There’s something about the blue light of the mornings that turns buttercup yellow at noon, then takes on pinky tinges as evening falls, the serenity of the pure white landscapes, the impossibly intricate design of a single snowflake, the sparkling jewels of hoar frost that grow on the branches of spruce, that never ceases to entrance.
Polly Evans author of Northern Lights: The Bradt Guide
The northern lights are among those things we’ve decided must be on your bucket list for the year ahead – check out the full list of the best places to travel in 2024 here.
Viewing the dance of the northern lights is one of the world’s great travel experiences. High above the Arctic Circle, visitors brave the icy temperatures for a chance to get a glimpse of the aurora borealis swirling across the night sky.
Once the sun comes up there’s a whole winter wonderland to explore across the Arctic, whether you want to take a trip in a tundra buggy to meet polar bears in Canada, explore Norway’s frozen lakes and snow-laden forests on a husky sled, or indulge in a leisurely soak in one of Iceland’s many hot springs.
However many times you see them, this magic never dies.
It’s difficult to decide which is my most memorable aurora experience. The most magnificent: that’s easy. It was at a tourist aurora-viewing centre in Yellowknife, Canada. That night the lights came out and performed a body-popping breakdance of movement and colour, swirling, soaring and tumbling above the perpetual white of the northern winter.
The most mood-enhancing? That might have been during a camping and dogsledding trip when temperatures had dived into the minus 40s and morale was low.
We were about to turn in for another frigid night when the faintest of milky spires weaved up from behind our tents. It moved with creeping timidity – it seemed even the aurora was unwilling to venture out into such brutal cold – yet the sight filled us with a sense of calm, a feeling of privilege despite our discomfort.
The moment that really sticks in my mind, however, boasted no very special display at all. I was in Canada’s Dawson City, the historic home of the Klondike gold rush.
I was coming out of a timber building onto the wooden boardwalk pavement – planning regulations keep Dawson’s heritage alive – following a jazz concert. Two grey-haired women walked alongside me; from their conversation it was clear they were locals.
‘Look,’ one interrupted the other. ‘There’s the aurora!’
She pointed beyond the rooftops to where the now-familiar green fingers clawed up into the sky. Both women stopped and took a few moments’ silence to appreciate the spectacle. And then, more thoughtfully, they walked on.
For the first time, I began to understand why people have for so many centuries lived in awe of the aurora. These women must have seen the phenomenon hundreds of times, I thought as I walked back to my B&B, yet still it held them captive.
In our world of technological bangs and flashes, the remarkable has sometimes become everyday, but there’s an otherworldliness to the northern lights, something that really verges on the magical. And, however many times you see them, this magic never dies.
Tour operators
United Kingdom
Discover the World
Arctic House, 8 Bolters Lane, Banstead, Surrey, SM7 2AR
01737 218800 | travel@discover-the-world.co.uk
As a leading specialist in tailor-made travel for more than 3 decades, Discover the World offers a wide variety of northern lights holidays to Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Canada & Alaska, with a full range of winter activities. Fly direct between London & Kiruna to reach the ICEHOTEL at Jukkasjärvi in just 3½ hrs.
Hurtigruten
Bedford House, 69–79 Fulham High St, London, SW6 3JW
0203 582 8772 | uk.sales@hurtigruten.com
Hurtigruten’s various northern lights cruises are based around Norway’s fjords & Arctic coastline. In addition to mainstream itineraries, it offers specialist trips such as astronomy voyages.
Nordic Experience
39 Crouch St, Colchester, CO3 3EN
01206 708888 | reservations@nordicexperience.co.uk
Nordic Experience is a leading independent UK tour operator specialising in tailor-made holidays & private tours to Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland & Greenland, as well as exclusive small group Father Christmas & New Year adventures. It draws on the expert knowledge of its staff, all of whom have travelled extensively in the region. They are on hand to offer you first-class recommendations as to when & where to travel, & how to maximise your chances of viewing the aurora borealis.
Regent Holidays
6th floor, Colston Tower, Colston St, Bristol, BS1 4XE
020 3588 2971 | regent@regentholidays.co.uk
With over 40 years’ experience, Regent Holidays offers an extensive range of northern lights holidays to Iceland, Greenland, Finland, Norway & Sweden, including group tours, city breaks & fly-drives. In addition to their suggested itineraries, the Bristol-based team of knowledgeable & experienced travel specialists can tailor-make your perfect winter itinerary to incorporate a variety of activities including husky & reindeer sledding, snowmobiling, Arctic cruises, snowshoeing & more.
Sunvil
Sunvil House, Upper Square, Old Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 7BJ
020 8758 4722 | discovery@sunvil.co.uk
Sunvil uses its local knowledge and first-hand experience to carefully-craft holidays in Swedish Lapland and Northern Norway to meet individual requirements. From the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, to the wilderness of Finnmark, the university city of Tromso, the aurora hotspot of Abisko, the ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjarvi, the Tree Hotel in Harads and more…there is something for everyone on offer.
Taber Holidays
PO Box 176, Tofts House, Tofts Rd, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, BD19 3WX
01274 875199 | emailinfo@taberhols.co.uk
Specialising in Scandinavia, Taber Holidays’s trips include a 3-night break to Tromsø in Norway as well as winter holidays in Finland, Greenland, Iceland & Sweden.
Kirker Holidays
4 Waterloo Court, 10 The Street, London, SE1 8ST
020 7593 2283 | travel@kirkerholidays.com
Since 1986, Kirker Holidays has provided carefully crafted tailor-made holidays to a range of destinations throughout Europe and beyond, including some of the best locations for viewing the northern lights in Iceland, Sweden and Norway. Kirker’s team of experts has first-hand experience of every hotel and will help you to plan the perfect itinerary including flights from your local airport, carefully-selected accommodation, and excursions with local expert guides.
Kirker’s collection of brochures, which includes Short Breaks, Italy, France and Spain & Portugal, as well as Southern Africa and the India Subcontinent, now offers over 140 destinations in 40 countries – including 80 classic cities and 250 relaxing rural locations. Every Kirker holiday includes private car transfers, accommodation in individually selected hotels from the grandest 5* palaces to charming 3* and 4* boutique properties, and travel by any combination of flights from your local airport, ferry, rail or – for the ultimate way to celebrate in style – a journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
Best Served Scandinavia
27-45 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NT
020 7838 5956 | enquire@best-served.co.uk
As an out and out tailor-made Scandinavia specialist, Best Served Scandinavia is a go-to tour operator for holidays to the Nordic regions – from the Northerm Lights to the Ice Hotel, Husky Sledding and Lapland. And they have recently extended their expertise in cold climes to tours in Canada.
Canada
The Great Canadian Travel Group
164 Marion St, Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada, R2C3S3
204 949 0199 | 1 800 661 3830 | sales@gctravel.ca
The Great Canadian Travel Company has been operating tours to the top (and bottom) of the world since 1980, specializing in Arctic Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Norway and Antarctica. Experiences include northern lights viewing, wildlife safaris, escorted tours, expedition cruises, and independent self-drive programs. They cater to both independent travellers and small groups, offering personalized individual itineraries and customized group services.
Northern Tales Travel Services Inc
Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada
++1 867 667 6054 | info@northerntales.ca
This is your one-stop shop for northern lights & winter adventure in the Yukon Territory, Canada. The Basic Aurora Borealis Package is award winning & a Canadian Signature Experience (by Canadian Tourism Commission). It also offers dog mushing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, cabin rentals, trips to the Arctic Circle & ice roads.
Related books
For more information, see our guide to the Northern Lights:
Related articles
Our expert author’s guide to the best spots in the region for catching a glimpse of those iconic green hues.