The most peaceful place in Europe: where to admire the northern lights

The Northern Lights is a unique optical phenomenon when certain areas of the night sky acquire an incredibly bright and rapidly changing glow. The lights can be observed at a distance of 20-35° from the magnetic poles. They are visible simultaneously at all longitudes but with different intensities.

Experts have identified the best country to admire the night sky. A new study by BookRetreats has identified the best destinations for a relaxing winter vacation, the Express reports.

The country, popular for watching the northern lights, was named the most peaceful vacation spot in Europe.

The study evaluated five key aspects: safety, privacy, tranquility, nature, and health impact.

The rankings were based on various factors such as the percentage of protected areas, forest cover, crowd density, noise levels, general tranquility, and the availability of wellness services in each location.

Australia took the top spot in the Global Relaxation Index, scoring 73.8 out of 100, offering a tranquil getaway that is becoming increasingly rare in busy European destinations.

Canada, which offers unique natural landscapes, came in second place with a narrow margin. Notably, Canada also boasts 34.8 percent forest coverage, more than 4,700 wellness treatments, and natural wonders such as the Northern Lights.

And in third place is Iceland, which turned out to be the most peaceful destination in Europe. According to the Global Peace Index for 2024, it is the most peaceful, quietest, and one of the least polluted countries in the world.

Iceland is becoming an increasingly popular wellness destination as its volcanic activity heats up natural hot springs that create incredible geothermal resorts.

The famous Blue Lagoon, for example, offers a warm, mineral-rich soak in the waters even as snow falls around you, creating a magical winter experience.

The Icelandic landscape is truly unearthly, especially in winter. Frozen waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, and snow-covered lava fields create a dramatic scenic environment - it feels like you're in another world or on another planet.

Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. The long, dark winter nights create the perfect conditions for viewing this stunning display of natural light that attracts travelers from all over the world. The aurora occurs in the upper layers of the planet's atmosphere under the influence of streams of charged particles that the Earth's magnetic field directs to the poles.

If you don't want to lazily watch the sky, Iceland offers great activities, including glacier hiking, exploring ice caves, and snowmobiling.

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