Northern lights in Sweden

Want to see the northern lights in Sweden? Find out when, where and how to give yourself the best chance of experiencing the northern lights.

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What are the northern lights?

The northern lights, or “aurora borealis” in Latin, are a natural light phenomenon visible in the northernmost latitudes during the winter season. This magical display is created through the interaction between solar radiation and the Earth’s magnetic field. Charged particles are constantly emitted from the sun towards the Earth, where they are captured by the Earth’s magnetic field. The northern lights occur when these particles collide with atoms and molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere. The particles are then guided towards the poles by the magnetic field, creating the spectacular dancing lights across the night sky.

Where can you see the northern lights?

Abisko is one of the world’s best places to experience the northern lights. To maximise your chances, it’s not enough to simply be far north on a winter evening – weather conditions, cloud cover and light pollution all play an important role. In Abisko, you’ll find ideal conditions: clear skies, darkness and a high-altitude location. The area is often called “the blue hole” because the sky here is frequently clear even when it is cloudy in surrounding areas.

STF Abisko Turiststation is the perfect base for anyone wanting to see the northern lights or explore Abisko. Here, you stay right beneath the aurora with views of the Abisko Alps, Mount Nuolja, Lapporten and the vast Lake Torneträsk. Abisko Turiststation even has its own railway station, making travel by train smooth and convenient.

Aurora Sky Station

Right next to Abisko Turiststation, at the top of Mount Nuolja in Abisko National Park, you’ll find the viewpoint STF Aurora Sky Station. You can easily reach the station by chairlift. Aurora Sky Station features a viewing tower and a large outdoor terrace where you can admire the northern lights along with stunning views of Lapporten and the Abisko mountains. There is also a warming fire and a cosy café where you can buy refreshments.

The chances of seeing the northern lights are just as high on Mount Nuolja as they are down at the tourist station. However, from the top of Nuolja you’ll enjoy spectacular panoramic views and even lower levels of light pollution compared to the area around the tourist station.

When can you see the northern lights?

The best time to see the northern lights is from mid-November to mid-March.

It is possible to forecast both the likelihood of seeing the northern lights and how strong the display may be. One of the measurements used is called the KP index. You can read more about it on Spaceweatherlive.com (opens in new tab), where you can also see the northern lights forecast for the coming days.

More places to see the northern lights

How to photograph the northern lights

Photographing the northern lights can be challenging – but with the right settings and a little patience, you can capture spectacular images. To succeed, you’ll need the right equipment, good preparation and some experimentation.

Tips for photographing the northern lights:

• Use a tripod for sharp images
• Set a long exposure time (4–12 seconds)
• Use a remote shutter release to avoid camera shake
• Choose a wide-angle lens to capture more of the sky
• Set the focus to infinity
• Experiment with different settings – the intensity of the northern lights varies

Don’t forget to dress warmly and bring extra batteries, as cold temperatures quickly drain camera batteries.

Photograph the northern lights with a guide in Abisko

If you want to learn more, you can join a photography tour led by a professional photographer. Lights over Lapland offers guided tours from STF Abisko Turiststation, where you can borrow cameras and lenses specially adapted for northern lights photography. You’ll also receive practical tips on location in Abisko National Park – one of the world’s best places to experience the northern lights.

Read more and book a photography tour with Lights over Lapland (opens in new tab).
aphy tour with Lights over Lapland (opens in new tab).

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