Where to See the Northern Lights in Finland
The Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Finland
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Finland was a resort playground for the mighty Tsars of Russia and their families. They explored Finland’s fjords in grand style and enjoyed lavish picnics in pavilions that were surrounded by fir trees. At night they marveled at the Aurora Borealis from their palace windows.
Although you might not be royalty, Finland is a popular destination that is somewhat off the beaten track, and well worth visiting. As one of the most consistently happiest countries in the world according to the charts in the World Happiness Report, Finland is known for its exotic and unspoiled landscape, clean air, Scandinavian and Russian-influenced art nouveau cities, and quaint colorful villages. Finland boasts thousands of lakes that are surrounded by pine-scented forest-covered hills and valleys with snow-capped mountains overlooking it all.
Finland has four distinct seasons. Summer is the time of White Nights and the Midnight Sun that bathes the landscape in shades of peach, pink, yellow, and purple for hours on end. Spring is the shortest season when the snow begins to melt and the days grow longer. In the autumn, the days begin to grow shorter and the landscape is painted in gorgeous tones of red, yellow, orange, purple, green, and brown. In the winter, the landscape is covered in snow, with long dark, nights perfect for viewing the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights are also called fox fires, which is the direct translation of the Finnish word Revontulet. The Sami people of Finnish Lapland traditionally believed that the Northern Lights were made by a fox that ran so quickly through the snow that he cast colorful sparks up into the night sky in its wake.
Watching the Northern Lights dance across the dark night sky in Finland is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Northern Finland, especially Lapland, is one of the best places in the world to see the phantasmagorical Northern Lights. The further north you go, the better chance you have of seeing the Northern Lights. Finnish Lapland’s northern location puts it within the “northern lights belt,” a band that circles the earth at the latitudes of 65-72 degrees North. In these areas, the aurora borealis can be seen with the greatest intensity and frequency.
In Finnish Lapland, you will see the northern lights paint the sky with magical shades of green, turquoise, bright pink, and light blue. The Northern Lights begin to dance during the last days of August and continue through early March. The best time to see the Northern Lights in Northern Finland is from December to March when the winter skies are at their darkest for the longest period. The most important thing to remember is that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and don’t appear on cue. Most nights, unless there is a snowstorm or the clouds move in, the lights appear between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. A traveler’s tip to keep alert and energized is to sip on Scandi coffee and enjoy a scrumptiously sweet cinnamon bun!
Photographing the Northern Lights
Although Finnish nights are spectacular, the daylight hours don’t disappoint. Being pulled through an Arctic Forest by a team of huskies is an unforgettable experience. Imagine how exhilarating it is to feel the cold air against your face as you experience this mode of transportation that has been used here for centuries. Another popular excursion is to pay Santa Claus a visit at Santa Claus Village! Here you will meet the man in red himself, explore his workshop, and even get to pet the velvety nose of one of his reindeer! If you are culturally minded, wandering down the streets of the villages of Finnish Lapland will give you the chance to delve into Sami culture. The Sami are the only Indigenous people of Europe that are best known for their semi-nomadic lifestyle, reindeer and sheep herding, fishing, fur trapping, and their unique, brightly colored craftwork.
One of the most unique experiences in visiting Northern Finland is the accommodations. In the town of Rovaniemi, 37 cozy tree houses showcase Scandinavian design and Lapland heritage. This town also boats glass huts by Santa’s Hotels that have a glass roof and floor-to-ceiling glass windows that afford spectacular views. In the village of Kemi, there is the “Snow Castle which has glass villages that are perfect to snuggle up in and enjoy nature’s light show. Not to be outdone, the village of Nellim by Lake Inari has rooms known as the Aurora Bubbles that give visitors a panoramic view of the dancing lights in a setting of great natural beauty. If you are adventurous, you may want to stay in a tent-like hut with Lappish-themed decor and transparent walls where you can enjoy the lights and winter scenery. The common denominator of all these accommodations, and many others, throughout the Arctic Zone, is that you can view the world’s most spectacular light show right from your room!
Finland is one of the most magical places on earth. From its frozen Arctic landscapes, lush forests, fascinating culture, and the Northern Lights, it is a place that beckons exploration.