The Northern Lights are well-known phenomena where colorful ribbons or curtains of lights in vibrant and glowing greens, blues, and purples are visible throughout the night sky during the winter months. The lights are the result of various ions colliding, and the colors that are visible are dependent on the type of ions involved in the collision. The resulting display is a magical sight – there really isn’t anything else like it!

Seeing the northern lights is a popular bucket list item, and many people come from all over to check it off their list. The experience of seeing the stunning natural display of colorful light is something many people want to experience, and the occasion relies on a very specific set of circumstances. To see the lights clearly you must be in the right place at the right time, and even then, it’s never guaranteed. As it’s a natural phenomenon, it can’t be scheduled. However, there are certain places you can go where you have the best chance of witnessing it.

Read on to discover five of the best places in Europe to see the incredible astral show, and learn the best times of the year to go:

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Tromso, Norway

Tromso is a great city to visit in Norway during any part of the year, but if you venture here between September and April you have a good chance of experiencing a great view of the Northern Lights. The area is known for fairly stable weather, which is one of the elements that increase the chances of seeing the lights clearly.

You might be able to get a glimpse of them while in town, but the further you get away from any light pollution, the better chance you have of seeing them clearly. You can head out of town by yourself, or book one of the almost forty guided tours available in the city. If you prefer you can book small group tours or choose to go with a larger group. Either way, the opportunity to see the Northern Lights in Tromso is unmatched.

In addition to the Northern Lights experience, there are many other activities that you might enjoy while staying in Tromso. The tour such as the Reindeer Experience, Sami Culture, and Short Reindeer Sledding Tour from Tromso and the Snowmobile Safari with Camp Troll are just two of many other amazing things you can do here.

To see what else you can do in Tromso check our full list of activities here.

Need a place to stay during your Northern Lights trip to Tromso, see our recommended hotels to stay in Tromso here.

Reykjavik, Iceland

There are many reasons to visit Iceland’s capital city – the nightlife, the culture, and the opportunities to see the Northern Lights. You have a decent chance of seeing the light show between September and April as it’s during this time that Reykjavik sees about 20 hours of darkness. The conditions for the Northern Lights to be the most visible include darkness, so avoiding the dense portions of the city can improve your view.

There are many guided tours available, and you can even rent a car to drive out of the city to see the lights. The guided tours are great options, especially if you’re short on time, as the guides are experts in the intricacies of the weather conditions so they will know the best places to take you during certain times to give you the best chance of seeing the incredible astral display in person.

In addition to the Northern Lights experience, you might also enjoy other activities/tours such as the Golden Circle, Kerid Volcanic Crater, and Blue Lagoon Day Trip from Reykjavik, Snorkeling Between Continents in Silfra, and more. Click here to see the full list of things you can do in Reykjavik.

Need a place to stay during your Northern Lights trip to Reykjavik? Some of our favorite hotels are the CenterHotel Laugavegur and the CenterHotel Midgardur but you can see more hotels to stay in Reykjavik here.

Arctic Bath Hotel and Spa, Sweden

This absolutely beautiful floating hotel is an incredible place to stay even without the added bonus of the perfect vantage point from where to see the Northern Lights. The hotel lounge and shared areas are part of a structure that floats in the Lule River, and a series of nearby cabins offer a more solitary experience. The cabins have large windows that enable guests to see the Northern Lights clearly on any night that they’re visible. The hotel offers some rooms as part of the floating structure, and these spaces are also unique locations from which to view the light display.

It is definitely a more luxurious option, and it emphasizes general wellness and offers spa facilities. If you’re looking for a lavish immersive experience to indulge in while you’re hunting down views of the Northern Lights, the Arctic Bath Hotel and Spa in Sweden may be the place for you.

Ilulissat, Greenland

Ilulissat is one of the best places throughout Europe to see the Northern Lights, and if you’re in Greenland, it’s the best place to go. The lights here may be visible slightly earlier than other locations on this list – some records say they have been visible as early as late August. Generally, the final days of the season where you can see the lights occur during the month of April. That said, it’s even better to visit between November and February as the darker and longer the nights are, the better chance of the lights being visible.

While you can see the lights on your own, it’s always a great option to book a guided tour. The available tours in Ilulissat are unique and many of them offer additional experiences. Greenland Tours offers a multi-day experience where you can snowshoe, try your hand at dogsledding, and, of course, experiencing the unparalleled views that Southern Greenland has to offer. These tours are specifically designed to create an immersive experience that takes you to locations where you can get the best possible view of the Northern Lights.

If you are in Ilulissat, and looking for a place to stay. We recommend Hotel Arctic, Hotel Avannaa, or Best Western Plus Hotel Ilulissat.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Rovaniemi is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Europe. There are certain exceptional vantage points from within the city, and there is even an alert system you can sign up for that notifies you when the light show is imminent. Although there is no way to predict exactly when and where the light show will be visible, you generally have the best chance if you’re waiting between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. The best time to visit if you’re coming specifically to see the Northern Lights is from late August to early April – on average, the stunning display is visible 150 nights out of the year.

To elevate your experience, book a guided tour to venture out a bit further for a potentially clearer view. You can book a tour on snowmobiles, snowshoes, husky sleds, or even reindeer sleighs. Whatever your personal comfort level is, you’ll likely be able to find a tour that suits you.

To see what else you can do while staying in Rovaniemi, see our full list of things to do here.

Looking for a place to stay in Rovaniemi? We recommend LAURI Historical 19th Century Manor, HAAWE Boutique Apart Hotel, and our personal favorite, the Ounasvaaran Lakituvat Chalets.

Video Guide: 5 Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Europe

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