Top 20 Best Places to See the Northern/Southern Lights

To see the auroras, nature’s party in the sky, you need to be in the right place at the right time. Essential for aurora-spotting is that you should be relatively close, but not too close, to either the North Pole or the South Pole, in a place with very little light pollution. The auroras are more visible on clear nights, especially in winter. Flat areas are great, but a mountainous backdrop can make for very striking photos.

Here are 20 of the best places to see the Northern or Southern Lights.

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1. Iqaluit, Nunavut

Its far northern location, lack of light pollution and flat topography mean that you’re very likely to see some spectacular Northern Lights in Iqaluit. However, you’ll have to visit the capital of Nunavut in winter because in summer, daylight lasts for up to 21 hours.

Related: 20 hidden gems across Canada to see before you die.

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2. Grotta Lighthouse, Iceland

For the best aurora-viewing in Iceland, you need to move out of the capital, Reykjavik, and stay close to the coastline, which will give you a better chance at clear skies. Grotta Lighthouse is a popular viewing spot because you can walk there from Downtown Reykjavik.

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3. Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, NS

Keji, as Nova Scotians call Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, consists of a main park more inland and a separate seaside location. The park is a Dark Sky Preserve and has an abundance of campsites.

Pics: See 20 of the most amazing camping spots for Canadians.

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4. Tromso, Norway

The largest city in Northern Norway, Tromso is a popular destination for aurora hunters. The Northern Lights are usually visible from around six in the evening until midnight but you can only see them in winter.

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5. Churchill, Manitoba

Even though the Northern Lights here are at their best from January to March, it’s claimed that you can see them 300 nights a year in Churchill, Manitoba. That means that you might be able to view the aurora and Churchill’s main claim to fame – polar bears – in the same day.

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6. Edmonton, Alberta

Even though light pollution makes it harder to see the aurora in a large city, on some nights the dancing lights in the sky above Edmonton are really spectacular. They’re usually at their clearest around midnight.

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7. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland

The one drawback of aurora hunting is that to see them, you usually have to go out in the freezing cold. At Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, however, you don’t even have to get out of bed. You can stay in a glass igloo and watch the Northern Lights while you remain snug and warm.

See more: the top 10 countries to visit in 2017.

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8. Aurora Sky Station, Sweden

Located in Abisko National Park in Swedish Lapland, the Aurora Sky Station has been built on top of a mountain. You get there by chairlift and your visit can include a four-course dinner and a guided tour.

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9. Yellowknife, NWT

Yellowknife is located on relatively flat terrain and doesn’t receive much precipitation, so clear skies are common. The city is also directly underneath the aurora oval, so you can see the Northern Lights directly overhead.

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10. Sisimiut, Greenland

While you can see the Northern Lights pretty much anywhere in Southern Greenland, even in the capital city of Nuuk, the mountains around Sisimiut make for a dramatic backdrop. You can take a unique snowmobile bus to the best viewing spots.

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11. Eaglehawk Neck, Australia

The Southern Lights are visible in most of Tasmania but for truly spectacular photos, head to Eaglehawk Neck. This narrow isthmus connects the Tasman Peninsula to mainland Tasmania and is home to some dramatic rock formations, such as the Tessellated Pavement where the water acts as a mirror for those colourful lights visible from March to September.

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12. Stewart Island, New Zealand

Also known as Rakiura, Stewart Island lies to the south of South Island and is the third largest of the islands that make up New Zealand. In Rakiura National Park you may also be able to spot kiwis of the feathered variety.

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13. Ushuaia, Argentina

Ushuaia is the world’s southernmost city and the gateway to Antarctica. This adventure hub is also a good place to see the Southern Lights in winter but with unstable weather, luck will be the deciding factor.

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14. South Georgia Island

Part of a British Overseas Territory, South Georgia Island is located in the South Atlantic Ocean and is known for its abundant birdlife. It’s very remote and the easiest way to get here is by cruise ship, with March being the prime season to visit and see the Southern Lights.

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15. Falkland Islands

Another British Overseas Territory, the Falkland Islands are remote but easier to get to than South Georgia Island. The winter months between April and August are the best time to see the Southern Lights.

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16. Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

Lake Tekapo falls within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, so light pollution here is almost non-existent. For even better views of the Southern Lights in this part of South Island, go up one of the mountains surrounding Lake Tekapo.

17. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Australia

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17. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Australia

Easily accessible from both Hobart and Launceston, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is the most visited park in Tasmania. The alpine lakes and rugged Cradle Mountain itself provide stunning scenery for aurora hunting.

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18. Seven Mile Beach, Australia

About 20 minutes from Downtown Hobart, Seven Mile Beach is a coastal reserve with a small residential area. It’s close enough to the amenities of the big city but far enough away to avoid the worst of the light pollution and get a clearer view of the aurora.

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19. The Catlins, New Zealand

The Catlins is a region on the southern tip of South Island and is sparsely populated, with only a handful of tiny villages. There is very little light pollution and there is usually a good chance to see the Southern Lights on a clear night.

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20. Antarctica

The most spectacular views of the Southern Lights can be had in Antarctica. If you can’t get a job abroad at one of the research stations on the Frozen Continent, the best way to visit and have a chance to see the lights dancing over the snow-covered landscape is with a cruise.