Northern Lights: when and where to see them in Iceland, Norway and Finland

Seeing the northern lights is one of those trips you dream about for years, and this journey brings together the three best destinations in the world to make it happen: Iceland, Norway and Finland. The best time to see the aurora borealis runs from September to March, when the long Arctic nights glow green, violet and pink. In this guide you'll find when to travel, how much it costs per person, the recommended route country by country, and the best places to stay and chase the aurora.

Each of these countries offers a different way of looking at the same sky: Iceland's snow-covered lava fields, the fjords of Tromsø in Norway and the silent forests of Finnish Lapland. And between one aurora and the next, a fairy-tale winter —steaming hot springs, dog sleds and glass cabins— that turns this northern lights trip into far more than a night spent staring upward.

The essentials

When to go, how much it costs and how to see the aurora borealis

Best time

Sep – Mar

Ideal length

9 – 12 days

Starting point

Reykjavík

Level	Per person / day	What it includes
Backpacker	USD 80–120	Hostels and guesthouses, groceries, shared aurora tours, public transport.
Mid-range	USD 180–280	Boutique hotels, car or private transfers, the occasional exclusive tour and hot springs.
Premium	USD 450+	Design lodges and glass cabins, private aurora hunter, geothermal spa.

Budget on the ground, per person, excluding international flights. The solar activity is free; the rest depends on how much you want to spoil yourself.

Recommended route

Route to see the northern lights: Iceland, Norway and Finland

A journey from north to north, linking the three destinations by short flights. The idea is simple: winter landscapes by day, eyes on the sky by night.

Days 1–4 · Iceland. Reykjavík, the Golden Circle, the south coast and its frozen waterfalls, the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and a finale at the Blue Lagoon.
Days 5–8 · Norway. Fly to Tromsø, the "capital of the Arctic": snowy fjords, the Fjellheisen cable car and aurora chases over the sea.
Days 9–12 · Finland. Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi or Saariselkä): reindeer and husky sledding, a lakeside sauna and a night in a glass cabin.

First stop

Northern lights in Iceland — fire and ice

Iceland is the perfect prologue: short distances, dark skies and a landscape so dramatic that the aurora feels like just one more detail. Reykjavík, with its colorful rooftops, is a comfortable base to head out each night to chase the lights. By day, the Golden Circle serves up geysers and the rift where two continents pull apart; further south, the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls freeze into curtains of ice and the black beach of Reynisfjara adds the perfect contrast under a glowing sky.

Insider tip If the aurora index rises at night, you don't need to go far: twenty minutes to the Grótta lighthouse, on the outskirts of Reykjavík, is enough to leave the city lights behind.

Second stop

Northern lights in Norway — the sky above the fjords

Tromsø, deep inside the Arctic Circle, is one of the places with the highest chance of aurora in the world, and seeing it reflected over a snowy fjord is an image that's hard to forget. The city has soul: cozy cafés, the illuminated Arctic Cathedral and the Fjellheisen cable car to take it all in from above. Local guides chase the clear patches of sky by van, so a single clear night —even far away— is enough to make the hunt worthwhile.

Insider tip Book a "chasing" aurora tour: if there are clouds over Tromsø, the guide drives to wherever the sky is clear, even crossing into Finland if needed.

Third stop

Northern lights in Finland — the Lapland of your dreams

Finnish Lapland is the most magical finale: snowy forests in absolute silence, reindeer crossing the road and a winter culture that turns the season into a celebration. Here you can watch the aurora from a sled, from the sauna or —the ultimate plan— from bed, through the glass roof of an igloo cabin. Rovaniemi adds the family-friendly wink of Santa Claus's village; Saariselkä, further north, offers even darker skies.

Insider tip A night in a glass cabin costs more, but you'll remember it forever: you lie down looking at the sky and, if the aurora appears at 3 a.m., you don't have to step out into the cold to see it.

Where to stay

Where to stay to see the northern lights

Each stop has its ideal base. These links take you straight to the accommodation search for that exact city:

Reykjavík (Iceland) — from central hostels to boutique hotels; the best base for the Golden Circle and the south coast. Find accommodation in Reykjavík →
Tromsø (Norway) — cozy guesthouses, design hotels and aurora lodges over the fjord. Find accommodation in Tromsø →
Rovaniemi (Lapland, Finland) — cabins, family hotels and glass igloos to watch the aurora from bed. Find accommodation in Rovaniemi →

What to consider

What to consider for your northern lights trip

Visa — all three countries are part of the Schengen area; many nationalities don't need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Check based on your passport.
Weather — intense and changeable cold. Thermal layers, gloves, a hat and a waterproof jacket are essential.
Aurora — it depends on the weather and solar activity. Set aside at least 3–4 nights per country so you don't miss it.
Logistics — link the legs with short flights (Reykjavík–Tromsø–Rovaniemi) and book ahead in high season.
Safety — these are among the safest countries in the world; the real challenge is the weather, not the people.

Iris tips

Download an aurora forecast app (KP index) and always get away from city lights.
Bring a tripod and thin gloves: the best photos come from long exposures, and your hands will thank you.
Book hot springs and glass cabins weeks in advance; they sell out in winter.
Authentic experience — combine a Finnish sauna night with a plunge into the snow; the aurora, if it shows up, is the grand prize.

Book with Tripsy

Book the essentials of your aurora trip

All the essentials of your trip, sorted with our trusted partners:

e-SIM · Airalo Internet in Iceland, Norway and Finland Get connected the moment you land, no hunting for wifi. Get it → Hotels · Reykjavík Where to stay in Reykjavík Your base for the Golden Circle and the south coast. Find hotels → Hotels · Tromsø Where to stay in Tromsø Over the fjord, right in the middle of the aurora hunt. Find hotels → Hotels · Rovaniemi Where to stay in Rovaniemi Cabins and glass igloos in Lapland. Find hotels → Experiences · GetYourGuide Aurora tours, sledding and more Excursions with local guides, bookable online. See experiences →

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