Northern Lights - Where and when?

The northern and the southern lights are mainly seen in the aurora regions, which are home to only about 2 percent of the world's population. You're truly lucky if you've seen the auroras! Most people in the world have never seen the lights dancing in the sky.

Where and when can you see the northern lights?

The visibility of the northern lights depends on several factors, such as geographical location, season, and solar activity.

In general, to see the Northern Lights, you need at least the following factors:

1. You must be in the Northern Lights zone
2. It must be dark - so that the northern lights can be seen
3. Northern Lights activity and cloudless weather

Where to go to get to the Northern Lights zone

  • The Northern Hemisphere's aurora zone includes at least parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Canada, Alaska, Iceland, and Greenland. These areas are said to offer good opportunities for viewing the aurora borealis. People interested in the northern lights often head north in search of them.

  • In the Southern Hemisphere, the Southern Lights can be seen in places like Antarctica. However, most of the aurora zone in the Southern Hemisphere is located in uninhabited areas. However, large southern light events can be seen as far away as South Africa, New Zealand, and Tasmania.


Best times

  • The Northern Lights are best seen in the Northern Hemisphere during the darker months and winter, from September to April. The best months to see the Northern Lights in the Northern Hemisphere are considered to be September-October and February-March.
  • In the Southern Hemisphere, the best times to see the Southern Lights are between March and September.

What time?

  • The northern lights can occur at any time of day – however, we need a dark sky to see them.
  • Estimates of the best time to see the Northern Lights vary. Often the best time to see the Northern Lights is considered to be between 10 pm and 2 am. So to maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, it's worth getting out early enough and for long enough!
  • On the other hand, sometimes the Northern Lights appear as soon as you get to the right spot. They can sometimes surprise you even in the middle of city lights if they are strong enough.