Aurora has returned to Spain and scientists have confirmed the date: it is a few days away

All information about when and where you can see the northern lights in Spain.It is a very unusual phenomenon.

The northern lights are returning to Spain and scientists are already confirming the date: there are still a few days left

Seeing the northern lights in Spain may seem like an unattainable dream, but in 2026 we can witness this phenomenon due to increased solar activity.When it reaches a high level, the northern lights can expand to lower latitudes than usual, coloring the area of ​​the Iberian Peninsula in red or green tones.The best places to see it are the highlands of northern Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Pyrenees), although it can also be found in high mountains or viewpoints on the peninsula.In the Canary Islands, areas such as Teide National Park (Tenerife), Roque de los Muchachos (La Palma) or Garajonay National Park (La Gomera) are special places.

Why will you see each other in Spain?This is the most frequently asked question, considering that the Northern Lights are extremely rare in the Iberian Peninsula.This phenomenon will occur due to the recording of very powerful solar storms that release large amounts of charged particles that interact with the magnetic field and atmosphere when they reach the Earth.Normally the Northern Lights are only seen near the poles, but when a very strong solar storm occurs the area where they are visible expands southwards, making it possible to see them in unusual places like Spain.

The Northern Lights of Spain

Auroras are the result of the collision of electrons from the solar wind with the Earth's atmosphere.As the name suggests, the further north we are, the more likely we are to see the northern lights.That is why destinations like Iceland or Alaska have become privileged places to see them.This happens because the particles are guided by the lines of the Earth's magnetic field, which means that the closer we are to the poles, the greater the chances of seeing this phenomenon.

They usually occur at latitudes above 60 or 70 degrees north, but on rare occasions they can be seen much further south if the solar storm is intense enough.During winter it is easier to observe them because the nights are longer and darker.In addition, an increase in solar activity has been recorded since November 2025, coinciding with the peak of the Sun's eleven-year cycle. This combination, together with the so-called "equinox effect", could make March 2026 a particularly favorable time to observe the northern aurora in Spain.

"When an energetic particle collides with an oxygen atom, it emits red or green light depending on the energy of the oxygen atom. Nitrogen atoms and molecules emit blue and pink light. Depending on the mixture of atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere, auroras can mix to form other colors such as yellow and white.red is seen at low aurotitude and red is higher in the atmosphere," explains NASA.

The best days to see the Northern Lights in Spain are around March 20, 2026 (Vernal Equinox) and September 23, 2026 (Autumn Equinox).

In Aragon and Catalonia, Eiguestortes National Park and Lake San Maurizio (Lleida) and the Aran Valley are key points due to their altitude and dark skies.In Asturias and Cantabria, the natural parks of Picos de Europa and Collados del Asón offer ideal conditions thanks to low light pollution.

In the Canary Islands, the Teide National Park is particularly prominent, an additional site due to its high altitude, clear horizon and low light pollution.In Galicia (Lugo), municipalities certified as Starlight Reserves, especially Chantada and Muras, offer excellent night skies to observe this phenomenon.

Finally, in Madrid, the best option is the Sierra de Guadarrama, especially at its highest peak.Additionally, sightings have been reported on the Cantabrian coast in places such as Langal, Cabomayor and Aho Lighthouse due to good visibility on the northern horizon.

Tips for photographing them

On some devices it activates automatically when the camera detects low light, but if not, it's worth checking your camera app settings for night or low-light photography options.

Because this mode uses a slower shutter speed, any movement may blur the image.Therefore, it is advisable to use a tripod or place the phone on a stationary surface so that it remains completely stable during the photo.

Some phones also include a "manual" mode that allows you to adjust specific settings.You can start with a wide aperture, ISO close to 800 and an exposure of about five seconds.If your mobile phone does not have these functions, there is an option to download an application that allows you to better control the camera settings.