Northern Lights & Winter in Europe
Aurora tours above the Arctic Circle, snowmobiles and husky sleds, a night in a snow room, and Iceland’s waterfalls half frozen. Europe’s far north in the dark months.
Europe’s far north, in the dark months
The northern lights are visible from roughly October to March, and the darkest weeks, from December to February, give you the best chance. That’s also when the Arctic is at its most wintry: snow on the ground, frozen waterfalls and very short days.
The trips here take three different routes north: a winter sailing up the coast of Norway, two very different ways to see Iceland, and a short escorted trip into Finnish Lapland.
The aurora is never guaranteed. A good trip is planned so the rest of the week is worth it too.
I’ll help you pick a route with plenty of dark nights, and I’ll be honest with you about winter driving before you decide. My goal is a week you’ll love even if the sky stays cloudy.
KatieWhere These Trips Go
Arctic Norway
Tromsø, the North Cape and Kirkenes
A northern lights tour from Tromsø, snowmobiles and husky sleds, and a coastal cruise to 71 degrees north.
Iceland
The south coast, the west and Reykjavík
Waterfalls, glacier lagoons and black sand beaches. You can drive it yourself or stay in Reykjavík and join day tours.
Finnish Lapland
Oulu, Tornio and Rovaniemi
Reindeer, Santa Claus Village and a crossing of the Arctic Circle, with a short hop into Sweden.
Find Your Winter Trip
Katie’s Pick10 daysNorway Fjords & Winter Adventure
The fjords by train, then snowmobiles, husky sleds and a coastal cruise to the North Cape.
See the day by day
7 daysWinter Wonders Road Trip
The south coast waterfalls, the glacier lagoon, hot springs and the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
See the day by day
Katie’s Pickfor 1st timers8 daysHighlights of Iceland
Seven nights in one Reykjavík hotel, with a different day tour each day.
See the day by day
6 daysFestive Polar Escape
Reindeer, Santa Claus Village and a crossing of the Arctic Circle.
See the day by day
Katie’s Pickfor repeat visitors8 daysIceland’s Ring Road in Winter
The full circle of the island, about 1,140 miles, in northern lights season.
See the full itinerary“There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.”
Norwegian proverb
The Itineraries, Day by Day
Norway Fjords & Winter Adventure
Norway
- A northern lights tour from Tromsø
- Snowmobiling and dog sledding
- A night in a snow room
The whole length of Norway in winter. It starts with the fjords by train and boat, then flies north to Tromsø for a northern lights tour and snowmobiling, and finishes on a coastal cruise to the North Cape and a night in a snow room near the Russian border.
See the day by day
- Day 1OsloThe Opera House, Aker Brygge, Vigeland Park, and the Munch and Fram museums.
- Day 2Norway in a NutshellThe Bergen Railway across the Hardangervidda plateau, then down the Flåm Railway. Night in Flåm.
- Day 3The Nærøyfjord to BergenBy boat along the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen, then by bus through Voss to Bergen.
- Day 4TromsøFly north from Bergen. An included northern lights tour in the evening.
- Day 5Camp TamokSnowmobiling in the Arctic valleys, and lunch in a Sámi lavvu tent.
- Day 6Tromsø to the coastal cruiseThe Arctic Cathedral, the Polar Museum and the Fjellheisen cable car. Board the coastal cruise that evening.
- Day 7The North CapeA shore excursion to the North Cape, at 71 degrees north.
- Day 8Kirkenes Snow ResortA king crab safari by snowmobile, then cook your catch. A drink at the Snow Bar, a three-course dinner, and a night in a snow room, or a cabin if you prefer.
- Day 9Dog sleddingOut with a husky team in the morning, then back to Kirkenes.
- Day 10DepartureHome from Kirkenes.
What’s included
- Six hotel nights, the snow room, and two nights on the coastal cruise with all meals on board
- The trains, the fjord boat and the Bergen to Tromsø flight
- The northern lights tour, snowmobiling, king crab safari and dog sledding
The flight home from Kirkenes is not included, and the minimum age is seven. Northern lights are never guaranteed.
Winter Wonders Road Trip
Iceland
- Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach
- The Krauma hot spring baths
- Kirkjufell on the Snæfellsnes peninsula
A shorter winter drive than the full Ring Road. The south coast waterfalls, the glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach, then west to the hot springs of Borgarfjörður and the Snæfellsnes peninsula. With your own car you can head out whenever the sky clears.
See the stop by stop
- 1 nightReykjavíkCollect the car and settle in.
- 2 nightsVíkThe Golden Circle and the south coast waterfalls on the way. A day out to Skaftafell, the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach.
- 2 nightsBorgarfjörðurBy way of Þingvellir. The Hraunfossar falls, the Deildartunguhver hot spring and the Krauma baths, and a day on the Snæfellsnes peninsula for Arnarstapi, Djúpalónssandur and Kirkjufell.
- 1 nightReykjavíkBack by the Reykjanes peninsula and Krýsuvík, with the Blue Lagoon as an option.
What’s included
- Six nights with breakfast
- Six days of car rental with unlimited mileage and collision cover
This is winter driving, with short days and changeable roads, so I’ll talk it through with you first. The route suggests restaurants and cafés along the way, but meals beyond breakfast are not included.
Highlights of Iceland
Iceland
- Seven nights in one hotel
- A northern lights evening in season
- Premium entry to the Blue Lagoon
All seven nights in one Reykjavík hotel, with a different day tour each day. It suits anyone who wants to see Iceland without driving it, especially in winter.
See the day tours
- ReykjavíkThe cityA 24-hour hop-on bus pass, including the Viking longhouse at the City Museum.
- Private tourThe Golden CircleÞingvellir, Gullfoss and the Strokkur geyser.
- Private tourThe south coastSeljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, the black sand at Reynisfjara, and Vík.
- Small groupSnæfellsnes and KirkjufellDjúpalónssandur, Arnarstapi, the black church at Búðir, and seals at Ytri-Tunga.
- Shared toursWhales and the northern lightsWhale watching in Faxaflói Bay, and a northern lights evening in season.
- Last dayThe Blue LagoonPremium entry, with masks and a drink.
What’s included
- Seven nights in Reykjavík
- All the tours and admissions listed
Flights are not included, and the airport runs are by taxi.
Festive Polar Escape
Finland, with a crossing into Sweden
- A reindeer farm
- Santa Claus Village at Rovaniemi
- Crossing the Arctic Circle into Sweden
Finnish Lapland on the Gulf of Bothnia, with a reindeer farm, Santa Claus Village at Rovaniemi and a crossing of the Arctic Circle. A short escorted trip with the details handled for you.
See the stop by stop
- 2 nightsOuluAn orientation of the city, an excursion out to Hailuoto island, and a beer tasting at an organic brewery.
- 2 nightsTornioA reindeer farm, across the Arctic Circle and into Sweden, a day to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi with your Arctic Circle certificate, and an ice experience at Kemi.
- 1 nightOuluBack to Oulu for the last night.
Questions About Northern Lights Trips
When is the best time to see the northern lights in Europe?
They are visible from about October to March, with the best odds from December to February when the nights are longest. A clear sky matters as much as the month, so a trip with several nights in aurora country gives you more chances.
Are the northern lights guaranteed?
No. No supplier can promise them. The trips on this page are built so the days are full on their own, with fjords, snowmobiles, waterfalls and glacier lagoons, and the aurora is a bonus if the sky cooperates.
How much daylight is there?
Not much in midwinter. Iceland gets around four or five hours of daylight from early December to late January. That shapes how far you can comfortably drive in a day, and it’s why the winter self-drives keep their daily distances shorter.
Should I drive myself in Iceland in winter?
Only if you’re confident on snow and ice. Winter can bring storms, strong wind and icy roads, and a 4×4 is strongly recommended. If that sounds stressful, Highlights of Iceland keeps you in Reykjavík with day tours, and the same routes are available guided.
What do I need to pack?
Warm layers, a windproof and waterproof outer layer, thermal base layers, a hat, gloves and boots with good grip. For the Arctic activities in Norway, the operators usually provide snowsuits, and I’ll confirm that for your trip.
What does it cost to work with you?
For custom trips, my planning fee starts at $50 per person for a single city, and starts at $100 per person per city for a multi-city trip. Other trips vary, and I’ll tell you the exact fee before we start. My How It Works guide walks you through exactly how I plan your trip, step by step.
Let’s Plan Your Winter Trip North
Tell me when you can travel and how adventurous you’re feeling. I’ll take it from there.
