Arctic Bath Hotel & Spa
Harads, Lapland, Sweden
A wilderness resort in the empty wastes of Swedish Lapland that celebrates wellbeing through Sami indigenous culture.
Official star rating:
Bucket list experience:
Lapland, Finland
The world’s greatest light show is Mother Nature’s own – the famous ‘Aurora Borealis’ – or more commonly known as the ‘Northern Lights’. It’s an extraordinary natural spectacle, caused by shifts of magnetic energy in the ionosphere, and it’s magical to watch them dance across the heavens, ethereal shapes in shimmering colours forming and dissolving. No wonder seeing them features on so many travel bucket lists.
If you haven’t already, see our round-up of the best places to see the Northern Lights that also explains why they happen, and when you’re most likely to see them (NB the best viewings are spring and autumn).
Lapland is in the so-called ‘Aurora Belt’, where Northern Lights are at their most intense and colourful. Its vast wilderness is about as far from civilisation as you can get in mainland Europe, with star-studded, inky black skies – making it one of the best places in the world to see the Lights.
Still, there’s no specific one best place or time to see this notoriously fickle phenomenon, so we always recommend to pair it with another experience as part of a broader holiday adventure. See below for our recommendations of other great bucket list experiences in Lapland, where you’re also likely to see the Northern Lights along the way.
The best time to see the Northern Lights is spring and autumn. If you haven’t already, see our round-up of the best places to see the Northern Lights that also explains in more detail why they happen, and thus when you’re most likely to see them.
Harads, Lapland, Sweden
A wilderness resort in the empty wastes of Swedish Lapland that celebrates wellbeing through Sami indigenous culture.
Official star rating:
Abisko, Lapland, Sweden
This mountain-top observation station lays on an enticing evening for Northern Lights watching. After a 20-minute chairlift up from Abisko village, you’re treated to a four-course dinner inspired by Lapland and Nordic cuisine, and a guided tour. 900m up, in the heart of the Aurora Oval, sightings are excellent.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Muoni, Lapland, Finland
A comfortable mid-range hotel that’s also the biggest husky dog centre in Finland, and the place for husky dog sledding. It’s also a Mecca for a host of other winter and summer outdoor activities, and seeing the Northern Lights.
Official star rating:
Saariselka, Lapland, Finland
An exceptional wilderness and adventure resort, offering a full range of outdoor activities. Their best known for their glass-domed igloo rooms for star- and Northern Lights-gazing from bed.
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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Rovaniemi
€79 | Rating 4.66 / 5 [59 ratings]
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Rovaniemi
€115 | Rating 4.62 / 5 [161 ratings]
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Rovaniemi
€119 | Rating 4.58 / 5 [122 ratings]
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Rovaniemi
€125 | Rating 4.74 / 5 [187 ratings]
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Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
A remarkable, ethereal light display that’s one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles. Pair it with other bucket list experiences – a thrilling husky ride, a cruise on the Norwegian fjords, or from bed in a luxury glass igloo. Unmissable.