The best places around the world to see the northern lights are named

The Northern Lights, one of the world's most famous natural attractions, draws people to areas around the Arctic in hopes of seeing a rare display.

This stunning atmospheric phenomenon, caused by the redirection of particles from the Sun that enter the Earth's atmosphere, is considered the Holy Grail of skywatching and mostly occurs in areas around Norway, Finland, Sweden and Greenland, the Independent writes.

The lights can be seen in other parts of the world; in the UK, they were even observed in Scotland, Merseyside and Wales this winter during a period of increased geomagnetic activity.

Unfortunately, such sightings are rare, and most people who want to see the aurora borealis (the scientific name for the phenomenon coined by Galileo Galilei) will have to travel further north.

Tromsø, Norway

Tromsø is located in the centre of the aurora borealis oval, which means that the lights can be seen even at low activity. According to the tourist website, Tromsø is "one of the places in the world with the highest probability of seeing the lights" and "there is always a good chance of seeing" them between September and April.

Svalbard, Norway

This Norwegian archipelago is home to more polar bears than humans, and it experiences harsh winters when the sun doesn't rise properly over the horizon from mid-November to mid-January.

While the islands are not completely dark (and therefore you are not guaranteed to see lights), the main island, Svalbard, hosts several different types of expeditions to give you the best chance of catching this phenomenon. If you're lucky, you might even see some polar wildlife such as reindeer, arctic foxes and walruses.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Located in Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi advertises itself as the "Official Home of Santa Claus" and has the Santa Claus Village and Santa Park. Starting in August, the northern lights can be seen here "approximately 150 nights a year" and tourist websites offer ideas for places nearby to see them.

It offers the Arctic Garden (a 10-minute walk) and the summit of Ounasvaara (a longer, 45-minute walk from the city). Besides other activities in the snow, such as sledding, you can join snowmobile trips and ice tours to enjoy the lights.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland is located at approximately 65 degrees north latitude, making the country a great choice for those who want to see the northern lights. They can be seen in several places, such as in the Thingvellir National Park or on Mount Kirkjufell. However, the best place to stay when visiting has to be Reykjavik. The capital of Iceland is a typical Scandinavian-style city and is a great base for exploring the country's natural attractions during the day before going on a tour to see the night lights.

Abisko, Sweden

Located in Swedish Lapland right in the centre of the Aurora Borealis oval, Abisko National Park receives no light pollution and has one of the lowest rainfall climates in Northern Europe. With many mountains around to keep the skies clear, Abisko also offers the opportunity to try several activities such as snowmobiling, fishing and hiking.

Yukon, Canada

Approximately 80 percent of the territory is wilderness; it is home to the longest river in Canada, the second highest peak in North America (Mount Logan, 5,959 m), the smallest desert in the world (Carcross, 1.6 square kilometres) and dozens of species of animals, from moose to brown bears.

With that in mind, while it can be tempting to explore on your own, when it comes to seeing the lights, it's best to book a guided tour. It's a good idea to stay in Whitehorse (the capital with a population of just over 28,000), where tours will take you to the closest spots so you have the best chance of seeing the light show.

Ilulissat, Greenland

The most sparsely populated country in the world, Greenland offers the opportunity to see the lights with uninterrupted peace and tranquility. With a population of just under 5000 people, Ilulissat is "rich in Inuit history" and home to "millions of icebergs". Low light pollution and many clear nights will offer a good chance to see the lights during your stay.

Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Some of the islands in the Outer Hebrides are located at the same latitude as parts of Norway and Alaska. The Aurora Borealis has been spotted as far south as Edinburgh, but the islands of Lewis, Harris, Isle of Wight and Barra are the best chance to see the lights in the UK.

More accessible than most of the other places on this list, the islands are also a great place to view various astronomical sights such as the Orion Nebula, the Milky Way, and the Andromeda Galaxy.

Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

The second most populous city in Alaska, Fairbanks is located near the centre of the state with a population of just over 32,000 people. Located at the same latitude as Iceland, it has ideal conditions for watching the lights: dark skies, dry weather, and no light pollution.

Finnish Lapland

Although Rovaniemi has already been mentioned on this list, there are so many worthy destinations in Finnish Lapland that the entire area is worth recommending. Levi is the largest ski resort in Finland, but it is less crowded than other European resorts and offers the opportunity to see the lights by snowmobile or reindeer-drawn sleigh. Harriniva is another resort that offers similar activities, and the Muonio River adds another scenic touch. Saariselka offers another rural environment with great places to view the lights just half a kilometre away.

Earlier, TravelWise published a list of places to see the northern lights in the UK.