The Aurora Borealis is certainly something everyone should see at least once. Back then, when we didn’t have a scientific explanation of how it works, the northern lights were surrounded with myths and legends. Vikings believed the mesmerizing lights in the sky were reflecting the shining armour of northern gods. Finns called the aurora fox fire (revontulet), as they thought Arctic foxes were responsible for the view, running quickly through the clouds, creating colorful sparks with their tails brushing the mountains. No matter that now we know what it is; the spectacle is still legendary.
The best time to see the Northern Lights in Sweden or another Nordic country is late autumn and winter, as you need a dark sky for the miracle to happen. Several countries have suitable conditions to attract tourists in winter with aurora borealis. So, which country is best for the northern lights?
Best Country to See the Northern Lights
Lapland, the northern region of Scandinavia, is the ultimate choice if you want to witness northern lights. It is spread across three countries that can be visited to entertain yourself with the astounding light show. However, the northern lights are not the only attraction there.
Consider Sweden and let’s see what you get besides aurora borealis. The country’s nature is impressively beautiful, with its deep woods, clear lakes, and magnificent mountains. This is especially true for Kiruna and Abisko – two places you can go to see the northern lights in all their glory. Both are located in the North of the country and are wonderful to spend winter holidays at. While Abisko is a picturesque village surrounded by mountains, Kiruna is a town that hosts the famous Icehotel and is very attractive to tourists. If you choose Abisko as your destination, make sure to also visit Abisko National Park, one of the oldest in the country.
So, Is Sweden a good place to see the northern lights? It’s certainly one of the best!
Another exciting option to hunt aurora borealis is Norway. Sure, the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name is Fiords, and you can shoot two birds with one stone and treat yourself with more than a light show. The best time to see northern lights in Norway is also winter and celebrating the New Year in the country would be great as well. But there are even more exciting options!
Did you know you can see the Northern lights from space? According to British online space news magazine Orbital Today, the view is breathtaking. So, if you’re thinking of the best place to see the northern lights in 2025, it can also be an option with the modern state of space tourism.
The third country that shares Lapland with Norway and Sweden is Finland, and it deserves your attention on its own. The country is beautiful, and mysterious, and stands out for its special vibes many visitors grow to appreciate hugely. Rovaniemi is your best choice to go for a winter trip to enjoy the official home of Santa and celebrate the new year in the most suitable place, filled with joy and genuine Christmas spirit. It is certainly the best place to see northern lights in Finland.
There’s a reason we consider other tourist attractions suggesting the locations. Technically, there are always northern lights somewhere, but you need to be in a certain place to see it. Is Finland the best place to see the northern lights? It might be. There are higher chances to catch the view there, but if you’re not lucky with it, you still have many things to entertain yourself in Lapland.
Aurora Australis
We already know that the best time to see northern lights is winter. However, you don’t have to go North exclusively to see the beautiful light play. You can choose to chase southern lights, or Aurora Australis by visiting Australia or New Zealand in winter. The view is similar as the phenomenon is the same, i.e., solar activity interacting with the magnetic shield of the Earth.
To Sum Up
Aurora borealis, or northern lights, can be spotted from many places, but most of them are located in Norway, Sweden and Finland. The fascinating and majestic dance of light is something worth travelling far North. In each of these countries, you will easily find some more places to see and activities to enjoy; so pack your bag and book your flight to witness true winter miracles in the place of their origin.
