Find the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights

From the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard to the vast wilderness of Alaska, we help you find the best destinations for seeing the aurora borealis. Browse our guides for locations across Norway, Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Canada — with real-time aurora forecasts, cloud-cover predictions and optimal viewing seasons for each.

Canada

Dark skies and breathtaking wilderness, one of the best places to experience the northern lights in all their glory.

Banff •Churchill •Edmonton •Jasper •Whitehorse •Yellowknife

Faroe Islands

Dramatic landscapes with pristine dark skies, an exceptional place to witness the northern lights with a truly unique setting.

Tórshavn

Finland

Enjoy stunning aurora displays from cozy glass igloos or snowy forests in the magical northern wilderness.

Inari •Levi •Luosto •Rovaniemi

Greenland

The remote wilderness and minimal light pollution offer a breathtaking, serene setting to witness the northern lights in their purest form.

Ilulissat •Kangerlussuaq •Nuuk •Qaqortoq

Iceland

Breathtaking landscapes and long winter nights provide a spectacular backdrop for witnessing the aurora in a truly unforgettable setting.

Akureyri •Reykjavík •Vík

Norway

Stunning fjords and snowy peaks provide a breathtaking backdrop to the northern lights in one of the best locations to witness this natural spectacle.

Alta •Bodø •Lofoten •Tromsø

Shetland

A remote location and dark skies offer opportunities to witness the northern lights over rugged coastlines and peaceful seascapes.

Lerwick

Svalbard

Polar nights in the high arctic offer exceptional chances to witness the northern lights dancing across pristine, icy landscapes.

Longyearbyen

Sweden

Clear winter nights and pristine wilderness create an ideal place to experience the aurora in a magical Arctic setting.

Abisko •Björkliden •Kiruna

USA

Alaska’s vast wilderness and clear, dark skies create perfect conditions for experiencing the northern lights in a breathtaking natural setting.

Anchorage •Fairbanks •Healy

Plan your aurora adventure

Check tonight’s forecast, pick the best month to travel, learn what to pack and how to photograph the aurora. We’ve also got guides on chasing the lights from home and spotting them from lower latitudes when conditions are right.

Aurora Forecast

Stay updated with the latest aurora forecast including Kp-index, Bz, solar wind density and speed, plus a 3-day outlook, aurora map and top viewing locations.

Planning Your Northern Lights Adventure

When to go? What to wear? Things to consider when planning a trip to see the Northern Lights.

Northern Lights Photography

A complete guide to photographing the Northern Lights. Learn the best camera settings, equipment and composition tips for capturing stunning aurora photos.

Best Time Of Year To See The Northern Lights

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights? A month-by-month guide covering aurora season, solar cycles, equinox effects and what to expect throughout the year.

See The Aurora Without Leaving Your Home

Can’t travel to see the Northern Lights? Watch aurora live from home using webcams, livestreams, alert apps and space weather dashboards. A complete guide to remote aurora viewing.

Can You See The Northern Lights From Where You Live?

How far south can the Northern Lights be seen? A guide to aurora visibility by latitude, covering the UK, northern Europe, the US and beyond, including what Kp level you need and historic low-latitude sightings.

Discover the science, stories and sounds of the aurora

Learn how the solar wind creates the aurora, read about the myths and folklore behind the lights, browse a glossary of space weather terms, or put on a playlist while you wait for the sky to turn green.

Science Of The Aurora

Understanding the science behind the Northern Lights. Learn about the solar wind, Earth’s magnetic field and how charged particles create the stunning auroral displays.

Northern Lights Playlist

Pop on your headphones and relax. A curated playlist to accompany your Northern Lights experience.

Northern Lights Myths And Legends

Exploring the myths and legends surrounding the Northern Lights, from Norse Valkyries and Inuit spirits to Sámi beliefs, Finnish folklore and beyond.

Aurora Glossary

A comprehensive glossary of aurora and space weather terms. Understand Kp, Bz, solar wind, CME, substorms and more to improve your Northern Lights viewing.

Björkliden

Home / Sweden / Björkliden

Björkliden, a charming village nestled in the heart of Swedish Lapland, is a hidden gem for those seeking to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights. Surrounded by pristine wilderness and majestic mountains, Björkliden offers an idyllic setting for aurora hunting. The village’s remote location ensures minimal light pollution, providing optimal conditions for viewing the celestial dance of the aurora borealis.

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Björkliden is from late September to early April, with peak viewing opportunities in February and March when the nights are longest and darkest.

Credit: Nils Söderman
Credit: bjaglin
Credit: Malin Strandvall
Credit: Vomir-en-costard

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

Many factors contribute to your likelihood of viewing the aurora in Björkliden. Geomagnetic activity, cloud cover and the amount of ambient light all play a big part. Check the forecasts for how good the viewing conditions are today.

Aurora Probability and Atmospheric Conditions

15%

There is a 15% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Björkliden area (forecast for 16 July 2026 at 7:52pm UTC)

Kp 1.00

The Kp-index is a scale used to measure geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher values indicating greater geomagnetic activity.

0-2 (Very low) Far north, quite dim, and not very active.
3-5 (Moderate) Can be seen further south, with increased brightness and activity. Chance of good viewing conditions nearer the pole.
6-7 (High) Visible in many northern regions, with vibrant displays.
8-9 (Extreme) Widespread visibility, often seen in areas much further south than usual, with intense and colorful displays.

HPI 25 GW

The Hemispheric Power Index (HPI) is a vital measure used to assess the strength of auroral activity at the poles. It estimates the total auroral energy input, with values above 20 GW indicating an aurora-active state. When the HPI reaches levels of 100 GW or more, it signifies a very significant geomagnetic storm, which can lead to spectacular auroral displays.

Bz -3 nT

Bz refers to the north-south orientation of the magnetic field embedded in the solar wind. It is measured in nanoteslas (nT).

When Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind particles to penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. A strong negative Bz is often associated with increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Conversely, when Bz is positive (northward), the Earth’s magnetic field tends to block the solar wind, resulting in reduced aurora activity.

Bt 3 nT

Bt measures the overall power of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) from the Sun; higher numbers (e.g., above 20 nT) mean more energy available for aurora.

Light Levels

Moon

Waxing crescent 16%

Sunrise N/A

Sunset N/A

Moonrise 5:17am

Moonset 11:20pm

Weather Forecast for Björkliden

Clouds

10°C Feels like 9°C

High: 12°C
Low: 8°C

Chance of precipitation 0%
Cloud cover 43%
Westerly winds 4 km/h gusts of 11 km/h

Book an amazing adventure in Björkliden

Explore this selection of tours and activities to make the most of your visit to Björkliden.

Free cancellation

Explore the Icehotel, Day Trip from Abisko

5.0 (6)

7 hours From £118.23

Your trip starts by meeting your guide and taking the journey through the mountains and into the forests of magical Swedish Lapland. On arrival at the ICEHOTEL you will receive your entrance ticket and be able to explore the worlds first hotel made completely from ice!
Free cancellation

Autumn Abisko Aurora Chase

4.9 (67)

4 hours From £86.59

Would you like to experience the thrill of searching for and chasing the northern lights in the area surrounding Abisko National Park during the Autumn aurora season in October & November? Your professional aurora chasing guide will use the experience of the Lights Over Lapland team, combined with local weather & aurora forecasts to make the best possible decision about where to look for the northern lights. During our evening together we will travel up to a maximum of 100 KM roundtrip to one of several spectacular locations with a proven track record and very high likelihood of success. Your guide will talk about the auroras, the history of Abisko National Park and serve you a warm drink. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime aurora chasing expedition, which will allow you to use our experience and mobility to go to where the aurora activity is the highest, and where there weather gives us a good chance of success! Please note this tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Free cancellation

The Ultimate Aurora Photo Adventure

4.9 (547)

4 hours From £126.13

While other operators may give you one method of chasing the lights on foot or in a minivan, we are proud to be the only outfitter to invest so much time and customer research into a brand new adventure that gives you not one, but THREE methods to see and photograph the northern lights and the absolute best chances of a successful aurora chase in Abisko National Park. We are proud of the fact that we are fully insured and have all the necessary permits to operate our tours in Abisko National Park, which many of our competitors have simply chosen not to do. All of our evening adventures have a maximum guest to guide ratio of 8:1. This makes the experience much more genuine, and helps us maintain proper social distancing at our locations. Since your adventure includes all transportation, there is not a set time that we have to return back to the hotel, which gives us more flexibility and the ability to stay out later than any other outfitter in Abisko.
Free cancellation

Morning hike in Abisko National Park

4.9 (254)

2 hours From £63.19

Would you like to enjoy a morning hike in the Arctic wilderness with one of the best outfitters in Abisko? Let one of Lights Over Lapland’s professional guides take you for a short, 4-5 km guided hike in Abisko National Park! During this spectacular adventure, your guide will lead you down one of the beautiful local trails. A good example is the trail which meanders along the scenic Abisko river canyon. You will wander through an ancient mountain birch forest, enjoy stunning open views of the Abisko river delta, marvel at soaring mountain peaks, take in all the beautiful scenery around the incredible Lake Torneträsk and much more. All of our guides are highly trained and will share their deep pool of knowledge about tracks left behind by our local wildlife, local indigenous people of the region and what it is like to live in the Arctic.
Free cancellation

Abisko Aurora Chase

4.9 (206)

4 hours From £78.69

Would you like to experience the thrill of searching for and chasing the northern lights in the area surrounding Abisko National Park? Your professional aurora chasing guide will use the experience of the Lights Over Lapland team, combined with local weather and aurora forecasts to make the best possible decision about where to look for the northern lights. During our evening together we will travel up to a maximum of 100 KM roundtrip to one of several spectacular locations with a proven track record and very high likelihood of success. During this adventure, your guide will talk about the auroras, the history of Abisko National Park and serve you a warm drink. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime aurora chasing expedition, which will allow you to use our experience and mobility to go to where the aurora activity is the highest, and where there weather gives us a good chance of success! Book your adventure today!
Free cancellation

Visit the Sami and Reindeer in a Day Trip from Abisko

4.7 (16)

7 hours From £118.23

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity allows you to visit Kiruna’s finest open air museum which is dedicated to and run by Swedish Lapland’s local indigenous people – the Sami. This exciting day trip will give you firsthand access to Sami handicrafts and to top it all off – you will get to experience the amazing lifestyle of the Sámi people and to get up close and personal, inside an authentic corral with Lapland's most iconic creature – the reindeer.