Finnish Lapland is one of the most stunning places in the world to experience the beauty of natural phenomena, and the northern lights, in particular, have captivated travelers for centuries.
Thanks to its northern location and clear, dark winter nights, Lapland offers a unique setting for viewing the auroras. This magical dance of lights in the sky combines with Lapland’s pristine landscapes, silence, and untouched nature, creating unforgettable, heart-pounding experiences.
In this article, we will explore why Finnish Lapland is the best destination for aurora hunting and what to consider when planning a northern lights trip to Lapland.
Where is the best place to see the northern lights?
By global standards, the best places to see the northern lights are found in the Nordic countries, particularly in Finland, Sweden, and Norway.
In the article Where are the northern lights? it is explained in more detail:
“In Finland, the best places to see the northern lights are definitely in Lapland, particularly in Rovaniemi, Inari, and Kilpisjärvi. These destinations are among the top choices for northern lights tourism worldwide.
Sweden’s most popular northern lights destinations are Abisko National Park and Kiruna. In Norway, Tromsø, Nordkapp, and the Lofoten Islands are the best places to see the northern lights.”
In addition to the above-mentioned destinations, Levi and Saariselkä in Finnish Lapland are also excellent places for aurora hunting.
Which is better for northern lights, Norway or Finland?
The competition for the best northern lights destination usually takes place between Finland and Norway. We are often asked which country is better for viewing the northern lights, Norway or Finland.
We cannot help but highlight Finland, whose northern location and vast wilderness areas near the Arctic Circle provide excellent opportunities for aurora viewing, especially during the winter months when the nights are long and the sky is often clear.
Lapland also stands out because of its low light pollution, which makes skywatching clearer and the experience more intense.
Although the Tromsø area in Norway offers stunning fjord landscapes and good opportunities for aurora viewing, the coastal weather conditions are often unpredictable, and cloud cover can reduce visibility.
Where can I see aurora borealis in Finland?
As we mentioned earlier in this article, Finland’s best destinations for northern lights hunting have already been highlighted, but we will now take a closer look at the most popular ones.
Rovaniemi, the “capital” of Lapland, offers excellent opportunities not only for aurora hunting but also for other winter activities. In addition to experiencing the magic of the northern lights, Rovaniemi offers unique accommodation options and, of course, the real Santa Claus. You can read more about this in the article Where does Santa Claus live?
Inari is a unique destination that offers vast wilderness areas, providing the perfect setting for viewing the northern lights. In Inari, you can also explore the local Sámi culture.
Kilpisjärvi is particularly famous for its stunning natural landscapes and clear skies, making it one of the best places in Finland to see the northern lights. Kilpisjärvi is located right on the border of Finland and Norway, offering the opportunity to admire beautiful mountainous scenery in the north.
Aurora Hunting in Finnish Lapland
It’s important to remember that at Booklapland, we offer Aurora Hunting services from Rovaniemi. We work closely with meteorologists who provide up-to-date information for aurora hunting.
“On our No Limit tours, our team has over a 95% success rate in spotting the northern lights.”
We offer a 100% money-back guarantee for our service if the northern lights are not found.
If you are planning a northern lights trip and would like to hear more about our product, please contact us and we would be happy to provide more information.
What is best time to see the northern lights?
The best time to see the northern lights is during the winter season, from September to April, when the nights are long and the sky is dark enough.
But what time of day is the most likely to see the northern lights? This is well explained in the article What are the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)?:
“The best time to admire the Northern Lights is late at night, typically between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM. This is when the auroras are usually at their brightest and most intense.”
During the nighttime, geomagnetic activity is also often at its peak, further increasing the likelihood of spotting the northern lights.
What is the best month to see the northern lights in Finland?
In Finland, the northern lights occur relatively evenly throughout the winter. It is generally believed that auroras are most visible around the times of the autumn and spring equinoxes, in September and March. However, the intensity of the northern lights is influenced by several factors, which we will explore in more detail in the following paragraph.
Where is best place to see the northern lights tonight?
The best place to see the northern lights tonight depends on several factors, such as weather conditions, cloud cover, and geomagnetic activity. In Finland, the best chances are in Lapland, particularly in areas with little light pollution.
The most significant factor affecting the visibility of the northern lights is geomagnetic activity, which is well described in an article by Space:
“The aurora forms when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s upper atmosphere at incredible speeds — up to 45 million mph (72 million kph). Thankfully, our planet’s magnetic field acts as a protective shield, preventing these solar particles from causing harm while creating the stunning spectacle we know as the northern lights.”
In addition to geomagnetic activity, weather conditions and light pollution also play a crucial role in the formation and visibility of the auroras.
How to plan a northern lights trip?
A northern lights trip is an unforgettable experience, but it requires careful preparation. Before the trip, you can either research the best destinations and times for aurora viewing yourself, or book a spot with us for our Aurora Hunting. Together with our team, we will find the most optimal northern lights locations, where we will arrange guides and transportation. Our guides also act as photographers during the tours. In practice, the only preparation you need is to take care of yourself and make sure you have warm clothing.
When planning a northern lights trip, it’s also a good idea to explore Lapland’s unique accommodation options and other local offerings. In addition to the northern lights, Lapland offers other memorable experiences, such as snowmobile safaris, Winter Daytime ice floating, Korouoma Canyon Frozen Waterfalls, Husky tour and Reindeer safari in Santa Claus Village.
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Where are the northern lights?