Mr NordicIf something has to be on your checklist during a holiday to northern Scandinavia, it is the northern lights (‘aurora borealis’). This fantastic natural phenomenon only occurs in the northernmost regions and is therefore a unique experience that is not for everyone. In the Swedish Lapland, the northern lights are at their peak around 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. These are the best places where you can watch this spectacle in Sweden.
Abisko National Park
When viewing the northern lights, it is important that you have as little light pollution as possible. Now you have little trouble with that in Lapland, but in the National Park of Abisko you are sure of a pitch black night sky. This park is located just north of Kiruna. It is strikingly cloudless over Lake Torneträsk, making it one of the best places to view the northern lights.
A visit to Lapland is unforgettable. It is very white, ice cold and above all indescribably beautiful.
According to the Swedes, Abisko National Park is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. So you don’t even have to get out of bed to spot this magical natural phenomenon. All you have to do is stay awake and stare outside. Although the northern lights are not present, the view is more than worth it!
If you choose Björkliden, the view is fantastic too. This small town at Abisko National Park is located on a hill and overlooks Lake Torneträsk, the sixth largest lake in Sweden. Nevertheless, it is completely frozen in the winter months and it is possible to tear across the lake by snowmobile. Thanks to its location in the mountains, Björkliden lends itself to an active winter holiday. For couples, but certainly also for families with older children (teenagers) because of the combination of skiing opportunities and tough activities such as ice climbing, snowshoeing and husky safaris.
Swedish lapland is less well known as a travel destination than northern Finland, with the big advantage that it is not that busy there.
Use the 23 ski slopes (ranging from green to black) while skiing, or make your stay truly unforgettable by booking a special overnight stay in the mountains. Whatever your wishes for a Swedish Lapland trip are, you can do it in the surroundings of Abisko!
Places to book a northern light trip in Abisko
- Abisko Northern light tours
- Northern Light trips in Swedish Lapland
- Abisko Mountain Lodge Northern Lights tour
Jukkasjärvi and the Torne valley
The village of Jukkasjärvi is world famous for the ice hotel that is built there every winter. Tours are organized from this hotel to take you to the best places to see the Northern Lights. With the snowmobile or with sled dogs you will be on location in no time to enjoy the natural phenomenon. The hotel is close to Lake Poustijärvi and the Torne valley, both of which are known for the ideal conditions for the aurora borealis.
Every year the hotel is rebuilt from 2000 tons of ice. The fairytale-looking complex has a romantic ice bar and even a chapel where you can have your wedding performed if you wish.
The entire interior of the hotel is carved out of ice and snow. Tables, chairs, beds. On the food Beverage and food are of course adapted to the circumstances, for example wooden planks are placed on the dining tables to prevent the hot plates from melting the table. There is also special attention for the equipment for the night. On reindeer skins you can sleep wonderfully warm in your special winter sleeping bag with thermal clothing. The toilet facilities are of course heated.
Places to book a northern light trip in Kiruna
- Northern lights excursions genuine nordic activities in Sweden
- Northern Lights tours in Björkliden
Porjus and Laponia
About 60 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle is the town of Porjus and the Laponia nature reserve. Porjus has roughly 400 inhabitants, so there is no question of urban light pollution in this area. However, there are accommodations for rent where you can spot the northern lights perfectly. The village is close to the national parks Sarek, Padeljant, Muddus and Stora Sjöfallet.
The most important condition to spot the northern lights in Lapland is that it must be dark. In that sense, when the days are short, the winter months are automatically the best months to see the northern lights. November, December and January have the least hours of sunshine, also during the day. The northern lights can therefore be observed more often due to the long dark days in these months.
The northern light is a natural phenomenon that so many people dream of seeing it once
In addition to the condition that it must be dark in Lapland, solar activity is also required. The northern lights are created because electrically charged particles of the sun are thrown into the room. As soon as this comes into contact with our atmosphere, light particles are created. The more solar activity, the more intense the northern lights.
You can follow the chance of seeing the Northern Lights on the Aurora Forecast website. But this prediction does not provide a real guarantee either.
Last Updated on March 31, 2023
