Best Places To See The Northern Lights in 2022

To experience the northern lights is almost on everyone's bucket list and many people wish to experience it. Being it an experience, not a mere destination it is harder to cross it off the list. The conditions need to be perfect for this spectacular display to take place. 

Even though it can be one of the harder items on a bucket list, it is not unattainable. There are certain places that get more of the northern lights than others and thankfully we found them for you. 

We made sure 2021 and 2022 season for the northern light spectacle is up to date and have the best places to offer to you, all based on regularity, quality and accessibility. 

Another piece of good news is that this is the season to see them. Through December till March are the best month for this elusive natural phenomenon. 

YUKON (Canada)

Yukon is the best place to see the northern lights in North America. It is remote, wild and definitely beautiful. Once you travel up there it will make you feel detached from the modern world and enchant you. It is even possible to see the light show in late-August, but we recommend to head up in the winter months.  For prime viewing, be sure to travel in the middle of the season when still nights last longer and there is generally less less cloud cover.

December till March are the best month for this elusive natural phenomenon.  

DENALI NATIONAL PARK (Alaska)

Being situated up north, Alaska has a few places to see the northern light, like the Fairbanks, or Nome, but we recommend the Denali National Park. It is located between Anchorage and Fairbanks (which are both great places to experience the northern lights), Denali offers really the best viewing. No light pollution and it is only a 3 hour drive from south of Fairbanks. Not to mention that Denali is home to the highest mountain peak in North America. 

PRIEST LAKE (Idaho)

This might seem like a random location to seeing the northern lights, but the Priest Lake is a credited destination for experiencing the aurora. Head for the national forest, which will give you more to experience than just the lights. If you go to the lake and are in luck for perfect conditions, you can even see the lake reflecting the colors of the lights. Chose the winter month to visit, September till March for the best experience. 

TROMSO (Norway)

Now we will have to travel to Europe, for the ultimate light shows, but no to worry there are plenty of places to go. Like for example, Tromso in Norway. The city is regarded as one of the world’s best places to see the Northern Lights. It offers excellent views from September until April and is easily accessible with a direct flight form London, UK and in only 3.5 hours you can enjoy the northern lights. Since it is the best place to see the lights in Europe, the city is quite lively, with a lot to offer to tourists. 

HOFDABREKKA (Iceland)

There are many places in Iceland to see the northern lights, and to get to the best one, make your way to the capital. The best months to see the lights are between September to April. We do suggest you get a direct flight to Reykjavik and then for the absolute best experience travel to Hofdabrekka, near Vik in the southern part of Iceland. Apart from the northern lights, the isolation you will find there is mesmerising. 

ROVANIEMI (Finnish Lapland)

Another favourable destination in Europe to see the northern light is the Finish Lapland. Situated north of the Arctic Circle, it is a wilderness you have not experienced. Best time is between September to April. Lapland will take your heart once you go there and it lucky, you might see Santa. And if not him, you will for sure see his reindeers. 

ILULISSAT (Greenland)

Located on the western coast, Ilulissat is the third largest city in Greenland and it home to just 5,000 people, which really speaks for itself how meagre the region is. It will give you one of the best opportunities to see the light thanks to the lack of rain and low levels of wind. Nothing can spoil the experience like a cloudy night. Not to worry here. This destination is one of the most reliable one for clear skies. 

ABISKO NATIONAL PARK (Sweden) 

Sweden is one of the best places to see the aurora in the northern hemisphere, especially in the region called Lappland. The number one place in Sweden it the  Abisko National Park provides a very good opportunity to see the northern lights. The park is located far away from any city lights, so no light pollution will bother you. We have a little pro tip for you: even though you can see the lights almost everywhere in the park, the best place to be is the Aurora Sky Station. They have an observatory tower there and experts that can answer any questions. If you really want the best chance to experience the lights, this is where you should go.