Watching all those Northern Lights social media stories of our friends and family and the viral videos of strangers, something sparked inside all of us. Truth be told, travelers across the globe have started hunting for these beautiful views of the Northern Lights. So, if you are also in search, we’ve got your back.  

As a resident of the UAE, it can be challenging to find the best place to watch Northern Lights. This is why we have curated a list of the 5 best places to see the Northern Lights in 2026. Once you’ve decided which place to visit, get in touch with the leading travel agency, Next Holidays, and book your dream tour package.  

Best Time to See the Northern Lights in 2026 

Are you looking for the right time to see the Northern Lights from the UAE? Well, the UAE is too far south, which is why it’s impossible to see these beautiful lights from the country. However, there are several places across the globe, some of which are really convenient for traveling from the UAE.  

The best time to see the Northern Lights is from late September to Early April. Peak activity occurs in March and September. Thus, we highly recommend planning a vacation to one of the good places to see the Northern Lights in March 2026.  

In case you can’t wait that long, January is great, too. All you need to know is the right place to visit. So, let’s check out the best spots, shall we? 

Best Places to See the Northern Lights 

Aurora Borealis, or the “Northern Lights,” can be seen in the auroral zone, which is around the Arctic Circle. The darker and clearer the night, the brighter the light. Here are your top options from the UAE.  

1. Svalbard, Norway 



The best place to view Northern Lights is in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago. The long Polar Night, which starts mid-November and ends late January, is the perfect time for watching the beautiful lights. This is because of the daytime darkness—you can see the aurorae even during the day.  

Most places on the planet that experience Polar Night are not inhabited, unlike Svalbard, which has a population of nearly 2,500 people. This is what makes it the most unique and best place to go to see the Northern Lights.  

Top Activities in Svalbard 

• Snowcat tours 
• Dog sled 
• Snowmobile 
• Visiting Kjell Henriksen Observatory 
• Guided hikes 

How to Reach Svalbard from UAE 

To reach the top Northern Lights location, take a flight from your nearest airport in the UAE to Svalbard Airport, Longyear (LYR). The aerial distance from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Svalbard Airport, Longyear (LYR) is 1148 kilometers.  

The flight will take around 10 to 20 hours, depending on your duration of layover and connections. From Svalbard Airport, you can get an airport shuttle bus to reach your hotel in Longyearbyen, which is the settlement area.  

Visa Requirements 

UAE passport holders do not require a visa to enter Norway. In case you’re not a citizen of the UAE, you might need a visa based on your nationality.  

Best Time to See Northern Lights: November to February
Location: Longyearbyen 

Can’t wait for 2026? Book your Norway Christmas and New Year Holiday Package from UAE now! 

Check out the top Norway Tour Packages from UAE here. 

2. Ilulissat, Greenland 



You might have already heard of the spectacular views of the aurora borealis in Greenland. Well, it is exactly why it is our number 2 recommendation for you to visit from the UAE. Ilulissat’s dark arctic skies make it perfect and the best spot for Northern Lights.  

As a matter of fact, you can see these lights anytime between 5 PM and 2 AM, thanks to the arctic nights. And the aurora dancing over the UNESCO-listed icebergs? A picture to never forget! It will be a memory you’ll cherish more than anything! 

Top Activities in Ilulissat 

• Aurora hunting 
• Hiking 
• Dog sledding 
• Kayaking  
• Cultural experience  

How to Reach Ilulissat from UAE 

You are unlikely to find any direct flights from the UAE to Greenland. Thus, to reach the best spot to see Northern Lights, you must book a multi-leg flight. Fly from Dubai (DXB) or Abu Dhabi (AUH) to a North American or European hub, such as Copenhagen, Toronto, or Reykjavik.  

From here, get a flight to Nuuk (GOH) or to Ilulissat (JAV), whichever you can find and is more convenient to you.  

Visa Requirements 

As a UAE resident, you may or may not have to get a visa to enter Greenland. If you’re a UAE passport holder, you do not require a visa. In case you’re not a citizen of the UAE, you might require a Schengen Visa with a Greenland endorsement visa. It depends on your nationality.  

Best Time to See Northern Lights: September to April  

Location: Ilulissat 

3. Rovaniemi, Finland 



The best country to see Northern Lights is Finland. Even here, there are several spots from where you can enjoy the sights. Our top favorite is Rovaniemi, which is the official town of Santa Claus. So, if you visit this city around Christmas, you can enjoy bright festivities and fulfill your Christmas wish of seeing the Northern Lights.  

Since Rovaniemi is situated north of the Arctic Circle, the views here are more mesmerizing than anything you could ever imagine. December to February are the darkest winter months, which are ideal for watching the beautiful skies.  

Top Activities in Rovaniemi 

• Meet Santa at the Santa Claus Village 
• Explore the Arktikum Museum 
• Hunt for Northern Lights 
• Visit Ranua Wildlife Park 
• Snowmobiling  
• Reindeer Safari 
• Husky Sledding  

How to Reach Rovaniemi from UAE 

Visiting the best place to see Northern Lights is not going to be easy. You will have to take a connecting flight from Dubai (DXB) since there are no direct flights available to Rovaniemi (RVN).  

Fly from Dubai to Helsinki (HEL). This flight will last around 8 hours. From here, take a flight to Rovaniemi, the duration of which will be around 1.5 hours. You can also take a train from Helsinki, which will be an overnight journey of roughly 8 to 12 hours.  

Visa Requirements 

If you are a resident of the UAE but are not a national of the EEA (European Economic Area), the European Union (EU), or Switzerland, you require a Schengen visa to enter Finland. In case you are a citizen of the UAE, you’re visa-exempt and won’t be required to apply for one.  

Best Time to See Northern Lights: Late August to mid-April 

Location: Rovaniemi
Recommended: Finland Christmas and New Year Holiday Package  

4. Reykjavik, Iceland 



Are you looking for the best place to visit to see the Northern Lights that is perfect for a vacation, with regard to activities and attractions? Well, we have the perfect destination for you: Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.  

Aurora borealis looks stunning here in Reykjavik. However, there’s a catch —since darkness is required for watching the colorful skies, the city lights can hamper your views on some days. Yet, it definitely is one of the top Northern Lights destinations.   

Top Activities in Reykjavik 

• Visit Hallgrímskirkja church and Harpa Concert Hall 
• Enjoy a geothermal spa 
• Try Icelandic hot dogs 
• Visit the National Museum of Iceland 
• Go for the Golden Circle tour 
• Whale Watching 

How to Reach Reykjavik from UAE 

To reach the best location to see aurora borealis, Reykjavik, you need to first fly from Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to Keflavík International Airport (KEF), a town in Iceland. Since there are no direct flights, your travel duration will be anywhere between 14 and 18 hours.  

From Keflavík airport, the Reykjavik city center is nearly 50 minutes away. You can take a taxi or a bus from the airport to reach the capital city.  

Visa Requirements 

UAE residents do not get free access to Iceland, which is why you need to get a visa to enter Iceland. UAE passport holders do not require a visa to enter Iceland. As a non-UAE citizen, check the Schengen visa requirements for the country of your nationality.  

Best Time to See Northern Lights: November to February 

Location: Reykjavík 

Check out the top Northern Lights Tour Packages from UAE now.
  

5. Abisko, Sweden 



The last of the top Northern Lights places is Abisko, a small village in Sweden, which is highly popular for its pretty skies. Since it’s located in the Swedish Lapland, its minimal light pollution and the blue hole climate make it perfect for the experience.  

Due to the mountain range, the number of days that have clear skies is quite high, which further contributes to the proper views of the aurorae. The best time to go see Northern Lights is from 6 PM to 2 AM. The highest chances are between 10 PM and 11 PM.  

Top Activities in Abisko 

• Watching the lights from Aurora Sky Station 
• Snowmobiling 
• Ice climbing 
• Snowshoeing 
• Dog sledding  
• Kungsleden trail hiking 
• Lake Torneträsk boating  

How to Reach Abisko from UAE 

Kiruna Airport (KRN) in Sweden is the closest airport to the best place for Northern Lights, Abisko. From the UAE, take a flight to Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN). From here, fly to Kiruna Airport (KRN).  

The flight journey will be 7 hours and 2 hours, respectively. The total duration will depend on your layover. From Kiruna Airport, you can travel by train, bus, or taxi. The journey to reach Abiso will take around 1.5 hours.  

Visa Requirements 

Like all the countries mentioned above, UAE residents require a Schengen visa to enter Sweden. UAE passport holders do not need a visa to enter Sweden for a duration of up to 90 days.  

In case you’re not a citizen of the UAE, you might require a visa based on your nationality. Countries like Brazil, Japan, Australia, the UK, Canada, and the USA are visa-exempt.  

Best Time to See Northern Lights: December to February 

Location: Abisko 

Can’t pick one? What do you think about a combined holiday where you get to cover three of these countries? Get your 9Days Northern Lights special tour package from UAE now! 

Tips for Your Northern Lights Expedition 

Yes, there are a few things you must keep in mind before heading out to the best location for Northern Lights.  

• Escape the light pollution and go to an area that is quite dark.  
• Plan your trip in the winter months when nights are the longest. It is undoubtedly the best time to view the Northern Lights.  
• Check for cloudy skies beforehand. In case the weather says it’s going to be cloudy, avoid visiting.  
• Seek help from locals and professional guides—they know best. After all, you don’t want to go back to the UAE without having made the most out of the best place to experience Northern Lights.  
• In your overwhelm of looking at the green skies, don’t forget to click photographs. 
• Carry woollen clothes, moisturizer, and sturdy shoes. Don’t forget it’s going to be too cold out there. 
• Don’t sleep early, since the best time to watch the Northern Lights is generally between 10 PM and 11 PM.