Discover the world's most breathtaking destinations to witness the Aurora Borealis. From the Arctic wilderness of Scandinavia to the rugged landscapes of Alaska and Canada, these 20 perennial hotspots offer the clearest skies and most vibrant displays for chasing the Northern Lights.
Known as the 'Gateway to the Arctic,' this vibrant city sits directly in the center of the aurora oval, offering some of the highest success rates for sightings in Northern Europe.
Home to the Aurora Sky Station, this location is famous for its 'blue hole'—a unique microclimate that keeps the sky clear even when surrounding areas are cloudy.
Located far from the ocean and its moisture, Fairbanks offers inland clear skies and a high-latitude position that guarantees spectacular displays deep in the Alaskan interior.
Set against the flat landscapes of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife is globally recognized for its low light pollution and nearly perfect visibility of the auroral oval.
The official hometown of Santa Claus serves as a magical base for aurora hunting, featuring unique glass igloos that allow for viewing from the comfort of your bed.
One of the most photographed mountains in the world, its distinct peak provides a dramatic silhouette for the dancing green lights on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
As the northernmost inhabited place on Earth, this remote archipelago offers the unique opportunity to see the Northern Lights even during the midday during the Polar Night.
The wild Yukon Territory provides a rugged backdrop of mountains and frozen lakes, perfect for those seeking a true wilderness aurora experience away from civilization.
Viewing the aurora over the massive icebergs of the Disko Bay is a surreal experience, where the silence of the Arctic night is only broken by the crackling of ice.
Stunning fjords and sharp mountain peaks create a dramatic setting for the lights, which often reflect beautifully in the calm waters of the Norwegian Sea.
Located in the heart of the Sámi culture, Lake Inari offers vast, open horizons and minimal light pollution, making it a peaceful sanctuary for aurora chasers.
Known as the polar bear capital of the world, Churchill also sits under the auroral oval, providing world-class viewing over the shores of Hudson Bay.
Watch the lights dance above drifting icebergs in this stunning glacial lagoon, where the reflection on the ice and water doubles the visual impact.
One of the few places in the British Isles where the 'Mirrie Dancers' (as locals call them) are regularly visible due to the northern latitude and dark skies.
Boasting over 300 clear nights a year, this former airbase is one of the most reliable places in the world to catch the aurora due to its stable weather patterns.
Free from any city lights, the vast wilderness of Denali provides a pristine environment for stargazing and viewing the intense colors of the aurora.
Located on the Kola Peninsula, this is the largest city north of the Arctic Circle and serves as a major hub for chasing the lights across the Russian tundra.
The rugged, remote nature of these islands in the North Atlantic offers a dramatic and moody setting for the Northern Lights between the steep cliffs and the sea.
With several designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites, Skye offers a mystical Scottish landscape of jagged ridges and lochs to frame the occasional aurora display.
Greenland's capital provides a unique mix of modern amenities and immediate access to dark fjords where the lights appear with startling clarity.
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