Ultimate Guide to Northern Lights in Finland – When, Where & How to See Aurora Borealis

In case you are reading this, you are not after cliches but what works. You want to know when to go, where the odds are highest, and how to witness the Northern Lights in Finland without wasting precious travel time.

This Northern Lights guide is built on real traveller insights, backed by weather analytics, solar activity patterns, and on-ground experience from Arctic explorers. While the auroras are never fully predictable, understanding the science and timing of the sky’s rhythm can turn chance into near certainty. To plan without any hassle, visit tailor-made Finland tour packages or browse the customised experiences they offer. Plan your Finland Northern Lights adventure the smart way, with data-driven insights on the best months, Lapland’s top viewing zones, essential winter gear, and pro packing hacks.

The Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Finland

Forget the brochure fluff. Finland does not showcase the Northern lights year-round; rather, it offers long nights, clear weather, and the right latitude. The official season of the Northern lights in Finland is the period between the end of September and the beginning of April, but each window narrates its own story:

Month Range	Night Length & Temperature	Aurora Activity	Cloud / Visibility Risk	Recommended Regions
Sep – Oct (Ruska / Autumn)	Rapidly cooling nights, crisp air	Strong early flares near equinox	Variable clouds	Saariselkä, Kilpisjärvi, Inari
Nov – Jan (Polar Night)	Endless darkness, biting cold	Continuous aurora chances	Occasional coastal gloom	Levi, Kakslauttanen, Inari
Feb – Mar (Late Winter Peak)	Still long nights, clearer skies	Statistically highest activity	Low cloud cover	Levi, Saariselkä, Kilpisjärvi
Apr (Aurora Edge)	Shorter nights, mild temps	Diminishing but possible displays	Narrow viewing window	Lapland’s far north

Pro Tip: The best views are between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. Spend 3-7 nights in Finnish Lapland to increase your chances of success. The more the sky you give, the more chances of it giving back.

Where to See the Northern Lights in Finland

The Northern Lights respond to latitude, darkness, and cloud cover, not aesthetics or Instagram backdrops. Finland’s Lapland region excels in all three, making it one of the most reliable destinations for aurora sightings. Here’s a comparison of the best viewing locations across Lapland:

Location	Why It Works	Nearest Airport	Light Pollution	Best Places to Stay	Aurora Odds
Kilpisjärvi	Near Norway’s edge, total wilderness	Long drive or transfer	Almost none	Remote lodges, cabins	Phenomenal with 3+ nights
Inari	Deep inland, clear skies, Sámi culture	Ivalo Airport	Dark-sky territory	Boutique lodges	Very high
Saariselkä	Tour-friendly but still quiet	Ivalo Airport	Low	Glass igloos, lodges	High
Levi	A mix of resort life and wild nature	Kittilä Airport	Mild resort glow	Hotels, cabins	Good
Kakslauttanen	Famous glass igloos	Ivalo Airport	Designed for aurora views	Igloo resorts	Excellent
Rovaniemi (outskirts)	Gateway city, ideal for short trips	Rovaniemi Airport	Moderate	City hotels, rural escapes	Fair

Lapland tip: The farther north, the better and darker. Aurora prediction is always reviewed before going out in Finland.

Planning Your Trip to Finland: Northern Lights

Getting There

• Ivalo Airport – To Inari and Saariselka.
• Kittila Airport – For Levi
• Rovaniemi Airport – To the south of Lapland, and escape expeditions.

Depending on remoteness, transfers take between 15 minutes and 2 hours. There is never enough time to give a snow-stalled road a buffer.

Ideal Northern Lights Itineraries

Base: Rovaniemi 2-Day Aurora Chase.

Travel to Santa Claus Village, explore it and set off in the pursuit of the Aurora Borealis in Finland with a local guide during the night. The following day, the snowmobiles or huskies by day-one final pursuit by night.

The Adventure (Levi or Saariselka): 4 days.

•  Day 1: Land and settle in.
•  Day 2-3: Aurora tours, night under the glass igloo.
•  Day 4: Leave with full memory cards.

Deep North Loop (Inari + Kilpisjärvi) 7 Days.

Immersion into the culture, photography evenings, long trips under polar skies – the final Finland Northern Lights Itinerary.

Northern Lights Budget Breakdown: What to Expect

Type	Average Price (INR)	Highlights
Budget stays	₹8,000–₹12,000/night	Guesthouses, local aurora guides
Mid-range cabins	₹15,000–₹25,000/night	Comfort, privacy, scenic bases
Luxury igloos	₹35,000–₹80,000/night	Glass roofs, saunas, and premium dining

The Aurora: How to Track and Take Pictures.

Reading the Sky

• Follow the KP Index – the higher the better.
• Webcams and FMI cloud maps.
• Make grim skies more important than large KP numbers – you cannot see through clouds!

The Nightly Routine

• Stay flexible. Clear skies? Skip dinner plans.
• Micro-weather is known to local guides; trust them.
• Do not take a nap in it – install Aurora alarms or hotel wake-up calls.

Photography Basics

• Camera: DSLR/mirrorless, manual mode.
• Lens: Wide, f/2.8 or faster.
• ISO: 800-1600 (up to 3200 if faint).
• Shutter: 5-20 seconds.
• Tripod: Firm, low.
• Additional batteries: Have in inner pockets; the chill kills them off.

Bright auroras can be captured using the tripod + night mode on smartphones, but serious shots require the use of real glass.

What to Pack for the Northern Lights in Finland

The beauty of Lapland is a frozen murder – packing is the thing to survive half-frozen and not to look like a dandy.

Clothing Checklist

• Base layer (merino or synthetic) thermostat.
• Fleece or down mid-layer
• Wind/waterproof outer shell
• Mittens, balaclava, insulated boots.
• Night photography headlamp of red colour.

Essentials

• Power banks & spare batteries
• Reusable hand-warmers
• Offline maps + emergency contacts.
• Snacks (you will stay out all night)

Safety: Not used to icy roads, avoid driving alone at night. Guided transfers using books.

The Aurora Experience in Finland: Beyond the Lights

Beyond the glow, Northern Lights Finland tours invite you into Sámi culture, reindeer farms, snowmobile safaris, and husky rides. Add daytime adventures like skiing, ice fishing, and saunas, to make the dark hours sweeter.

Dark skies are a choice: pick lodges that value zero light pollution. You’ll literally see the difference.

Conclusion: Why Finland Is the Ultimate Northern Lights Destination

The Northern Lights in Finland are not a postcard; they are a hard-won miracle. The more time you stay, the more they will dance for you. Pack-wise, plan loosely and leave the night to speak. For those who’d rather skip the logistics and focus on the glow, Pickyourtrail offers curated Finland Northern Lights packages and custom itineraries via Finland tourism experiences, complete with stays, transfers, and aurora safaris.

FAQs: Northern Lights in Finland 

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

Northern Lights are seen best in Finland during late September and early April, when the skies are clearest around February -March.

How many nights should I stay to increase my chances of seeing Northern lights in Lapland?

Book at least 3-7 Finnish Lapland night bookings, the more, the better.

What are the best places to see the Aurora Borealis in Finland?

Best ones are Inari, Kilpisjarvi, Saariselka, Levi and Kakslauttanen.

Do I need to book Finland glass igloos in advance?

The glass igloo Northern Lights Finland is indeed selling out months in advance, particularly between the months of December to March.

Which apps or tools help track aurora activity in Finland?

Go to NOAA KP-Index, Finland FMI and Aurora Now to get live forecasts and webcams.

What should I pack for a Northern Lights trip?

Survival is characterised by comfort and preparedness, which is why the addition of thermal coats, waterproof clothing, a tripod, additional batteries, and a red headlamp is included.

 Is a guided tour necessary to see the Northern lights in Finland?

Guided tours to the Finnish Northern Lights are not compulsory but tend to increase the chances of success and safety, and are especially useful with first-time flyers.

Where can I find the best Finland tour packages?

Check Pickyourtrail Finland tours of tailor-made touring through Lapland, igloos and aurora tours.