Northern Lights in Finland

At 50 Degrees North, one of the questions we hear most often is where in Finland to go for the Northern Lights. The area around and above the Arctic Circle is one of the most reliable places in the world to see the aurora. The lights can occasionally be seen as far south as Helsinki, but for the best chance you'll want to head up to Lapland, in Finland's north.

Finland has a particular advantage for aurora travel: its northern reaches sit directly under the auroral zone, so the lights appear frequently on clear, dark nights, and the country's inland position means drier, clearer skies than the Norwegian coast. Add well-connected airports, glass-roofed cabins built for sky-watching, and a long season, and it becomes one of the easiest places in the world to see the Northern Lights in comfort.

Where are the best places to see the Northern Lights in Finland?

All of our favourite Finnish aurora bases sit under the auroral zone, with dark skies and easy access to wilderness away from town lights. Each has its own character, and it can help to think of them by the airport you'd fly into. Most travellers reach Finnish Lapland through Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Ivalo or Kuusamo, all with connections from Helsinki.

Near Rovaniemi Airport

Ranua, about an hour south of Rovaniemi, is best known for the Ranua Wildlife Park, home to Finland's only polar bears, and suits families looking for wildlife alongside the aurora. Pyhä, around an hour and a half north, is a quieter ski resort beside Pyhä-Luosto National Park, good for those who want the lights with hiking and skiing on the doorstep.

Near Kittilä Airport

Levi, about 15 minutes from Kittilä, is Finland's largest ski resort, with the widest range of activities and accommodation, from glass igloos to a lively resort village. Äkäslompolo, on the far side of the Ylläs fells around 50 km away, is a smaller, quieter village set among the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, well suited to travellers who want wilderness and dark skies over resort bustle. Muonio, near the Swedish border, is quieter still, a peaceful base for the aurora away from the crowds.

Near Ivalo Airport

The far north around Ivalo offers some of the darkest skies and longest aurora seasons in Finland. Ivalo itself is the region's gateway and home to Aurora Village, with glass-roofed cabins built for watching the sky. Saariselkä, about half an hour south, is Finland's northernmost ski resort, set beside Urho Kekkonen National Park. Inari, around 40 km north of Ivalo on the shore of Lake Inari, is the heart of Sámi culture in Finland and one of the quietest, most remote bases of all.

Near Kuusamo Airport

Ruka, about half an hour from Kuusamo in eastern Finland, is a ski resort on the edge of the Oulanka National Park, a good aurora base paired with skiing and winter walking.

Further north

Kilpisjärvi, in Finland's remote northwestern arm where Finland, Sweden and Norway meet, offers dramatic fell scenery and some of the clearest aurora skies in the country. It is the hardest to reach, most often approached from Tromsø in Norway, but rewards the effort with genuine wilderness.

Our role as destination specialists isn't just to point you to the right place, but to build a trip that gives you the best chance of seeing the lights. You can see the full range on our Finland destinations page.

The Northern Lights can't be guaranteed anywhere, but our trips are designed by people who live in the region and can include evening aurora outings and accommodation, such as glass-roofed Aurora cabins, that improve your chances.

How do you choose the right base?

It comes down to what you want alongside the aurora. For families, Ranua's wildlife park and the Santa experiences around the region are hard to beat. For skiers, Levi, Saariselkä and Ruka combine slopes with dark skies. For a quieter, more remote feel, Äkäslompolo, Muonio and Inari sit deeper in the wilderness, and Inari adds the cultural depth of the Sámi heartland. For glass-roofed cabins and a dedicated aurora base, Ivalo and Aurora Village are one of the best choices. Wherever you stay, the essentials are the same: several nights under dark skies, away from light, with the flexibility to head out when conditions are right.

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Finland?

The season runs between the autumn and spring equinoxes, roughly late September to late March, when the nights are dark enough for the lights to show. Because Finnish Lapland lies inland, it tends to get snow earlier than the coast, usually the first cover in October or early November, and from November the winter tours are built around snow activities. December and early January are the darkest weeks, with only a few hours of daylight; as winter goes on, the days lengthen while the evenings stay dark enough for good viewing. For a fuller month-by-month guide, read our article on the best time for Northern Lights in Finland.

Frequently asked questions

How many nights should I stay to see the Northern Lights?

We'd suggest at least three or four nights above the Arctic Circle, and ideally five to seven. Any single night can be clouded out, so more nights simply means more chances.

Do I need to leave my accommodation to see them?

Not always. Many of the region's glass igloos and Aurora cabins let you watch the sky from bed, and lodges are often set well away from town lights. That said, joining a guided evening outing improves your odds, since guides know where to head for the clearest skies. Aurora hunting is a late activity, with the lights usually most active between about 9pm and 2am.

Which part of Finland is best for the Northern Lights?

Anywhere above the Arctic Circle sits under the auroral zone and offers good chances. The far north around Ivalo, Inari and Saariselkä has the darkest skies and longest season, while Ranua, Levi and Ruka pair the aurora with wildlife or skiing. The "best" base is really the one that suits the rest of your trip.

Can you see the Northern Lights in Helsinki?

Very rarely. Helsinki's light pollution and southerly location make sightings unusual, perhaps once or twice a year and usually faint. To see them reliably, travel north to Lapland.

Finland Northern Lights tours

Explore our full range of Northern Lights tours in Finland and across the Nordic region, or for more inspiration, browse our Finland travel articles.