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

Plan your northern lights trip with expert travel advice, real-time aurora forecasts and destination guides. Whether you’re chasing the aurora borealis across Scandinavia, Iceland or the Canadian wilderness, we’ll help you find the best time and place to witness one of nature’s most spectacular displays.

Canada

Banff •Churchill •Edmonton •Jasper •Whitehorse •Yellowknife

Faroe Islands

Tórshavn

Finland

Inari •Levi •Luosto •Rovaniemi

Greenland

Ilulissat •Kangerlussuaq •Nuuk •Qaqortoq

Iceland

Akureyri •Reykjavík •Vík

Norway

Alta •Bodø •Lofoten •Tromsø

Shetland

Lerwick

Svalbard

Longyearbyen

Sweden

Abisko •Björkliden •Kiruna

USA

Anchorage •Fairbanks •Healy

See also

Aurora Forecast•​Planning Your Northern Lights Adventure•​Northern Lights Photography•​Science Of The Aurora•​Northern Lights Playlist•​Northern Lights Myths And Legends•​About Seek The Aurora

Longyearbyen

Home / Svalbard / Longyearbyen

Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure in one of the most remote and breathtaking places on Earth? Longyearbyen, the most northerly settlement in the world with a population over 1,000 people, is a spectacular destination that offers an extraordinary chance to witness the awe-inspiring northern lights. Nestled in the heart of the Svalbard archipelago, this charming town is surrounded by stunning mountains and vast arctic landscapes, making it the perfect base for your northern lights expedition.

Positioned well above the Arctic Circle, The Northern Lights season in Svalbard runs from late September until mid-March and the best time to view the auroras is typically between 6pm and midnight, while there is also a good period between 4am and 8am. For optimal viewing conditions, consider visiting during the Polar Night (from late November to mid-February), when the region experiences 24 hours of darkness, enhancing the visibility of the lights. In December and January, it’s even possible to see the Northern Lights around the clock – even in the middle of the day.

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

Many factors contribute to your likelihood of viewing the aurora in Longyearbyen. 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

3%

There is a 3% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Longyearbyen area (forecast for 11 April 2026 at 7:58pm UTC)

HPI 21 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.

Density 2.67 p/cm3

Solar wind density refers to the number of charged particles in a given volume of the solar wind, typically measured in particles per cubic centimetre (p/cm3).

A typical solar wind density is around 2.76 p/cm3.

The density of the solar wind affects how many particles reach the Earth’s magnetosphere. A higher density means more particles are available to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, energy is released in the form of light that we see as the aurora.

Speed 595.8 km/s

Solar wind speed refers to the velocity at which charged particles are ejected from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.

A typical solar wind speed is about 375 km/s. When both speed and density are high, the energy transferred to the Earth’s magnetosphere increases, enhancing the chances of seeing vibrant auroras.

Light Levels

Moon

Waning crescent 42%

Sunrise 3:37am

Sunset 10:19pm

Weather Forecast for Longyearbyen

Snow

1°C Feels like -6°C

High
2°C
Low
0°C

  • Chance of precipitation 69%

  • Cloud cover 100%

  • Easterly winds 4 km/h

  • Snow 2 mm

Book an amazing adventure in Longyearbyen

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

  • Free cancellation Private tour

    Svalbard Discover the Mining Settlement of Pyramiden

    5.0 (1)

    8 hours From £843.47

    What makes this tour unique is that it's catered to photographers and adventurers in that your private guide is more than just a tour guide – they’re a certified photographer and able to, apart from just showing you the sights, help you compose the perfect photograph in terms of composition, aperture, what lense to use and so forth. Add to that your certified photographer Photo Exploring guide will be together with you the whole day.

  • Free cancellation Private tour

    Explore the Legendary Town of Longyearbyen

    5.0 (1)

    3 hours From £217.53

    You’ll be picked up at your hotel by a local, experienced guide that will show you not only this fascinating town, but some of their favorite photography motifs as well. On this relaxing walking tour you’ll get intimate knowledge of off-the-beaten-path vistas and wind up with an unparalleled experience offered by no other services - in that ours is not just a tour of the city, but a tour based on photography. From late October to mid-February, Longyearbyen is wrapped in the magic of the polar night. Though the sun doesn’t rise, the soft blue twilight and snow-covered landscape create an unforgettable setting—perfect for capturing the northern lights and the unique Arctic atmosphere. During this period of time expect crisp, cold weather, typically between -13°C and -25°C (9°F to -13°F). The chill is part of the adventure—and with the right warm layers and sturdy winter boots, you’ll be comfortable and fully able to enjoy the serene beauty of the Arctic

  • Free cancellation Private tour

    From Longyearbyen photo tour: Mysterious Barentsburg

    No reviews

    10 hours From £843.47

    What makes this tour unique is that it's catered to photographers and adventurers in that your private guide is more than just a tour guide – they’re a certified photographer and able to, apart from just showing you the sights, help you compose the perfect photograph in terms of composition, aperture, what lense to use and so forth. Add to that your certified photographer Photo Exploring guide will be together with you the whole day.

  • Private tour

    Svalbard Summer Micro Cruise Private 8 Day Tour

    No reviews

    8 days From £13317.87

    We are a micro cruising company. With only 12 guests on board our departures, we have the ability to go where other larger ships do not. This small presence is sustainable and limits disturbance to wildlife and the environment.

  • Private tour

    Private Shore Tour: Northern Lights Chase by Snowcat

    No reviews

    2 hours From £702.30

    Embark on a thrilling chase for the Northern Lights on this unforgettable snowcat adventure. Leaving the lights of Longyearbyen behind, your journey takes you into the vast, dark wilderness of Svalbard. As you travel over the frozen Adventdalen Valley, your guide will make several stops to hunt for the Northern Lights, offering you the best chance to witness this mesmerizing natural spectacle. While the experience of traveling through the pristine Arctic wilderness is awe-inspiring in itself, we advise dressing warmly so you can enjoy the stops and the stunning silence of Svalbard’s remote landscape.

Places to check out around Longyearbyen

Explore more nearby Longyearbyen

  • Barentsburg, Svalbard og Jan Mayen

    Credit: Chris-Håvard Berge

    Barentsburg

    78°3'59"N, 14°12'59"E

    Aurora probability in Barentsburg: 3%

    The Russian mining village of Barentsburg offers a unique glimpse into Arctic life, with its Soviet-era architecture and rich history set against the spectacular backdrop of Isfjorden.

  • Tundra, Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard

    Credit: patano

    Ny-Ålesund

    78°54'59"N, 11°55'59"E

    Aurora probability in Ny-Ålesund: 2%

    Ny-Ålesund, the world’s northernmost permanent settlement, is a research hub surrounded by stunning Arctic landscapes, attracting scientists and adventurers with its unique environment and historical significance.

  • Soviet monument, Pyramiden Spitsbergen Svalbard

    Credit: Sebastian Bjune

    Pyramiden

    78°40'59"N, 16°23'59"E

    Aurora probability in Pyramiden: 2%

    Pyramiden one of the worlds most famous ghost towns, offers a haunting glimpse into the past with its abandoned Soviet-era buildings and striking surroundings, attracting adventurous travellers eager to explore its unique history.

See also

Home•​Aurora Forecast•​Planning Your Northern Lights Adventure•​Northern Lights Photography•​Science Of The Aurora•​Northern Lights Playlist•​Northern Lights Myths And Legends•​About Seek The Aurora