Where to see the Northern Lights

When to see the Northern Lights

Running from September to April, the Northern Lights season coincides with much longer nights, giving you eight months to witness this natural wonder. And that’s not all. If you’re hoping to see the Northern Lights in 2025, you’re in for a treat. According to aurora experts, the next few years are expected to make for some great viewing. This is due to the sun approaching a new solar maximum, meaning there is much more solar activity than usual, which in turn means excellent conditions for catching, chasing, and capturing the Northern Lights.

Where to see the Northern Lights in Norway

With beautiful mountains, blissful seclusion, and mesmerizing landscapes dusted in snow – Norway is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. Exploring uncharted territory and remote corners of Norwegian countryside, you’ll watch as they flicker over fjords and illuminate the striking Arctic scenery below.

Embracing their mysterious unpredictability, we’ll choose where to go depending on weather conditions and clear skies – even going as far as the Finnish and Swedish border to find the perfect conditions for the lights. And we’ll make many stops along the way, giving you the chance to capture these unique natural surroundings on camera.

Lyngen Alps

Located north of the Arctic Circle, the Lyngen Alps is one of the most captivating places to see the Northern Lights. A place renowned for its off-piste skiing and with a ban on heli-skiing in the area, things are done a little differently here. Fixing heavy-duty skins to the underside of powder skis, you’ll be able to trek up any one of these mountains that takes your fancy without sinking into the deep virgin powder. Pick a line, then simply slip the skins off before skiing fresh powder right down to the sea’s edge.

Here, out in the wilderness, you’ll find Aurora Lodge, a luxurious private lodge only able to be booked exclusively through Black Tomato. Designed by award-winning Scandinavian architect, Snorre Stinessen, the lodge is so remote and so private that it is only reachable by helicopter and can only be booked by a single group at a time. Far away from any light pollution, you’ll gaze up at crisp dark skies as you cozy up by the fire and wait for the aurora borealis to light up the night.

Lofoten Islands

Off the north coast of Norway lie the Lofoten Islands, a far-flung archipelago perfect for hunting the aurora borealis. By day, you’ll ski down untouched slopes along the Steigen coastline and uncover beaches so remote that few have stepped there before you. At night, you’ll sail beneath the wonder of the Norwegian skies aboard a historical sailing ship or cozy up in a glass-fronted sea cabin on a private island. Or both.

One of our favorite places to stay in the Lofoten Islands is Reine Fisherman’s Cabin. Located on the island of Moskenesøya in the fishing village of Reine, you’ll rest your head in your very own Rorbu (traditional renovated fishing cabin). 100km above the Arctic Circle and with a private terrace right on the pier, you’ve got front row seats for the greatest natural spectacle on earth. This is, without a doubt, one of the best places to see the Northern Lights.

Manshausen

In the midst of the Grøtøya strait, the 55-acre island of Manshausen is an idyllic hideaway bordered by Norway’s Lofoten Islands. Once an important trading post, the island is now owned by the most acclaimed Polar Explorer of our generation, Børge Ousland, and boasts seven glass cabins. Each one offers mesmerising views of towering mountains and plunging deep-blue fjords – all from the comfort of your bed. Here, it’s just you and the wilderness. Simply sit back and watch through your floor-to-ceiling windows as the Northern Lights dance across the sky.

Where to see the Northern Lights in Iceland

The wild beauty of Iceland and the natural wonder of the Northern Lights make for the perfect pairing. And because Iceland is close to the North Pole and offers crisp clear skies, it’s one of the best destinations to catch a glimpse of this otherworldly phenomenon.

And after visiting this alluring island many, many times, our luxury Travel Experts have got the low-down on precisely where and when to see the Northern Lights in Iceland – and what to do in the interim. So, whether it’s a family trip or solo adventure you’re after – we’ve got you covered.

Reykjanes Peninsula

Located on the North Atlantic Ridge, right where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet, the Reykjanes Peninsula is a world of moss covered lava fields, bubbling volcanoes, and black sand beaches – and the home of Iceland’s renowned Blue Lagoon. Here, we’ll take you to The Retreat at Blue Lagoon. With soothing geothermal waters with rumoured healing powers, revitalizing spa treatments, and your own private terrace with steps directly down into the Lagoon, nowhere does wellbeing quite like this. But this is also a place where you can see the Northern Lights. Simply head outside for a relaxing dip and let your worries float away as you gaze up at the dancing colors of the aurora above. Soak in the magic of it all. Literally.

South Iceland

Home to Iceland’s famed Golden Circle, a 300km route that carves its way across the south and starts and ends in Reykjavik, the country’s striking capital, South Iceland is brimming with natural wonders. Here, you’ll wander between tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park (the filming location of Game of Thrones’ “Bloody Gate”), dine on the freshest produce in a geothermal tomato greenhouse turned restaurant at Fridheimar, and the striking Gullfoss (meaning ‘golden falls’) waterfall where a Viking is believed to have once tossed his gold treasure into the plummeting water.

To top off your visit to South Iceland, we’ll arrange for you to stay at one of our favorite Icelandic hotels: Hotel Ranga, a luxurious country lodge. Bordering a glistening river filled with jumping salmon and set among the wilds of South Iceland, here you’ll enjoy fresh food, continent-inspired suites, and incredible views of frozen landscapes. And, of course, it’s a prime location for some of the best sightings of the aurora borealis. The staff can even arrange a personal “Northern Lights wake-up call” to ensure you don’t miss them. Now that’s what we call service.

Borgarbygg∂

A municipality in the west of Iceland, Borgarbygg is the gateway to Snaefellsnes National Park with its iconic basalt columns and glacier-peaked Snaefellsjökull volcano. Emerging out of a landscape of glacial lagoons and ancient lava plains is Hotel Húsafell. Iceland’s first and only fully self-sustainable hotel, Hotel Húsafell is powered entirely by the hot springs that surround it. But that’s not all. It’s also regarded as one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland due to its unique location near the snow-covered peaks of Langjokull glacier and subsequent crisp, cloudless skies. During the winter, the lights can appear on average as often as three times a week. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that the Northern Lights Institute has set up nearby.

Where to see the Northern Lights in Alaska

Expansive ice fields, towering mountain ranges, and plunging river canyons. No matter where you go in Alaska, you can guarantee it will be jaw-droppingly scenic. Throw in a sighting of the Northern Lights and you’ve got a truly unforgettable trip. And for those living in the US, it’s tantalizingly simple to get to. With no need for long-haul flights (or even your passport), getting there is easy. It’s leaving that’s the hard part.

Denali National Park

Perched on an isolated nunatak overlooking Denali National Park and a huge 6,000 feet above sea level, one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Alaska has to be Sheldon Chalet. A private hideaway at the very summit of the world (and one that’s only accessible by helicopter), this is every escapist’s dream. Heading out into the endless expanse of pristine-powdered terrain that stretches before you, you’ll hike, sled, and rappel to your heart’s content. What more could you want from an Alaskan adventure? Except, perhaps, the blaze of the Northern Lights? Come September to April, you’ll have that too.

Southcentral Alaska

If you’re looking for somewhere a little less remote, we’ll take you to Winterlake Lodge. Here, you’ll spend the day dogsledding and whale watching before cozying up at the Happy River Cabin to spot the aurora borealis lighting up the sky. But our favorite part? The helicopters. Taking to the skies, you’ll soar over snow-capped mountains, picturesque lakes, and sensational glaciers. Afterall, what better way to explore the vast Alaskan wilderness than from above. But if you want to get right into the heart of it, then we’ll arrange that too. With helicopter-assisted trekking adventures, you’ll find an abundance of wildlife to snap your camera at and leave no stone unturned. You’ll have the best of both worlds.

Southeast Alaska

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in southeast Alaska is the largest national park in the US, and the home of the Claus Family, the owners of Ultima Thule Lodge. Notoriously difficult to navigate, it’s hard to believe that this majestic park is home to one of the state’s most luxurious lodges. But here we are. Pioneering the art of landing bush planes, fitted with tundra tyres, on ice glaciers, the Claus Family put Wrangell-St. Elias at your fingertips. Spend your days flying up mountains, picnicking on sandbars and hiking trails that no-one else has hiked before. By night, you’ll find yourself in the ideal spot to watch the Northern Lights flicker overhead. A hundred miles from any road, and a location that is best pinpointed by coordinates rather than a conventional address, these clear, dark skies make for the ultimate viewing.

Where to see the Northern Lights in Finland

Our luxury Travel Experts know Finland like the back of their hand. But most importantly, they know where you can see the Northern Lights – and how to chase them in style. Accompanied by one of our knowledgeable local guides, you’ll leave the city lights of Rovaniemi behind and set off into the wilderness to find the perfect spot from which to admire the night sky. Simply sit back and enjoy a picnic of Finnish ‘Makara’ sausages, grilled over flames, and a glass of warming Lappish berry juice as you wait for the lights to appear overhead.

If you’re looking for a more adventurous way to chase the lights in Finland, we’ll arrange for you to hop on snowmobiles and ride out into the magic of snowy forests, keeping your eyes on the sky for any sign of flickering lights.

Finnish Lapland

A festive foray mixed with spotting the aurora borealis – Finnish Lapland is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights with kids. Between dashing through Arctic wilderness, exploring storybook towns, and visiting Father Christmas at his workshop, here you’ll embark on a truly magical adventure. Just watch as their faces light up with excitement (and the glow of the lights). If you’re seeking the perfect winter family trip, this is it.

When deciding where to stay, we’d recommend either Octola or Javri Lodge. The former boasts its very own glass ‘wilderness igloo’ for the perfect night beneath the stars (or the Northern Lights) while the latter is a traditional log cabin tucked far away in the frozen forests on the fringes of Urho Kekkonen National Park.

Rovaniemi

Seeing the Northern Lights is always a memorable experience – especially when seen from a sleigh pulled by reindeer. Near Rovaniemi, we’ll kickstart your luxury trip with a visit to a local reindeer farm. Here you’ll chat to the herders and feed the reindeer a few of their favorite snacks, before heading out for an enchanting evening of aurora borealis hunting, in a sleigh pulled by a few of Rudolph’s friends.

Returning to the capital of Finnish Lapland, you’ll rest up at the Arctic Light Hotel in the heart of Rovaniemi. Decorated with polar bear motifs and toys, the hotel also works to protect the habitat of this Arctic icon by partnering with the WWF to help raise awareness of the threat that global warming poses to their habitat.

Where to see the Northern Lights in Canada

The second largest country in the world and boasting the world’s longest coastline, Canada is a big deal. With its ten provinces and three territories, it connects to three oceans: the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Arctic. There’s a lot to see, and a lot to do.

If you’re seeking the Northern Lights in 2025, you’ve come to the right place. In certain regions in Canada, they can appear around 300 days a year, increasing your chances of catching them, camera in hand. This is due to northern Canada lying beneath the auroral oval (the area around the Earth’s magnetic poles) and therefore making it a hot spot for solar activity.

Newfoundland

Part of Canada’s most easterly province, Newfoundland (the seabird capital of North America) is located in the country’s captivating Atlantic region. Here, humpback whales surface beside floating glaciers, puffins perch on craggy headlands, and Atlantic waves break upon powder-white cliffs.

Heading further into the Canadian wilderness, we’d recommend a stay at Fogo Island Inn, where fishing, ocean kayaking, and hiking is the order of the day. Just a 50-minute ferry ride away from Central Newfoundland, this idyllic island is the perfect rural retreat for spotting seabirds by day, and catching the Northern Lights at night.

Northwest Territories

Next up, Canada’s Northwest Territories, an unfettered and mostly undiscovered part of Canada. The Northwest Territories are a reminder of why we travel – for the thrill of the unexpected, the joy of an epic adventure, and the desire to experience lifeways that we’re unaccustomed to. Teeming with wildlife, Indigenous-owned lodging, and exceptional positioning to witness the majesty of the Northern Lights, it’s no wonder the Northwest Territories make the cut as one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in 2025.

On the outskirts of Inuvik, deep in Canada’s Northwest Territories, you’ll find the rustic cabins of Arctic Chalet. Perfectly positioned between snow-coated mountains and frozen forests, this lodge offers a true off-the-grid experience – and ample opportunities to spot the aurora borealis.

Where to see the Northern Lights in Greenland

If there’s one thing Greenland is known for, it’s adventure. The chance to get off grid, to push your limits in the country’s remote, icy wilderness. It’s a place to challenge yourself – to embrace arctic swimming, foraging, mountain hiking. But it’s also one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in the world. With one of the lowest population densities in the world, there’s plenty of untouched places with zero light pollution to obscure your viewings of the lights.

Disko Bay

Situated on Greenland’s wild western coast, Disko Bay is famed for its kilometre-high icebergs. Getting up close and personal, you can kayak, paddleboard, and even swim between them. For the latter, you’ll be equipped with a specially designed survival drysuit, don’t worry. During winter (the best time to see the Northern Lights), our top place to stay here is Ilimanaq Lodge. With 15 luxury cabins perched cliff-side on a striking Arctic Fjord, each with their own private terrace, the lodge offers breathtaking views both during the day and at night. Cozying up with a steaming cup of Greenlandic coffee (like Irish coffee, only stronger), you’ll watch whales dipping beneath the waves and the aurora borealis dancing across the skies.

Why book a trip to see the Northern Lights with Black Tomato

At Black Tomato, we build our trips from the ground up with thoughtfulness, care and an outstanding attention to detail. With our completely bespoke itineraries, there’s nothing quite like the Northern Lights-centric family trips and romantic adventures we’ve created over the years.

There are many places (and ample opportunities) to catch a glimpse of these dancing arcs of color. And with each destination offering something different, you’ll have the chance to seek out the Northern Lights not once but twice. Or thrice – it’s completely up to you.

Having chased the aurora across countries and continents – by snowmobile, sailing boat, and sleigh – our luxury Travel Experts know the best places to catch them, and the most thrilling or soothing ways to do so. Whether that’s floating in the milk-blue waters of Iceland’s Blue Lagoon or being pulled by your own team of reindeer in Finland.

So, if you’re seeking the Northern Lights in 2025, just get in touch. We’ll show you the way.

From the northern hemisphere to New Zealand

Fancy an alternative? Swap the aurora borealis for the aurora australis. The Southern Lights, as they’re also known. This is a great option for those who have already seen the Northern Lights – or who have always wanted to go to New Zealand. Traveling through towering peaks and breath-taking valleys, here you’ll gaze upon star-flooded skies and otherworldly glowing lights as you listen to the echoing call of coastal birds and traditional Maori tales and song.