With “coolcations,” travel to chilly locales, on the rise, it’s no surprise interest in polar destinations and the Arctic Circle is higher than ever. However, being classified as a cold weather destination isn’t enough to make a place truly “Arctic.” Instead, the Arctic Circle is carefully defined as the northernmost of the five major circles of latitude as shown on maps of the Earth. The Arctic Circle is a place where, on the winter solstice, the sun never rises, and on the summer solstice, the sun never sets. It represents areas of the planet that are intimately remote and undeniably extraordinary. A visit to the Arctic Circle, whether it’s somewhere in North America or across the pond in Europe, is guaranteed to be unlike anything travelers have ever experienced before. Want to learn more? Here are six places around the world where you can cross the Arctic Circle.
Alaska
The only U.S. state where you can experience the magic of the Arctic Circle, in Alaska, visitors can make their dreams of crossing the iconic boundary come true when they fly or drive to latitude 66° 33’ north. Situated just off the rugged Dalton Highway, in The Land of the Midnight Sun, the Arctic Circle is best, and most safely, accessed through a guided tour, of which there are many locally owned options for vacationers to choose from. Conveniently located in the state’s Interior, Fairbanks is a good homebase for those hoping to make the journey north, proudly earning it the nickname “The Gateway to the Arctic.” The Arctic Circle is 196 driving miles and 140 air miles north of Fairbanks, and the 415-mile-long Dalton Highway is a truly otherworldly experience with limited cell phone reception and sparse opportunities for pit stops along the bumpy gravel road (and when I say bumpy, I mean bumpy — trust me, I’ve been there!).
Canada
One of the only places in the world where you can see narwhals IRL — yes, they’re real! — the Canadian Arctic is known for its rare wildlife, jaw dropping scenery and intriguing history. Nearly 40% of Canada is considered “Arctic,” and travelers can visit the Arctic Circle when they check out the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Foxe Basin. While the Canadian Arctic is vast and rather remote, a few of the most popular areas to visit include Baffin Island— Canada’s biggest island — Wapusk National Park and Iqaluit in Nunavut. Again, these areas of The Great North are the definition of “off-the-beaten-path,” making them most-easily explorable through guided tours, many of which provide opportunities for wildlife sightings including the likes of polar bears, wolves, foxes, whales and more. Depending on the time of year, travelers can also look into traversing the Northwest Passage, a historical stretch of sea that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Finland
A destination that has really leaned into the wonder of winter, in Finland, travelers can experience the best of cold weather whimsy, including crossing the Arctic Circle, when they visit Lapland, the country’s northernmost region. Home to not one, not two, but four international airports, Lapland is boasted as “the most accessible Arctic destination in the world,” and the area has another unique thing going for it, too: It’s the home of Santa Claus Village. That’s right, packed with all the sights one would expect to see in such a place including elves donning pointy red hats, real-life reindeer and “the Big Guy” himself, Santa Claus Village also has a designated Arctic Circle marker, which, when crossed, earns visitors an official “I crossed the Arctic Circle” certificate to commemorate the experience. In Rovaniemi, Lapland’s capital city, various tours allow travelers to cross the Arctic Circle in other exciting, snow-filled ways, including on a snowmobile, a sled led by huskies and even a reindeer sleigh.
Greenland
Home to the “Arctic Circle Trail,” a 103-mile hiking trail beginning in the interior town of Kangerlussuaq and ending in Sisimiut on the country’s western coast, adventurous travelers will find Greenland provides the unparalleled opportunity to become well acquainted with one of Earth’s most isolated places. Showcasing rustic lakes and pathways dotted with Arctic creatures and jagged mountaintops, civilization is far, far away out here, but, for those in search of the ultimate polar adventure, that’s the goal. Not interested in a week-long hike? No problem. 80% of Greenland lies north of the Arctic Circle including Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut and Maniitsoq, three popular travel spots — as far as Greenland is concerned — that are just a hop, skip and a jump from Nuuk, the country’s capital city, when traveling by plane. Nicknamed “Destination Arctic Circle,” in this area, visitors can enjoy activities like dog sledding, fishing, heli skiing, hiking, hunting, kayaking and more.
Iceland
While Iceland sits beneath the Arctic Circle, visitors to The Land of Fire and Ice can still experience the fabled parallel when they visit Grímsey, a tiny island situated 25 miles north of the mainland. Accessible by plane or ferry, for most travelers, the easiest, and most cost-effective way to get to Grímsey is the three-hour ferry ride that departs daily from Dalvik, a small town about 40 minutes from Akureyri, the “Capital of North.” Upon arriving on Grímsey, travelers can take part in a variety of activities, both on land and at sea, including frisbee golfing — a popular sport in the area — birdwatching — with puffins being the bird of the hour — fishing, biking, diving, swimming, hiking and more. Of course, thanks to its Arctic location, Grímsey is a great spot to catch both the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun depending on the season. And, while it doesn’t flaunt a fancy sign like some other crossings around the globe, visitors will know they’ve crossed the Arctic Circle when they spot Orbis et Globus, an art sculpture that was placed on the Arctic Circle in 2017. Also nearby are the Century Stones, three stones showing where the Arctic Circle was on the 1717, 1817 and 1917 Summer Solstices.
Norway
Want to cross the Arctic Circle in a truly grandiose fashion? In Norway you can experience the legendary boundary from the comfort of a full-service train. That’s right, aboard The Nordland Line, travelers can embark on Norway’s longest rail journey, traversing a total of 293 bridges,154 tunnels and 452+ miles as they travel from Trondheim in the south to Bodø in the north. According to Visit Norway, the Arctic Circle marker along Norland Line is denoted by two stone pyramids and travelers will know they’ve made it when they hear a handy announcement stating so from over the PA system. Of course, visitors can cross the Arctic Circle in other ways too, and Norway is home to the Arctic Circle Center, an attraction that sits atop the invisible marker which is said to cross directly through the middle of the building. Here, visitors can snag a postcard with a rare Arctic Circle stamp, snap a picture on the Arctic Circle marble path or pick up some swag to remind them of their adventure. But the fun doesn’t stop there, the Lofoten Islands, which are situated above the Arctic Circle, are another Norwegian destination to experience the magic of the Earth’s northernmost frontier, making them a must-visit for those looking to add this bragging right to their travel rolodex.
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