While we’re all grounded, we’ve got some time on our hands to really plan and think about achieving our biggest travel goals. A favourite for many is to see the Northern lights, or the Aurora Borealis, and although viewing the phenomenon is wildly dependent on weather patterns, getting to the right place at the right time of the year may be easier than you think. Here’s our guide to the best places to visit to give yourself the best chance of taking in the spectacular sight.
Tromso, Norway
Tromso is the largest urban area in Northern Norway and is located 217 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The beautiful scenery includes magnificent fjords, alps and the Lofoten Islands, an archipelago in the Norweigan Sea, providing one of the most spectacular backdrops to the Northern Lights. The best time to see the lights in the Tromso area is mid September to Late March.
Northern Lights over Ersfjord, Tromso, Norway
Lapland, Finland
Flying into Rovaniemi in Lapland, Northern Finland puts you in the center of a number of National Parks from where you can see the Northern Lights. A unique feature of the area are the snow covered frozen trees known as Tykky sculptures which provide a dramatic landscape amongst the lights. The best time to visit Lapland for the Northern Lights is mid-September to late March.
Frozen Tykky Sculptures in Lapland, Finland. (Image from Visit Finland, by Eeva Makinen)
Iceland
Iceland is in prime position to see the northern lights, head out of the city and sleep in a luxury clear bubble dome tent allowing you the best opportunity to see the sky (and hopefully the Northern Lights) throughout the night. On a good night with clear weather it’s even possible to see the lights from the country’s capital, Reykjavik. The best time to visit with the greatest chance of seeing the lights is from late August to Early April.
Buubble Lodge in Iceland
Getting There
Fly with Finnair to Helsinki and enjoy fully flat beds in business class and fine Nordic cuisine. From Helsinki you’ll connect to a flight to Rekyavik, Tromso, or Rovanemi.
Flying Business Class with Finnair
Read our reviews of flying business class with Finnair here.