The question of where the Northern lights emerge is the first subject that anyone who wants to see aurora is looking for. In this article, we will talk about both the countries in which it is seen and the advantages and disadvantages of the countries.
However, it is not enough to go to one of the countries where the northern lights appear in one of the countries. Every year, thousands of tourists go to see the northern lights, but most of them return empty-handed. As a matter of fact, all this expense, labor and time is wasted.
To make the right choice, you should read these two articles together. Let's start with what hemisphere is seen where.
CANADA
Northern Canada is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights and spend time and ski in the unspoilt tundra of the North. Especially the Yukon region stands out in this regard.
Which cities can be seen?
The provinces of the State of Manitoba, such as the Churchill, the Yukon region, the cities of Tuktoyaktuk and Yellowknife of the Northwest Territories, Pangnirtung and Iqaluit in Nunavut, Newfoundland, New Scotland and British Columbia (British Columbia), Alberta, Cities like Banff and Jasper and cities around the Great Captive Lake are places where you can be lucky about Auroras. Especially Aurora Village in Yellowknife is a popular spot for northern lights tourism.
Advantages and Disadvantages What?
Canada's biggest advantage is that you have the chance to see the polar bears. There is also a culture of the Inuit peoples, which we say you must experience like the unique Sami culture in Scandinavia.
The disadvantage of Canada is that it requires a Canadian visa and its transportation is very demanding for us.
When and how?
In Canada, the Northern Lights are usually visible from October to March. For Churchill and Wood Buffalo, dates range from early August to early May. Aurora tours are also clustered in the so-called Yukon and Northwest Territories from October to March.
The best options are camping, staying in campervanda or renting AirBNB. Especially in Yellowknife you can find Aurora tours ranging from 1 to 5 days. Yukon also offers 1 to 4 day tours.
By the way
There are very special national parks in the northern parts of Canada. Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada's largest national park, and Jasper National Park of Alberta are especially worth seeing. If you come to Churchill from September to November to watch the lights, you can also take part in polar bears observation tours.
RUSSIA
Which cities can be seen?
Kola Peninsula in the center position of Aurora in Russia. Especially the city of Murmansk. Kirovsk, Arkhangelsk, Petrozavodsk, Naryan-Mar, Novaya Zemlya (only with special permission), Vorkuta, Yakutski, Salekhard are also important centers.
The Murmansk region on the Kola Peninsula is also preferred by Russian tourists as it is also a skiing area. You can see the Auroras from Murmansk, but when you climb 120 kilometers further north from it, there are other small towns like Teriberka. By the way, Murmansk is the most populous cosmopolitan city, with a population of 300,000 people, all located within the Arctic Circle.
Advantages and Disadvantages What?
Russia is the most affordable one among other options. But Russia's daytime activities are not very colorful and varied. There is also a cumbersome service and tourism industry. Therefore, accommodation, transportation, you may not find the options you want in matters such as standards. In addition, the freezing cold of Siberia.
When and how?
The best time to see the Northern Lights in Russia is from September to March. But the optimal months are December and January. Because in these months, some regions do not live for 6 months during the day. This increases your chances of seeing the lights. You are in the north within two hours of planes departing from Moscow or Saint Petersburg.
By the way
You can ski in the Khibiny Mountains and take part in activities such as husks and sledding in Kirovsk. You can also include two important cities, Moscow and Saint Petersburg, in your plans. In our opinion, Moscow is not so much, but Saint Petersburg is worth a visit.
ALASKA, USA
Which cities can be seen?
You can see the northern lights from almost anywhere in Alaska, but especially the city of Fairbanks is one of the highlights. Of course, try to go to the Denali and Fort Yukon areas, where you will remember from the movie 'Into the Wild', where you can get away from the city lights. Anchorage, Barrow, Bettles, Prudhoe Bay are other spots you might prefer for northern lights in the state of Alaska.
Advantages and Disadvantages What?
When you come to Alaska, you encounter a great nature. Not to mention the magnificent nature of Alaska, full of grizzly bears, mooseles, eagles and more, the mountains of eternity. But in any case, what you can do here is somewhat limited compared to other options. You may not have the chance to experience unforgettable activities, as in Scandinavian countries, as private tourism to the Northern Lights is not well developed. You may not find your dream places in terms of accommodation. Here you can camp, rent an AirBNB or stay in bungalow cabins or lodges.
A disadvantage of Alaska is that you need to have a US visa that is independent of Schengen and that it is very costly to transport.
When and how?
Northern lights can be seen from September to mid-April, almost all year round, except in the summer, but especially in the winter months, your chances of seeing are even greater. You can also check out the University of Alaska's website for northern lights to see the light status before choosing it.
By the way
When you get to Alaska, in addition to events in other countries, you have the chance to take the helicopter and see the northern lights from the air. You may not want to miss this.
FINLAND
Northern Finland is one of the places where the Northern Lights are seen and rich in daytime activities. Moreover, it is much more affordable than its Scandinavian competitors. Did we tell you that most of those dreamy glass igls are in Finland?
Which cities can be seen?
Inari, Ivalo, Kakslauttanen, Luosto, Nellim, Nuorgam, Rovaniemi, Saariselkä, Utsjoki can be seen from such cities. The further north you are in Finland, the better you are away from the city lights.
Advantages and Disadvantages What?
In Finland, snowmobiles, reindeer, snowshoe hiking, icebreaker riding, skiing, cross country skiing, aurora photography tour, ice fishing, ice driving, ice karting and many other activities, such as the northern lights are more suitable than other Scandinavian countries priced as you can participate. In addition, to experience the Sami culture in place.
When and how?
The visual feast continues from September to March. In northern Finland, if the weather is clear and there is activity, you have a good chance of seeing the lights.
By the way
By the way to Finland, there are activities that can be called once in life. We look at 17 activities not to be missed in Bi Lapland and say excited.
You should stay in one of the Aurora cabins. You can find detailed information about all of them in our Iglu Hotels and Aurora Cabins in Finland . There is also Snow Village , the world's largest ice hotel .
Also, if you are going to return from Helsinki, we say to the capital by two days.
GREENLAND, DENMARK
Almost all of Greenland, an autonomous island connected to Denmark, is located within the Aurora circle. Which makes it a perfect northern lights destination. It's a unique experience to see the icebergs and the northern lights together.
Which cities can be seen?
Ilulissat, Nuuk, Ammassalik, Isortoq, Kangerlussuaq, Kulusuk, Kuummiut, Sermiligaaq, Tasiilaq, Tiniteqilaaq are seen from such cities. If you go further north, you're out of Aurora. Especially in the cities of Ilulissat and Nuuk you can find your own Aurora tours.
Advantages and Disadvantages What?
Greenland is not a developed tourist area until other options. Especially according to his neighbor Iceland. Getting here is also difficult. At the same time most of the place is not in the Aurora ring unfortunately. (We assume that you have read our Northern Lights guide above, we do not go into the explanation). However, since northern parts of Greenland are outside the Aurora Circle, prefer southern cities whenever possible.
When and how?
Northern lights from Greenland can be seen from late August to late April, during the winter, autumn and spring months, but not during long summer days.
By the way
By the way, renting a boat and looking closely at the icebergs and glaciers and watching the northern lights from the sea, where light pollution is 0, is a great experience.
ICELAND
If you don't think of anything in Iceland, volcanic lands, geysers, hot water from geothermal sources, majestic waterfalls, glaciers? What if we told you some of the places where the Game of Thrones were filmed? Here Iceland offers the experience of northern lights in such a charming atmosphere.
Which cities can be seen?
Thingvellir National Park, the surroundings of the capital Reykjavik, Vatnajokull, Hvalfjörður, Ísafjörður, Vik, Akureyri, Snæfellsnes.
Advantages and Disadvantages What?
Iceland has a wonderful nature. Therefore, your days will be full. The disadvantage is that the country is a very expensive country.
When and how?
From the beginning of September to the end of April you can see the northern lights. Accommodation is much more enjoyable with options such as camping or caravan camp. Because there is nothing like being free in the wonderful nature of Iceland.
By the way
Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where North America and Eurasian continental plates meet and form a valley, is a must-see. The Blue Lagoon with its geothermal pools near the capital Reykjavik is also an ideal place for an unforgettable spa experience in the world. Also, if you're a tight Game of Thrones fan like us, you won't be able to return without seeing the locations the series was taken.
NORWAY
With its colorful fishing towns, fjords and nature, Norway is no doubt more than just a Northern Lights destination. Did we mention that you have a chance to see reindeer, moose and polar bears (if you go to Svalbard)?
Which cities can be seen?
Tromsø is mainly seen in cities like Alta, Andoya, Bodo, Finnmark, Hammerfest, Harstad, Karasjok, Kirkenes, Kjollefjord, Lakselv, Lofoten Islands, Narvik, Nordkapp, Skibotn, Svalbard, Tana Bru, Vardo.
Advantages and Disadvantages What?
In addition to the activities in all Nordic countries, there are activities such as whale watching, Aurora observation with cruise ships at night, and northern lights observation by private plane.
When it comes to its disadvantages it is much more expensive than other Nordic neighbors. Yes, let's say this from the beginning: Norway is VERY expensive. In winter, Norway, depending on the humidity from the sea is a country where the probability of rainfall is high. Therefore, this increases the likelihood that the northern lights will be turned off at the time you are there.
When and how?
From mid-September to the end of March you can see the northern lights. Before you go, you can check here for forecasts of northern lights in Norway .
It is ideal to stay in log cabins and bungalow houses for the most enjoyable stay experience and Aurora observation. Of course you can also consider camping and caravan options.
By the way
Of course, on the way to Norway, you cannot take a Hurtigruten ship and take a fjord tour or return without seeing the capital Oslo.
SWEDISH
Why Sweden?
Like Finland and Norway, Sweden is one of the most ideal places to observe northern lights and Sami culture in Scandinavia.
Which cities can be seen?
Abisko, Björkliden, Luleå, Tornedalen, Kiruna, Abisko, Tärendö, Jukkasjärvi and Farnebofjarden National Park, where you can observe the northern lights in Sweden. Abisko is one of the prominent places in which we went.
Advantages and Disadvantages What?
Abisko is the place where the northern lights are most likely to see. It is always called Blue Hole with its open air.
Here, as in Norway and Finland, you can observe the Sami culture, stay in the ice hotel or design tree hotel, and feed the reindeer. Also, thanks to the Gulf Stream, the temperatures here are more temperate than Russia and Canada.
When and how?
You can see the lights from mid-September to the end of March.
By the way
Take a look at the famous Tree Hotel in Lulea and the Ice Hotel in Kiruna.
Spend time in the capital, Stockholm, and visit the world-famous subway Stockholm.
TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA
If the Aurora Borealis are in the North Pole, there is the Aurora Australis in the South Pole. The Southern Lights are also visible from countries such as Australia's Tasmanian Island and New Zealand. Tasmania, which is located in the southeast of Australia, is one of the rare places to host the southern lights.
Which cities can be seen?
Tasmania is the closest to the South Pole with human life outside Antarctica. The lights are rarely seen, but if they do, they can even be seen from the capital, Hobart. Cradle Mountain is also a good observation point.
Advantages and Disadvantages What?
Since the lights in the North are much easier to access and there is a large choice of places to see the lights, countries within the Arctic Circle are often preferred for polar lights. Tasmania is therefore not one of the classic polar lights destinations. In order to reach Tasmania, you first need to fly to Sydney for 20 hours and then to Tasmania with domestic flights.
When and how?
The Southern Lights are seen here, but not as often as in the north, and not spread throughout the year. It is very difficult to coincide with the lights that appear at most 4-5 times a year. So it's not plausible to come here just for the Southern Lights. Still, the best time to see the lights is between March and September.
By the way
Tasmania is famous for its natural beauties and of course the Tasmanian devil we remember from cartoons. We should say that about one quarter of the island is under the protection of UNESCO Cultural Heritage and about 40% is composed of national parks. As you can see, this is an experience that should be lived independently of the southern lights. In addition, the opportunity to recognize Aboriginal culture should not be forgotten.
NEW ZELAND
New Zealand is also one of the most popular places to observe the southern lights. In addition, the southern lights are pink in addition to green, offering a different visual feast than the north.
Which cities can be seen?
Stewart Island, Tekapo Lake and Mount Aoraki National Park, located in the south of New Zealand, are ideal places to see the southern lights of Dunedin and Catlins, which is also the southernmost.
Advantages and Disadvantages What?
Especially on Stewart Island, when the lights appear, charter flights are organized by airplane and passengers have the opportunity to watch and photograph the lights in the sky. Of course it is not wise to come to New Zealand just like the southern lights, like Tasmania.
When and how?
Here you can also see the Southern Lights, but not as often as in the north and not spread throughout the year. It is very difficult to coincide with the lights that appear at most 4-5 times a year. Still, the best time to see the lights is between March and September.
It is also possible to see whether the southern lights will come out in the last 30 minutes, such as the northern lights are not consistent with the predictions made before hours.
By the way
Being in New Zealand also means meeting the Maori culture, wandering in the rainforest, enjoying many extreme sports such as rafting, climbing, skydiving, skiing in snowy mountains, trekking on waterfalls and volcanoes. In our opinion, you may want to plan your holiday more comprehensively, taking all this into account.