Witnessing the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, remains one of the most sought-after experiences on the travel bucket list. This extraordinary natural phenomenon transforms the night sky into a display of colourful light, attracting travellers from across the world. With opportunities to experience the spectacle in some of the world's most remarkable destinations, 2026 and 2027 offer a selection of distinctive holidays and adventures for those hoping to see the aurora.
The Northern Lights are generally visible in regions close to the Earth's poles. They occur when electrically charged particles released by the Sun reach Earth and interact with its magnetic field and atmosphere. The resulting display creates striking ribbons of green, red, blue and purple across the darkness of the night sky.
The Best Places And Times To See The Northern Lights
Although the Northern Lights can be witnessed in both polar regions, viewing opportunities are considered better in the northern hemisphere. Within the area known as the Aurora Belt, the phenomenon can appear with particularly intense light and a greater variety of colours.
Among the leading destinations for Northern Lights viewing are Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Lapland, Alaska and Canada's Yukon. However, the Aurora Borealis remains an unpredictable natural spectacle, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The months between September and March generally provide better opportunities, when darker skies and favourable weather conditions increase the likelihood of seeing the lights.
Spectacular Hotel Stays Under The Northern Lights
For travellers seeking accommodation that offers opportunities to admire the night sky, several hotels provide distinctive settings and dedicated viewing experiences.
Hotel Rangá, situated in southern Iceland, is a popular choice for guests hoping to see the Northern Lights or enjoy stargazing. Its remote location and advanced observatory on the hotel grounds provide particularly suitable conditions for observing the sky. By switching off its external lighting, the property creates an environment designed to maximise visibility. Guests can also enjoy geothermal hot tubs while taking in the night sky.
In Finland, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort offers a wilderness retreat where guests can sleep beneath the Northern Lights in its well-known glass igloos. Another Finnish destination, Aurora Village Ivalo in Lapland, provides igloo cabins designed to allow guests to enjoy views of the sky from the comfort of their beds.
The Santa Claus Express: An Arctic Rail Journey Through Finland
A journey aboard Finland's Santa Claus Express offers another opportunity to combine travel with the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.
Autumn and late winter are considered particularly favourable periods for spotting the aurora, and fortunate passengers may catch a glimpse during certain journeys. This overnight sleeper train travels from Helsinki and Turku towards Rovaniemi, reaching the Arctic Circle in the far north of Finland.
Along the way, passengers travel through landscapes of frozen lakes and snow-covered woodland. The journey is among Europe's most distinctive rail experiences, offering an opportunity to explore the Finnish winter landscape while keeping watch for the Northern Lights.
Horse Riding On Iceland's Northern Lights Trail
For those who prefer an active holiday, Saddle Travel offers a four-day riding experience along Iceland's Northern Lights Trail.
Priced from £1,179 (€1,375) per person, the holiday includes approximately four hours of riding each day over three days. Guests explore volcanic mountain slopes on Icelandic horses, experiencing the country's distinctive winter landscape from horseback.
After a day in the saddle, the experience continues with opportunities to relax in thermal swimming pools. Guests can also enjoy the warmth of an outdoor hot tub while watching snow fall, providing a contrasting experience to the day's riding.
Yukon's Aurora360 Experience: Flying Through The Northern Lights
Among the more unusual Northern Lights experiences returning in 2027 is the Aurora360 flight in Canada's Yukon. Scheduled for February 2027, this exclusive experience gives travellers the opportunity to view the Aurora Borealis from approximately 30,000 feet aboard a private Air North charter aircraft.
Unlike conventional Northern Lights holidays, the flight takes passengers above the cloud cover, significantly improving their chances of seeing the aurora. Every passenger is guaranteed a window seat, providing an opportunity to observe the dancing lights from the air.
Canada As You Like It offers a seven-night holiday combining this experience with accommodation and international travel. Prices start at £7,735 (€9,021) per person. The package includes return international flights, two nights in Vancouver, four nights at Northern Lights Resort & Spa, one night in Whitehorse and the exclusive Air North Aurora360 flight.
Reykjavík And The Northern Lights: Exploring Iceland
A five-day holiday offered by Newmarket Holidays combines a visit to Iceland's capital, Reykjavík, with opportunities to search for the Northern Lights beyond the city.
The experience also offers optional excursions, including a visit to the Blue Lagoon, where travellers can enjoy its mineral-rich warm waters. Another available option is a Golden Circle tour, which includes Þingvellir, the expansive landscape where Iceland's ancient assemblies gathered to establish the laws of the land.
Available between October 2026 and March 2028, the holiday starts from £1,056 (€1,231) per person. Return flights from various airports across the UK are included in the package.
Havila Voyages And Its Northern Lights Promise
Norwegian cruise operator Havila Voyages has introduced a distinctive promise for passengers hoping to witness the Aurora Borealis during their journey.
The company offers a guarantee on qualifying 12-day round voyages departing between 1 October and 31 March. Its commitment is that if passengers do not see the Northern Lights during their cruise, they will receive another voyage free of charge.
If the aurora does not appear during the original journey, passengers are entitled to a complimentary voyage lasting either six or seven days. The offer provides an additional opportunity to experience the Northern Lights without having to pay for another sailing.
Planning A Northern Lights Holiday For 2026 - 2027
From glass igloos and remote Icelandic hotels to overnight Arctic rail journeys, horseback adventures and exclusive flights above the clouds, the Northern Lights offer a variety of travel experiences for 2026 and 2027.
Destinations including Iceland, Finland, Norway and Canada's Yukon provide opportunities to explore different landscapes and accommodation styles while searching for the Aurora Borealis. Although sightings can never be guaranteed, travelling during the darker months between September and March offers a greater likelihood of witnessing this remarkable natural display.
Whether choosing an adventurous riding holiday, a luxury wilderness retreat, a Scandinavian cruise or an extraordinary flight above the clouds, these Northern Lights holidays present some distinctive ways to explore the Arctic regions.
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