For travellers and nature enthusiasts alike, chasing the Northern Lights in Finland is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And with dark autumn and winter nights, clear Arctic skies and swathes of pristine wilderness, it’s one of the best – and most accessible – places in the world to see this mesmerising natural phenomenon.
If you’re wondering where to see the Northern Lights in Finland, the far north steals the show. The majority of Finnish Lapland sits above the Arctic Circle and firmly within the auroral oval, a latitude range between roughly 60-75°N where the aurora appears at its most frequent and intense.
For skywatchers in Finland’s far north, this awe-inspiring spectacle dances across the skies on roughly 200 nights each year, with late August until early April representing the prime window of opportunity. That makes Finnish Lapland one of the most reliable places on Earth to go aurora hunting.
Here’s our guide to the best places to see the Northern Lights in Finland.
Rovaniemi
Northern Lights over a frozen lake near Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland
The capital of Finnish Lapland and the official home of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi sits almost exactly on the Arctic Circle. This buzzy, well-connected city is rightly popular, with an extensive range of accommodation and activity providers to choose from, but you need to step away from the city lights for the best chance of experiencing those magical swirling lights.
Fortunately, you won’t have far to go. Rovaniemi is surrounded by pristine nature and boasts all manner of aurora-watching experiences, including husky or reindeer sledding, snowmobile safaris and sleeping beneath a glass-roofed aurora dome. This makes it one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Finland – especially if you want to combine it with a trip to see Santa.
You’re spoilt for choice with Rovaniemi itineraries, with a variety of unique accommodation, ranging from luxury lodges and designer log cabins to glass igloos and snow hotels.
Inari
Northern Lights near Inari, Finnish Lapland
Located in northernmost Finnish Lapland, Inari is the Finnish capital of the indigenous reindeer-herding Sámi people. Set in an area of rugged wilderness where reindeer outnumber people, Inari is steeped in tradition and mysticism, with some of its 3,318 lake islands revered as sacred ‘seita’ sites where the Sámi once left offerings to gods and spirits.
If you’re searching for a true sense of wilderness when deciding where to see the Northern Lights in Finland, Inari is hard to beat. By day, head out on reindeer, husky or snowmobile safaris, or go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing through silent forests and across frozen lakes, then watch the aurora dance at night, with wide open skies and almost no light pollution.
Discover a true winter wonderland at the Wilderness Hotel Inari or visit in autumn to mix aurora-chasing with guided hikes around Lake Inari.
Saariselkä
Northern Lights near Saariselkä, Finnish Lapland
Situated around an hour south of Inari in northern Finnish Lapland, the outdoor resort town of Saariselkä is Europe’s northernmost ski resort and just 30 minutes from Ivalo Airport. Set amid fells and forest on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park, it offers a livelier base than its remote neighbour while making it easy to slip into the wilderness and watch for the celestial ballet of the Northern Lights.
A true winter playground, Saariselkä is renowned for its wide range of outdoor activities, from downhill skiing and cross-country trails to snowshoeing and reindeer and husky safaris.
For a luxurious Northern Lights Finland itinerary, stay at the adults-only stay Javri Lodge in the heart of Saariselka.
Levi
Northern Lights as seen from Levin Iglut, Finnish Lapland
Located in the municipality of Kittilä in Western Lapland, Levi is around 180 kilometres north of Rovaniemi, sitting firmly within the aurora zone. With 44 runs and 28 lifts, this is Finland’s largest and best-known ski resort – as well as being one of the best places to see the Northern Lights.
Set amid a landscape of frozen lakes, snow-dusted fells and quiet forests, Levi’s scenery is spectacular. Aside from skiing, explore the magical landscape on reindeer sleigh rides, husky sledding tours and snowmobile safaris, before cosying up in a heated glass igloo to watch for soft green waves, and perhaps even purples and pinks, swirling through the night sky – all from the comfort of your bed.
Visit Levi on our glass igloo and Northern Lights holiday, or opt for exclusive log cabin luxury at The Fell.
Muonio
Northern Lights at Hotel Harriniva near Muonio, Finnish Lapland
Around an hour from Levi, mere steps away from the Finland-Sweden border, the village of Muonio sits between the Muonio River and Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. Home to what is reputed to be the purest air in the world, this is an area of pristine wilderness, perfect for experiencing the Arctic in its most authentic and tranquil form.
Set along the riverbank just outside the village, Harriniva Hotels & Safaris pair cosy timber-clad accommodation with guided adventures, from husky sledding and snowmobiling to autumn hikes, campfire aurora nights and even Northern Lights watching from the sauna.
Pair aurora hunting, hiking and canoeing on our Autumn Northern Lights adventure at Hotel Jeris, or combine festive cheer with Northern Lights viewing on our exclusive Harriniva Santa Break.
Ukkohalla
Northern Lights in Arctic Lakeland, Finland
While Finnish Lapland may be the go-to choice when planning a Northern Lights holiday in Finland, the aurora zone also extends further south, and there are some excellent alternatives to be found if you're prepared to look beyond the most popular destinations. One such option is Ukkohalla, in the region known as Arctic Lakeland in the central-eastern part of the country, which can be accessed from the town of Kajaani. It sits just shy of 65°N, which is almost the same latitude as Reykjavik in Iceland.
At Ukkohalla, there's the possibility of staying in a glass-walled aurora cabin on top of a snow-blanketed fell, or in more traditional accommodation in the main resort area. As well as superb Northern Lights viewing, there's a host of outdoor activities on offer, from hiking and cycling in autumn to snowshoeing, husky sledding and downhill skiing in the winter months.
