Seeing the northern lights (in Finnish, revontulet, "fox fires") is the reason many people travel to Lapland. The good news is that Finnish Lapland is one of the best places in the world to see them. In the far north the aurora can appear on around 200 nights a year. The less good news is that nobody can guarantee them. This guide explains how to give yourself the best possible chance.
When is northern lights season?
The aurora happens all year, but you can only see it when the sky is dark. In Lapland that means roughly late August to early April. In summer the midnight sun makes the sky too bright.
September–October: dark nights return, lakes are not yet frozen, and reflections of the aurora on the water are spectacular. The weather is milder.
December–January: the longest nights, plus snow and the Christmas atmosphere. It is often cloudier, though, and very cold.
February–March: many travellers' favourite. The skies are often clearer, there is deep snow, and the days are long enough for daytime activities.
The best hours are usually between about 9 pm and 2 am, but strong displays can happen any time it's dark.
The three things you need
Darkness. Get away from street lights. Even a 10-minute drive out of town makes a big difference.
A clear sky. Cloud cover is the biggest enemy. Check the local cloud forecast, not only the aurora forecast.
Solar activity. Aurora forecasts use the Kp index. In Lapland even a low Kp of 2–3 is often enough, because you are already under the auroral oval.
Forecasts and apps
The Finnish Meteorological Institute publishes an aurora and space-weather service with real-time magnetometer readings for Finnish Lapland. It is the best sign that something is happening right now. Many visitors also use aurora alert apps that send a notification when activity rises. Combine these with a cloud-cover map, and be ready to go outside at short notice.
Where to see the northern lights in Finnish Lapland
Rovaniemi: the easiest place to reach, with many guided tours. Get out of the city lights, for example to a lakeshore or a hill nearby.
Levi and Ylläs: ski resorts with dark fells and plenty of accommodation, close to Kittilä Airport.
Saariselkä and Inari: further north, with a higher chance of the aurora and very dark skies. Ivalo Airport is the gateway.
Utsjoki and Kilpisjärvi: the far north of Finland, remote and among the best spots in the country, but they need more travel time.
Glass igloos and aurora cabins
Glass-roofed igloos and cabins with large windows let you watch the sky from a warm bed. Many have aurora alarms that wake you when the lights appear. You find them around Rovaniemi, Levi and Saariselkä. They are popular and expensive, especially from December to March, so book well in advance. A tip: most people still go outside when a strong display starts. The sky is bigger outside, and photos through glass suffer from reflections.
Guided tour or on your own?
A guided aurora tour drives you to dark locations away from cloud, often with hot drinks and a campfire. Many also take photos for you. It suits first-time visitors and anyone without a car. Going on your own is cheaper and more flexible, but in winter you need a safe place to stop. Never park on the side of a dark road, and watch for reindeer.
How to photograph the northern lights
Use a tripod. Exposures are several seconds long.
Camera settings to start with: manual focus at infinity, the widest aperture (f/1.8–f/4), ISO 1600–3200, and 5–15 seconds. Use shorter exposures when the aurora moves fast.
Phones: use night mode and rest the phone on something steady.
The cold drains batteries fast. Keep spares in an inside pocket.
Turn off your headlamp or switch it to red light so you don't ruin other people's photos.
Stay warm while you wait
Aurora hunting means standing still outside at night, often at -20 °C or below. Dress in layers, wear proper winter boots, and bring mittens and a hat that covers your ears. Our Lapland packing guide explains exactly what to wear.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the northern lights in Turku?
Occasionally, yes. During strong geomagnetic storms the aurora is visible even in southern Finland, but it is rare and faint compared with Lapland.
How many nights should I plan?
At least three or four nights. That gives you several chances at clear weather.
Are the northern lights green to the eye?
Weak displays often look greyish-white to the eye and green on camera. Strong displays are clearly green, sometimes with pink or purple edges, and can move fast across the whole sky.
Travelling to Lapland from Turku
Aura Rides is launching transfers in Lapland soon. Until then, we can take you from your door in Turku to Turku Airport or Helsinki-Vantaa Airport for your flight north. Book here.
