People from all over the world make pilgrimages to see the northern lights and tourism around the natural phenomenon has become huge. The Northern Lights are something many people want to have experienced in their lifetime.
Although the northern lights are often best seen in the north, last year Swedes could see it all the way down to Skåne. This year and next year are also said to be really good years for viewing the northern lights.
However, there are some places where the experience can be extra magical and powerful.
Iceland
A place known for its nature and unique environment is Iceland.
– Iceland is magical. The northern lights are visible as soon as it starts to get dark in autumn and it happens constantly. There are also aurora cruises that take you out to sea outside Reykjavik, far from light pollution.
Iceland also has many good places to watch the northern lights indoors, but Skandevall believes that you should go out for the best possible experience.
– I recommend renting a car, getting out into nature and renting an AirBnb and going out when the app pings and experiencing the northern lights.
Finland
For those who want to experience the northern lights with the family, Skandevall recommends Pyhä-Luosto. A Finnish national park ten miles north of the Arctic Circle.
– It’s a great place if you want to experience the northern lights with children. There are lots of activities such as cycling with fat bikes.
At the Arctic Circle you will find the city of Rovaniemi, which is usually called Santa’s official hometown. There you can spend the night in glasigloos and really experience the active northern lights.
– It attracts many Asian tourists, mainly Japanese. If you get pregnant under the northern lights, you will have well-behaved and happy children, according to the Japanese. This will be the ultimate place, says Skandevall.
In Rovaniemi, there is also a hyperlocal app that beeps when you can see the northern lights in the sky.
Sweden
Around the Arctic Circle are also Sweden’s gems. Abisko is said to be the world’s best place for the northern lights.
– It’s about the weather being clear there. You will find the northern lights much easier if there are no clouds.
There are several live cameras set up in the area to help you. There are also apps with good and reliable long-term forecasts.
– You can go here easily by train and you can take the night train up. Then you can time it better with the forecasts in the apps. Then you can see that now the weather is good and take the train up to Abisko.
It can be difficult to see the green glow with the naked eye, as the light is sometimes very dim. Then Skandevall has a clever solution.
– If you pick up the mobile camera and point it at the light and try to take a picture, it absorbs the green light.