Northern Lights Without the Numb Fingers: 15 Comfortable Spots

Seeing the northern lights is pure magic, but we would like to avoid freezing while waiting. Luckily, there are places where you can catch the aurora without catching a cold. From glass igloos and hot springs to surprisingly mild coastal towns, these destinations let you enjoy the lights without the frostbite. Here are 15 places where the aurora shows up and the chill doesn’t.

1. Tromsø, Norway

Tromsø sits above the Arctic Circle, but thanks to the Gulf Stream, it’s much warmer than other places on the same latitude. Winter temperature is often around 20°F (-6°C), which is relatively mild for a for a place from which you can see the aurora. Many hotels offer heated viewing domes or glass lounges, and guided tours provide thermal suits and campfires. You can even watch the lights while enjoying your evening in a wood-fired hot tub with a view.

2. Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik is one of the most accessible places to see the northern lights without freezing. Thanks to Iceland’s coastal climate, winter temperatures usually stay just below freezing – which is close to ideal for an aurora chase. You can sometimes see the lights from the city itself, but it’s easy to take a short drive or guided tour to darker spots nearby. Best of all, you can warm up Iceland-style: soaking in a geothermal pool, relaxing in a hot river, or grabbing a warm cinnamon bun from a nearby café while you wait. It’s one of the few capitals where aurora chasing feels more like a spa weekend.

3. Rovaniemi, Finland

Rovaniemi may be best known as Santa’s official hometown, but it’s also a great spot for watching the northern lights. Many hotels offer heated glass igloos where you can lie back in bed and watch the sky glow green. The town is full of saunas, warm lounges, and fireside spots to escape the chill between all the sightseeing. Winter adventures like husky rides or reindeer safaris can lead you to remote viewing points, with hot drinks and thermal suits included. Whether you’re inside or out, Rovaniemi makes sure the experience is magical.

4. Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

Fairbanks gets cold, as do most places on the list, that much is true – but there are ways to make your aurora viewing warm and comfortable. Many lodges and tour companies offer glass-domed yurts, heated vans, or hot springs for soaking under the stars. One of the most popular spots is Chena Hot Springs, where you can watch the lights while relaxing in geothermal water. You get clear night skies, high aurora activity, and a whole lot of warmth. What else could you ask for?

5. Senja, Norway

Senja is one of Norway’s most underrated aurora spots – an island with fjords, mountains, and wide-open skies. Despite its location above the Arctic Circle, the coastal climate keeps winters milder than they are in other northern spots. Many accommodations here offer large windows, outdoor hot tubs, or even glass-ceiling cabins where you can watch the night-sky without standing in the cold. The island is also refreshingly quiet, so you’ll often have the views all to yourself. It’s ideal for travelers who want that deep-in-nature feel with a side of comfort and calm.

6. Yellowknife, Canada

Yellowknife is a northern lights hotspot, and locals have mastered the art of staying warm. You can book aurora-viewing lodges with heated domes, teepees, or even ice fishing huts converted into warm sky-viewing shelters. Operators provide everything from thermal suits to warm snacks while you wait. Despite being deep in the Northwest Territories, the city is all about comfort and convenience.

7. Abisko, Sweden

Abisko is known for its clear skies and frequent aurora displays, thanks to its unique “blue hole” weather pattern. Temperatures can get a bit low, but the town is designed with aurora seekers in mind. You can choose to stay in warm mountain lodges or, for the more adventurous, take a cable car to the heated Aurora Sky Station. Tours include hot drinks (tea, hot chocolate, and other specialties), warm fires, and gear so you stay warm and comfortable while the sky dances overhead.

8. Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Anchorage is a perfect options for those that are looking for a compromise between city comfort and aurora access. It’s warmer than Fairbanks, and you don’t need to go on hilltops or remote areas to see the aurora – you can just watch the lights from outside the town. Head to a nearby park or lodge with heated decks, or book a tour with a local cabin stop included. The best part? You can chase the aurora at night and explore the city by day without ever feeling like you will freeze to death.

9. Kiruna, Sweden

Kiruna is home to the world-famous Icehotel – but there are options ask well – you don’t have to sleep on ice to enjoy the lights. The hotel also offers warm rooms and aurora-watching lounges with panoramic glass walls. There are guided tours with snowmobiles and heated tents, plus warm, hearty meals after a night out. There is nothing better than home-cooked meal after spending hours outside in the winter wonderland. It’s a mix of rugged adventure and Scandinavian comfort at its best.

10. Nuuk, Greenland

Senja is Norway’s second-largest island and one of its most scenic, but it’s still surprisingly under the radar. Its coastal location helps keep winter temperatures a bit milder than other Arctic areas, making it a great place to watch the northern lights without going numb. Many of the island’s cabins and hotels are built with sky views in mind. You can often see the aurora without even leaving your room, or head to a nearby hilltop for a panoramic display. Senja offers wild beauty without the big crowds, and it delivers a peaceful, personal aurora experience to your doorstep.

11. Alta, Norway

Known as the “City of the Northern Lights” Alta is built for relaxation and spectacle. You’ll find glass-roofed domes, warm cabins, and even an indoor Northern Lights Cathedral celebrating the aurora. It is probably one of the best spots to pick if you are look for a sensational experience. Local tours include heated sleds and Sami-style tents with open fires. It’s a small town with big skies – and even bigger hospitality tradition.

12. Hveragerði, Iceland

Just outside Reykjavik, this geothermal town stays toasty thanks to the hot springs bubbling beneath it. Take a dip in a hot river or outdoor pool while the sky shimmers above you. The town is small and peaceful, with minimal light pollution and lots of natural warmth. If you want your aurora with steam instead of snow, this is the place.

13. Saariselkä, Finland

Tucked deep in Finnish Lapland, Saariselkä is a magical mix of wilderness and warm comfort. It’s best known for its glass-domed igloos, where you can lie in bed and watch the northern lights drift across the sky. Want something even better? Try a rooftop sauna with a panoramic view of the forest. When you’re not gazing up at the sky, you can hop on a reindeer sleigh ride, go through silent woods, or just curl up by the fire with a hot drink in hand. Everything here is built to keep you warm while nature puts on its show. It’s remote, peaceful, and tailor-made for cozy northern nights.

14. Scottish Highlands, Scotland

You might not expect it, but the aurora borealis does make appearances over the rugged Scottish Highlands. The best part? Winters here are cool but rarely extreme, thanks to the Gulf Stream. You can explore dramatic coastlines and rolling hills during the day, then retreat to a stone cottage or countryside cabin by night. Areas like Caithness, Moray, and the Isle of Skye offer dark skies, wide horizons, and peaceful solitude you can only find in the wild. Bundle up in a wool sweater, pour some whisky, and step outside – you might just catch the northern lights.

15. Lake Myvatn, Iceland

Northern Iceland’s Lake Mývatn is a quiet gem with bubbling geothermal landscapes and big, open skies. It’s far from city lights, which makes it one of the best places in the country to catch the aurora. After a day exploring lava fields or frozen craters, you can soak in the region’s natural hot baths while the sky puts on its show. Many guesthouses in the area have a long tradition and are usually family-run, with big windows and warm blankets ready for northern lights watching. It’s peaceful, steamy, and feels like magic.