Finland or Norway? Where You Should Go for the Best Experience of the Northern Lights? | Travelopod Blogs (2024)

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Finland or Norway? Where You Should Go for the Best Experience of the Northern Lights? | Travelopod Blogs? ›

Finland: While Finnish Lapland also lies within the aurora oval, the lights tend to be less intense compared to Norway. However, Finland compensates with a wider viewing area, meaning you have more options to base yourself on, including charming towns like Rovaniemi.

The Best Place to See Northern Lights in Norway

If want to see the lights in Norway, the northern part is the place to go. Tromsø is regarded as one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights.

Northern Lights Finland

Sometimes the lights can be seen as far south as Helsinki, the capital of Finland, but for the best chance we recommend heading up to Lapland in Northern Finland.

The best places to see the aurora borealis are the Nordic countries of Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland, which lie within or near the Arctic Circle. You could also look for them in Russia, Alaska, and Canada's northwest territories. Why are the Nordic destinations ideal for northern lights viewing?

Northern Norway undoubtedly ranks as one of the best places to see the aurora—but Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago between the mainland and the North Pole, is the only inhabited destination in the world where you can witness the northern lights at any time of day.

Both Finland and Norway offer incredible opportunities to chase this celestial spectacle, but which one reigns supreme? Let's break it down based on aurora intensity: Norway: Northern Norway, above the Arctic Circle, boasts stronger and more frequent aurora displays.

Ideally, we recommend planning your trip to Northern Norway between October and March, during which daylight hours are pretty limited in areas north of the Arctic Circle. Peak time for seeing the northern lights is between 11pm and 2am, and the seasonal darkness will make it easier to witness them.

1) Plan a trip between September and mid April. 2) Come to the North, above the Arctic Circle. In Finland it is the area north of cities Oulu, Pudasjarvi, Kuusomo. 3) Check weather forecast.

Helsinki's Location Makes Northern Lights Sightings Rare

The further north you travel in Finland, the higher your odds. In Sodankylä, over 600 km north of Helsinki, the chances are frequently over 80% during peak activity.

Where is the most reliable place to see the northern lights? ›

Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks is by far one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights, as it's located directly under the auroral oval. This ring-shaped zone sits around the Earth's geomagnetic North Pole and is generally associated with the most vibrant aurora sightings.

Thought to be the souls of the dead, the Sámi believed you shouldn't talk about the Northern Lights. It was also dangerous to tease them by waving, whistling, or singing under them, as this would alert the lights to your presence.

If you're planning an aurora-viewing trip, the best time is throughout the winter months. Anytime between late September to late March is a good time for northern lights hunting as the long nights provide ample aurora viewing opportunities.

Where is the best place to see the northern lights? The northern lights most commonly occur within the geographic area beneath the auroral oval. It encompasses latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees and takes in Iceland, northern parts of Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, Canada and Alaska as well as southern Greenland.

However, the aurora shows up in other parts of the country as well from time to time, including areas such as Trøndelag and the southern parts of Norway, particularly during periods of increased solar activity.

Northern Lights are most visible from the end of August to April in northern Finland. Auroras, caused by solar winds, occur year-round but the nights need to be dark enough for us to be able to catch a glimpse of this phenomenal light show.

So what dates can you see the Northern Lights in Norway? November through February is peak season for Northern Lights viewing as the nights are longest at this time, but a visit anytime between September and March gives you a good chance of spotting them.

The aurora borealis can be seen when the sky is clear and dark. Peak time is between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Statistically, springtime (March/April) and autumn (September/October) has the highest level of aurora activity. However, you will see it in November, December, January and February as well.

Very rarely! It might happen once or twice a year but generally they will be hard to see and faint. With the amount of light pollution in Oslo, you will be extremely lucky to chance a good viewing of the lights during your stay.

Best places to see the Northern Lights in Norway

The capital of this long and thin country, Oslo, is too far south of the Arctic Circle to see the aurora borealis. So, you'll want to head to northern Norway where there's a handful of towns, like Tromsø and Svalbard, perfectly-situated for aurora viewing.