Your Guide to Seeing the Northern Lights in The Nordics

Iceland

Iceland, in my opinion, is perfect if you’re looking for beautiful nature, an active adventure and perhaps a shorter length itinerary. A perfect itinerary length for Iceland is around five to nine days. Since there is a major international airport in Reykjavik, you won’t lose any days in transit compared to some of the other destinations. With no shortage of stunning landscapes, some of Iceland’s unique characteristics are its glaciers and volcanoes. Whether you’re interested in glacier walks or 4x4 adventures on the south coast, exploring the inside of a (dormant) volcano, or visiting the famous Blue Lagoon — there is no spot in Iceland that is bad to see the Aurora. Given its geographical position, even the southern coast of Iceland has phenomenal viewing potential and thus one of the premier destinations for many when they are looking to see the lights.

Norway

If you’re looking for a diverse range in landscapes (especially fjords), I would highly recommend Norway. Due to it’s long coast line, one of the unique aspects of a Norwegian Northern Lights itinerary is that you can either be land-based, water-based (cruise) or a combination. Some of the top destinations in Norway for viewing the aurora are the Lofoten Islands and Tromsø. Both markedly different and both have stunning viewing opportunities.

Lofoten is a collection of islands in the far northwestern part of the country. It is perfect for someone who is looking for a bit of a more of a relaxed, nature-focused itinerary. Tromsø is one of the major cities in the Norwegian Arctic and thus is the base for a lot of different Northern Lights tours/experiences. Think private vehicle-based tours where you can chase the lights (even sometimes across international borders), Arctic fjord cruises and even reindeer sledding! You can either elect to stay in the city itself, or just outside of town. Either way, the lights can be seen in the entire region.

Sweden

If you’re looking to combine two countries, then I’d say Sweden and Finland would be two of the best to combine. Due to the geography of the Swedish and Finnish Lapland Regions, getting from one to the other by land transfer is very doable. I’d recommend Sweden to someone looking for either a wellness-style spa experience and/or someone who is looking for remote “glamping” experiences. Aurora Safari Camp and Arctic Bath are two of my favorite properties in Swedish Lapland, and you can easily combine your visit there with some really fun cultural activities like dogsledding, snowshoeing or skiing. If you’re looking to just do Swedish Lapland, I’d say three to seven days would be a great timeline, however if you’re looking to combine it with Finland I’d recommend seven to 10 to get the full experience. Keep in mind that based on logistics, you may need to add a night or two in Stockholm as that’s the closest major international airport.

Finland

As the eastern-most country in The Nordics, Finland is a destination that is synonymous with seeing the Aurora Borealis. The Finnish landscape is what many associate with a winter wonderland, with forests of frosted pine trees, incredibly unique accommodations and none other than Santa Claus’ Village. Similarly to my advice for Sweden, if you are just looking to stay in Finnish Lapland, I’d recommend four to seven days, but if you want to combine it with another country or a trip to Helsinki (Finland’s capital), I’d recommend a bit longer (seven to 10 days).

Finland has a nice blend of opportunities, and although you won’t quite get the natural diversity as you do in Norway, Finland more than makes up for it in its diversity of experiences. It’s the perfect destination for authentic cultural experiences, like visiting the Sámi people, who for almost 10,000 years have lived in Arctic nature in the northern Nordics. Their indigenous culture is still very much alive based on language, traditions and the reindeer. Although you can find a Sami population across Norway, Sweden and Finland, the experiences I’d personally recommend are in Finland and Norway.

Finland is also a perfect destination if you’re looking to interact with reindeer! You can feed them, go on a sleigh ride through the forest and talk with the locals who in many cases have been farming reindeer for generations. One of my favorite properties in the area is the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi.

Due to the nature of the destinations for this guide, some destinations (Swedish and Finnish Lapland) do not have as many separate dining options outside of the lodges. That said, for those locations, I’ve specifically recommended properties that are not only gorgeous but also offer delicious dining options as well.

Tromsø, Norway:

Wedeb’s Restaurant: If you're into Ethiopian food, Wedeb’s is a gem in Tromsø. The injera and stews are packed with flavor — perfect if you're craving something a little different from the usual.

Graffi Grill: The go-to spot for laid-back vibes and seriously good grilled meats and burgers. It’s a solid choice if you’re in the mood for comfort food.

Bardus Bistro: A cozy bistro that mixes local Norwegian ingredients and cuisine with inspiration from Southern Europe. It’s a great spot if you’re looking for something fresh and a little more intimate.

Reykjavik, Iceland:

Brut: An awesome wine bar in Reykjavik with a killer selection of wines and super creative dishes. Perfect for a night out with friends or a nice date spot.

La Primavera: La Primavera brings a cool Italian vibe to Reykjavik, with fresh pastas and seafood, but using local Icelandic ingredients. Great if you’re in the mood for a little taste of Italy.

Mat Bar: All about laid-back dining with really fresh, seasonal ingredients. The small plates mix Nordic and Mediterranean flavors, so it’s perfect for sharing.