Thousands of guests head to the frozen northern hemisphere every winter for a chance to see the Northern Lights—the celestial light show and famous natural phenomenon that adorns the night sky with glistening, swirling colours of blue, pink, purple, and vivid green.
As Northern Lights experts, we often consult with travellers who have always wanted to book a Northern Lights holiday but recognise that an evening watching the lights forms just one aspect of their stay. They want the assurance that every moment of their holiday will be filled with magic, whether they’re after an exciting adventure, a holiday with little ones, or an experience to remember with a partner.
We’ve put together some recommendations, all of which include opportunities to see the natural beauty of the Aurora Borealis in the Nordics, close to the Arctic Circle, but with very different accommodation options, excursions, and activities.
Romantic Northern Lights Holidays for Couples
If you’re looking for Northern Lights destinations for you and a partner to spend quality time together, away from crowds and noise, or to mark a special occasion like a honeymoon or anniversary, the adults-only Arctic Experience in Finnish Lapland is a great option.
Staying in the stunning Wilderness Hotel Nangu on the shores of Lake Inari’s frozen waters, you’ll be tucked away far from light pollution with your choice of a rustic, cosy log cabin or private Aurora accommodation in a snowy, wintery setting.
Guests at the lodge stay on a full board basis, leaving you nothing to do over the six days apart from relax and soak in the unique experience, with activities from snowmobiling and gentle snowshoeing tours to husky safaris and camp lunches served by the roaring fire.
Enjoying a Northern Lights Retreat in the Secluded Manshausen Peninsula
Our Arctic Island Retreat is another fantastic holiday. It involves lodging in a Seacabin on Manshausen Island with breathtaking panoramic views. Each cabin is designed with expansive glass windows for unparalleled Aurora watching, relaxation, and drinking in the scenery with your loved one.
Northern Norway is often considered one of the best places to experience a Northern Lights hunt. The island is surrounded by the towering peaks of the Børvasstindan mountain range, and countless activities, such as sea kayaking, climbing, and cycling, are on offer for those who would like to try some winter excursions.
Active Northern Lights Tours for Adventurous Explorers
The Polar Night Adventure is an exhilarating experience for guests who want to see the Northern Lights in a remarkable environment, exploring the last wilderness with a team of experienced local guides.
Journeying to the northernmost permanent settlement in the world, travellers head to Svalbard, off the coast of Norway, during the polar night season when the sun stays hidden below the horizon.
With glacier hiking, husky sledding and chances to spot polar bears and other rare species, you’ll stay at the Basecamp Hotel in Longyearbyen, with breakfast served daily, and visit ice caves and landmarks to see some amazing views.
All guests are supported by English-speaking guides who are well-equipped with safety tools. A climate investment fee is included in the package as part of dedicated conservation efforts to protect and sustain this extraordinary part of the world.
Navigating Rural Finnish Lapland on a Northern Lights Expedition
We’d also suggest the Arctic Wildlife in Finnish Lapland holiday for thrill-seekers. This trip involves four days spent in Ranua, a resort bracketed by forests just south of the Arctic Circle that is ideally situated for Aurora hunts and winter sports.
The nearby Ranua Wildlife Park is home to polar bears, eagles, wolves and moose, where you can take some once-in-a-lifetime photographs, learn about these wild animals, and return to the park as often as you’d like during your stay.
Other activities include Northern Lights sleigh rides pulled by teams of authentic Finn horses and husky sledding, with the chance to learn how to steer your own sled.
Family-Friendly Trips to See the Northern Lights
While the Arctic is often perceived as a rugged and wild destination, we’ve curated memorable holidays for families. These offer parents, children, and grandparents a chance to make memories and combine the Northern Lights with engaging activities that guests of every age will love.
The Northern Lights and Arctic Circle is a wonderful holiday for all. It is a ten-day journey into the heart of Greenland, taking in the Arctic capital of Nuuk and the town of Sisimiut, a little north of the Arctic Circle. All transfers, flights, accommodations, breakfasts, and a farewell dinner are included.
This fabulous holiday is a comprehensive way to experience the best of Greenland. It offers a huge range of optional activities, from winter mountain hiking to Northern Lights snowshoeing excursions, sightseeing, dog sledding, and fjord adventures to see the mountain ranges and icy waters by boat.
Provisions are made to ensure children are included throughout, from allowing under-18s to join in with ATV and snowmobile riders as passengers to warm clothing rental for kids. Children often particularly enjoy the tour of Sisimiut, where they can meet the local sled teams, and the dog visit, where they are welcome to pose for photos and interact with the huskies.
Active Northern Lights Holidays for Families With Kids
Finally, if your children are a little older or cherish the chance to immerse themselves in new experiences, the Lapland Winter Week is perfect—an eight-day adventure that has been featured by the BBC and is suited to children of all ages.
Based at the Muotka Wilderness Lodge, surrounded by the beauty of Lappish nature and endless miles of snowy terrain, you’ll try snowmobiling, visit a reindeer farm, learn how to lasso reindeer, and enjoy a sleigh ride followed by a warming lunch.
Other all-time favourites with children include the joy of a husky safari and various ways to see the Northern Lights, either with guided tours via car, snowshoeing hikes to a camp spot in the Taiga Forest or chasing the Aurora on a sledge pulled by a snowmobile—heading to a camp far from light pollution.
If we’ve inspired you to book your Northern Lights holiday, discover tours and experiences ideal for you and your party, or given you ideas about the best Aurora experience for you and your loved ones, you are welcome to contact our friendly travel advisers for further assistance.
You can also view full itineraries, travel dates, and accommodation information for each package featured here through the Baltic Travel Company website.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 at 10:42 am; on the subject of Northern Lights.