Flights and hotels
Northern lights holidays: Tromsø, Iceland, Lapland or Svalbard?
Green ribbons over a frozen lake, a hot pool under the sky and a guide who knows where the clouds are thin. Where to go, how to book and nine hotels for a northern lights holiday.
It starts as a pale smudge over the mountains, easy to mistake for a cloud. Then it brightens, turns green and begins to move, folding and unfolding across the sky until the whole bus has gone quiet and everyone is standing in the snow with their heads tipped back. You will remember the cold afterwards. In the moment you will not notice it.
The northern lights appear in a band around the Arctic, so you have several good places to choose from: Tromsø in northern Norway, Iceland, Abisko in Swedish Lapland, Finnish Lapland and Svalbard. Below we compare them, explain when to go and how to book flights and a hotel, and pick the hotels we would use as a base.
The links to the hotels and trips are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How to choose where to see the northern lights
Tromsø is the easiest city break with northern lights: a lively Arctic town with restaurants, plenty of tours and direct flights in winter.
Iceland combines the aurora with hot springs, waterfalls and glaciers, and Reykjavík makes an easy base.
Abisko in Swedish Lapland is known for clear skies, and it is small and quiet.
Finnish Lapland has the glass igloos and a strong chance of dark, clear nights away from town lights.
Svalbard has polar night in midwinter, which means darkness for much of the day and a real Arctic expedition feel.
Wherever you go, the aurora needs darkness and clear skies, so give yourself several nights. A guided chase by bus or minibus raises your chances, since the guides drive to wherever the cloud is breaking up.
Package or flight and hotel separately?
A northern lights package usually includes flights, hotel and sometimes a guided aurora tour, which is handy in places where you would otherwise need to arrange transfers yourself. Flight inclusive packages sold in the UK are ATOL protected. Booking separately gives you more freedom to pick your own hotel and tours, and works well in Tromsø and Reykjavík, where getting around is easy.
Scandic Ishavshotel
Tromsø harbour in the blue hour. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Tromsø: the Arctic city break
Tromsø is the largest town in northern Norway, on an island ringed by mountains. The aurora tours leave from the centre every evening in season, and in between you can ride the cable car, visit the Arctic Cathedral or go whale watching in early winter.
Flight and hotel together: See Tromsø flight and hotel packages
Book experiences: Northern lights tours and things to do in Tromsø
Scandic Ishavshotel: on the water’s edge
Scandic Ishavshotel sits right on the harbour, shaped like a ship, with views across the sound to the mountains.
The aurora buses leave from the centre a few minutes away.
Book your stay: See rooms at Scandic Ishavshotel
The Dock 69°39: harbour views and a roof terrace
The Dock sits by the harbour in Tromsø, with a roof terrace looking over the water.
On a clear night, step out on the terrace before you join the chase.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Dock 69°39
ION Adventure Hotel
ION sits in the lava fields outside Reykjavík. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Iceland: northern lights and hot springs
In Iceland you can spend the day on the Golden Circle, at waterfalls and geysers, and the night watching for the aurora. Staying outside Reykjavík gives you darker skies, while the city is easier for restaurants and tours.
Book experiences: Northern lights tours and things to do in Reykjavík
ION Adventure Hotel: dark skies in the lava fields
ION sits on its own in the countryside near Thingvellir, far from city lights, with big windows and an outdoor pool.
One of the best places in Iceland to wait for the aurora without leaving the hotel.
Book your stay: See rooms at ION Adventure Hotel
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon: your own lagoon
The Retreat is built into the lava next to the Blue Lagoon, with its own private part of the lagoon for guests.
Book it for the last night of the trip, close to the airport.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon
Hotel Borg: the classic in Reykjavík
Hotel Borg is an Art Deco landmark on the main square in Reykjavík.
Choose it if you want to combine aurora tours with the city’s restaurants and bars.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Borg
Abisko Turiststation
The mountain station at Abisko. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Abisko and Finnish Lapland: clear skies and glass roofs
Abisko lies in Swedish Lapland, near Kiruna, and is known for unusually clear skies. Across the border, Finnish Lapland has the glass igloos, where you can watch for the lights from bed. Read our full guide to Lapland holidays for Rovaniemi, Saariselkä and Levi.
Book experiences: Things to do in Kiruna and Abisko
Abisko Turiststation: the mountain station
Abisko Turiststation is a classic mountain lodge in the national park, with trails and frozen lakes outside the door.
Simple, warm and right where the sky tends to clear.
Book your stay: See rooms at Abisko Turiststation
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort: sleep under glass
Kakslauttanen in Saariselkä is famous for its glass igloos, where you fall asleep looking straight up at the sky.
Book well ahead: the igloos fill early every winter.
Book your stay: See rooms at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Funken Lodge
A fireside lounge in Longyearbyen. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Svalbard: the polar night
From November to January the sun does not rise over Longyearbyen, and the aurora can appear at any time of day when the sky is clear. It is a true Arctic trip, best combined with dog sledding or a snowmobile tour.
Flight and hotel together: See Longyearbyen flight and hotel packages
Funken Lodge: warmth at the top of the world
Funken Lodge sits above Longyearbyen, with a fireside lounge and a serious wine cellar.
The place to thaw out after a day on a snowmobile.
Book your stay: See rooms at Funken Lodge
When is the best time for a northern lights holiday?
The aurora season runs roughly from late September to late March. Midwinter gives the longest nights, while autumn and March are milder and still dark enough in the evening. The lights depend on solar activity and clear skies, so no week is guaranteed, which is why three to five nights is a good rule.
When should you book?
December and New Year: book four to six months ahead. Tromsø and Lapland fill up early.
January to March: two to three months ahead is usually enough.
Glass igloos and small lodges: book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Read more in Best hotels in Tromsø for the northern lights and Best places to see the northern lights.
Frequently asked questions about northern lights holidays
Where is the best place for a northern lights holiday?
Tromsø is the best all round choice for an easy city break with many tours. Abisko and Finnish Lapland often have clearer skies, Iceland adds hot springs and glaciers, and Svalbard offers the polar night.
When is the best month to see the northern lights?
The best months are roughly October to March, when the nights are long and dark. Many travellers aim for February or March, when the weather is often more settled and the days are getting longer.
How many nights do you need to see the northern lights?
Plan for at least three nights, and four or five if you can. The aurora depends on clear skies and solar activity, so more nights give you more chances.
Is a northern lights package worth it?
A package is worth it if you want flights, hotel and transfers in one booking, especially in Lapland and Svalbard. In Tromsø and Reykjavík it is also easy to book flight, hotel and a guided tour separately.
Can you see the northern lights from your hotel?
Yes, in many places. Glass igloos in Finnish Lapland and hotels away from town lights, such as ION in Iceland, let you watch from the room or the terrace. In towns you will usually see more on a guided tour.