Seeing Northern Lights in Finland

Named by the Italian polymath Galileo – after the Roman goddess of the dawn, Aurora, and the Greek god of the north wind, Boreas – the Aurora Borealis have fascinated observers since time began and the indigenous Laplanders, the Sámi, are no exception.

Traditional Sámi tales have long included the colourful natural phenomena with generations passing on the myths and legends associated with the lights in the sky; the most common of which is that the lights are the souls of the dead. Anyone witnessing the Northern Lights in Finland is therefore required to watch with reverence and behave in a manner befitting a solemn occasion. Making too much noise is most definitely discouraged and it’s also said that whistling attracts the souls of the departed closer to the earth which may also result in whistlers being whisked off to join them.

Scientists remain somewhat inconclusive as to what the Northern Lights are. Charged particles from a fluctuating solar wind monkeying with atoms in the magnetosphere, is pretty much the gist of it; although Professor Brian Cox may have more to say on the matter.

Whatever your beliefs, witnessing the Northern Lights firsthand has become one of the top reasons to visit Finland. If you’re looking for more suggestions on the locations, accommodation, activities and the best time of year for success then here is where your quest begins.

The best place to watch the Northern Lights in Finland is as close as possible to the Arctic Circle in Lapland. National parks, such as Pallas-Yllästunturi, Lemmenjoki and Urho-Kekkonen, are ideal, with organised tours taking you deep into remote, forested regions where a lack of light pollution and localised vantage points provide the best chance of sightings. Lapland’s lakes are also wonderful locations to watch the Northern Lights with Lake Torasjarvi, in the west, and Lake Inari, in the far north (especially the village of Nellim), providing incredible lakeside viewing platforms. Finally, Luosto, in Pyhä-Luosto National Park, is one of central Lapland’s top spots for sightings; this relatively untouched and remote region is just a 90-minute drive from Rovaniemi airport.

Although December and January are the darkest months in northern Finland and great for seeing the Northern Lights, it is tricky to make the most of the days as the sun barely rises above the horizon. You really want a tour to include plenty of things to do during the day before setting your Aurora alarm. December is also a very popular time for families heading to Lapland to see Father Christmas, which pushes up prices and accommodation can get booked out. Read more about the best time to see the Northern Lights in our guide.

October and November can be cloudy, so keep this in mind if you’re thinking of an autumnal Aurora experience. The best time to see the Northern Lights in Finland is February and March, as well as the end of September, when more light allows for lots of things to do during the day and clearer skies conjure up a higher chance of a successful sightings by night. The highest chance of a sighting occurs between 10pm and midnight, although lights can appear anytime between 6pm and 4am.