Watching the Northern Lights in Russia feels like stepping into another world. Unlike busy tourist spots in Scandinavia, Russia gives you wide, quiet Arctic landscapes where the Aurora Borealis lights up the night sky. The most popular place to see it is Murmansk, located in the Kola Peninsula. It lies right under the aurora zone, giving you a great chance to see the lights.
The best time to visit is from late September to mid-April, with the highest chance of clear skies and strong lights between December and February. In autumn, you get milder weather and reflections over lakes, while winter offers snowy scenes and quiet, dark nights. Clear skies and little light pollution make it perfect for aurora viewing.
Besides Murmansk, places like Kirovsk, Chukotka, Yamal, Nenets, and Kamchatka are also great and less crowded. You can also enjoy exciting activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, or visiting Sami villages during the day.
Since the Northern Lights can be unpredictable, plan a few nights and go with a local guide to improve your chances. Seeing the sky glow in green, pink, and purple is a once-in-a-lifetime experience youâll never forget.
