Northern lights in Sweden

Every year, tens of thousands of people travel to the northernmost parts of Sweden to experience the legendary Northern lights. Northern Sweden - especially the small village of Abisko - is one of the very best places in the world to see this natural phenomenon. In winter, Abisko also offers breathtaking starry skies, pastel-coloured polar nights, a wide range of activities and great food.

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The world’s best place for northern lights

Abisko is one of the very best places in the world to experience the northern lights. Simply being far north on a winter evening is not enough – many factors influence both the likelihood of seeing the lights and how clearly they appear in the sky.

The best chances of seeing the northern lights are from mid-November to mid-March. See the STF Abisko Tourist Station accommodation page for opening times.

To maximise your chances, you should not only be far north on a winter evening, but also in a location free from light pollution, at a higher elevation, and with a low risk of cloud cover. Abisko is unique in that it meets all these criteria – and more. It is often referred to as “the blue hole,” as it frequently enjoys clear skies when surrounding areas are cloudy. This makes Abisko a popular destination and a bucket-list experience for many.

In addition to the northern lights, Abisko offers a wide range of winter activities. You can explore the surroundings on touring or cross-country skis, go ski touring up Mount Nuolja, or try ice climbing and snowshoeing. During certain periods, you can also take the chairlift up Mount Nuolja during the day – either for off-piste skiing or simply to enjoy the view. See current opening times for the lift here. You can also ride the lift up and down without skis.

For those seeking a more relaxed experience, the stunning winter landscape north of the Arctic Circle – set in an Arctic mountain environment -is more than enough for an unforgettable holiday.

Stay right underneath the northern lights

STF Abisko Tourist Station is the perfect base for those who want to see the northern lights or visit Abisko. Here, you stay right beneath the northern lights with views of the Abisko Alps, Mount Nuolja, Lapporten and the vast Lake Torneträsk. You can choose the type of accommodation that suits you best – hotel, hostel or a private cabin. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the popular KRAV-certified restaurant, which holds a full licence. Here, locally sourced and organic ingredients are served with unbeatable panoramic views of the mountains.

Northern lights from STF Aurora Sky Station

Just next to Abisko Tourist Station, on top of Mount Nuolja in Abisko National Park, you’ll find the viewpoint STF Aurora Sky Station. You can easily get there by chairlift – either for skiing during the day or to experience the northern lights in the evening. At Aurora Sky Station, there is an observation tower and a large outdoor terrace where you can watch 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.

To take the chairlift up in the evening during winter, you need to book a guided northern lights activity. These are run in groups and include lift tickets, a guide, warm clothing and access to Aurora Sky Station. You’ll also hear fascinating stories and facts about the northern lights, along with help adjusting your camera settings if you want to capture the phenomenon.

The chances of seeing the northern lights are just as high on Mount Nuolja as they are down at the tourist station. However, at the top you’ll have incredible views and even less light pollution compared to the station below.

Bookable northern lights activities

Combine northern lights experiences with activities and courses

Northern lights webcam

Below STF Aurora Sky Station, there are two webcams where you can watch the northern lights in real time from the comfort of your home. You can also rewind to previous nights to see how the lights appeared. Watch the northern lights live (opens in new tab).

Northern lights forecast

The likelihood of seeing the northern lights – and how strong they will appear – can be estimated in advance. One of the key indicators is the KP index. You can read more about it on Spaceweatherlive.com (opens in new tab), where you can also see the forecast for the coming days.

Take the train to Abisko

Abisko Tourist Station has its own train station, making travel by train very convenient. If you’re travelling from southern Sweden, you can take a comfortable and climate-friendly night train and step off right outside the station. Read more about our discounted train tickets.

What are the northern lights?

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are a natural light phenomenon visible in the far northern latitudes during the winter months. They are created by an interaction between solar radiation and the Earth’s magnetic field. Charged particles from the sun are directed towards Earth and captured by the magnetic field. The northern lights occur when these particles collide with atoms and molecules in the atmosphere. They are then guided towards the poles, creating this beautiful display in the sky.

More stays to experience the Northern Lights

Tips for photographing the northern lights

Photographing the northern lights isn’t easy, but if you succeed, you’ll get stunning images with real wow factor. It requires patience, a fully charged camera battery and warm clothing (wear gloves that still allow you to handle your camera).

Use a tripod, a remote shutter release and a long exposure time (4–12 seconds) – but remember to experiment, as the intensity of the northern lights varies. A wide-angle lens helps you capture more of the sky. Don’t forget to set your focus to infinity.

If you’d like to learn how to photograph the northern lights with a professional, we recommend the tours by Lights over Lapland, departing from STF Abisko Tourist Station. You’ll be provided with a DSLR camera and lens pre-set for northern lights photography and learn the basics of finding and capturing this magical phenomenon on site in Abisko National Park.

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

Clothing for northern lights viewing

1. Dress in layers to stay warm and be prepared to stand still for long periods in the cold night. You can rent warm clothing at Abisko Tourist Station if you don’t have everything you need.
2. Wear a base layer of synthetic or wool closest to your body, and a mid-layer such as a wool or fleece sweater and trousers.
3. Add a warm jacket and preferably a pair of insulated overtrousers.
4. Choose roomy footwear with space for extra socks – it’s important that your toes can move.
5. Wear a warm hat, scarf and gloves – preferably mittens with liner gloves underneath.
6. Avoid bathing or showering just before going outside, and do not use water-based skin creams, as they can increase the risk of frostbite.

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