no alt text

Bucket list experience:

Northern Lights Aurora Borealis Lapland

Finnish Lapland

Last updated: 16 December, 2022

The world’s greatest light show is Mother Nature’s own – the famous ‘Aurora Borealis’ – or more commonly known as the ‘Northern Lights’. It’s an extraordinary natural spectacle, caused by shifts of magnetic energy in the ionosphere, and it’s magical to watch them dance across the heavens, ethereal shapes in shimmering colours forming and dissolving. No wonder seeing them features on so many travel bucket lists.

If you haven’t already, see our round-up of the best places to see the Northern Lights that also explains why they happen, and when you’re most likely to see them (NB the best viewings are spring and autumn).

Lapland is in the so-called ‘Aurora Belt’, where Northern Lights are at their most intense and colourful. Its vast wilderness is about as far from civilisation as you can get in mainland Europe, with star-studded, inky black skies – making it one of the best places in the world to see the Lights.

Still, there’s no specific one best place or time to see this notoriously fickle phenomenon, so we always recommend to pair it with another experience as part of a broader holiday adventure. See below for our recommendations of other great bucket list experiences in Lapland, where you’re also likely to see the Northern Lights along the way.

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 4+
Frequency: weekly
When: Any
Duration: Any

When to do it

The best time to see the Northern Lights is spring and autumn. If you haven’t already, see our round-up of the best places to see the Northern Lights that also explains in more detail why they happen, and thus when you’re most likely to see them.

Arctic Bath Hotel & Spa

Harads, Lapland, Sweden

A wilderness resort in the empty wastes of Swedish Lapland that celebrates wellbeing through Sami indigenous culture.

Official star rating:

Dark silhouettes of a couple standing on hilltop with Northern Lights behind
Experience

Aurora Sky Station

Abisko, Lapland, Sweden

This mountain-top observation station lays on an enticing evening for Northern Lights watching. After a 20-minute chairlift up from Abisko village, you’re treated to a four-course dinner inspired by Lapland and Nordic cuisine, and a guided tour. 900m up, in the heart of the Aurora Oval, sightings are excellent.

Best for ages: 4+ | Free

Website >
Overview >

Hotel Harriniva

Muoni, Lapland, Finland

A comfortable mid-range hotel that’s also the biggest husky dog centre in Finland, and the place for husky dog sledding. It’s also a Mecca for a host of other winter and summer outdoor activities, and seeing the Northern Lights.

Official star rating:

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

Saariselka, Lapland, Finland

An exceptional wilderness and adventure resort, offering a full range of outdoor activities. Their best known for their glass-domed igloo rooms for star- and Northern Lights-gazing from bed.

Official star rating:

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

THE NIGHT BARBECUE A call for Auroras

THE NIGHT BARBECUE A call for Auroras

Rovaniemi

We will find a nice place and light a fire, warm up and prepare a typical Lapland barbecue. If Mother Nature allows, we will enjoy an incred...

€79 | Rating 4.66 / 5 [59 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Northern Lights Wilderness Small-Group Tour from Rovaniemi

Northern Lights Wilderness Small-Group Tour from Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi

Take your best chance to see the Northern lights from Rovaniemi in small groups! With your personal guide, you will explore the nature of La...

€115 | Rating 4.62 / 5 [161 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Northern Lights Photography Tour

Northern Lights Photography Tour

Rovaniemi

Northern Lights Photography Tour Go on the hunt for the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi. Keep the best memory of witnessing the Aurora Boreal...

€119 | Rating 4.58 / 5 [122 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Rovaniemi Northern Lights Photography Small-Group Tour

Rovaniemi Northern Lights Photography Small-Group Tour

Rovaniemi

Join this incredible 4-5 hour hunt for the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi area. A professional Northern Lights photographer will guide this sm...

€125 | Rating 4.74 / 5 [187 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Round-ups that include this experience

5 Best places to see the Northern Lights

Multiple countries

A remarkable, ethereal light display that’s one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles. Pair it with other bucket list experiences – a thrilling husky ride, a cruise on the Norwegian fjords, or from bed in a luxury glass igloo. Unmissable.

Website >
Overview >