Northern Lights in Lapland Complete 2026 - 2027 Guide
See the Northern Lights in Lapland — with the highest success rate. Our nightly aurora hunts use real-time weather tracking, expert guides and our Guaranteed View approach.
Northern Lights In Lapland — Complete guide
See the Northern Lights in Lapland from Rovaniemi and beyond – with one of the highest success rates in the region.
Book Lapland’s local guides chase clear skies every night, sometimes driving deep into the Arctic wilderness – or even across the border to Sweden – to give you the best realistic chance to see the Aurora Borealis.
On this page you’ll learn:
- what the Northern Lights actually are
- the best time to see them in Lapland
- the best locations (with a strong focus on Rovaniemi)
- how to photograph auroras
- which tour options suit you best
- how our Guaranteed View approach works
What Are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are created when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. These collisions cause the sky to glow in waves of green, purple, red, and sometimes even blue.
Lapland sits under the “auroral oval” – a belt around the magnetic poles where auroral activity is strongest. That means:
- more frequent auroras
- higher chances on any clear night
- longer seasons to see the lights
It’s important to be realistic: the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon. They are never 100% guaranteed. But if you are in Lapland, especially around Rovaniemi, for a few nights in winter and you are willing to move to find clear skies, your chances are very good.
Best Time to See Auroras in Lapland
Aurora Hunting
- First weeks of the season
- Nights are dark enough, but still relatively warm
- Reflections on unfrozen lakes look amazing on camera
- Great option if you don’t like extreme cold
Aurora Hunting
- Long, dark nights
- Often very good geomagnetic activity
- Weather can be unpredictable and cloudy – some nights are incredible, some are write-offs
Aurora Spotting
- Deep winter and the famous “polar night” feeling
- Very long nights and magical blue-hour light
- Coldest part of the year (–20°C to –35°C is common)
- Perfect for those who want the “harsh Arctic” experience and snowy landscapes in every direction
Often The Best Balance
- Statistically a fantastic combination of clear skies and strong aurora activity
- Stable winter conditions, good for families and photographers
- Still long nights, but you also get some daylight for other activities
GOAL
If you’re choosing blindly and want the safest bet, February and March in Rovaniemi are usually a great choice.
Best Places for Northern Lights
Lapland is large, and conditions change fast. The lights don’t care where your hotel is – they simply appear where the sky is clear. That said, some areas are much more practical and reliable for travellers.
- Rovaniemi
- 4.9
- 4 - 12 hours
- Max 8 guests per tour
- Rovaniemi
- 4.8
- 4 - 6 hours
- 8 - 48 people
- Rovaniemi
- 4.9
- 4 - 12 hours
- Up to 8 people
How to Photograph the Aurora
- Recommended Camera Settings (DSLR / Mirrorless)
- Mode: – Manual
- ISO: – 800–2000 (depending on brightness)
- Shutter speed: – 2–10 seconds (shorter for fast-moving, bright aurora)
- Aperture: – f/1.4–f/2.8
- Focus: – Manual, set to infinity – test on a distant star
- Lens: – Wide angle (14–24mm) if possible
“Even when the aurora looks soft or pale to the naked eye, a camera can reveal vivid colours and structure. With a few basic settings, you can come home with serious photos – even without being a pro photographer. “
Practical Tips From the Field
- Get away from city lights – streetlights kill both mood and photos
- Keep your batteries warm in your pocket; cold drains them quickly
- Wipe snow and condensation off the lens regularly
- Don’t panic if the aurora starts faint – it can explode into a full-sky show in seconds
On Book Lapland tours, guides help you with your camera settings and also take professional photos for you, so you can relax and actually enjoy the moment
FAQ About Auroras
How likely am I to see the Northern Lights in Lapland?
If you stay in Lapland for 2–3 nights and join a proper aurora chase from Rovaniemi, your chances are usually very good – often in the range of 70–95% over several nights, depending on weather and solar activity. On a single night, everything depends on clouds and geomagnetic conditions.
What time of night do the Northern Lights appear?
Auroras can appear any time it is dark, but the most active window is usually between 20:00 and 02:00. On our tours we stay out during the most promising hours based on the forecast.
Do the Northern Lights look as bright as in photos?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Cameras can make faint auroras look very bright because they collect light over several seconds. But during strong activity, the sky can absolutely look vivid green and purple to the naked eye.
What should I wear on a Northern Lights tour?
Think layers: thermal base layer, warm mid-layer (fleece or wool), insulated jacket and snow trousers, winter boots, thick gloves and warm hat, balaclava or scarf. It can easily drop below –20°C in Rovaniemi and the surrounding areas, especially in January and February.
Is it safe to go on a Northern Lights tour in winter?
Yes, when done with experienced guides. We choose safe roads, safe stopping points and avoid dangerous ice or river areas. You should listen to your guide’s instructions – especially in the dark.
Can children join Northern Lights tours?
Yes. Many families come to Rovaniemi specifically to see the Northern Lights together.
For very small children, shorter or private tours are usually more comfortable than long PRO hunts with possible long driving times.
Whether you seek lifelong memories, the perfect Aurora photo, or the warmth of local hospitality — our guests say it best.
Discover how we've helped travelers from around the globe create magical memories that last a lifetime.
2 months ago
Loved it. Michel and tony were the best guide and photographer we could get and we really loved the experience
1 year ago
Our guide showed us the northern lights. We drove all the way up in Finland to see them! And it was beautiful!
3 months ago
My girlfriend and I did the snowmobile and ice fishing tour with David. It was one of our highlights of our 7day trip in Lapland. David took his time to brief us on how to drive the snowmobile safely and responsibly, looked and knew the best places for some nice video/photo shots and great views. The ice fishing and campfire...
3 months ago
Jeremias and Erwin were absolutely amazing!! We saw a fantastic green Aurora (it even danced) on a night with very low probability and lots of cloud cover. Fantastic photos, fire and drink and snacks. We only managed to see such an amazing Aurora due to Jepa’s and Erwin’s dedication...
3 months ago
Amazing, 100% recommended. We saw an incredible, breath-taking aurora! Mirco and Tomas are the best guides ever
2 months ago
Nature was a bit tough on us — we only caught a brief glimpse of the Aurora after four hours. But huge kudos to the team for their patience and dedication. They made sure everyone was comfortable and still delivered a great experience overall. You won’t regret going with this company...
3 months ago
Sofia led us on the sleigh combo outing. She was very friendly and provided a lot of information on life in Finland. The reindeer sleigh experience was interesting but was not ‘dashing through the snow’. Reindeer were led by walking leads for about 2km, and the guide at the farm shared info on reindeer life and care...
3 months ago
The first tour was cancelled due to the weather, but we were rebooked at no extra expense for the next day. Tour departed on time and, as we were warned, we had to drive a couple of hours north to get away from the cloud. Our driver guide Sofian was engaging and helpful. He also had access to data which helped him predict...
3 months ago
Max L was a great driver. Very punctual pick up time and super friendly. He explained in detail all the curiosities about the Northern Lights and accompanied us on this magnificent experience! We saw it!!! Beautiful 🤩 snack break and hot juice appreciated
