23 Breathtaking Places to Catch the Northern Lights on a Budget

Destination 21: Skibotn, Norway

Most Northern Lights chasers don’t realize that weather matters just as much as location—and that’s what makes Skibotn, Norway, so special. Unlike many places in the Arctic that suffer from cloudy, unpredictable weather, Skibotn sits in a unique dry-climate zone, meaning it has far fewer clouds and significantly better aurora visibility than nearby regions. Nestled between towering fjords and the Lyngen Alps, this small village provides one of the best natural amphitheaters for aurora viewing in Norway. The combination of crystal-clear skies, still waters, and the towering mountains makes the Northern Lights appear even more vivid and dramatic as they reflect off the fjord. Budget travelers will appreciate the affordable Arctic campsites, guesthouses, and cabin rentals, which are far cheaper than in bigger Norwegian cities.