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The Daily Insight

Can you see the northern lights in Rovaniemi?

Author

James Olson

Updated on March 01, 2026

In Rovaniemi, you don't have to walk far from the city center to find a good spot, and really strong Auroras can be seen even with interference from artificial light. You can also book a guided Northern Lights tour from one of our local tour operators. They know the best places to watch the aurora borealis.

Similarly one may ask, is Rovaniemi good for Northern Lights?

Rovaniemi is located at the Arctic Circle, so it is definitely a good place to see the Lights. You might have seen some photos of the famous landmarks in the city centre with the Northern Lights background. You also need a clear view to the northern sky, since the auroras won't always dance on top of your head.

Also Know, what is the best month to see the Northern Lights in Finland? The best time for Northern Lights is from October to March. Statistically, winterly spring and autumn are fantastic for seeing Auroras in Finland.

Consequently, when can you see Northern Lights in Rovaniemi?

The magical Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are visible eight months a year, from mid-August until mid-April, in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland.

Where in Lapland can you see northern lights?

Best Place To See Northern Lights In Finland Northern Lapland is the best place in Finland to see the Northern Lights. Most tourists will make their way up to Rovaniemi, or Kakslauttanen at most. Personally, I found Rovaniemi has way too much light pollution to see the Northern Lights.

Related Question Answers

What month is best for Northern Lights?

Since it does need to be dark in order to see the Northern Lights in the sky, late August/September through the very beginning of April is the best time to go to a destination located in the aurora zone for a chance to see them.

How many days do you need in Rovaniemi?

Spend 3-4 days in Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi is a great base to explore the area and take part in a wide variety of winter activities. The city has a range of restaurants, shops, and tour operators.

Is Lapland the same as Finland?

Myth 1: Lapland is only in Finland As an administrative name, 'Lapland' can also refer to distinct provincial areas in both Sweden (Lappland) and Finland (Lappi). In terms of tourism marketing though, 'Lapland' is usually referring to Finnish or Swedish Lapland.

Where is the best country to see the northern lights?

The best places in the world are usually closer to the Arctic Circle, including Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Finland. But don't limit yourself: You can also spot the southern lights in the southern hemisphere. Still, the northern lights are the star of the show.

Is there snow on the ground in Rovaniemi?

Arctic Circle Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland situated right on the Arctic Circle, which makes the town a gateway to the Arctic. Snow And Ice For many, Lapland is synonymous with snow. In Rovaniemi, there's white stuff on the ground for approximately six months of the year.

How do you get to Levi from Rovaniemi?

By Train to Kolari or Rovaniemi By train you can travel to Kolari or Rovaniemi and from there by bus to Levi. The distance between Kolari and Levi is 80 km and between Rovaniemi and Levi 170 km.

Where is the best place in Finland to see the northern lights?

Best Place To See Northern Lights In Finland Northern Lapland is the best place in Finland to see the Northern Lights. Most tourists will make their way up to Rovaniemi, or Kakslauttanen at most.

How do you get around Rovaniemi?

Walking or taxi are the most convenient ways of getting around as a visitor. You can call for 24-Hour Rovaniemi Taxi service (this is the one I use) at 020088000 or +358 20088000 (using Finland country code).

What is Rovaniemi famous for?

The capital of Lapland and the "residence" Santa Claus, Rovaniemi is a famous winter resort that every year attracts fans of skiing and sledging. Even though the city is located on the Arctic Circle, tourists are not bothered by the harsh climate.

What time does Santa Claus Village open?

Open every day Welcome No entrance fee
Date Opening Hours
26th AUG – 30th NOV Mon – Sun 10 A.M. – 5 P.M.
1st DEC – 6th JAN Mon – Sun 9 A.M. – 7 P.M.
7th JAN – 31st MAY Mon – Sun 10 A.M. – 5 P.M.
1st JUN – 25th AUG Mon – Sun 9.00 A.M. – 6 P.M.

When can you see aurora borealis in Lapland?

In fact, the best times for viewing the Aurora Borealis are in the autumn and spring. The Northern Lights season in Finnish Lapland spans from mid-August until early April. Contrary to popular belief, the best times for spotting the Auroras are at the beginning and end of the season.

Where can I see Northern Lights in 2020?

What are the best places to see the Northern Lights?
  1. Tromso, Norway. Based in the heart of the aurora zone in the Norwegian Arctic, the city is widely regarded as one of the world's best places to see the Northern Lights.
  2. Swedish Lapland.
  3. Reykjavik, Iceland.
  4. Yukon, Canada.
  5. Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland.
  6. Ilulissat, Greenland.

Has Rovaniemi got snow?

Rovaniemi weather facts: Precipitation totals 535 mm/year. Snow is on the ground for roughly half of the year, commonly from late November to mid-April or even early May. The coldest recorded local temperature is -45.3°C.

Can northern lights be seen in Helsinki?

You can see the auroras once in every 20 days in Helsinki. However, when the magnetic field of the earth is evenly distributed auroras or Northern lights can be visible for some hours from all over Europe.

Where in Finland is Lapland?

Lapland makes up about one third of Finland's total area, and it's a region, not a country. It covers northern Sweden, Finland, Norway and part of Russia's Kola Peninsula. To put its size into perspective, Lapland is as big as Belgium, Holland and Switzerland all put together.

Can you see the Aurora Borealis in Finland?

Northern Lights Season in Finland Although anywhere between September and April will give you a good chance of seeing the northern lights in Finnish Lapland, the nights are especially long between December and February.

Will it snow in Rovaniemi in December?

Yes, Levi usually has more snow in December. A bit further north and also a bit more above the sea level. It's cheaper and the road from Rovaniemi to Levi is well maintained.

Is 2020 a good year to see Northern Lights?

During the winter of 2019/2020, the Northern Lights viewing was typical for a solar minimum year. But from 2020 onwards, there will be a slow ramp-up in solar activity, and auroras should increase in frequency, peaking in 2024/2025. Read more about where to see the Northern lights here.

Do the Northern Lights happen every night?

In order to see the Northern Lights, you need a dark, clear night. They are visible from late August to early April anytime during dark hours, which in places like Abisko or Tromsø can be nearly 24 hours a day in winter. The Aurora forecast said level 0 (no activity) on the night we saw them in Myvatn, Iceland.

Is Finland an expensive country?

Finland is the eighth most expensive country in Europe according to a Eurostat study of 2017. Followed by Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, and Luxembourg, the Nordic country has shown to be an expensive country based on the following informatin.

Which country is best for Northern Lights?

What are the best places to see the Northern Lights?
  1. Tromso, Norway. Based in the heart of the aurora zone in the Norwegian Arctic, the city is widely regarded as one of the world's best places to see the Northern Lights.
  2. Swedish Lapland.
  3. Reykjavik, Iceland.
  4. Yukon, Canada.
  5. Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland.
  6. Ilulissat, Greenland.

How much does it cost to stay in an igloo in Finland?

A small glass igloo costs €435 euros, or about $512 dollars per night. For a bigger party, Kakslauttanen has accommodations that sleep up to six people. Its Kelo-Glass Igloos are a combination of a log cabin with a classic igloo. A Kelo-Glass Igloo costs €598 euros, or about $703 per night.

Can you predict the Northern Lights?

2020 is a solar minimum year, but that doesn't mean that you won't get any chance to see the Northern Lights. It just means that there will be fewer Northern Lights displays and strong events will be rarer.

How much does it cost to fly to Finland?

Cheap flights to Finland
Popular in October High demand for flights, 35% potential price rise
Average price $1070 Average for round-trip flights in May 2020
Round-trip from $739 From Las Vegas to Helsinki
One-way from $336 One-way flight from Las Vegas to Helsinki

What time of night is best for Northern Lights?

Once darkness falls, the Aurora can be visible at any time of day and we have seen them as early as 4pm and as late as 6am (that was quite a night!). Nevertheless, the optimum time seems to be around 9.30pm to 1am and that is when we concentrate the majority of our searches.

How long do the Northern Lights last?

10 minutes

Is Finland or Norway better for Northern Lights?

Norway is undoubtedly the best place for seeing the northern lights in Scandinavia, especially if you want to capture the aurora dancing above spectacular fjords and waterfalls. However, Sweden and Finland are both great options if you want to see the northern lights on a smaller budget.

Where is the best chance to see northern lights?

What are the best places to see the Northern Lights?
  1. Tromso, Norway. Based in the heart of the aurora zone in the Norwegian Arctic, the city is widely regarded as one of the world's best places to see the Northern Lights.
  2. Swedish Lapland.
  3. Reykjavik, Iceland.
  4. Yukon, Canada.
  5. Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland.
  6. Ilulissat, Greenland.

Why is Finland so safe?

2. Safety. Finland has been ranked as the safest country in the world, because of the extremely low crime rates. It's also worth noting that the Finns' trust in their police is the highest in Europe!

Where should I stay in Lapland?

Lapland Hotels and Places to Stay
  • Hotel Iso Syote & Safaris. View Hotel.
  • Lapland Hotel Luostotunturi. View Hotel.
  • Tundrea Holiday Resort. View Hotel.
  • Lapland Hotel Saaga. View Hotel.
  • Lapland Hotel Akashotelli. View Hotel.
  • Levi Hotel Spa. View Hotel.
  • Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. View Hotel.
  • Sallatunturin Tuvat. View Hotel.

How far is Helsinki from Rovaniemi?

438 miles

Where do you fly to for Lapland?

Rovaniemi is the most popular airport (travelers interested in visiting Santa Claus's village should fly here), being Ivalo the northest one. Rovaniemi serves as the entrance to all Lapland, Northwest Russia, Northern Sweden and Norway. It is not only serviced by Finnair but also by Norwegian and AirBaltic.

What is the best time of year to go to Finland?

Definitively the best time to visit Finland is during the summer months of June, July and August, when the climate is warmest, the days are longest and the blossoming landscape at its prettiest, and when tourist facilities and transport services operate at full steam.