This Is Where You Should Actually Go to See the Northern Lights in 2025
Auroras are flaring more often this year as the sun reaches its peak cycle. The result is brighter, more frequent displays across the far north, sometimes even dipping into regions that rarely see them. For travelers, that means 2025 is one of the best chances in decades to plan a trip around the lights. Here are fifteen places where the odds of catching them are especially strong.
Tromsø, Norway
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Tours led by seasoned guides take visitors outside city lights into fjords and valleys, where sightings are common. Between October and March, the “dancing green lady” is so regular here that Tromsø remains one of the most reliable aurora bases in the world.
Abisko, Sweden
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The skies here stay clearer than in much of Lapland because the town is surrounded by mountains that create a “blue hole.” Visitors climb to the STF Aurora Sky Station for a 70% chance of catching lights during its operating season, while snowmobiles and snowshoes offer daylight adventures.
Reykjavik, Iceland
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Iceland’s capital may not seem remote, but its location still delivers frequent aurora displays. A quick drive away takes you to darker pockets like the Reykjanes Peninsula or Grotta Lighthouse. Beyond that, Iceland doubles the appeal with volcano tours, geothermal pools, and glacier lagoons.
Fairbanks, Alaska
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Aurora activity above Alaska’s interior is so consistent that scientists built research stations there. Fairbanks sits directly under the auroral oval, which means lights often appear overhead rather than on the horizon. Visitors book cabins or head to Chena Hot Springs, where soaking in steaming pools pairs perfectly with neon streaks.
Churchill, Canada
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Churchill, on Hudson Bay, is known for crisp winter skies that make the aurora easier to catch, especially in February and March. Many visitors pair the trip with daytime wildlife tours before heading back out at night in tundra buggies to watch the sky.
Rovaniemi, Finland
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This town on the Arctic Circle wears two hats: Santa Claus’s official home and a hub for northern lights chasers. Visitors stay in glass igloos or cabins with wide roof windows, designed for comfortable skygazing. Activities like snowmobiling, reindeer sleigh rides, and ice fishing fill the days.
Svalbard, Norway
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Halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard offers something unusual: the polar night. During winter, the sun doesn’t rise for weeks that create long stretches of darkness perfect for aurora viewing. Tours run on snowmobiles or dog sleds, crossing stark, treeless landscapes.
Yellowknife, Canada
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Yellowknife sits at the heart of the auroral oval, where the odds of seeing the lights reach about 98% over a three-night stay, according to Northwest Territories Tourism. The Dene call the aurora ya’ke ngas, or “sky stirring,” a name tied to cultural stories that have lasted for centuries.
Lofoten Islands, Norway
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The rugged peaks and fishing villages of the Lofoten Islands form a striking backdrop for aurora hunters. Winter nights here are long and dark, and reflections from fjords often double the spectacle. Beyond the skies, travelers enjoy cod fisheries, Viking history museums, and Arctic surfing.
Michigan’s Headlands Dark Sky Park
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For those who don’t want to leave the lower 48, Michigan offers a surprise option. Headlands International Dark Sky Park sits at the tip of the mitten near Mackinaw City. Auroras aren’t guaranteed, but strong geomagnetic storms push visibility this far south. Peak months are October and November.
Westfjords, Iceland
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Skip the Golden Circle crowds and head north. The Westfjords are quieter, with longer nights and less cloud cover than the southern coast. Bolafjall, a mountain overlooking Ísafjörður, is one of the best dark-sky spots in the region. Small boutique stays like Húsið make it feel remote yet comfortable.
Orkney, Scotland
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Scotland’s northern islands occasionally light up with what locals call the “Merry Dancers.” Orkney’s remote beaches and hills provide some of the clearest northern horizons in the UK. Sites like the Ring of Brodgar stone circle add an ancient layer to the viewing experience.
Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
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Kangerlussuaq records close to 300 clear nights a year, giving it some of the best aurora odds in Greenland. Direct flights from Copenhagen make it easier to reach than most Arctic towns, and the nearby ice cap sets the daytime scene. At night, it’s common to see the lights right from town.
Alta, Norway
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Alta has been studying aurora activity for more than a century and is nicknamed the “City of the Northern Lights.” Its dry inland climate and clear skies create excellent conditions for frequent displays. Hotels in the area even design glass-roof rooms to maximize visibility.
Ilulissat, Greenland
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Icebergs drift past town on their way out of the UNESCO-listed Icefjord, and on clear nights, auroras vault above the blue maze. Only a few thousand residents live here, so light pollution stays low. Winter brings long darkness and stable cold that photographers like.