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Cordelia Roberts
Few travel experiences can stir the imagination like a northern lights trip. The northern lights are one of the pinnacle experiences on many bucket lists, promising an elusive, undeniably spectacular travel experience unlike any other. Turning a dream into a reality requires precise timing, a clear sky, and knowing where to stay.
Whether you’re dreaming of watching the aurora borealis through a glass igloo in Finnish Lapland, or standing on a remote shore in Arctic Norway, planning an unforgettable winter escape begins with understanding what the northern lights are themselves.
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are one of nature’s most extraordinary displays. On clear winter nights across the far north, ribbons of light ripple and dance across the sky in shades of green, pink, violet and sometimes even deep red. They move slowly and silently, shifting shape as though painted across the darkness.
While the experience feels magical, there is fascinating science behind it. The lights occur when electrically charged particles released by the sun travel through space and collide with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere. As these particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen near the planet’s magnetic poles, they release energy in the form of glowing light, creating the spectacular waves, curtains and arcs we see in the sky. That being said, knowing the science doesn’t take away from the wonder of it! In fact, seeing the Northern Lights in person often feels far less like a scientific phenomenon and more like witnessing something ancient, alive and almost otherworldly.
The best chances of seeing the Northern Lights occur in high-latitude regions within what is known as the auroral zone, stretching across northern Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland, Canada and Alaska. The season typically runs from September through March, when long, dark nights create the ideal conditions for the lights to appear.
Of course, the experience is about much more than simply spotting them. The most memorable Northern Lights trips combine remote wilderness, cosy lodges, incredible winter landscapes and the quiet anticipation of stepping outside at night, looking up and hoping the sky will begin to glow.
And when it does, it’s the kind of moment that's likely to stay with you forever; the sort of experience that reminds you just how extraordinary our planet can be.
For the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights, you’ll want to travel north…well north. The most reliable sightings happen across Arctic regions where dark skies, minimal light pollution and dramatic winter landscapes create the perfect setting for the aurora to appear. Booking a northern lights tour with local guides is often one of the most reliable ways to track real-time solar activity and discover the best place to see the northern lights.
In Norway, destinations like Tromsø are firm favourites thanks to their spectacular fjord scenery and excellent access to guided aurora experiences. Over in Finland, Finnish Lapland offers a more intimate wilderness setting, with cosy lodges and glass-roofed cabins tucked deep within snowy forests.
Iceland is another fantastic option, combining Northern Lights viewing with dramatic volcanic landscapes and glaciers, while the northern regions of Canada and Alaska are known for their vast open skies and remote Arctic wilderness.
Each destination offers a slightly different experience, but the magic is always the same: stepping outside into the stillness of a winter night and watching the sky come alive.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite places to stay for a Northern Lights escape. From cosy wilderness lodges to sleek Arctic retreats, each spot combines comfort, atmosphere and prime aurora‑watching conditions, so you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time gazing up at the sky.
Perched just outside Rovaniemi amidst the silent forests of Finnish Lapland, the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel offers a uniquely intimate aurora experience. Its elevated, Scandinavian‑inspired suites feature floor‑to‑ceiling windows and private terraces, meaning you can watch the Northern Lights unfold from the warmth and comfort of your own space without ever needing to step outside into the cold if you do not wish. The location strikes a perfect balance between wilderness, seclusion and easy access to local activities like husky sledding, snowmobiling and reindeer encounters - ideal for combining days of adventure with nights spent searching the skies. At the hotel’s on‑site restaurant and lounge, you can enjoy refined Nordic cuisine and cocktails before heading back up to your suite with hot chocolate in hand and eyes lifted towards the stars.
The floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in every suite make watching the aurora from your bed one of the most memorable ways to experience the lights.
September to March
Tucked deep within the wilderness of Finnish Lapland, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort turns an aurora getaway into something totally immersive. This iconic destination is famous for its glass-igloo accommodation. Think cosy, private retreats where you can watch the sky from the warmth of your bed as curtains of green and violet shimmer above. Beyond the igloos, Kakslauttanen also offers traditional log cabins, many with fireplaces and rustic Nordic interiors that feel like a classic winter escape. Days here are all about embracing the Arctic rhythm; from husky sledding and snowshoeing across silent forests to reindeer safaris and snowmobile excursions; culminating in evenings spent under vast, dark skies that are ideal for aurora spotting. With minimal light pollution and a location above the Arctic Circle, it's a perfect choice as your base for chasing the lights.
The glass igloos - there’s nothing quite like lying back under a blanket and watching the Northern Lights dance overhead.
Late August to early April
Located in the peaceful countryside of southern Iceland, Hotel Ranga, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of The World, is one of the most celebrated bases for aurora seekers who want comfort paired with exceptional viewing opportunities. Just a short drive from the dramatic landscapes of Þórsmörk, Eyjafjallajökull and the South Coast waterfalls, the hotel feels completely removed from city lights, which means the Northern Lights often appear right overhead in the vast Icelandic sky. Rooms are warm and stylish, with classic Nordic touches, and the on‑site observatory and nightly aurora forecasts help guests plan the best times to step outside. The restaurant is a destination in its own right, with seasonal Icelandic cuisine designed to be savoured at leisure.
The nightly aurora wake‑up service – this opt‑in service means you never have to miss a moment while you’re asleep.
Late September through March
Perched in the heart of Kiruna, 360° Hotel offers a stylish and contemporary base for aurora chasers who want both comfort and convenience. A short distance from the wilderness yet perfectly positioned for dark sky viewing, this boutique hotel blends sleek Scandinavian design with warmth and hospitality that instantly feel welcoming after a day in the crisp Arctic air. The hotel’s large windows and cosy lounges make it easy to relax inside while watching for the lights, and Kiruna’s surrounding countryside – with its forests, frozen lakes, and wide-open horizons – creates the perfect setting for when the aurora appears. Nearby experiences range from snowmobile tours to reindeer encounters and Sami culture visits, adding depth and diversity to your evenings under the sky.
The panoramic lounge spaces that make aurora watching comfortable and sociable, even when you’re warming up indoors between sightings.
Late September through March
Set on a private island off the dramatic Helgeland coast in northern Norway, Manshausen Island offers a truly distinctive Northern Lights experience that feels far removed from anything ordinary. The resort’s minimalist, architecturally striking cabins are designed to frame the surrounding seascape and night sky, so even when you’re tucked up inside, the aurora feels within reach. With the ocean on one side and mountain silhouettes on the other, the dark skies here are exceptionally clear, making it one of Europe’s most compelling spots for aurora viewing without the need for long transfers or deep wilderness excursions. Days at Manshausen can be spent on guided fjord walks, sea kayaking, or simply savouring the slow rhythm of life by the water before evenings unfold under vast, star‑studded skies.
The balance of architectural refinement and raw nature
Late September through early April
Watching the Northern Lights swirl across the sky is unforgettable, but capturing them on camera is another thrill entirely. With a few simple tricks, you can take photos that do justice to the spectacle — whether you’re using a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, or even a phone with adjustable settings.
Follow these steps, and you’ll come away with photos that capture the magic of the aurora almost as beautifully as seeing it in person.
Seeing the Northern Lights is one of those rare travel experiences that really does live up to the anticipation. No two displays are ever the same! One evening the sky might glow softly with a gentle green ribbon, and the next it can erupt into a full dance of colour. What makes the experience even more special is where you choose to witness it from. Whether that’s watching the sky from the warmth of a glass igloo in Lapland, stepping outside your cabin on a remote Norwegian island, or soaking in a hot tub beneath Iceland’s winter stars, the right setting transforms the moment into something unforgettable.
At LaTrove Travel, we love helping clients plan journeys around experiences like this. If seeing the Northern Lights is on your list, our team would be delighted to help design a custom Northern Lights tour package that pairs extraordinary places to stay with the very best opportunities to witness this incredible natural phenomenon.
Get in touch with the LaTrove team today to begin designing your northern lights experience.
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