Norway's top places to watch the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are one of the world's most popular tourist attractions - and it's not hard to see why when you witness the incredible colours and patterns that light up the sky.

This unbelievable natural phenomenon, aka Nature's light show,occurs as a result of colliding atmospheric particles from the earth and sun.

See also: Northern Lights light up the skies of Britain (photos)

One of the best countries to see this incredible phenomena is Norway. Along with the help of Expedia, we've come up with seven Norwegian hotspots where you'll be able to take it all in.

Tromsø
Beautiful Tromsø is right at the heart of the Aurora Borealis zone, making it one of the best places in the world to see the lights. Autumn and winter are the best times of year to catch a glimpse, and visitors can join guided tours and cruises which give you the chance to fire all your questions at the on-hand experts. The city has plenty of other attractions on offer as well, including dog sledding, polar zoos and an Arctic Cathedral.

See also: View the Northern Lights in a floating glass snowflake hotel​

Harstad

The town of Harstad is perhaps best known for its role in World War II when it was used as a military base by the British navy, but the island town is also a fantastic place to see the lights. Book yourself on a night time tour and you'll also be able to take in the spectacular seascapes and mountain scenery of the Norwegian countryside. Harstad's mild climate means the white sand beaches are another lure, and other local activities on offer include mountain-hiking and fishing.

Karasjok

Situated on the north eastern coast of Norway, Karasjok attracts thousands of tourists each year thanks to its perfect setting for experiencing the lights. Get an insight into the lives of the local Sami people at the Sami National Museum, or visit one of the Sami festivals that take place throughout the year. When it comes to food, reindeer is the dish of the day, every day. The meat is popular throughout the country and you'd be hard pressed not to find it on a menu in Karasjok.

Kautokeino

Many visitors to the arctic town of Kautokeino take the opportunity to enjoy the full Sami experience, spending nights under the Northern Lights in traditional Sami 'lavvu' tents and the clear, dark nights in Kautokeino provide a perfect backdrop for the flickering colours. You can also visit the Juhls Silvergallery where you'll have the chance to learn more about explorers, Frank and Regine Juhls, who built a home in the wilds of Kautokeino in the 1950s.

Svalbard

The Svalbard islands can be found off the northern coast of Norway and are as close to the North Pole as they are to the Norwegian mainland. On a clear night this location grants visitors a simply stunning view of the lights. When you've ticked that off your list why not try and spot some of the wildlife that can be seen in the area, including: polar bears, reindeer and walruses.

Lofoten

Lofoten is an archipelago of islands off the coast of Norway, just beneath the Auroral Oval. The Polarlight Centre at Lofoten is the perfect place to quiz experts on the finer details of the Aurora Borealis. The beautiful local nature provides the perfect backdrop for viewing the lights and the local fish cuisine is not to be missed.

Vesterålen

Just west of Harstad, Vesterålen is so close to the lights that it's one of the best places in the country to take in the colours. The island is also famous for its whale watching opportunities and the local Whale Centre is the perfect place to learn more about the indigenous whale population.

Related articles:

Northern lights top Brits' holiday bucket list

Mesmerising time lapse video shows Northern Lights over Iceland​

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