There are plenty of high-latitude destinations within the Aurora Oval where you can almost be guaranteed a spectacle of the aurora borealis. The area encircles the Earth’s magnetic north pole, including Iceland, Norway, Finnish Lapland, and Greenland. As many would love to experience the northern lights, astro-tourism is booming. Hotels are on-trend with night sky activities for guest but if you’d like to spend an unforgettable night under the dancing lights, you can do so independently at an Airbnb rental. Here’s where to see the lights in the Northern Hemisphere and some suggestions on where to stay.
Photo: Jose Manuel Perez/Shutterstock
8 Epic Spots Where You Can Experience the Northern Lights This Year
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Denali National Park, Alaska
Photo: Susan Lotter/Shutterstock
Mount Denali sits at a high latitude, placing it directly beneath the auroral oval. But one of the most significant factors for viewing success is Denali’s minimal light pollution. Unlike populated areas, the vast expanse of Denali National Park keeps artificial light to a minimum, allowing the subtle brilliance of the aurora to be visible. This also means that on a clear night, stargazers can expect an exceptional view of the Milky Way and countless stars invisible to most of the world.
Where to stay
Alaska has some of the coolest cabins and wilderness lodges Airbnbs in the US, and you’re spoilt for choice near Denali. For example, this Douglas fir log cabin photographed above has three bedrooms, a hot tub, and was lovely built by hand. It’s located 10 minutes from the park entrance. Or opt for a water side property like this 75 private acre lodge or this charming rustic homestead just 24 miles north of the park.
Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Photo: lanfear/Shutterstock
Jukkasjärvi, in Swedish Lapland, is home to some of the best conditions for seeing the lights in the region. The small village’s name originates from the Sami language, translating to “meeting place by the water,” which is fitting considering the village’s historical significance as a trading post for the Sami people. Surrounded by wilderness, Jukkasjärvi offers an unobstructed view of the night sky. To maximize your chances of witnessing the phenomenon, plan your visit during the auroral season, which stretches from September to March.
Where to stay
Jukkasjärvi is famous for the Icehotel, a one-of-a-kind hotel entirely built from ice and snow. Each year, the hotel is meticulously reconstructed by artists from around the world, transforming it into a spectacular work of art. You can stay in one of the ice suites or opt for a more local experience by booking a nearby Airbnb and enjoy the hotel’s bar or restaurant. There are some superb rentals nearby. This three-bedroom house (pictured) is five minutes from the iconic hotel and has its own sauna. If you’re traveling solo or with a partner, consider something a little smaller, like this cone-shaped tiny house made of glass. Here, you can sleep under the stars and watch the lights from the comfort of your bed.
Lapland, Finland
Photo: Jose Manuel Perez/Shutterstock
Lapland’s long stretches of darkness during the winter months (from late September to March) coincide with peak auroral activity. The region is also home to vast, open landscapes — sprawling lakes, frosted forests, and snow-capped mountains — providing an ideal backdrop. While sightings aren’t guaranteed anywhere, a stay in Lapland significantly increases your chances.
Where to stay
You’re spoilt for choice with accommodation in Finland, with options as spectacular as the region’s landscape. There are posh igloo hotels, luxury ranches, and world-class spas. But if you’d prefer a home base with access to a kitchen, there’s plenty of Airbnbs, too. This eco-lodge is one of the more special stays. The environmentally friendly cottage retreat is the perfect place to enjoy the lights, and you can do so from the one-room glass igloo. Or if you’d prefer something even more remote, check out this cabin in the Kaldoaivi Wilderness area. And for an opulent rental, bookmark this stunning glass-ceiling apartment.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Photo: Oxanaso/Shutterstock
If you find yourself in Reykjavik this northern lights season, be sure to take bus #11 to Lindargotu Road. Once there you will spy Grotta Lighthouse barely connected to the mainland via a causeway footpath. It may not be the fanciest northern lights viewpoint in the world, but there is beauty in understatement. If you get a chill out on the peninsula, there is a single, lonesome hot spring by the beach just big enough for a foot bath on the way home.
Where to stay
Airbnbs in Reykjavik can make a pricy vacation to Iceland doable. You’ll save a lot of money on eating out with access to a kitchen, and the nightly rates are pretty reasonable. Stay in the city if you’d like to be close to amenities. If you need space, this six-bedroom house in downtown Reykjavik is reasonably priced if you share it with a group of adults. Or, head out of the city for rentals with even more space, especially outdoors, and extra amenities like hot tubs. This mountain lodge, pictured above, is around 50 minutes from the capital and cheaper than the city home. It sleeps 10 guests and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and easy access to hiking trails.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Photo: Pi-Lens/Shutterstock
The capital and largest city in Yukon is just a small town by most standards, but it punches over its weight when it comes to accommodations for northern lights hunters. Whitehorse has a big backyard, offering visitors a chance to experience the beauty of the Yukon while still having access to urban amenities.
Where to stay
Unlike cookie-cutter hotels, Airbnbs in Whitehorse can be anything from cozy cabins to historic lofts, providing a more memorable experience. You can find places with balconies overlooking the Yukon River, properties with hot tubs and hot spring access perfect for viewing the aurora borealis, or rustic cabins on the city’s outskirts.
Ice Cap, Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Photo: Dan Bach Kristensen/Shutterstock
Thanks to 300-plus days of sun a year, the Ice Cap of Kangerlussuaq, or “Big Fjord”, is the stage for so many epic northern lights shows that locals occasionally forget that the phenomenon doesn’t happen everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. Thanks to an international airport that serves the tiny nearby town, this is also one of the most accessible northern lights viewing destinations in Greenland.
Where to stay
Photo: Albatros Arctic Circle
Because Kangerlussuaq is remote, you should opt for a guided tour. One of the best is Camp Ice Cap, an overnight adventure offered by Albatros Arctic Circle. This program allows you to spend a night on the vast Greenland Ice Sheet, an experience typically reserved for scientists and seasoned adventurers. Albatros Arctic Circle provides all the necessary camping equipment and expertise to ensure a safe and comfortable stay. You will spend the night in a tent, surrounded by the vast expanse of white and under the open Arctic sky.
Orkney, Scotland
Photo: Ollie Taylor/Shutterstock
This tiny island can be found at the northernmost edge of Scotland. While there are plenty of B&Bs and hotels on the adjacent Orkney Mainland, the only signs of humans on the Brough are the archaeological remnants of the Picts, Norsemen, and Christian missionaries who lived here as early as the 7th century. Not a bad place to experience the mysticism of the northern lights, which the Norsemen believed to be the glint of the armor of the Valkyries.
Where to stay
Photo: Airbnb
Airbnbs are peppered across the island, from Kirkwall’s town center to cozy cottages on the coast. Many Orkney Airbnbs are converted farmhouses, fisherman’s crofts, or modern Scandinavian-style apartments with a touch of Orkney charm. This cottage conversion (pictured) sits between Kirkwall and Stromness and offers spectacular views overlooking Scapa out towards Flotta and the Hoy Hills.
Alta, Norway
Photo: Andy Troy/Shutterstock
Alta, Norway, nicknamed “The City of the Northern Lights,” has exceptional conditions. Owing to its position above the Arctic Circle, Alta experiences extended periods of darkness during winter months, a prerequisite for viewing the auroras. The absence of sunlight creates a perfect canvas for the colorful light show, and the auroras are visible for up to 200 nights a year.
Where to stay
Photo: Airbnb
If you’d prefer a hotel, the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is a must-stay for anyone visiting Alta in the winter. Built entirely of ice and snow, a stay here promises a real arctic experience. However, it can be on the pricier side. If you’d rather have an affordable and comfortable stay, check out this newly renovated modern four-bedroom home or this penthouse apartment with a terrace, jacuzzi, and ocean view. 