Questioning the place you possibly can see the Northern Lights in Europe? Looking for the PERFECT European location the place you possibly can open your door and see the Aurora Borealis twinkling overhead every evening? Listed below are 7 of the very best locations in Europe to extend your probabilities of seeing the Northern lights!
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The Northern Lights in Europe
Should you’ve ever been fortunate sufficient to see the Northern lights, both in Europe or elsewhere, you’ll know that they’re BREATHTAKING.
Critically, significantly spectacular.
Which I’m guessing you already know, or wish to know, when you’re looking for the very best locations to see the majestic Aurora Borealis.
On this submit, we’re going to share the very best locations in Europe to see the Northern Lights, plus do our greatest that will help you see them, by sharing the 4 important guidelines that the specialists say to observe if you wish to see the Northern Lights in Europe (extra on these under)
Prepared? Let’s dive in!
The place is the very best place to see Northern Lights in Europe?
I hate to start out this submit off with some irritating information, however when you’re questioning the place in Europe are you able to see the Northern Lights, it’s good to know one factor first: there’s NO one greatest place to see the Northern Lights. They’re a shifting phenomenon and the ‘greatest locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe’ change from month to month (even week to week or evening to nighttime!). That is precisely the identical within the Southern Hemisphere for the southern lights in New Zealand or elsewhere- the rattling factor retains shifting!
That mentioned, there are some locations the place your probabilities of seeing the Northern Lights in Europe enhance dramatically and they’re constantly the very best locations to go to.
Find out how to enhance your probabilities of seeing the Northern Lights in Europe- suggestions
There are 4 important guidelines that the specialists observe if you wish to enhance the probabilities of seeing the Northern Lights in Europe. These are:
- Get North of the Arctic Circle between October and March
- Get inland, away from the ocean. Mountains are good as a result of they assist hold the sky clear
- Be versatile. I do know this isn’t simple, in case you are reserving a vacation, however when you do have the choice to be versatile and journey the place the forecast has the very best predicitions or the place the skies can be clearer, you’ll enhance your probabilities quite a bit!
- Be PATIENT– and settle for that it’s a big gamble! There may be NEVER any assure of seeing the Aurora in anywhere, regardless of how exhausting you attempt. Endurance is vital.
The place are you able to see the Northern Lights in Europe- break the principles!
We’ve been fortunate sufficient to see the Northern Lights on 7 separate nights. The truth is, out of the 8 nights we’ve spent Aurora looking, just one was unsuccessful. We’ve been very lucky- and we’ve damaged rule quantity 2 just about on a regular basis.
Our first journey was a Hurtigruten cruise from Tromso up the Norwegian coast. It was an amazing journey since that is simply one of many greatest European cities to go to in winter (years earlier than I began this weblog sadly), and we spent each evening sitting on deck in FREEZING temperatures, watching the Aurora swirl overhead and replicate on the ocean. It was completely magical.
The second time was in Iceland. We stayed in a small lodge on the South Coast, and noticed the Aurora 3 out of 4 nights whereas we explored among the greatest waterfalls in Europe.
We rented a automotive in Iceland, so drove miles into the wilderness to benefit from the present with none mild air pollution in any respect! It was fairly superior.
Each instances, we selected our journey primarily based on a risk of seeing the Northern Lights, however with different sights which allowed us to have a superb vacation regardless. Personally, I feel that’s the greatest plan. Going to any of those locations is expensive- and also you don’t wish to depart disenchanted. So choose someplace the place there’s something else superior to do (like motorhome snowboarding within the Alps!) as you chase the Northern Lights in Europe!
RELATED: Weird Customs and traditions in Europe that you simply’ve by no means heard of!
What’s the month for Northern Lights and to see the Northern Lights in Europe?
The very best time to see the Northern Lights in Europe and the very best Northern Lights months are October- March, north of the Arctic Circle. The solar units very early up right here, which permits loads of darkness to provide the lights an opportunity to indicate up.
Many individuals say Autumn or Spring are the very best instances– winter is sort of TOO chilly. Each instances we’ve been has been March, however we all know many individuals who’ve seen them in different months- it truly is luck of the draw and why the very best month for the Northern Lights can generally fluctuate. (Travelling in Autumn? Listed below are some wonderful concepts for locations to see in Autumn in Europe)
Sensible suggestions for Photographing Aurora and seeing the Northern Lights in Europe
- Get distant from cities and different mild air pollution, together with roads
- Enable about half-hour of darkness on your eye to regulate to the evening – making it simpler to do some private aurora images.
- Attempt to discover a location with an open view in the direction of the North- the Aurora tends to indicate over the North Pole
- Mountains and/ or lakes are excellent backdrops for AMAZING photographs when photographing Aurora
- After Twilight or simply earlier than daybreak are widespread instances for the Aurora to indicate up and are normally the very best time of day to see Northern Lights
- Wrap up warmly- you’re going to be exterior for some time!
- Learn to use your digital camera and analysis settings beforehand so you possibly can set it up shortly and do some private Aurora images
- Take a tripod for photographing Aurora!
The place to see northern lights in Europe
The locations under are the very best locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe and are available extremely really useful by a whole bunch of travellers. In fact, there are different locations the place you possibly can see the Northern Lights in Europe- that’s a part of the enjoyable!
I’ve heard tales about them being seen as far south as Manchester, England on some (uncommon!) events!
Northern Lights Finland
Finland has not too long ago turn out to be one of the well-liked Northern Lights locations in Europe. It’s additionally one of many first locations in Europe that the Aurora tends to be visible- generally as early as mid-August!
Rovaniemi, Finland is the house of Santa (no, significantly) and can also be one of the well-liked locations for Northern Mild hunters. Whereas searching for the Rovaniemi Northern Lights, you possibly can even keep in log or glass cabins specifically inbuilt areas away from mild air pollution to permit you a greater probability of seeing them out of your doorstep!
Finland has a low inhabitants ratio, so has lovely darkish skies free from mild air pollution, loads of gorgeous surroundings together with lakes to replicate the Aurora and a hotter temperature till November. (These lakes are additionally the proper spot to check out ice fishing in Finland– you would possibly even be capable of do it whereas watching the Finland Northern Lights overhead!)
Generally, the prospect of seeing the Rovaniemi Northern Lights on clear nights as round 40%, which can not sound like a lot however is definitely superb!
Finest time to go to Finland and see the Finland Northern Lights
September- November (earlier than the massive snowfalls arrive. Snow= cloud= not a lot probability to see the sky! Spring (March/ April) may be good too- however the skies get lighter faster so there’s much less time.
Seeing the Northern Lights in Finland – Find out how to get there
There are direct flights to Rovaniemi airport (Santa’s airport!) from UK and Europe throughout the winter.
Northern Lights Sweden
Kiruna, Sweden
Sweden is the least populated nation in Northern Europe. Which suggests much less mild air pollution. Which suggests extra probability to see the Aurora Borealis in all its glory.
Sweden additionally enjoys a reasonably gentle temperature till mid-November, which implies clearer skies. Which suggests extra probability to see the Aurora Borealis in all its glory.
Kiruna is legendary for the wonderful Ice Lodge which is constructed annually. You possibly can keep in one of many rooms, or simply go to for a tour. It’s additionally one of many greatest European cities to go to in Europe in winter.
Abisko, Sweden
However when you REALLY wish to enhance your probabilities of seeing the Sweden Northern Lights, then head north from Kiruna to the little city of Abisko.
This gorgeous place is VERY distant, however is within the mountains, whose winds assist to maintain the skies clear but additionally to control the temperatures. And the whole lack of sunshine air pollution means even weak Aurora shows may be seen right here. That’s why Abisko is well the most effective locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe.
Abisko additionally has the Aurora Sky Station , which is an open chair elevate taking you as much as an commentary lounge and restaurant on a mountaintop, the place you possibly can watch the Aurora while having fun with a 4-course meal. Wrap up warmly, however the views of the Abisko Northern Lights are SPECTACULAR!
Finest time to Go to Sweden and See the Sweden Northern Lights?
September to finish of March
Different actions to get pleasure from
Husky sledding, excursions photographing Aurora, Lapland tour, skimobiles or enjoyable in a lovely log cabin, distant from the world!
Getting there
There are every day flights to Stockholm from the UK and Europe and from there you may get a flight to Kiruna. You can too get a prepare from Stockholm, together with the evening prepare which simply seems like enjoyable! Or, you would all the time street journey there use this submit for some superior street journey concepts in Europe.
To get to Abisko, you will want to make use of the prepare or bus from Kiruna.
Northern Lights Iceland- one of many most cost-effective locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe
Iceland is a cool vacation spot in its personal right- the truth that you would possibly see the Iceland Northern Lights as effectively is simply an added bonus! It’s additionally one of many most cost-effective locations to see the Northern Lights in Europe.
Don’t count on enormous snowdrifts- however the lack of snow clouds is likely one of the causes you get such excessive viewing stats in Iceland – making it the most effective locations to see Northern Lights in Europe.
Once more, the Gulf Stream works its magical magic (technical time period) and by some means the temperatures are barely hotter than they need to be. All these volcanoes additionally assist hold the temperatures hotter too!
Don’t get me mistaken, it’s nonetheless chilly in winter, however get away from the cities and also you’ve bought an amazing probability of seeing the Iceland Northern Lights.
Finest time to go to Iceland and See the Iceland Northern Lights?
October to finish of March. Autumn and Spring are thought of the very best instances.
Different actions to get pleasure from
Lease a automotive and do your personal tour- a 4×4 is a good thought! In any other case, ebook onto a number of excursions to go to Geysers, Volcanoes, Glaciers, Waterfalls, boat cruises and the Blue Lagoon (which we DIDN’T do after we went and we remorse it. So now we now have to return!)
Attending to Iceland
There are frequent flights to Rekyjavik from the UK and Europe.
Northern Lights Norway
Svalbard, Norway
Svalbard is a gaggle of islands north of the Northern coast of Norway. It’s the northernmost inhabited place in Europe and it’s well-known for its polar bears.
Svalbard lies within the Arctic Ocean midway between Norway and the North Pole. It’s distant, desolate and an ideal place to see Norway Northern Lights!
It’s lined in untouched glaciers, HUGE mountains and a variety of wildlife (though in winter a lot of it is going to be hibernating or hiding!
Through the summer season, the solar by no means units in Svalbard, and throughout the winter (November to February), there’s NO daylight. None.
This is the reason you stand such an amazing probability of seeing the Svalbard Northern Lights – it might actually seem at any time of the day or evening.
In October and February, you’ll expertise a twilight and ‘daybreak’ with blue mild, which can also be wonderful to see. (Listed below are some concepts for different nice locations to see in Europe in October)
Different issues to do in Svalbard apart from see the Svalbard Northern Lights
Canine sledding; Snowmobiling; Glacial Ice caving; Snow-shoeing; photographing Aurora excursions and basic Aurora looking excursions
Attending to Svalbard
Svalbard has the world’s most northern airport accepting scheduled flights. The most typical route is from Oslo which takes 3 hours- not many locations in UK or Europe have scheduled flights to Longyearbyen.
NOTE: You WILL want a passport or different Authorities-issued ID to get to Svalbard.
Tromso, Norway
Tromso is the biggest metropolis in Northern Norway. It’s north of the Arctic circle and, though it’s on the ocean, it’s surrounded by fjords and mountains which assist hold the sky clear AND give a tremendous backdrop for the Tromso Norway Northern Lights to indicate off on.
For greatest views, attempt to get out of the town for the evening- there are LOADS of Tromso Northern Lights tour choices which let you do that! Alternatively, when you’re touring Norway in a motorhome or campervan, make sure to keep effectively away from built-up areas on clear nights.
Finest time to go to Norway and see the Norway Northern Lights?
September- April
Different actions to get pleasure from in Tromso
Canine sledding; Snowmobile excursions; Polar bear museum and in January there’s the Northern Lights Pageant– a music pageant showcasing native and worldwide artists starting from classical to jazz!
Attending to Tromso
Loads of direct flights to Tromso from UK and Europe. There’s additionally a prepare from Oslo, the place you possibly can get pleasure from a few of these breathtaking locations to see in southern Norway
Northern Lights Scotland
The place are you able to see the Northern Lights in Europe? Shetland, Scotland
Are you able to see the Northern Lights in Scotland?
Completely! And the very best place to see the Northern Lights in Scotland is within the Shetlands.
The Shetlands are the most effective locations to see the Northern Lights in Scotland. The Arctic Circle is simply 650 miles north and winter is DARK.
The Shetland Islands are an archipelago of greater than 100 islands, sitting between Norway and Scotland. They’re technically nearer to Norway than Scotland, so that they’re not precisely subsequent to the Scotland Mainland, which you’ll be exploring as a part of this unmissable Scotland itinerary!
15 of the Shetland Isles are inhabited and, though they’re very distant, they’ve a novel tradition and heritage, with numerous Viking museums and memorabilia to discover while you’re ready for the Aurora to indicate up and performing some scenic drives in Scotland.
Finest Place to See Northern Lights in Scotland and Find out how to get to Shetland
There’s a ferry, however I actually don’t fancy these stormy winter seas! One of the best ways is by aircraft from both Bergen in Norway or a number of airports in Scotland.
Are you able to see the Northern Lights in Switzerland
The brief (and considerably stunning reply!) is that sure, you possibly can see Switzerland Northern Lights. However not typically. Sometimes the Aurora Borealis is so sturdy that it’ll attain all the way in which south and you may see the Northern Lights in Switzerland. However there is no such thing as a method to predict when this may occur and it occurs very VERY not often (each few years or so.)
So don’t ebook your journey to Switzerland primarily based on that! (However do nonetheless go- Switzerland is AMAZING and we cherished the GelmerBahn Funicular)!
READ MORE: Every part it’s good to find out about street journeys & campervanning in Switzerland
So, the place is the very best place for Northern Lights in Europe?
Wherever you’re and they’re on the identical time! Seeing them is breathtaking and unforgettable. I sincerely hope you get that probability!
Protected travels as you journey to the very best locations to see Northern Lights in Europe – and let me know the way you get on!
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