There’s something magnetic about watching the northern lights sweep across a cold, dark sky. Northern Europe happens to be one of the few regions on Earth where the aurora regularly shows up, and the settings couldn’t be more varied—icy fjords, glass igloos, and frozen islands at the edge of the map.
Some places are easy to reach, while others require a long journey north, yet all of them offer front-row seats to one of nature’s most spectacular displays. Here is a list of 15 aurora trips in Northern Europe that capture the best of the Arctic night.
Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø has earned its nickname as the gateway to the Arctic, and the lights here rarely stay hidden for long. With fjords on one side and mountains on the other, the scenery makes the aurora look even more dramatic. Local tours head out almost every night in winter, pairing aurora chasing with activities like reindeer sleigh rides or husky trips.
Long stretches of darkness from November through January practically guarantee a show if the skies are clear.
Abisko, Sweden
Abisko is one of those rare places where the odds of seeing the aurora are unusually high. Thanks to a local weather effect, known as the ‘blue hole’, the skies often stay clear even when surrounding areas are clouded over.
At the Aurora Sky Station, perched above the valley, you can watch sweeping arcs of green and purple with little light pollution. Many travelers choose Abisko because it feels like a sure bet in a part of the world where nature rarely gives guarantees.
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Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi brings together Arctic wilderness and a playful holiday atmosphere, since it’s officially recognized as Santa Claus’s hometown. Visitors often stay in glass-roofed cabins where they can watch the sky flicker without leaving the warmth of bed.
During the day, snowmobiles and husky safaris keep people busy, while at night, the northern lights often steal the spotlight. The whole town has a kind of winter magic that makes the experience memorable even when the skies are quiet.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Although it’s the busiest spot on the list, Reykjavik still works well as a base for aurora hunters. Within half an hour, you can be out on dark coastlines or standing in lava fields far away from the city glow.
Tour companies run nightly trips to wherever the skies look clearest, so you’re not limited to one viewpoint. Seeing the aurora above Iceland’s raw volcanic terrain makes the lights feel even more otherworldly.
Kiruna, Sweden
High above the Arctic Circle, Kiruna has one of the longest aurora seasons in Europe. Its most famous attraction is the Icehotel, rebuilt every year with frozen blocks from the nearby river, where guests can sleep inside sculpted ice rooms.
Wide, open terrain means the lights often stretch across the entire horizon, putting on a panoramic display. Travelers often add cultural visits with the Sámi people, which gives the trip a deeper connection to the region.
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Alta, Norway
Alta has been linked with the aurora for centuries—it even hosted one of the world’s earliest observatories devoted to the lights. Today, modern lodges make it easy to relax in outdoor hot tubs while watching the sky above.
Guides often take visitors out to surrounding plateaus, where the air is clear and the views stretch endlessly. Between its scientific past and cozy modern touches, Alta offers a balance of history and spectacle.
Kakslauttanen, Finland
This resort has become almost synonymous with aurora tourism thanks to its glass igloos. Guests fall asleep under Arctic skies while staying warm inside, making it one of the most comfortable ways to see the lights.
The remote location ensures deep darkness, which only makes the colors more vivid when they appear. With husky safaris and skiing by day, and the aurora by night, Kakslauttanen is a complete Lapland experience.
Lofoten Islands, Norway
Few places combine scenery and aurora displays as well as the Lofoten Islands. Towering peaks rise directly out of the sea, and when the lights reflect on calm water, the effect feels twice as strong.
The small fishing villages scattered across the islands add a cozy human touch to the wild setting. Seeing the aurora here feels almost cinematic, as if the landscape was designed for drama.
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Saariselkä, Finland
Saariselkä offers both wilderness and comfort, with cabins, igloos, and boutique lodges that open directly onto the night sky. Evening treks by snowshoe or reindeer sled lead into quiet forests where there’s no distraction from artificial lights.
Visitors appreciate the variety of ways to experience the aurora, from private glass-domed suites to guided hunts. It’s a destination that adapts to both adventure seekers and those looking for pure relaxation.
Svalbard, Norway
Svalbard lies far to the north, closer to the pole than almost anywhere else you can reach as a tourist. Here, during the long polar night, the sun doesn’t rise for months—making it one of the only places where auroras can appear in broad daylight.
Glaciers, frozen fjords, and rugged landscapes make the backdrop unlike anywhere else in Europe. Watching the lights here feels raw and untamed, as if you’ve truly reached the edge of the world.
Kittilä, Finland
Kittilä is a small town with big access—it’s close to Levi ski resort and surrounded by Lapland wilderness. Nights here often combine traditional Finnish sauna culture with quiet aurora watching under the stars.
The skies stay dark and clear for months at a time, offering reliable opportunities to catch the lights. Its central location makes it easy to add on visits to other Lapland highlights.
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Thingvellir, Iceland
Thingvellir National Park isn’t just important for history and geology—it also offers wide, dark horizons perfect for aurora viewing. Standing in the valley where two tectonic plates meet gives the experience an extra layer of drama.
When the lights ripple across the sky, they seem to stretch endlessly from one side of the rift to the other. Many visitors combine aurora watching here with Iceland’s popular Golden Circle route.
Harstad, Norway
Harstad is less crowded than Tromsø, yet the aurora activity is just as rewarding. Its fjords and surrounding mountains create striking silhouettes against the glowing sky.
Many visitors stay in waterside cabins, where stepping outside at night often brings a private viewing of the lights. For those who prefer quieter settings with fewer tourists, Harstad offers a more relaxed way to experience the Arctic.
Luosto, Finland
Luosto is small and tucked away, perfect for travelers who want an aurora trip without the bustle. It’s home to Finland’s Northern Lights Research Center, which sometimes alerts guests when activity is strong.
Snowshoe hikes into the forest here create peaceful settings for watching the sky. With science, silence, and wilderness all meeting in one place, Luosto delivers a simple but powerful experience.
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Akureyri, Iceland
Akureyri, the main hub of northern Iceland, blends the comforts of a town with easy access to dark skies. Its fjord location means auroras often reflect beautifully across the water, doubling the effect.
Visitors use Akureyri as a base to explore volcanic landscapes and geothermal wonders nearby. Fewer crowds than Reykjavik give the town a calmer pace, making it a favorite among repeat visitors.
When the North lights up
The aurora borealis has always drawn people north, and Northern Europe continues to be the stage where the sky puts on its most unforgettable performances. From igloo hotels in Finland to frozen plateaus in Norway, each destination reveals a different side of the Arctic night.
Even when the lights don’t appear, the landscapes and cultures make the journey worthwhile. Chasing the aurora is less about a single moment and more about discovering places where the natural world still feels untamed.
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