Things to know about the Northern Lights

Watching the Northern Lights is an unforgettable experience. Do you find it difficult to plan a trip because the questions where, when and what keep going through your mind? Where is the best place to go and see the Northern Lights? When is the best month to travel? And what else can you do during your trip? After reading this blog, you'll know all the details to plan a trip to go see the Northern Lights!

Read more about the Northern Lights

What are the Northern Lights?

The Aurora Borealis, also known as Northern Lights, is a unique light phenomenon that can be observed around the North Pole. Watching it is an unforgettable experience. The Aurora often appears in the sky and is an arch that stretches from East to West. It is recognizable by its light glow and can be seen in the sky in almost all colors.

What month is best to see the Northern Lights?

From mid-August it starts getting dark earlier in the evenings around the polar circle. This is called the so-called Ruska period. From that time it is possible to observe the Northern Lights at the height of the polar circle until about mid-April. Between mid-April and mid-August it doesn't get dark enough or not at all to see the Northern Lights. The closer to the North Pole, the faster the days get longer at the start of spring.

Where is the best place to go and see the northern lights?

  • Kakslauttanenn, Finland
    The snowy landscape of Lapland in Finland is the perfect place to see the Northern Lights. The best time to travel is between September and March. Do the Northern Lights happen every night? You can see the Northern Lights almost every 1 in 2 nights. How to get here? Take a flight to Rovaniemi.
  • Tromsø, Norway
    This city is located in the North of Norway, between fjords, mountains and lakes. Tomsø is the place to see the Aurora Borealis. Head North between late September and late March and see this special play of light in the sky with your own eyes.
  • Reykjavik, Iceland
    Thanks to the climate on the island, the Northern Lights can be seen in Reykjavik in Iceland for no less than eight months a year: from mid-August to mid-April.
  • Yellowknife, Canada
    Here in Canada you also have a higher chance to see the Northern Lights because it is located exactly on the Aurora circle. You will also find one of the largest lake in the world, Lake Esclaves. It is very impressive to see the Northern Lights reflect on this large lake.

What else can you do during your trip to the Northern Lights?

Husky safari

One of the coolest things to do is a husky safari. Huskies have a very great endurance and are therefore used to pull sleds. Huskies can cover at least 50 kilometers every day. The dogs visibly like this as they are enthusiastic and wag their tails all the time!

Ice fishing

Ice fishing is the main activity for Finns during the weekend. Do you already see yourself standing at a frozen lake with a piece of bait and a hand drill? After you have drilled a hole in the ice, the fishing can begin. If a nice catch is fished out of the water during ice fishing, the next step is to fry it on a campfire.

Glass igloo

Would you like to spend the night in a hotel of countless stars? Stay in a glass igloo and enjoy the stunning view of the starry sky all night long thanks to the glass roof. In addition, you have the chance to see the Northern Lights from your bed sparkle in the sky. This is certainly worth it if you don't feel like sitting outside every night waiting for the Northern Lights to appear.

Extra tips for your trip to the Northern Lights

  • If you want to see the Northern Lights in the sky, then watch out when for when it is a full moon since the sky won't be completely dark.

  • Another fact that is useful to know is that it doesn't have to be cold to see the Northern Lights. This is because it is usually already very cold during a clear winter night and there is often a lot of snow in the far North.

  • When you are in one of the above places, it is important to stay up for a long time. The greatest chance of seeing the Northern Lights is between 6 PM and 1 AM, but the later the better. After 10 PM, you have a higher chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis.

  • In Lapland, it is said that if you stay five days, you will see the Northern Lights on one of those days. It is therefore smart to book a trip for at least five days.

  • Bringing an extra battery for your camera is a good idea! Due to the cold, your batteries will run out faster. So take an extra charged battery with you or keep your phone close to your body until you need it.

Do you want to have the experience of a lifetime this winter? Search on Budgetair.com for the best destinations to see the Northern Lights.