The Northern Lights are one of the most beautiful phenomena in the world and a favorite natural sight for many people. These lights appear when charged particles from the sun rush towards Earth and then collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere.
This article recommends 5 breathtaking places to see the Northern Lights in Europe.
1. Abisko, Sweden
If you want to see the Northern Lights in Sweden, your best chance is to visit Swedish Lapland between September and March. Again, the rule of thumb when chasing the aurora is that the further north you drive, the more likely you are to see the aurora.
A particularly popular attraction in Sweden is Abisko National Park, home to the Aurora Sky Station.
The station is located on Mount Nolia, about 900 meters above sea level, in an area with very little light pollution to distract from the night sky.
2. Inari, Finland
According to locals, Finland is amazing no matter what time of year you visit, but Lapland's winters are especially magical. Did you know that in Finnish Lapland you can see the Northern Lights up to 200 nights a year?
The Northern Lights can be seen here as early as late August, and the further north you go, the better your chances. Inari is one of the best places to see the lights and experience a unique culture.
Located on a lake about 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, Inari is the capital of Finland's indigenous reindeer herding Sami people and has a rich heritage.
There are more reindeer here than people call home, and there is virtually no light pollution, which means you can stroll down to the lake and watch the magical show.
3. Alta, Norway
Norway has several great places to see the Northern Lights, but Alta has always been at the top of the list. This particular destination is home to the world's first Northern Lights observatory, and it has even earned it the nickname "The City of the Northern Lights."
Another cool reason to visit is to see the famous Alta Stone Carvings.
This is Norway's only Prehistoric World Heritage Site, carved from around 6,000 pieces. The best time to spot the aurora in northern Norway is from late September to early April.
Sure, you can be lucky enough to see them out of that window, but you do have fewer dark hours around you.
4. Akureyri, Iceland
Iceland has quickly become another popular destination for light-seeking vacations in Europe, a country that not only offers jaw-dropping beauty but also offers a chance to see the Northern Lights from September to mid-April.
One thing to note is that while November to February is the darkest months of the year, they are also the cloudiest, so it all comes down to luck.
Northern Iceland has some of the most dramatic landscapes, including thundering waterfalls and geothermal hotspots, making for great photography.
Akureyri, in particular, is considered the unofficial capital of the north, and its small population and low light pollution make it a great place to chase the aurora. Be sure to keep warm as it will be cold outside!
5. Shetland, Scotland
Scotland is often overlooked as the place in Europe to see the Northern Lights, but the skies in northern Scotland are bright on those cold, dark winter days.
While it takes a bit of a journey to get there, the Shetland Islands are an ideal destination. The archipelago consists of more than 100 islands, 15 of which are inhabited. The islands also happen to be closer to Norway than mainland Scotland.
Plus, it's a beautifully rugged and secluded destination where you can explore a unique cultural heritage and learn more about the Vikings who made their mark on the Shetland Islands.
This sounds like a cool way to pass the time while waiting for the aurora.
