Where to see the northern lights in Sweden: the best aurora locations

Sweden is one of the best places to see the northern lights.

The dancing colours of the aurora borealis regularly light up the night sky. But to maximise your chances of seeing the aurora borealis on your northern lights holiday, you need to pick the right destination.

On an Aurora Nights tour, you travel north to Swedish Lapland, where the northern lights shine brightest. Here, we share the best places to see the northern lights in Sweden.

Can you see the northern lights in Sweden?

Yes, you can see the northern lights from Sweden. In fact, it’s one of the best aurora destinations in the world. But your chance of seeing the northern lights depends on where you go.

In southern Sweden, the aurora borealis is only visible a couple of times a year. In the north — in the region known as Swedish Lapland — it appears much more regularly. Here, across an average season, the northern lights are visible around four nights out of every five.

Swedish Lapland sits within the Arctic Circle and the aurora zone. The zone lies between 65 and 72 degrees north of the equator and it’s where the northern lights appear with the greatest frequency and intensity.

Where to see the northern lights in Sweden

The best places to see the northern lights in Sweden are:

• Abisko
• Kiruna
• Luleå

These destinations are all located in northern Sweden in the region known as Swedish Lapland.

Northern lights in Abisko

Seeing the northern lights in Abisko is an incredible experience. Abisko is known as the northern lights capital of Europe. It’s a tiny village in Swedish Lapland, within the Arctic Circle and on the doorstep of Abisko National Park.

This remote and breathtakingly scenic destination has its own microclimate — it gets very little rain. So on a northern lights holiday to Abisko, you often get clear night skies, perfect for viewing the aurora borealis.

Northern lights in Kiruna

Kiruna is the northernmost city in Sweden and another beautiful place to see the northern lights. It’s surrounded by forests, mountains, lakes and rivers. So it’s easy to get away from artificial lights to find dark and starry skies.

Travel to see the aurora borealis in Kiruna and it’s just a short journey to the Ice Hotel. Stay for a cocktail — or stay for the night — in this world-famous hotel, rebuilt every winter using ice from the Torne River.

Northern lights in Luleå

You can also see the northern lights in Luleå, a university city on Swedish Lapland’s eastern coast. The Luleå archipelago is made up of over 1000 islands — and, when the sea freezes over in winter, you can explore them by snowmobile or jeep.

Inland from Luleå, you’ll find pristine Arctic landscapes. You’ll also find the village of Harads, home to the Tree Hotel, which boasts luxurious, one-of-a-kind accommodation in the pine forest canopy.

Can you see the northern lights in Stockholm?

Stockholm is Sweden’s capital city and it’s located in the south of the country. Here, you can stroll the cobblestone streets and colourful houses of the old town, visit world-class museums and enjoy cutting-edge Nordic cuisine.

Stockholm is a serene and beautiful city. But because of its location and high levels of light pollution, Stockholm isn’t the best place to see the northern lights in Sweden. The aurora borealis is very rarely visible here.

That’s why — when planning a bespoke aurora holiday in Sweden — we recommend you spend a few nights in Stockholm. Then, travel north to Swedish Lapland, in search of the northern lights.

How to see the aurora borealis in Sweden

The aurora borealis is caused by solar activity. This varies from day to day and year to year.

There are peaks in solar activity during the equinox, in spring and autumn. You’re also more likely to see the northern lights during the solar maximum, a phenomenon that occurs once every 11 years.

Besides keeping an eye on the solar forecast, there are a few other things you can do to maximise your chances of seeing the aurora in Sweden.

First, travel north — to Swedish Lapland. Then, seek out areas with:

• Little or no artificial light
• Clear, cloudless skies
• A great view of the night sky — hilltops and lakeside locations are ideal

When you book a northern lights holiday to Sweden with Aurora Nights, we take you to the very best Sweden northern lights destinations.

You stay in cosy accommodation out in the Arctic wilderness, in areas known for their northern lights displays. You also travel with an expert aurora guide on exciting northern lights excursions each night.

Your guide closely monitors local weather and solar forecasts. They then take you to scenic locations where the northern lights are most likely to appear.

Best time to see the northern lights in Sweden

Now you know where to see the northern lights in Sweden. But when should you visit?

The Sweden northern lights season runs from September to March. So this is the best time to see the aurora borealis in Swedish Lapland.

Here’s what you can expect from a northern lights trip to Sweden, month by month.

September and October in Sweden

September and October in Sweden are spectacular. The midnight sun sets in mid-July so nights are getting longer but temperatures are still relatively mild.

During this time, the landscape comes alive with vibrant autumn colours. And — because there’s no snow or ice — you can enjoy activities like hiking, cycling and kayaking.

In September, you can be here for the autumn equinox, a time associated with higher levels of solar activity. This increases the chance of aurora displays.

November in Sweden

November in Swedish Lapland is cold, with temperatures rarely rising above freezing. The nights are also growing longer. So there are many hours of darkness in which to glimpse the aurora.

However, snow isn’t guaranteed at this time of year. So if you have your heart set on winter activities, it’s worth delaying your northern lights trip for another month or two.

December and January in Sweden

December brings the first snowfall to Swedish Lapland. From December to March, you can enjoy winter activities like husky sledding, snowmobiling and ice fishing.

Winter nights are cold and dark. The sun sets in Abisko in early December and doesn’t rise again until early January. So there are lots of hours each day when the aurora borealis could be visible.

February and March in Sweden

Sweden is snowy throughout February and March so winter activities are still on the menu. The nights start to get shorter but there are still many hours of darkness each day.

Another benefit of travelling at this time of year is the weather. Swedish Lapland is still very cold but February and March are the driest months of the year. That means more clear skies and excellent aurora viewing conditions.

Spring and summer in Sweden

From April onwards, temperatures in Sweden rise and the days grow longer. Sweden is beautiful at this time of year. But you’re unlikely to see the northern lights in spring and summer.

That’s because the sun shines for most of the day. In the north — in places like Abisko — the sun doesn’t set at all from the end of May to the middle of July.

Still not sure when to plan your northern lights trip? Get in touch with the Aurora Nights team. Tell us what you want to see and do on your aurora holiday and we’ll recommend the best time of year to visit.

5 reasons to see the aurora borealis in Sweden

Swedish Lapland is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. Of course, it’s home to clear, dark skies where the aurora shines bright. But here are some other excellent reasons to choose Sweden for your aurora adventure.

1. Stay in one-of-a-kind hotels

Swedish Lapland is home to two of the world’s most unique hotels. The Ice Hotel, near Kiruna, where you can stay in a luxury ice suite. And the Tree Hotel, near Luleå, where you climb the steps to your own, unique tree house. Whether you choose to sleep among the pine trees or alongside ice sculptures, it’s an experience you’ll remember forever.

2. Travel to the Aurora Sky Station for panoramic night sky views

The Aurora Sky Station, in Abisko National Park, is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. You travel here by chairlift. Then, up on the top of Mount Nuolja, you can enjoy panoramic views of the night sky from the Aurora Sky Station restaurant and outdoor terrace.

3. Enjoy exhilarating outdoor adventures

Mush a team of huskies through Arctic landscapes. Climb up a frozen waterfall. Ski or skate across the icy sea. Ride a snowmobile to the top of a snowy mountain. Take your pick from a range of thrilling winter activities.

4. Get to know Sámi culture

The Sámi are the indigenous people of the Arctic. On your holiday to Sweden, you can visit a Sámi village, gathering around the teepee fire to learn about Sámi traditions, folklore and culture. Then, meet and feed the reindeer before taking a sleigh ride through the snow.

5. Experience the calm of pristine Arctic wilderness

A world away from the stresses of home, the hush of the Arctic wilderness awaits. In Swedish Lapland, you can explore frozen archipelagos, towering mountains and boreal forests. Escape into this snowy landscape for a relaxing and rejuvenating winter break.

Where else can you see the aurora borealis in Europe?

Sweden isn’t the only place in Europe to see the northern lights. You can see the aurora borealis anywhere within the Arctic Circle. So you can enjoy aurora adventures in Iceland and in northern regions of Finland and Norway.

Travel to Finland for exclusive log cabin and glass igloo accommodation — and to meet Santa Claus. In Norway, sail the fjords, go whale watching and get to know the Arctic city of Tromsø. In Iceland, explore dramatic volcanic scenery and bubbling hot springs.
Why not look at our other northern lights destinations for some holiday inspiration?:

• Northern lights holidays in Finland
• Northern lights holidays in Norway
• Northern lights holidays in Iceland

And remember, because all Aurora Nights holidays are tailor-made, we can adapt tours to include your choice of destinations. Whether you want to visit one country or many, we can plan a northern lights tour based on your holiday wish list.