One of the most spectacular natural sights in the world, the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, have been enthralling travellers for centuries.

The Northern Lights are created when solar winds react with the earth’s magnetic fields, which are strongest around the poles, and this reaction is visible as swirling beautiful colored lights in the night sky. September/ October, and February/ March are generally the best time to see northern lights shows in and around the Arctic circle, but there are a large number of external factors affecting their visibility. You need to know where to see northern lights, a clear night, to be away from areas of light pollution, and of course a little bit of luck to catch a good showing, but when you do there are few natural sights more spectacular.

Looping curtains of green, pink, and blue light, swirling around the amazing scenery that can be found around the edges of the Arctic- what could be more spectacular?

If you are planning a trip to catch mother nature’s light show, here are 5 destinations where can you see the northern lights.

1. Yukon, Canada

2. Reykjavik, Iceland

The great thing about travelling to Iceland in search of the lights is that the lights do not have to be the entire reason for your trip. With whale watching tours, geothermal spas, geysers, and spectacular scenery in and around Reykjavik, it would be a waste of a trip to not take advantage of some of the other fantastic experiences on offer in the Icelandic capital. Reykjavik also has a wide range of excellent restaurants, friendly cafes, and fun bars, making it a perfect location for those of you who want to experience both a wonder of nature and a fun filled city in one trip.

3. Svalbard, Norway

4. Abisco National Park, Sweden

To add to the appeal of a trip to the north of Sweden, you can also spend your time in the area by visiting the famous ice hotel, meaning that you can combine two Arctic experiences in one trip. This hotel is carved entirely from ice, and spending a night there is an unforgettable experience.

5. Oulanka national park, Finland

The park also contains some cozy log cabins for visitors to stay in, and can be used as a base to combine winter sports and outside activities with nightly chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Do you like the sound of trying out dog sledding by day, and watching one of the greatest wonders of nature by night? Then Oulanka national park could well be the holiday destination for you.