Is Iceland or Norway better for Northern Lights?

Norway is often ranked as the best destination to see the Northern Lights; and so it is only appropriate that we begin this list with the Aurora Borealis capital that is Tromsø. The gateway to the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is a whimsical city surrounded by the white peaks of Northern Norway.



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Whichever country you pick, you are guaranteed breathtaking scenery. For volcanic and otherworldly landscapes, Iceland is your best bet. For mountains and fjords, look to Norway. Something else to bear in mind is that the coastline of Norway is more accessible than Iceland thanks to the Hurtigruten coastal ferry.

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The aurora borealis can be seen when the sky is clear and dark. Peak time is between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Statistically, springtime (March/April) and autumn (September/October) has the highest level of aurora activity. However, you will see it in November, December, January and February as well.

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WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN ICELAND? The best time to see the Northern Lights is during the winter, between September and April, when dark and long nights have taken over from the bright summernights in Iceland.

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Your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland are very high, thanks to an 8-month aurora season, long hours of darkness during the winter, and low light pollution throughout most of the island.

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So although you can save money by choosing to chase the lights yourself (although, to be honest, car rental prices often end up being more expensive than tour costs), going on a northern lights tour is an expense that's well worth it to guarantee you have the best experience and chance to see the Auroras.

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Fortunately, they occur frequently. The northern lights are happening 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, said photographer Chad Blakely, owner of the northern lights tour company Lights Over Lapland. But that doesn't mean they're easy to spot; you need to be at the right place at the right time.

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