The northern lights were shrouded in legends: the Vikings believed that it was the sparkle of the swords of the valchals, and the Icelanders believed that the elves were dancing. Even today, this excellent phenomenon is unpredictable and depends on many conditions. We will talk about countries and places in which it can be seen.
Norway
Norway is one of the best places on Earth to see the northern lights. The so -called “belt of the northern lights” passes from Lofoten Islands to Cape Nordkap, the largest cities in this territory are Tromso and Alta. The most comfortable way to admire the radiance is in, on the Spitsbergen archipelago, where numbers with a glass roof are rented (you can book a number). The most extreme way is to go to the Norwegian part of Lapland and stop in, and at the same time observe the races on the dog sledges.
When to go: from late September to March
Finland
The areas of the villages of Sodankuul, Ivalo and the city of Rovaniei boast that their northern lights are visible every second night. In Rovaniemi, the most striking glow – in February, on this occasion, the city is held in the city of the northern lights (Revontuli Festivaali). And in the vicinity of the village of Kilperervi, the radiance appears every three nights out of four and is reflected in the frozen lake.
In Finland, special hotels were built to observe the northern lights: Aurora Bubble-round houses with a glass roof-bubble, from where panoramic species open, or forest village
40 kilometers from the village of Ivalo, consisting of hundreds of a needle with a transparent ceiling (you can book a number here).
When to go: from October to March
Photo: Andrey Fetkulin
Russia
In Russia, the Polar Circle along crosses the whole country and the northern lights in winter can be seen in many northern regions. It is most convenient to go from Moscow and St. Petersburg for the northern radiance to the Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions.
In the Murmansk region, radiance is best seen in the villages of Vidyevo, Teriberk, Polar and Pechenga. Also pay attention to the Khibinsky mountains in the Kirov region, where the northern lights can be seen at the KuelPrr recreation center, where there is a transfer on a snowmobile with sleighs from Kirovsk, as well as in the urban village of Kukisvumchorr.
From time to time, the northern lights can be seen in Arkhangelsk, but it will be better to go to the north of the region, where light pollution is less.
When to go: from late September to the end of March
The northern lights resembling a wolf. Photo: Marja-Terttu Karlsson
Sweden
The Arctic region of Sweden, which covers the entire north-west of the country, is famous for the magnificent northern radiance. Aurora Sky Station in National Park is considered the best viewing platform
Abyska at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level, where up to 200 northern lights per year occurs.
When to go: from the beginning of September to the end of March
Photo: Maciej Winiarczyk
Iceland
Iceland is a great place for those who want to enjoy the radiance without experiencing discomfort from frost: thanks to the warm course of Gulfstim, the temperature on the island rarely drops below zero. 60 kilometers from Reykjavik, the center of Icelandic miracles dedicated to trolls, elves and the northern lights is located in the town of Stockxirei. There is a more chance to see the radiance in the city of Akuirei, in the north, where the most dry weather is on the island, or in the Yekulsaurlone glacial lagoon in the southeast.
When to go: from October to March
The biggest chances to see the radiance in dry, cold and clear weather, away from the city, from 21.00 to 01.00. And it also depends on solar activity (the higher the activity – the brighter the radiance). You can watch the forecast of the probability of northern lights on this site.
