The Arctic Circle, with its breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife, and fascinating cultures, offers travelers an unparalleled experience unlike any other place on Earth. From snow-capped mountains to vast icy expanses, the region boasts an array of destinations that captivate the imagination and leave a lasting impression.
The Arctic Circle is no longer just a realm for explorers and scientists; it has become one of the most coveted frontiers for adventurous travelers. From the polar bear capitals of North America to the stark beauty of the Russian coast, the high north offers experiences found nowhere else on Earth.
Here are a few terrific destinations to consider visiting north of the Arctic Circle in 2026:
1. Kaktovik, Alaska, USA
Located on Barter Island off the coast of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Kaktovik is a small Inupiat village that has gained fame for offering some of the world's most reliable polar bear viewing.
Unlike other destinations where bears are observed from a distance on tundra buggies, Kaktovik provides a boat-based experience, allowing visitors to safely observe the animals at eye level as they gather on barrier islands waiting for the sea ice to freeze.
The bears often congregate in large numbers, sometimes dozens at a time, on the sandspits near the village during the fall. Beyond the wildlife, Kaktovik is a subsistence whaling community, offering visitors a chance to learn about the traditional Inupiat lifestyle that has sustained the locals for thousands of years.
The prime window for seeing polar bears is August to October. Due to limited accommodation, such as at the Marsh Creek Inn, booking guided tours months in advance is essential; access is only via small bush planes from Fairbanks or Deadhorse.
2. Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway
Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, is situated halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole and is one of the most accessible high-Arctic destinations on the planet.
It presents a fascinating contrast, offering a "civilized" Arctic experience with comfortable hotels and fine dining in Longyearbyen - the northernmost permanent settlement in the world—which quickly gives way to raw, dangerous wilderness just outside the town limits.
While in Longyearbyen, visitors can explore the Svalbard Museum and see the entrance to the Global Seed Vault. They can also take a boat or snowmobile trip to Pyramiden, an abandoned Soviet mining town where a statue of Lenin still watches over the empty square.
This area is prime territory for wildlife spotting, including polar bears, walruses, Svalbard reindeer, and arctic foxes. Cruising under the midnight sun is best from May to September, while snowmobiling and dog sledding thrive from February to May. Regular commercial flights connect Longyearbyen (LYR) directly to Oslo and Tromsø.
3. Lyngen, Norway
The Lyngen Alps (Lyngsalpene) rise majestically from the fjords of Northern Norway, creating a perfect paradise for those who prefer active exploration over sightseeing.
The region's unique topography allows for world-class "Sea to Summit" ski touring and hiking, where adventurers start at the shoreline and ascend peaks that drop vertically into the ocean, providing access to untouched powder.
Additionally, Lyngen is ideally situated directly under the auroral oval with minimal light pollution, offering spectacular Northern Lights displays. Visitors can even stop by Aurora Spirit, the world’s northernmost whiskey distillery, located right at the foot of the Lyngen Alps.
The best time for skiing is February to April, while the Northern Lights are visible from September to March. The region is located east of Tromsø and is accessible by car and ferry.
4. The Arctic Archipelago, Canada
The Canadian Arctic Archipelago, consisting of 94 major and over 36,000 minor islands, is the true High Arctic—a vast, silent, remote, and incredibly scenic landscape that forms much of Nunavut and was the historical stage for the legendary Northwest Passage.
Highlights include Ellesmere Island, the northernmost point of land in Canada and home to Quttinirpaaq National Park, and the historic Beechey Island, which holds the graves of three crew members from the doomed 1845 Franklin Expedition.
This is where hardy wildlife like muskoxen, Peary caribou, and arctic hares thrive. The most practical time to visit is during the ice-free season in July and August, almost exclusively via specialized expedition cruise ships that specialize in the High Arctic.
5. The North Pole
Achieving 90° North, the Geographic North Pole is the ultimate bucket-list goal, a mathematical point at the top of the world with no land beneath it, only shifting sea ice. Standing here means every direction is South.
The adventure itself often involves crushing through thick multi-year ice aboard a nuclear-powered icebreaker, such as Le Commandant Charcot, which is an adventure in itself.
Other features of a North Pole visit can include the temporary Russian Barneo Ice Camp (though availability varies by geopolitical climate and ice conditions) and, for the truly brave, the Polar Plunge into the freezing water.
Expedition cruises run in June and July, while helicopter/ski expeditions typically take place in April. This journey is extremely expensive and logistically complex, usually requiring icebreaker cruises departing from Murmansk (Russia) or Svalbard (Norway).
6. The Northwest Passage
This legendary sea route, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, claimed the lives of hundreds of explorers before Amundsen's successful navigation.
Sailing through it is an immersion in history, passing through dramatic fjords, narrow straits, and historical sites like Beechey Island and King William Island, key locations in the Franklin Expedition mystery.
The passage is also a prime wildlife corridor, allowing travelers to spot narwhals (unicorns of the sea), beluga whales, and bowhead whales, with opportunities to engage with local Inuit culture and art in remote communities like Cambridge Bay and Gjoa Haven.
The route is exclusively accessible via expedition cruise ships, with late August to September being the ideal time when sea ice is at its minimum.
7. Barrow (Utqiaġvik), Alaska, USA
Recently reclaiming its traditional name of Utqiaġvik, this community holds the distinction of being the northernmost city in the United States and is one of the few High Arctic locations accessible by a standard commercial jet via Alaska Airlines.
This accessibility provides visitors with a raw, authentic glimpse into modern Arctic life. Key sights include the famous Whale Bone Arch on the beach, which frames the Arctic Ocean through the massive jawbones of a bowhead whale, and the world-class Inupiat Heritage Center, detailing the history of the People of the Ice.
A unique draw is the Midnight Sun, which keeps the sun above the horizon for over 80 days from May to August. Visitors can also often access Point Barrow, the northernmost point of land in the US, via guided 4x4 tours.
Daily flights are available from Anchorage and Fairbanks, and the best time to visit is during the summer or for the spectacular Northern Lights in winter.
8. Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada
As the fifth-largest island in the world and the cultural and adventure hub of Nunavut, Baffin Island boasts some of the planet’s most dramatic mountain scenery, featuring sheer granite cliffs that rival Yosemite, but surrounded by glaciers and sea ice.
The island is home to Auyuittuq National Park—which means "The Land That Never Melts" in Inuktitut—where visitors come to hike the Akshayuk Pass and view Mount Thor, famous for having the Earth's greatest vertical drop (1,250m).
Culturally, Cape Dorset (Kinngait) is globally renowned as the capital of Inuit art, known for its printmaking and soapstone carving. The picturesque community of Pond Inlet offers excellent narwhal viewing and views of Bylot Island.
Hiking is best from July to August, while ski touring and dog sledding are popular from March to May. Access requires flights from Ottawa or Montreal to Iqaluit, followed by smaller planes to local communities like Pangnirtung.
9. Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada
Located south of Churchill on the shores of Hudson Bay, Wapusk is a remote sanctuary that protects one of the world's largest polar bear maternity denning areas.
While nearby Churchill is famous for sighting adult bears in autumn, Wapusk offers the rare and moving chance to see mother bears and their newborn cubs emerging from their dens in late winter.
The Wat’chee Lodge, a refurbished navy communications base, is the only lodge with access to this sensitive denning area. Alternatively, Cape Churchill, where the ice forms first, attracts hundreds of adult bears in October and November.
Visiting for the cubs is best in February or March, while adult bears are best seen in October or November on the coast. The park is primarily accessible via specialized tundra vehicles or helicopters from Churchill, which itself is reachable by train or plane from Winnipeg.
10. Teriberka, Russia
Situated on the Barents Sea coast north of Murmansk, Teriberka was a fading fishing village until it gained new life as a cult tourist destination after its feature in the film Leviathan.
It provides a unique, somewhat melancholic, and hauntingly beautiful "end of the world" atmosphere characteristic of the Russian North. The most striking highlights include the Ship Graveyard, where skeleton-like wooden hulls of abandoned fishing trawlers are stuck in the tidal mud flats, and the stunning Arctic Ocean coast, where massive, round "Dragon Egg" stones cover the beaches and frozen waterfalls drop into the sea in winter.
Its remote location, far from city lights, also makes it a prime spot for Aurora Hunting. Visiting in the winter is best for the Aurora and snowy landscapes, while summer is ideal for 24-hour daylight and hiking. Access requires a roughly three- to four-hour drive from Murmansk across the tundra, though the road can be closed due to snowdrifts in winter.