Many people have it on their bucket lists to observe the “northern lights Finland” during winter. The aurora borealis, natural stunning light that floats all across the sky during wintertime in the Northern Hemisphere.
Envision yourself looking up and actually witnessing the shimmering, colorful light curtains that arc over the clear skies at night.
1. What are the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis?
In the past, the firefox, a species that raced swiftly across the snow and sent sparks into the night sky, was credited by the Finns as being the origin of the northern lights.
In fact, “revontulet,” which means “fox fires,” is the Finnish term for the northern lights. Another myth about the northern lights in Finland said that whales’ spouts were what caused the aurora in Finnish Lapland.
In actuality, the sun is what makes the northern lights occur. The stunning colors that appear in the aurora borealis are due to the striking of solar particles to the atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Speaking of translations, Galileo came up with the traditional term for the northern lights, which literally translates to “north wind.”
These brilliant colors in the night sky captivate many people, who can’t get enough of them. Finnish Laplandnorthern lights are the ideal location for both experienced travelers and newcomers.
While the Northern Lights appear to be near to Earth, they really begin to develop about 100 kilometers above the surface when solar winds formed of sun particles stir up the atmosphere.
The sun eventually sets low enough in the sky above Finland, sometime in late August, to allow for the return of stars. One of the north’s most magnificent sights, the Northern Lights, also returns with the return of the stars.
These slinky dancing specters, commonly known as aurora borealis, resemble quietly swinging green or violet sheets. Observing the Northern Lights, which are produced by storms delivered by the sun, is a life-changing event and a gift from the universe.
You may compare it before and after witnessing the aurora borealis.
Let us have a deeper understanding of the northern lights Finland before you plan your aurora trip.
2. Best Time for Aurora Hunting in the Arctic Circle
Although it would be wonderful if one could see the northern lights Finland all year round, part of what keeps the encounter unique is that you can only do it during specific times of the season.
December to March are the finest months to see the northern lights in Finland. There are also many of enjoyable snow sports available for you to experience throughout these months.
You will therefore experience a wonderful trip in Lapland even when the climate isn’t favoring you.
Traveling to this place during various seasons has many advantages and disadvantages.
2.1. Fall (August to October)
As Finland’s winter weather approaches in the fall, this is your best opportunity of the year to see the northern lights.
On a dark night in northern Finland, you can view aurora beginning in late August (though this happens more frequently around the fall equinox in September).
By day, you may take in the autumnal scenery and see Finland’s numerous frozen lakes gradually starting to ice over.
Ahead of the autumn equinox, the northern lights activity is strong, but there are fewer hours of twilight. As a result, you have fewer opportunities to enjoy the view of aurora.
2.2. Winter (November to March)
The winters are lengthy, so there are plenty of opportunities to travel there and view the northern lights of Finland. Visit during the “shoulder season” of March as the seasons start to change, or spend the December holidays in a winter wonderland.
These winter months are excellent times to witness the northern lights of Finland since the sky is dark and the northern lights are frequently visible. You may also spend the December holidays in a winter paradise.
In the months of December through January, Finland is bustling with activity! Visiting the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi during Christmas is a must.
Alternatively, bring in the New Year with a trip to the SnowCastle Hotel in Kemi.
Glimmering snow covers the environment during this season, providing an additional layer of beauty.
Naturally, skies bring snowfall, which results in fewer evenings with clear skies to view the aurora.
Notwithstanding this, if you allow additional time to accommodate unexpected snowfall, you’ll still have a good chance of viewing the northern lights.
2.3. Spring (April to May)
Although it may begin as early as April, regions of Lapland may still have snow on the ground into May. Finland’s spring is brief and spectacular.
Flowers will start to poke through the snow as spring approaches, and tree branches will start to sprout new green growth.
Days will grow longer, making it more difficult to view the aurora, but if the sky is clear and you’re prepared to stay up late, you could still be lucky.
2.4. Summer (June to July)
The opposite season to visit if you want to go aurora hunting is summer, much as in other places where you can view the northern lights. Finding dark nights to see the aurora is not very possible because of the long days and midnight sun.
Plan your trip for the other half of the year if you want to see the northern lights of Finland, even if summer is a fantastic time to visit if you want to experience Finnish lake culture and tour the country beneath a stunning cover of green greenery in the Finnish Lapland.
3. Best Time of the Day to See the Northern Lights in Finland
The hours between 10 PM and 2 AM are often the greatest for viewing the northern lights. Because of this, the majority of northern lights trips start at night.
How can one stay energized well into the night? Enjoy a delayed coffee and a delectable buttered bun to revel in the Scandi heritage of coffee.
The aurora is a naturally occurring phenomenon that’s why lights won’t show right away. But if you’re persistent, it may be worthwhile!
Spend an hour or two outside before returning to your cozy accommodation. Some hotels even provide an aurora alarm service, ensuring that you won’t miss the show even if you do go to bed.
4. How to See the Northern Lights in Finland?
Look for these essential components to increase your likelihood of seeing the northern lights. Create notifications for aurora forecasts on webpages so that they will monitor the freezing temperatures for you.
On this webpage, the Finnish Meteorological Institute provides countrywide satellite weather forecasts.
4.1. Low Light Pollution
When you are far from populated areas with plenty of light pollution, the aurora is the brightest and is easiest to view. Get lost in the natural surroundings of northern Finland, far from any light pollution.
4.2. Dark Nights
Use the lengthy Finnish winter evenings to your advantage to increase your chances of seeing the aurora in the Finnish Lapland.
You may see the northern lights vividly between December and the beginning of April, thanks to the dark skies.
4.3. Slies Are Clear
Clear skies are the deciding factor in whether you will see the northern lights in Finland.
5. How Frequently do the Northern Lights Appear in Finland?
While the weather may be beyond your control, choosing the ideal place is not. Make the most of your chances by traveling to Finland. Around 200 evenings a year the northern lights of Finland are visible here.
Keep in mind that as you travel towards the Southern Hemisphere, the frequency of aurora sightings rapidly decreases.
Even while it takes some work to see the aurora, this will just make your trip that much more memorable.
6. Best Places to Spot the Northern Lights in Finland
Finnish Lapland, which lies above the Arctic Circle, is the finest region to see the Northern Lights Finland.
Since it simply relies on the weather and cloudiness, there is no one location with the highest odds to witness it. There’s no need to go across Lapland in search of diverse places.
The only one thing that matters a lot about the location is there are no artificial lights.
The greatest spot for aurora hunting is if you can find a location with a dark, vast panorama.
Finnish Lapland is a fantastic spot to see the northern lights since it is sparsely inhabited, the towns and villages are small, and it is simple to locate dark areas that are only a few steps from your lodging.
There are many excellent glass igloo hotels to view the northern lights in Finland, as you might anticipate from a nation so far in the north.
In reality, any place in Finland can have the northern lights visible under the correct circumstances!
If you’re considering aurora spotting in Finland, particularly in the northern provinces, here are some of the best locations.
6.1. Rovaniemi
One of Finland’s top locations to see the Northern Lights is the town of Rovaniemi. Up to 150 instances per year, this natural marvel may be discovered in this area.
For the finest sight, you might need to venture a bit outside of the center, but it is occasionally visible even there.
Rovaniemi, known as Santa Claus‘ “original homeland,” is the perfect destination for a fantasy family vacation.
Couples will like Rovaniemi since it offers a variety of traditional and upscale eating options as well as distinctive lodging options at Santa park.
The whole family will love exploring Santa’s event at the ice restaurant and petting a reindeer’s plush nose at Santa Claus Village. Why not go dog sledding over the snow-covered country for the midday adventure?
People who enjoy cross-country skiing or recreational sports throughout the year are drawn in large numbers to the region.
Later, take snowmobile safaris to look at the northern lights leaving the busy town and its light pollution. If snowmobile doesn’t sound adventurous enough for you, there are a tonne of alternative guided aurora trips available.
There are lodging alternatives in Rovaniemi for every price range. Relax in comfortable log cabins with a timber fire in the Finland countryside to make the best of this wintertime beauty.
Arctic treehouse hotel offers ice-fishing along with aurora-chasing trips in the cold weather of Finland.
Following a day of fascinating skiing and snowboarding, you’ll enjoy sleeping outside beneath the skies in a glass igloo hotel having glass walls.
Imagine yourself awaiting the spectacular Aurora displays to appear while laying under the glass roof dome at the Arctic fox igloos and gazing up at the northern lights Finland.
6.2. Kemi
Kemi is farther south, yet it remains within the aurora zone. It is the optimal option if you are looking to encounter the arctic night in a peaceful and quiet space.
You may go ice fishing from Kemi or enjoy a tour of the Icebreaker boat. Consider going on a snowmobile-escorted aurora search to take things to the next level.
Artificial light is minimal because of Kemi’s secluded place on the icy beaches of Bothnian Bay. This implies that from your lodging, you have a decent possibility of witnessing the northern lights Finland.
When night falls, keep the enchantment alive from a glass-fronted beach cottage and take advantage of a highly sought-after view opportunity.
Enjoy a nice drink of wine while continuing to see the scene via the ground to roof windows at night.
If not, a memorable overnight experience at the SnowCastle is in store. True to its name, this magnificent hotel is made entirely of ice and snow.
Each year, it is given a new life by participating artists! Sleep snugly in an insulating sleeping bag in an ice-carved chamber.
6.3. Kakslauttanen
Northern Finland’s Saariselkä falls region is where Kakslauttanen is situated. This town is located next to Urho Kekkonen National Park. It is surrounded by a stunning Lapland landscape.
Kakslauttanen resort has a variety of Kelo glass igloos which makes the encounter of the northern lights of Finland’s northern skies magical.
It offers a variety of unusual lodging options, such as crystal igloos, snow igloos, and log cabins.
It is quite handy to visit because the Ivalo airport is only a 35-minute drive away. Although there is a small hamlet with local curio stores & a grocery to explore, Kakslauttanen is best for people seeking peace & quiet.
It is a popular glass igloo hotel with sky-view cabins to witness the northern lights of Finland.
There are ice-fishing tours, husky safaris, snowmobile safaris, reindeer safaris, and guided ski hikes available in the winter. You can rent cross-country skis in town, and the 180km of ski trails in Saariselkä are right outside your front door.
In the summer, you may go for biking and hiking and you may also enjoy many lakes around.
The best time to visit the region is between August and April each year, when you may see the Northern Lights Finland on your aurora hunting trips.
One of the top cross-country skiing locations in the world is consistently Saariselkä. Nearly 200 kilometers of the varied network of ski trails are lit for about 30 kilometers. You may leave the yard of your chalet and start traveling at Kakslauttanen.
People of all ages may take advantage of our ski training, and the ski bus service allows you to access the whole network of tracks.
The ski season lasts all the way through May; tracks are often made accessible in October.
One of Finland’s most well-liked tourist destinations is an icebreaker voyage, and Kakslauttanen may easily access this sea adventure. It is among the most popular northern lights hotels.
You’ll also get the chance to swim in the frigid Bay of Bothnia throughout the all-day excursion—in a dry suit, mind you. From the middle of December to the end of April, icebreaker trips are available.
6.4. Levi Ski Resort: Northern Lights Ranch
The Levi resort is situated in western Lapland, amidst vast natural regions and an unspoiled environment. It is among the popular northern lights hotels. The most well-known sports resort in Finland is Levi Ski Resort.
Each November, a race for the Alpine World Cup is held. The beginning of the snowy season often occurs in late October or early November, and the skiing season lasts until early May.
Levi has the greatest skiing facility with 43 slopes, 27 lifts, and more than 200 km of cross-country routes. Both novice skiers and more advanced skiers have the opportunity to enjoy skiing on a variety of slopes and routes.
On the 9 km long artificial “first snow” track, which is free to use, one may begin skiing at the start of the season. Levi is home to Levi South Park, the most difficult and diverse South Park in Finland for snowboarders and freestyle fans.
Alpine Training Park for clubs and racing organizations. All ability levels can take lessons and courses at the international ski school.
6.5. Star Arctic Hotel
You will never be able to forget the fantastic universe you will be discovering in this sleek, modern hotel. With several huge windows in case the Northern Lights are put on display, it is situated at the top of the fell and blends in perfectly with the surroundings.
In either case, you may anticipate the boundless sky, the otherworldly forest, and the northern lights in Finland.
It is unquestionable that families will also love it. A beautiful hotel with big windows and absolute comfort is where you can stay.
There is also the option of the glass cabins having glass ceilings along with a glass roof, where you could ponder where the sky and your dreams begin.
The hotel also includes your own private sauna and outdoor hot tub that can be reserved for private sessions, both of which have wide panoramic windows to look out at the surroundings.
There is hardly a place in the hotel where you don’t feel a part of the wonders of northern Lapland. The hotel also includes a sauna and hot tub that can be reserved for individual sessions, with wide scenic windows to check out the surroundings.
The distance from the main village is around 1.5 kilometers, and the fastest method to get there is via taxi or ski bus. The 1.8 km long toboggan slope and the ski center in Saariselkä are both just a minute’s walk away.
6.6. Aurora Village Ivalo
Glass Igloos, or Aurora Cabins, offer a fantastic experience all year round in the aurora village Ivalo.
From the comfort of your bed, you may take in the Northern Lights Finland and a starry sky in the autumn and winter or the Midnight Sun and a night without stars in the summer. The hotel provides an aurora alarm.
Wonderful woodland routes for all types of outdoor activity are accessible from this property. It’s worthwhile to give it a shot at these aurora cabins’ glass igloo hotels.
The sauna industry promises tranquil evenings in lovely settings. While the private Sauna and outdoor Jacuzzi provide a touch of luxury to your special moments, the wood-heated Barrel Sauna floating on a river gives a more traditional experience.
7. Utsjoki
In the very north of Finland, close to the Norwegian border, is the town of Utsjoki. Only approximately 1,200 people live in the municipality as a whole, thus it is completely underdeveloped and the sky is startlingly black.
During the winter, Utsjoki and the surrounding surroundings frequently experience the northern lights of Finland. For greater views on days when it’s not feasible, you may just travel to Norway.
Final Note
These brilliant patterns in the evening sky captivate many people, who can’t get enough of them. Finnish Lapland is the ideal location for both experienced travelers and newcomers.
One of the enchanting natural phenomena that occur is the northern lights of Finland, which tourists may observe comfortably from specially constructed viewing areas.
It is absolutely worthwhile to travel to this location with your loved ones for a holiday vacation since you will be able to spend time amidst the idyllic natural beauty.
Last Updated on by Steffy Michael
