7 best places to see the northern lights, according to an aurora chaser

I've spent years chasing the northern lights across the Arctic, from the mountains of Swedish Lapland to the dramatic Norwegian fjords.

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that choosing where to see the northern lights is about much more than simply heading as far north as possible.

Whether you're on the hunt for somewhere that offers the best chance of clear skies, the most dramatic scenery or a plethora of winter activities to keep you warm, choosing the right destination can make a big difference, especially as auroras are never guaranteed.

My biggest piece of advice? Choose somewhere you've always wanted to visit regardless of whether the northern lights might appear.

That way, the auroras become the icing on the cake rather than the sole measure of a successful trip.

From my personal favorites in Scandinavia to some of North America's most established aurora hotspots, here are seven of the best places to see the northern lights this 2026/27 season.

Best places to see the northern lights at a glance Best places to see the northern lights at a glance Location Best for Kiruna and Abisko, Sweden Best for a short northern lights trip Tromsø, Norway Best for a city break Norwegian coast Best for a scenic Arctic voyage Finnish Lapland Best for a winter wonderland getaway Iceland Best for volcanoes, glaciers and natural wonders Fairbanks, Alaska Best for a U.S. aurora getaway Yellowknife, Canada Best for a Canadian aurora getaway Abisko and Kiruna, Sweden: Best for a short northern lights trip Northern lights from Mount Nuolja, Abisko, Sweden. (Image credit: Daisy Dobrijevic) Best time to visit: September to early April Swedish Lapland holds a particularly special place in my heart.

It's where I saw the northern lights for the very first time, during a trip to Kiruna in February 2023.

I'd only booked two nights in Kiruna, one of which included a northern lights tour with Anders from Outdoor North 67º .

Talk about putting all your eggs in one basket! But the gamble paid off, and I was treated to a spellbinding display of auroras dancing across the Arctic sky.

I've been hooked ever since.

Kiruna offers a wide range of accommodation, restaurants and activities, making it a convenient base for exploring the region.

From here, you can join guided aurora tours, visit the famous Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi or head into the wilderness for dog sledding and snowmobiling adventures.

One of the region's biggest draws is Abisko National Park, around 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of Kiruna.