Best Places to See the Northern Lights 2024
2024 is shaping up to be an incredible year for aurora chasers. Thanks to a phenomenon known as the solar maximum, the Northern Lights are brighter and more active than they have been in over a decade. If you want to see this natural light show, picking the right destination is your most important step.
Why 2024 is the Best Year for Aurora Hunters
The sun operates on a cycle that lasts roughly 11 years. We are currently in Solar Cycle 25, which is officially peaking right now in 2024. This peak phase is called the solar maximum.
During this time, the sun releases a much higher number of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. When these charged particles travel through space and hit Earth’s magnetic field, they create the Aurora Borealis. Experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirm that the 2024 solar maximum is producing some of the most intense aurora displays we have seen in the last twenty years. Because the auroras are stronger this year, you have a much higher chance of seeing bright greens, pinks, and purples even if conditions are not perfect.
Top Destinations for 2024
To maximize your chances of seeing the lights, you need to travel to the auroral oval. This is a ring-shaped region sitting high in the Northern Hemisphere. Here are the absolute best places to visit this year.
Fairbanks, Alaska (United States)
Located directly under the auroral oval, Fairbanks offers some of the most reliable viewing in North America. The official aurora season here runs from August 21 to April 21.
- Cleary Summit: For the best independent experience, rent a car and drive out to Cleary Summit. It sits roughly 20 miles north of the city and offers completely unobstructed views of the horizon.
- Chena Hot Springs Resort: If you prefer a guided or relaxing experience, this resort allows you to watch the lights from naturally heated outdoor rock pools.
- Aurora Pointe: This is a dedicated activity center just outside of Fairbanks where you can sit by a fire, drink coffee, and wait for the lights to appear.
Tromsø, Norway
Often called the capital of the Arctic, Tromsø sits at 69 degrees north. You have a massive chance of seeing the lights here between September and early April.
While you can sometimes see the colors right above the city’s famous Arctic Cathedral, you will get better photos by escaping the streetlights. Take the Fjellheisen cable car up Mount Storsteinen for a panoramic view over the fjords. You can also book specialized chasing tours through local companies like Chasing Lights or Arctic Guide Service. These guides will literally drive you all the way to the Finnish border if it means finding clear skies.
Abisko, Sweden
Abisko is a small village in Swedish Lapland. It is famous for a specific weather phenomenon called the “Blue Hole.” The surrounding mountains keep the skies almost entirely clear of clouds, making it one of the most reliable places in the world to see the stars and the aurora.
The main attraction here is the Aurora Sky Station. You ride a chairlift up the mountain in complete darkness. Once at the top, you can enjoy a four-course dinner before heading outside to the observation deck. You need to book tickets months in advance, especially during the 2024 solar peak.
Yellowknife, Canada
Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territories claims the title of Aurora Capital of North America. The flat terrain gives you a 360-degree view of the sky without mountains blocking the lower horizon.
According to Northwest Territories Tourism, visitors who spend three nights in Yellowknife have a 95 percent chance of seeing the lights. Aurora Village is the most popular dedicated viewing site in the area. It features 21 traditional teepees surrounding a frozen lake. You can stay warm inside by a wood-burning stove and drink hot chocolate while you wait for your guide to alert you when the show starts.
Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland. It is highly commercialized but offers incredible luxury accommodations for aurora hunters. You do not even have to step outside into the freezing snow to see the sky.
Properties like the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel and the famous Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort offer glass-roofed igloos. You can lie in a warm, comfortable bed and watch the green ribbons dance overhead. The best time to visit Rovaniemi for auroras is around the autumn and spring equinoxes (late September and late March).
How to Track the Northern Lights
Do not just walk outside and hope for the best. You need to actively track the solar weather to know exactly when to look up.
You should monitor the Kp index. This is a scale from 0 to 9 that measures geomagnetic activity. A Kp of 3 or 4 means the lights will be easily visible in high-latitude areas like Tromsø or Fairbanks. A Kp of 6 or higher means the lights are having a severe geomagnetic storm and might push further south into places like the northern United States.
To track this data in real time, download the My Aurora Forecast app on your Apple or Android phone. You can set it to send you push notifications when the Kp index spikes. You should also check the official Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) website for their 30-minute forecast models.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to see the Northern Lights? The best months are generally late September to late March. The equinox months (September and March) historically see higher geomagnetic activity, making them excellent targets during the 2024 solar maximum.
Can I take photos of the Northern Lights with my phone? Yes. Modern smartphones like the iPhone 15 Pro, Google Pixel 8, or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra have excellent night modes. Use a cheap phone tripod to keep the camera completely still, and set the exposure time to 3 to 10 seconds.
Do I need to book a tour to see the aurora? No, you can rent a car and drive away from city lights yourself. However, booking a tour in places like Norway or Iceland is highly recommended. Professional guides know how to read advanced weather patterns and communicate with other guides to find the exact pockets of clear sky.