Seeing the Northern Lights is a real bucket-list moment.

How to See the Northern Lights From Trondheim, Norway

Here are the best places to go in and around Trondheim, Norway, to (hopefully) get the best views of this natural phenomenon.

Surrounded by unspoilt forests and hills, Trondheim is a popular destination for Northern Lights spotters. Officially known as the Aurora Borealis, there is never a guarantee of seeing these vividly coloured magnetic fields dancing across the sky. However, Norway’s northerly position and cold, dark winters make it one of the best places in the world to stand a good chance.

“You never know when the Aurora will appear though, as you need a clear sky,” says Trondheim Northern Lights guide and photographer Øyvind Blomstereng. “I have seen them from mid-August to early in April. However, the best time is between September and March when there is total darkness. My best experiences have been between September and November, as it’s not too cold. I prefer the night sky then with all the stars twinkling.”

Only 10 minutes by car from the centre of Trondheim or about a two-hour hike, Væresholmen is a picture-perfect peninsula overlooking the calm waters of the fjord. Follow the Nidaros pilgrimage route from the city if walking, and keep to the marked trail that runs along the coast past woods and small beaches. “This is a good place to see the Aurora, and it gives you a good sight in a northerly direction, which is close to the sea level,” says Øyvind.

The researchers used what’s known as the Large Plasma Device at the Basic Plasma Science Facility at the University of California, Los Angeles to re-create the interaction between Alfvén waves and electrons.

Northern Lights Tours from Reykjavik

Northern Lights Tours from Reykjavik Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the elusive Northern Lights.

The prime time to see the Northern Lights near Reykjavik is from September to March. You need pure darkness and cloudless skies to get the best views, but beware—the clearest nights are often the coldest. Make sure you dress accordingly.

Reykjavik is a perfect starting point for seeing the Northern Lights. Since the city isn’t too big and doesn’t create much light pollution, you don’t have to travel very far to find complete darkness, which creates the perfect backdrop for this natural light show.

Whether you travel by super jeep into the mountains, take a cruise on Faxaflói Bay, or combine your Northern Lights trip with whale watching or a visit to the Blue Lagoon, there are plenty of options to hunt down this mystical natural light show near Reykjavik.

Northern Lights Lapland in Finland

In Finland, you can view nature’s most spectacular light show, the Aurora Borealis, from purpose-built spaces like glass huts and luxury suites.

Did you know that the Northern Lights are visible roughly 200 nights a year in Finnish Lapland? While many choose to go Aurora-spotting by snowshoe, ski, snowmobile or dog sled, you can also view the Northern Lights from the comfort of the indoors.

In addition to Lapland, northern Lakeland is also a great place to spot (and sleep!) under the Northern Lights. The Kainuu region north of the city of Kajaani offer many interesting places to visit.

Arctic Giant Hotel, located in Paltamo just one hour north of the Kajaani airport, offers magical hilltop views over a vast lake area. You can stay in the BirdHouse Hotel, Panoramic House, or Arctic House – all with superb views of the surrounding nature.

If you’re looking to go skiing in this region, look no further than Ukkohalla. In addition to a ski resort, Ukkohalla is also the home of Ukkohalla Sky Cabin Glass Suites. 

What Causes The Northern Lights? Scientists Finally Know For Sure

In some cases, the sun’s disturbances are so strong that they yank on the Earth’s magnetic field like a rubber band, pulling it away from our planet.

But, like a taut rubber band when it’s released, the magnetic field snaps back, and the force of that recoil creates powerful ripples known as Alfvén waves about 80,000 miles from the ground. As those waves get closer to Earth, they move even faster thanks to the planet’s magnetic pull.

On the same space highway are electrons also traveling toward Earth but not as fast as the Alfvén waves.

Sometimes electrons hitch a ride on these superfast Alfvén waves, reaching speeds as high as 45 million miles per hour as they hurtle downward.