you should set aside at least three nights and four days.

◆ Light pollution is high in Northern Europe, but low in North America

There are many cities in Northern Europe that serve as bases for aurora tourism, and it is certainly relatively convenient. However, on the flip side, there are many people living there. Because of the street lights, the aurora cannot be seen clearly near the towns. Therefore, it is true that it is often necessary to join a local tour and travel by bus.

In contrast, the largest city in North America is Anchorage (population about 300,000). About half of the population of Alaska, with a population of about 730,000, is concentrated in Anchorage, and the other cities are Fairbanks, with a population of 30,000, and the state capital Juneau.

On the other hand, about 90% of the population of Canada also lives within about 200 km of the southern border with the United States, and the population of the three northern territories is about 150,000. The populations of the large cities of Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon Territory, and Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, are very small, at about 20,000 to 25,000.
Therefore, you need to be prepared for some inconvenience, but because the populations of Canada and Alaska are small, the aurora can sometimes be clearly seen even in the city.

◆Easy-to-access Scandinavia, private North America

Related to the above, Northern Europe has a larger population, so there are more flights and hotels, which tends to keep overall costs down.

Meanwhile, North America (Alaska and Canada) has fewer hotels, but many with excellent facilities. Be sure to check as there may be hotels suitable for viewing the Aurora or hotels offering optional tours.

Some hotels have "glass igloos" with glass ceilings in heated rooms, allowing you to enjoy the Aurora in the perfect environment.

Recommended northern lights viewing spots in Northern Europe: 1. Saariselkä (Finland)

Saariselkä is highly recommended for first-time aurora viewers. This town is the most familiar aurora destination for tourists, and it’s not uncommon to encounter other visitors here. Additionally, many tours offer English-speaking guides. Some hotels even have tour desks or staff available to assist.

You can reach Saariselkä by flying from Helsinki to Ivalo Airport, followed by a 30-minute transfer by bus.

Recommended northern lights viewing spots in Northern Europe: 2. Rovaniemi (Finland)

Rovaniemi, the hometown of Santa Claus, is another popular aurora viewing spot among Japanese tourists. The city is highly focused on aurora tourism, with even an aurora forecast app available. Popular viewing locations include the Arctic Garden and Näätsävaara Hill, and there are plenty of aurora tours available.
Apart from aurora viewing, there are many other attractions, ensuring you won’t get bored during your stay.

Rovaniemi is accessible via the small Rovaniemi Airport, which offers direct flights from Helsinki.

Recommended northern lights viewing spots in Northern Europe: 3. Inari (Finland)

The village of Inari, located in Finland's far north, is famous for the reflection of the aurora on Lake Inari. Due to its low population, light pollution is minimal, providing optimal conditions for viewing the aurora.

The further north you go in Finland, the better the aurora visibility, making Inari an excellent choice. However, keep in mind that there are limited shops for food and supplies, and few attractions besides aurora viewing, so plan accordingly.

Inari is accessible by a one-hour bus ride north from Ivalo Airport.

Recommended northern lights viewing spots in Northern Europe: 4. Kiruna (Sweden)

Kiruna, Sweden, is also a city with beautiful auroras. To get to Kiruna, it is common to go via Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. If you depart from the Philippines to Stockholm, you will have to change trains at one point along the way. In that sense, it is inconvenient to access, but you can visit Kiruna Church, and experience skiing and dog sledding, so you won't get bored even when the auroras are not visible.

◆ Kiruna’s "Ice Hotel" is making headlines!

One highly recommended attraction in Kiruna is the Ice Hotel. You can stay in rooms made entirely of ice, and the hotel also features a bar with glasses made of ice, adding to the immersive icy experience. It’s a unique place to stay and perfect for creating fun memories. Reservations are available through Skyticket—why not give it a try for an unforgettable experience?

◆ Getting to Kiruna: Flights or Overnight Trains Recommended

You can reach Kiruna by a 1.5-hour flight from Stockholm, but the overnight train is also a great option. The journey from Stockholm Central Station takes about 15 hours. As of October 2023, the train departs Stockholm at 18:10 and arrives in Kiruna the next morning at 9:14. Ticket prices start at around 1,100 SEK for a seat, and from 1,280 SEK for a sleeper car.

The overnight train offers a rare chance to experience sleeper travel. There is also a dining car where you can enjoy warm meals. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the aurora or starry skies from the train!

Recommended Northern Lights viewing spots in Northern Europe: 5. Tromso (Norway)

The best thing about Tromso (also Tromsø or Tromsø) is that you can see the beautiful aurora without going too far from the city. Although it is located in the northern part of Norway, the average temperature in January is -1.1°C, which is warm considering its latitude.

Tromso is also home to the world's northernmost botanical garden, the Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden, and the world's northernmost university, the University of Tromso, so there are plenty of spots worth seeing even during the day when the aurora doesn't appear.

Recommended Northern Lights viewing spots in Northern Europe: 6. Reine (Norway)

The average minimum temperature in February in Reine (also spelled "Reine") in the Lofoten Islands in Norway is about 0°C. It is not uncommon for the minimum temperature to drop below 0°C on some days.

Reine is located at 67°55' north latitude, which is north of the Arctic Circle (north of 66°33' north), so it is on the aurora belt and there is a good chance of seeing the aurora.

◆ Reine: Named the "Second Most Beautiful Village on Earth"

Reine was recognized as "the most beautiful village in Norway" by a famous Norwegian magazine, and was named the second most beautiful village in the world by a survey by the British furniture company Faraway Furniture.
*The first place was Italy's "Cinque Terre"

Reine is home to some breathtaking views that some even call it "the most beautiful village on Earth".

Recommended Northern Lights viewing spots in Northern Europe: 7. Reykjavik (Iceland)

Reykjavik (Reykjavík) is the capital of Iceland. Even though it is the capital, only about 123,000 people live in Reykjavik, which is the same as Apayao. The population of Iceland as a whole is about 350,000, which is the same as Davao Occidental, so one-third of the population is concentrated in Reykjavik.

To get to Reykjavik from the Philippines, you will need to make at least one transfer, but there are two reasons why we recommend it.

◆ Recommended Highlight 1: See the Aurora in the City of Reykjavik!

Reykjavik is an ideal choice if you want to enjoy the convenience of the city while still experiencing the aurora. One of the unique aspects of Reykjavik is the chance to see the northern lights set against an urban landscape. However, city lights can sometimes interfere with the view. If you’re looking for a clearer and more spectacular aurora experience, joining a tour is highly recommended.

◆ Recommended Highlight 2: Warmer than Other Aurora Spots

Unlike many other aurora destinations, Reykjavik is located in a temperate climate zone rather than a polar or subarctic one. As a result, it’s not uncommon for temperatures to remain above 0°C even in mid-winter. Although it can still feel cold, the advantage of staying in Reykjavik is that you can easily retreat to warm indoor spaces whenever needed.

Recommended Northern Lights viewing spots in North America: 1. Yellowknife (Canada)

When it comes to seeing the Northern Lights in Canada, Yellowknife is the first place that comes to mind for many people. Here, the conditions are right for seeing the Northern Lights not only in winter, but also from late August to September. Therefore, if you're lucky, you may be able to see the "Summer Northern Lights."

By the way, in Canada, the Northern Lights are called the "Northern Lights." It's also the easiest place to get to in North America, with only one transfer from Vancouver, Calgary, or Toronto if you're going from the Philippines.

Recommended Northern Lights viewing spots in North America: 2. Whitehorse (Canada)

Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon Territory. It is the largest city in the three northern territories of Canada (Yukon, Northwestern, and Nunavut), but its population is only about 25,000. This is roughly the same as Batanes in the Philippines.
Even so, about 80% of the population of the Yukon Territory, which has an area Vigan City, is concentrated in Whitehorse, so you can imagine how sparsely populated the Yukon Territory is.

Because of this, you don't have to go too far from the Whitehorse city center. The above video was taken in August, but you can see more than enough of the magnificent aurora. In addition to the aurora, there are many other ways to enjoy the city, such as strolling through the town that was bustling during the gold rush and seeing a steamship that was active in the days when roads were not yet developed.

Recommended Northern Lights viewing spots in North America: 3. Inuvik (Canada)

There may be few people who can guess the location of Inuvik (also spelled Inuvik or Inuvik) in Canada. Located downstream of the Mackenzie River, it is the northernmost town in Canada.

It is said that if you stay in Inuvik for three days, you have a 95% chance of seeing the Northern Lights. You will need to take a flight from Yellowknife or Whitehorse to Inuvik Mike Zubko Airport, but the location is attractive because there are fewer days when you cannot see the Northern Lights.

However, the population is only about 3,000, so there are not many shops. We recommend the Nova Inn Inuvik hotel. You can make reservations through skyticket.

◆ The igloo church is also recommended!

Besides the Aurora, you can also visit the Igloo Church (Our Lady of Victory Church). Mass is held there from 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 11:00 a.m. on Sundays. Please remember that it is a religious center.

Recommended Northern Lights viewing spots in North America: 4. Fairbanks (USA)

Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, is also a popular tourist destination for viewing the aurora. Fairbanks' Chena Hot Springs Resort has a specially selected hot spring, so if you're lucky, you can enjoy the luxury of watching the aurora while bathing in an open-air hot spring bath (wearing a swimsuit).

For more information, please see the article below.

Come and see the art created by the sun and the earth with your own eyes.

I'm sure there are many of you who are itching to see the Aurora in person after seeing it so far. It would be amazing to see the beautiful Aurora in either Northern Europe or North America! Please try to burn the view into your memory.

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11 best Aurora viewing spots! Northern Europe or North America? From classics to hidden gems