The Northern Lights are a phenomenon that is more prominent in countries that are close to the Arctic Circle and are in the area known as the Auroral Oval. Sweden is in one of those countries that these colored ribbons represent in its sky. In Sweden, the Northern Lights usually appear in the winter months, but they can also be seen earlier.
For those brave hearts who are willing to endure the cold winter nights, these are some of the best places to see this natural light show in Sweden.
Abisko National Park
A couple of kilometers north of Kiruna, this is a prime spot to see the Northern Lights. A patch of sky over Lake Tornetrask, popularly known as the Blue Hole, gives Abisko National Park its own unique climate and also a perfect atmosphere to catch the lights. Along with guided tours, camping, and hiking in the park, travelers can also take their chairs up to the Aurora Sky Station and see these lights that can last from a few minutes to several hours.
How to get there? Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has daily flights between Kiruna and Stockholm Arlanda. Check the bus transfer from there to Abisko. In case you opt for a train, the STF Abisko hill station has its own railway station, ‘Abisko Turiststation’. The STF Abisko hill station is located 100 km west of Kiruna and is easily accessible by car from the European route E10.
Jukkasjarvi and the Torne Valley
The village of Jukkasjarvi not only prides itself on its ice hotel, built each year from fresh ice from the Torne River, but also because it is one of the best regions to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. This ICEHOTEL is known for organizing guided tours that take its guests to the Esrange Space Center which is 30 minutes from Kiruna. Here you can dine at your campsite in nature while enjoying the red, purple, green and blue lights that shine on you. The Torne Valley region, comprising Lake Poustijarvi, and the neighboring towns of Nikkaluokta and Vittangi, are also an ideal place to see the auroras.
Several private companies run dog sled and snowmobile trips at night that can take you out into the wild for a perfect view of these northern lights.
How to get there? SAS and Norwegian offer flights between Stockholm and Kiruna. Jukkasjarvi is about 17 kilometers from Kiruna, about 15 kilometers from Kiruna airport. If traveling by car, drive to or from Lulea on the E10 and turn when you reach the sign that says ICEHOTEL / Jukkasjarvi.
Porjus and Lapland
Porjus is a small town with a population of only 400 people. Located about 60 kilometers from the Arctic Circle, this village is located on the Lapland site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Porjus is close to many national parks like; Padeljant, Muddus and Stora Sjofallet. Many clear days, minimal pollution and a temperature of zero degrees Celsius, make Porjus the most beloved place to see the Northern Lights.
How to get there? The flight from Kiruna to Porjus takes about 11 minutes and SAS Airlines offers the services. However, it is accessible by road. From Kiruna, it is a 2 hour 30 minute drive to Porjus.
Other regions
If the weather conditions are right, these lights can be seen from anywhere within subarctic and arctic Sweden. Larger cities such as Lulea, Jokkmokk, and Gallivare host various winter activities, and the Northern Lights are among them. In Lulea, people can head to the surrounding forests of Brando, away from the light and noise of the city to enjoy a night under the light of nature.
There are also provisions for people to drive a snowmobile up to the top of Dundret Mountain in Gallivare for a private light show to see these lights glow in the dark winter sky.
How to get there? There are 3 weekly flights from Kiruna to Lulea that take approximately 23 minutes. The train takes 3 hours and 42 minutes and if you take the road, it will take you at least 5 hours. SAS has daily flights from Kiruna to Gallivare. Gallivare Airport is known as Lapland Airport and is a 10-minute drive from the city center.
Enjoy the Northern Lights
The extraordinary beauty of our world really takes us by surprise, just like these northern lights in Sweden do before their audience. But remember: if you ever have a chance to see the Northern Lights in person, don’t whistle while viewing it. According to ancient Swedish mythology, it brings you bad luck!
Our planet Earth is really one of its kinds in the entire solar system. Not only because it supports life, but also because of the amazing beauty it contains. Our world is full of scenic beauty and shows a lot of variation. Such a vivid and astonishing display of beauty is displayed in the Northern Lights. Scientifically known as the Aurora Borealis, this magnificent art of nature is caused by the collision of charged particles with atoms in the high-altitude atmosphere.
