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7 best places to see the northern lights, according to an aurora chaser
I've chased the northern lights across the Arctic. Here are seven destinations worth considering for your next aurora adventure.
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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.
Daisy has a keen interest in astrotourism and is always on the lookout for the next northern lights adventure. She has seen the northern lights countless times in Norway, Sweden and (believe it or not) Nottingham, UK!
She will join Hurtigruten as an onboard astronomer for a northern lights sailing in January 2027.
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.