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Every instance I`ve traveled to Sweden to capture images of the Northern Lights, I`ve consistently been impressed by the diversity of spectacular sceneries, which solely enhance the charm of the dancing aurora presentations above.
You won’t be able to see an aurora display without knowing the best time and location to see the Northern Lights in Sweden, so keep reading to find out everything required to make your Sweden Northern Lights trip as successful as possible.
Ready to learn more about where to see the Northern Lights in Sweden? Let’s get started!
- Best time to see the Northern Lights in Sweden
- Premier sites in Sweden to view the Northern Lights
- Top Swedish Northern Lights trips
Table of Contents
Best time to see the Northern Lights in Sweden
The optimum months to view the Northern Lights in Sweden are from late September to early March. During these months, the sun rises and sets earlier each day making the nights darker and longer. This provides improved chances of seeing the dazzling Aurora displays light up the night sky in Sweden.
If you wish to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Sweden, my recommendation is to plan your trip either in late September or in mid-March. The solar activity increases during this timeframe of the year, and you’ll avoid the bitterest cold and stay slightly warmer, which will make your Aurora chase in Sweden more pleasant.
As for the best time during the day to see the Northern Lights in Sweden, aurora displays can occur anytime between 6 PM and 2 AM, but the finest, most intense displays usually happen between 10 PM and 2 AM. I recommend having an Aurora application to know the Aurora forecast if you don’t want to miss any Northern Lights performance.
Best time of year to see Northern Lights in Sweden
To summarize, these are the top months to witness theaurora borealis in Sweden:
- September, October, and November – In September and October, the temperatures will be more agreeable, but the nights aren’t as long as during the winter months. The good news is that the fall equinox is, along with the start of the spring, the best time of year to see the Aurora since the solar activity increases.
- December and January – The nights are long, and the skies are dim, making the ideal conditions for Northern Lights viewing. If wanting snow in your Northern Lights pictures, this is the time of year to come, although snow can mean cloudy skies.
- February and March – Solar activity increases again as we get nearer to the spring equinox bringing more opportunities to witness Aurora displays in Sweden. There also tend to be fewer visitors than during the holiday season, which is perfect if you want to avoid large crowds .
Best places in Sweden to see the Northern Lights
Swedish Lapland, in the northwest of Sweden, is by far the best place to view the Northern Lights in Sweden.
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Within Swedish Lapland, these are the best places in Sweden for viewing the Northern Lights:
- Abisko National Park – There is an 88% chance you will see an aurora display here.
- Kiruna – Home to Esrange Space Center, a major facility for studying the northern lights.
- Jukkasjärvi – Here’s the world’s first ice hotel, a unique place to see the Northern Lights in Sweden.
- Porjus – Town with live webcams of the sky so you know when Northern Lights shows are occurring.
- Tärendö: Small town with flat terrain making it easy to see an aurora display above.
- Luleå: Coastal city that’s perfect for aurora chasers who want urban comforts.
- Särkimukka: A tranquil hamlet near the Lainio River amidst the vast Taiga forests of Sweden. This picturesque, serene location offers ideal conditions for observing the Northern Lights.
- Harads: The unique Treehotel, a spectacular spot for potentially viewing Northern Lights, is situated here.
1. Abisko National Park
If you want to know the best places to observe the Northern Lights over Sweden, look no further than Abisko National Park, one of the prime spots for witnessing an Aurora Borealis light show. There is an extremely high probability of witnessing an aurora display in Abisko; those who stay in the area for three or more days have an 88% chance of seeing the dancing lights.
The national park, with its towering mountains, alpine lake, and alpine meadows, is a lovely place to see the Northern Lights in Sweden in and of itself, but the real attraction of the park for aurora chasers is the Aurora Sky Station. This observation tower within the national park provides the ideal vantage point for spectacular views of the Northern Lights, and experts are on hand to answer any and all questions about the aurora borealis.
You’ll have convenient access to the Sky Station if you remain at STF Abisko Turiststation, which is positioned within the national recreation area and it’s one of the best Northern Lights accommodations in Sweden. For excursions, I suggest joining this small-group Northern Lights venture.
2. Kiruna
Reaching as far north as possible is key for ensuring you’ll witness the most amazing displays of the aurora. You can’t go much farther north than Kiruna, the northernmost city in Swedish Lapland. Because this city is so far north and remote, there is little light pollution and thus a better chance of seeing the full brilliance of the aurora borealis in Sweden.
If you wish to gain more knowledge about the science behind the aurora borealis, go to Esrange Space Center, a major institution for studying the Northern Lights in Sweden that is one hour from there. You can also take a Northern Lights tour and settle in for a night at Camp Ripan or cozy up by the fireplace at Máttaráhkká Northern Light Lodge.
3. Jukkasjärvi
Jukkasjärvi is a small, northern town located far from light pollution. It is the perfect place to go if you want peace and quiet while viewing the Northern Lights in Sweden.
What makes Jukkasjärvi distinctive is that it’s home to the world’s first ice accommodation, Icehotel. Since 1989, ice has been gathered annually from the nearby Torne River to rebuild and reshape this lodging. It’s worth visiting Jukkasjärvi just to admire this icy architectural marvel.
Plenty of activities can be found in Jukkasjärvi; besides embarking on a Northern Lights tour, you can take a dog-sled excursion, visit a Sami (indigenous people of Scandinavia) encampment, or see the oldest church in Swedish Lapland.
4. Porjus
There’s a very good chance of seeing the shimmering northern lights in Sweden if you visit Porjus.
This small municipality has real-time web camera installations set up to monitor climatic circumstances and auroral presentations, so you can keep an eye out for the Northern Lights both before and during your visit. If luck is on your side and you see an aurora display, the town`s low light pollution means you should have a clear viewing experience.
Beyond its appeal for tourists interested in experiencing the Northern Lights in Sweden, Porjus is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Laponia, a region inhabited by the Sami people who maintain their traditional way of living. The town itself is located near two national parks, Muddus and Stora Sjöfallet, allowing photos of the Northern Lights over mountains, waterfalls, ravines, and forests.
While you’re in Porjus, stay in the cozy and quiet Arctic Colors Northern Lights Apartments and soak in the private sauna after a long day.
5. Tärendö
Travel to the town of Tärendö if witnessing the Northern Lights over Sweden with minimal difficulties intrigues you. The terrain in and surrounding the community is very level, so there are no obstructions for observing the aurora. Tärendö, like most small towns in Swedish Lapland, also possesses very low light air pollution which will only enhance the easiness of your Northern Lights viewing experience.
Take in the views of the Kalix River and surrounding woodlands from the private beach area at Arctic River Lodge before warming up in a luxurious sauna. There’s even a husky kennel located right next to the hotel so you have the opportunity to make some new canine acquaintances.
6. Luleå
Wondering where one can see the Northern Lights in Sweden in a more urban setting? Luleå is the capital and biggest city in Norrbotten County, the northernmost province in Sweden. Aurora watchers can enjoy the many benefits of an urban environment, including dining, shopping, and culture, before heading over to one of the 1,300 islands that make up the Luleå archipelago.
The islands can be reached comfortably by snow vehicle, dog sled, or motorboat relying on their areas. They are perfect spots to see the swirling skies at night in Sweden, as many of them are unoccupied, allowing you the chance to watch the Northern Gleams dance overhead in full privacy.
Considering the topic of privacy, I strongly advise lodging at the Aurora River Cabin. You will receive a cozy cabin entirely to yourself alongside the shore of a lovely lake, an ideal spot for viewing the dancing lights above the horizon.
7. Harads
Harads is among the best places in Sweden to view the Northern Lights if you want to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The town is renowned not only for its robust aurora activity, but also home to the Treehotel, a completely innovative Aurora tree house hotel.
Harads is quite removed, so there’s no need to stress about light air pollution impacting your view of the Northern Flashes. At the Treehotel, you’ll be nested among the woods, high enough to obtain sights of the aurora borealis over the surrounding forest. If you want to doze under the Northern Lights in Sweden, this is undoubtedly your best choice, since the panoramic windows will provide unmatched perspectives of the sky that you can enjoy from the warmth and comfort of your cozy treehouse.
8. Särkimukka
Perfect for canine enthusiasts, Särkimukka is a tiny village where the canine inhabitants vastly outnumber the human residents. It follows, then, that dog sledding is a very popular activity there, along with seeing the Northern Lights in Sweden, of course.
Särkimukka’s extremely northern location, 150 kilometers above the Arctic Circle, makes it an ideal spot for viewing the aurora borealis. Combined with the charming surrounding landscape of a taiga forest and nearby Lainio River, the village provides a picturesque setting for capturing photos of Sweden`s Northern Lights.
A great option for staying in Särkimukka is the Pinetree Lodge, considered one of the top northern lights accommodations globally. At this family-run Northern Lights lodging, you can choose rooms in the lodge or private cottages. Either way, you’ll be able to enjoy the hot tub and sauna and meet the owners’ numerous huskies.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Stockholm?
Stockholm Northern Lights displays are rather infrequent, as Stockholm is quite far south of the Arctic Circle. You might get incredibly fortunate and be capable of viewing the aurora borealis from Stockholm if it’s an intense display and the skies are clear. Often, however, given that Stockholm is a sizable city, the light pollution means you can’t see much.
Attempting to see the Northern Lights in Gothenburg, Sweden tells a similar story. Gothenburg is also quite far south, so you generally won’t be able to see the aurora borealis, unless it’s an especially intense display.
If you want to maximize your chances of witnessing the Northern Lights in Sweden, take proactive steps to improve your odds and travel farther north .
Best Swedish Northern Lights tours
Catching a glimpse of the northern lights displays in Sweden is a major lure for numerous visitors, so obviously, there are numerous possibilities for Swedish tours of the Northern Lights.
Arranging a package that includes witnessing the Northern Lights is the simplest approach to ensuring you`ll have the time, opportunity, and resources to view the “Green Lady” dance across the sky. During this Northern Lights & wildlife in Swedish Lapland excursion, you can go skiing, meet some reindeer, take a dogsled ride, and participate in additional activities.
Alternatively, if you lack the time for a week-long tour, there are several shorter tours available, specifically in and around Kiruna and Abisko. I highly recommend going on either of these Northern Lights tours in Sweden:
- Excursion to Witness the Northern Lights with an Evening Barbecue near Kiruna
- Abisko Small-Group Northern Lights Tour
Finally, capturing magnificent northern lights photographs without suitable equipment and adjustments can be difficult. My guide to photographing the Northern Lights offers all the data needed to capture this stunning natural phenomenon in the optimal manner possible.
