Ah, the Northern Lights. Nature's celestial rave with no glow sticks required.
Whether you call them the aurora borealis or "the reason my phone is full of blurry neon photos," these lights are a bucket-list biggie.
Where Can You See the Northern Lights in Europe?
Unless you've been adrift in the ocean or had no Wi-Fi in 2024, you'll have noticed your social feeds dominated by Northern Lights pictures from all over the UK.
In what was a rare treat, many of us were lucky enough to catch them dancing up and down the British Isles this year - from Islington and the Isle of Man to Bradford and Brighton.
If this has left you Googling the best places to see the Northern Lights in Europe and planning a cheeky winter holiday, here are some places you can visit from the UK to see the greatest show (off) Earth.
Tromsø, Norway
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Norway's Tromsø is basically the Beyoncé of Northern Lights destinations. It's showstopping, dramatic and everyone raves about it.
Located in the Arctic Circle, Tromsø offers the solid combo of aurora-hunting and things to do when the lights are a no-show.
Think dog sledding, Sami culture tours and all of the top-quality fish dishes you could dream of.
As for the city itself, it's small but buzzing. You can head out on a guided aurora chase or just park yourself under a dark sky and hope for the best.
The darker and colder your environment, the better your chances of seeing the lights. Bad news for any headlamp selfies you were planning.
Rovaniemi, Finland
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If Santa Claus had a side hustle, it'd be running aurora tours in Rovaniemi.
This Finnish Lapland town doubles as Santa's 'official' home, so expect serious festive vibes.
It's got snow-covered forests, reindeer that look like (and may well be) extras from Christmas films and skies so clear you can practically hear them whisper "tonight's the night!"
The good news is, Rovaniemi takes its Northern Lights tourism very seriously. There are glass igloos, heated sleigh rides and enough Lapland-themed swag to decorate a year-round grotto.
Don't leave without trying the local cloudberry liqueur to warm up after a chilly night.
Abisko, Sweden
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Welcome to Abisko, where the sky behaves like it's auditioning for an Oscar.
This tiny Swedish village is famed for its Aurora Sky Station, a prime viewing spot perched on a mountaintop.
You'll find this in Abisko National Park, a slice of pristine wilderness that feels like stepping into a Nordic fairy tale, minus the trolls (we hope).
Why is Abisko so good? Two words - polar vortex. The area has a near-permanent 'blue hole' of clear skies.
This makes your chances of spotting the Northern Lights here particularly good.
If the auroras don't show, the park's starry skies are almost as Insta-worthy. Almost.
Reykjavik, Iceland
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Iceland is undoubtedly the cool kid of Europe's travel scene, making Reykjavik a hot spot for both culture and scenery.
You can catch the Northern Lights above Reykjavik on a good night. But the best spots are just a short drive away.
Hop in a car or take a night tour to Þingvellir National Park or the black sand beaches near Vík and wait for the show to begin.
Between aurora-hunting, soak in a geothermal pool or eat enough lamb stew to rival a Viking.
Reykjavik's urban-meets-wild vibe makes it perfect for those who want their auroras served with a side of hipstery cafes, bars and music events.
Svalbard, Norway
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Ever wanted to see the lights all day long? Svalbard is the place.
Reachable from the UK by via. flight connections, this Arctic archipelago is for the more determined travellers among us.
Svalbard is so far north that it experiences polar night, a period when the sun doesn't rise for weeks.
You'll literally see auroras in the middle of the day, which feels like a glitch in the matrix.
It isn't for the faint-hearted, though. It's cold, remote and you might encounter a polar bear (really).
But for hardcore adventurers, Svalbard is unbeatable.
Just make sure you're well-prepared, have the right equipment and layer up like a boss to avoid the souvenir of frostbite.
Lofoten Islands, Norway
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Another Norwegian entry? Don't look at me, blame its geography.
The Lofoten Islands, with their jagged peaks and picturesque fishing villages, look like a sketch from a fantasy novel.
They’re far enough north for solid aurora action and the landscapes make for stunning foregrounds in your night shots.
Between light shows, try cod fishing (it’s the local obsession) or visit a Viking museum. Or just sit in awe of how unfairly beautiful this place is.
Faroe Islands
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Want the Northern Lights without the crowds? The Faroe Islands are Europe's underrated gem.
Perched in the North Atlantic, these 18 volcanic islands are wild, remote and untouched. Perfect for aurora-spotting.
The best time to visit is from November to February, when the skies are at their darkest.
But the weather here has a mind of its own. Bring waterproof everything, a flexible schedule and the kind of patience that only comes from waiting out a storm in a cosy cottage.
Top Tips for Chasing the Northern Lights
- Timing is Everything: The aurora season runs from late September to early April. Aim to travel in the darkest months, December to February, for peak chances.
- Be Prepared for an Adventure: Many of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Europe are remote and require a connection or two, even from major UK airports.
- Stay Up Late: The lights usually appear between 20:00 and 02:00. Sink an espresso or six to make you don't drift off and sleep through the action.
- Weather Matters: Clear skies are essential, so if cloud cover threatens to blanket the show, you'll have to be prepared to make other arrangements.
- Be Patient: Sometimes, as I can tell you first-hand, the lights don't show up. That's nature for you. If it doesn't happen on your trip, find other things to love about your destination. After reading the above, you won't be stuck for ideas.
While you're researching the best places to visit to see the Northern Lights, don't forget your eSIMs for Europe.
Visit the Airalo store to top up, stay connected and share those bucket-list pictures as you go.
