When and Where to See the Northern Lights in Finland
Understanding the Northern Lights in Finland — What Makes Finland Special?
There are travel experiences that feel unforgettable, and visiting the Arctic to chase the aurora is one of them. When you visit Finland northern lights, you immediately realize that this country offers something different from any other destination in the world. It’s not only about witnessing a natural phenomenon; it’s about the atmosphere, the silence of the Arctic wilderness, and the feeling of being surrounded by endless snow. I still remember my first night in Finland in the winter—stepping outside my cabin, seeing the temperature drop below freezing, and feeling both excited and nervous as I waited for the sky to shift into color.
Finland is one of the best places on Earth to experience the aurora borealis, especially in the far northern region of Lapland. The country sits perfectly under the “Auroral Zone,” where geomagnetic activity is strongest and where the lights appear frequently throughout the year. While countries like Norway, Sweden, and Iceland also offer great viewing opportunities, Finland stands out because of its incredibly dark skies, wide-open landscapes, and calm, stable winter weather. The lack of mountains in many areas makes the horizon clearer, giving you wider visibility when the lights start moving across the sky.
If you’ve never experienced Finland in the winter, it’s important to know what to expect. The deep snow creates a soft and quiet environment, especially outside the cities. You hear almost nothing but your own footsteps, and the air feels cleaner than anywhere else. Days are shorter, nights are long, and the sky often looks like a cold blue canvas waiting for something magical to appear. This is one of the reasons Finland is so appealing for aurora seekers—long hours of darkness give you more time each night for viewing opportunities.
Another thing that makes Finland special is how easy it is to find dark skies. Even near small towns like Levi or Saariselkä, you can walk just a few minutes away from the lights and reach an open area with perfect visibility. In bigger destinations like Rovaniemi, the “gateway to Lapland,” you’ll find many aurora viewpoints designed specifically for visitors, allowing you to enjoy the experience without traveling far. I personally enjoyed hiking just outside Levi, where the frozen lakes create wide, open spaces ideal for watching the sky. Standing on the lake, with crunchy snow beneath my boots, I could see the entire horizon stretch out in every direction.
Finland also offers different styles of aurora viewing—from adventurous snowmobile rides into the forest to peaceful evenings inside a glass igloo. The variety makes the experience accessible for different types of travelers. Whether you’re someone who loves outdoor exploration or someone who prefers comfort and warmth, you’ll find an option that fits your style. On one of my trips, I joined a small guided hike through a pine forest, where the guide explained how local Sámi communities have connected with the northern lights for generations. Hearing those stories added more meaning to the night.
But before you start planning your trip, it’s essential to understand that the aurora is a natural event. You might see a bright green display one night and nothing the next—even in a top-rated location. That’s why choosing a good time of year is crucial, and this brings us to one of the biggest questions travelers ask: When is the best time to see the northern lights in Finland? The answer depends on seasonal conditions, hours of darkness, and solar activity, and we’ll explore all of this in detail in the next section.
Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Finland — Understanding the Northern Lights Season
After experiencing several winter trips to the Arctic, one thing became clear to me: timing matters. Many travelers planning to visit Finland northern lights often ask the same question — when to see northern lights in Finland? The truth is that Finland offers one of the longest and most reliable aurora seasons in the world, but some months provide much better chances than others. Understanding the northern lights season in Finland will help you plan your trip wisely and increase your chance of catching a strong display.
The aurora season generally begins in late August when the nights finally become dark again after the endless summer daylight. From that point, it continues all the way through early April. During these months, the nights are long, the skies are often clear, and solar activity is strong enough to make the phenomenon visible several times a week in northern regions like Lapland. However, based on my personal experience, the most reliable months fall between **September and March**, with each period offering a different style of aurora adventure.
If you are someone who enjoys comfortable temperatures and slightly longer daylight hours, September and October might be your best choice. The autumn months offer calmer weather compared to mid-winter, and the landscapes are filled with vibrant colors due to the Arctic “ruska” season. I experienced one of my earliest aurora sightings during a September trip near Rovaniemi. The air was cool but not extremely cold, and there was something amazing about watching the lights reflect off the surface of a lake before the snow arrived.
However, for many travelers, the classic experience of seeing the northern lights comes in the heart of winter. During December, January, and February, Finland in the winter transforms into a world of snow. This is when the nights are longest, sometimes stretching over 18 hours in northern areas, giving you more time each night for aurora hunting. While the cold can be intense — temperatures often drop below freezing — the reward is the possibility of brighter and more visible displays against a crisp, dark sky. One particularly memorable night for me happened in January, during a lapland finland northern lights tour. We traveled by snowmobile to a remote point outside Levi, and the entire sky erupted in soft green and pink waves that moved slowly above the forest.
March is another excellent month, often overlooked by first-time visitors. The weather becomes slightly milder, the days get longer, and yet the nights are still dark enough for clear aurora viewing. Many local guides actually consider March one of the best months because the weather tends to be more stable, and there are fewer clouds compared to mid-winter. I found March especially enjoyable because you can combine daytime activities like skiing, snowshoeing, or visiting reindeer farms with evening aurora watching.
It’s also important to understand that seeing the aurora depends on three main conditions: darkness, clear skies, and solar activity. Even during peak season, you might have cloudy nights, especially in coastal areas. That’s why many travelers prefer staying in inland Lapland, where the skies are clearer on average. Popular places like Saariselkä, Levi, Ylläs, and Inari offer good balance between accessibility and strong viewing potential. If your trip includes multiple nights, your chances of seeing the lights increase significantly — this is why many Lapland packages include at least three or four nights.
Another helpful tip is to monitor aurora forecasts. Apps and websites track the KP index, which measures geomagnetic activity. While you don’t need a high KP value in Lapland to see the lights (KP 1–3 is often enough), it can help you plan your night. However, sometimes the best sightings happen with little warning. On one of my trips, the forecast predicted low activity, yet the sky lit up gently for nearly an hour. These unpredictable moments are what make aurora hunting exciting.
By choosing the right months and planning a flexible schedule, your chances of witnessing the northern lights in Finland become extremely high. In the next section, we will explore the best locations across Finland — from glass igloo resorts to peaceful frozen lakes — that offer exceptional viewing conditions for travelers seeking a memorable aurora experience.
Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Finland — Top Regions and Personal Recommendations
When planning to visit Finland northern lights, choosing the right location can completely transform your experience. Finland is filled with incredible viewing spots, but certain regions offer clearer skies, less light pollution, and better overall chances. After traveling across Lapland multiple times, I’ve gathered a list of the most reliable and memorable destinations where you can witness the beauty of the finland northern lights. Each place has its own atmosphere, activities, and charm, which adds a personal touch to the journey.
1. Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is often considered the gateway to the Arctic. It’s easy to reach, has great winter activities, and offers several opportunities to see the lights. While it’s slightly more urban than other areas, the nearby forests and frozen lakes make it surprisingly good for aurora hunting. My first ever aurora sighting in Finland happened just outside the city, where the lights formed a soft green band above the treetops. If you want a mix of comfort and adventure, Rovaniemi is a perfect starting point.
2. Saariselkä
Located in northern Lapland, Saariselkä is one of my favorite places for northern lights. The region has higher elevation and lower light pollution, which means clearer skies more often. Many visitors join guided tours using snowmobiles or heated sleighs to reach remote viewpoints. During my trip, I stayed in a cabin with large windows facing north, and one evening, the sky glowed for nearly two hours without needing to leave the room. Saariselkä also offers easy access to wilderness areas, making it ideal for anyone who wants a peaceful and scenic experience.
3. Levi
Levi is another excellent location, especially for travelers who want a good balance of nature and modern facilities. The ski slopes here are beautiful, and during the northern lights season in Finland, the evenings become a gathering time for aurora enthusiasts. On my last visit, I joined a lapland finland northern lights tour that took us deep into quiet forests where the sky was crystal clear. The guide prepared hot berry juice while we waited, and when the lights appeared, the group became completely silent — it was one of those unforgettable moments.
4. Inari
Inari is known for its strong cultural heritage and pristine landscapes. If you want the highest chances of seeing the northern lights in Finland, this region is almost unbeatable. Inari has some of the darkest skies in the country, and during winter, the calm atmosphere makes the experience feel almost spiritual. I particularly enjoyed walking onto the frozen Lake Inari at night — the wide-open space gives you a full view of the sky, perfect for spotting even faint auroras.
5. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
If you’ve ever seen photos of glass igloos glowing under a green sky, this is probably the place. Kakslauttanen is famous worldwide for a reason. Its glass igloos offer a warm and comfortable environment to watch the aurora right from your bed. During one of my visits, I stayed in an igloo on a night of light snowfall. Just before midnight, the clouds opened, and a soft aurora arc formed above the dome. Watching the lights while lying under a warm blanket felt like a dream. It’s a more luxurious option, but the experience is worth it.
6. Pyhä-Luosto National Park
This national park is a hidden gem. It offers wide, open spaces and fantastic snow-covered forests. What makes it stand out is the Amethyst Mine, where visitors can join evening tours that sometimes include aurora viewing. The landscapes here are stunning, and the lack of crowds makes it a peaceful choice for travelers looking for an authentic winter escape. On my visit, I took a winter hiking route at dusk, and the silence of the forest combined with the emerging aurora felt like a scene from a movie.
7. Ylläs
Ylläs is known for having some of the clearest skies in Finnish Lapland. The region benefits from stable winter weather, making it a prime location during the peak northern lights season in Finland. Ylläs also offers excellent cross-country skiing routes that turn into quiet aurora-viewing paths at night. One evening, after skiing earlier in the day, I joined a local storyteller who guided us to a small hill where the aurora appeared in soft waves. It felt authentic, simple, and incredibly peaceful.
Wherever you choose to go, the key is to embrace the unique magic of Finland in the winter. The snow-covered landscapes, the silence of the forests, and the crisp Arctic air all add to the atmosphere. The northern lights are unpredictable, but that unpredictability is what makes every sighting memorable. Whether it’s a faint glow stretching across the sky or a vibrant curtain dancing above you, each moment becomes part of a story you’ll never forget.
With the right timing, the right place, and a bit of patience, your journey to visit Finland northern lights will become one of the most unforgettable winter adventures you can experience.
