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Northern lights finland

Northern Lights Finland: The 5 Best Places to See the Aurora Borealis Spectacle

Do you ever get the feeling that you were born to witness something spectacular? Maybe it's standing atop a mountain peak at sunrise, or watching a storm roll in over the horizon. If you're looking for another natural marvel - one that will take your breath away - pack your bags and head for northern Finland. Here, you'll have the chance to witness one of the world's most awe-inspiring sights: the Aurora Borealis.

If you're new to this phenomenon, let's start from the basics: The Northern Lights (or Aurora Borealis) is an incredible display of dancing lights in hues of green, yellow, pink, orange and blue caused by collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun entering our upper atmosphere. If these particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen atoms, they emit different colors of light depending on their energy level. A Northern Lights viewing can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so we've rounded up the 5 best places in northern Finland to go for breathtaking views of this celestial show.

How to Increase Your Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights?

Did you know that over 80% of tourists miss the Northern Lights due to the lack of Aurora knowledge? Don't let that be you! The right time and the right place are the key. Northern Lights Online Course and Aurora mobile app designed for beginners will significantly increase your chances.

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northern lights in finland

Urho Kekkonen National Park: A Pristine Wilderness for Stunning Northern Lights Views

If you're looking for a truly awe-inspiring experience during your northern Finland trip, then look no further than Urho Kekkonen National Park - the largest national park in the country. With its pristine wilderness, rugged hiking trails and views of Lapland's vast taiga forests, it's the perfect place to take in the beauty of the Northern Lights.

Situated near the Russian border, this massive national park is also home to many rare species of wildlife, including wolves, wolverines and otters. And with its expansive crystal clear lake, you can snag a stunning reflected view of the Aurora Borealis lights in all their glory.
northern lights in finland
Here are just a few surprising facts about this mesmerizing phenomenon:

  • The Northern Lights occur when electrically charged particles from the Sun collide with atoms and molecules in Earth’s atmosphere
  • The beautiful display created by the charged particles is most commonly seen around 65 degrees north or south latitude - the median line that passes through parts of Finland
  • Scientists have identified up to ten different colors within the lights due to various atoms being present in Earth's atmosphere
finland northern lights

Saariselkä: A Popular Aurora Borealis Hotspot in Finnish Lapland

Saariselkä, located in the northernmost part of Finland in the region of Finnish Lapland, is one of the most popular and stunning places to observe and photograph the Northern Lights. Here, you can admire Aurora’s magnificent colors from wilderness hikes, husky rides, and reindeer sleighs while surrounded by snow-covered pine trees or frozen lakes.

What sets Saariselkä apart from other Aurora Borealis destinations is that it allows visitors the opportunity to experience a winter wonderland all year long due to its near Arctic Circle location. During wintertime, you can take part in various activities such as skiing and snowshoeing while observing the Aurora Borealis’ vibrant colors light up the night sky. Furthermore, Saariselkä offers three fascinating facts about the Northern Lights that may surprise you:
  • The Northern Lights are not actually lights but glowing solar particles entering Earth's atmosphere;
  • They are visible only in certain areas near the Arctic and Antarctic circles;
  • Depending on their intensity and activity, they can appear in a variety of different colors ranging from green to pink to purple.
These are just a few examples of why Saariselkä is regarded as one of Finland’s best spots for experiencing and capturing breathtaking views of this natural phenomenon.
the northern lights finland

Luosto: A Secluded Village Offering Majestic Northern Lights Displays

If you are looking for a secluded spot with breathtaking Northern Lights displays, look no further than the remote small ski village called Luosto. Located on the border between Finland and Norway, it is known for its excellent display of the Aurora Borealis. Here, you can enjoy some of the most magical colorful displays in relative peace and tranquillity.

The main reason why Luosto is such a great place to witness the Northern Lights is its location. It's far enough away from cities that light pollution won't affect visibility but close enough that amenities are still available and access to the area is easy. Plus, there's a variety of accommodations if you want to make an extended stay and savour this extraordinary spectacle.
the northern lights finland
What's more, here are three wonderful facts you might not know about Luosto:

  1. There's a wide range of activities available for all ages year-round in this stunning village. From skiing to snowmobiling during winter and hiking or exploring nearby nature trails in summer, there’s something to suit everyone.
  2. The local Sami people have inhabited Luosto since time immemorial - you can learn more about their incredible culture during your stay!
  3. There’s an onsite Aurora Activity Center that provides you with up-to-date information on light shows and forecasts - it also has the equipment to help you take beautiful photos of this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
northern lights of finland

Ivalo: An Adventurous Destination for Aurora Chasers

Ivalo is a great place for taking in the spectacular sight of the Aurora Borealis. For adventurous Aurora-seekers, Ivalo is a must-visit destination with its unspoiled nature and diverse activities like skiing, snowmobile tours, snowshoeing and ice fishing. Plus, it offers some of the least light-polluted areas of Finland due to its location.

Here are 3 surprising facts about Ivalo you didn't know:

  1. Ivalo is the northernmost airport in all of Finland - you can charter an airplane to view Aurora from the sky!
  2. The village in Ivalo hosts an annual reindeer race called the Evlan Jokke Reindeer Race Festival each February
  3. Once a year you can experience what it's like to be on top of the world at the Arctic Circle Crossing Ceremony tour - which includes hiking, snowmobiling and of course Northern Lights viewing!


At Ivalo, you can go on guided tours for aurora hunting that include cozy log cabins for shelter, campfires and traditional Finnish saunas. Watching caribou roam free under starry skies with a backdrop of Aurora dancing above makes for once-in-a-lifetime photographs that will always bring back fond memories!
Northern lights finland

Inari: A Picturesque Lake District Perfect for Northern Lights Photography

As one of the most photogenic parts of Finland, it's no surprise that Inari is one of the best places to take pictures of the Northern Lights. With a stunning lake district and beautiful landscapes, Inari is a photographer's paradise.

Here are a few things to know about this amazing location:
  1. Unique geography: Inari is part of the vast wilderness area of Lapland and its landscape makes it stand out from other parts of Finland. The numerous lakes, rivers, and mountains provide amazing opportunities for photography.
  2. High probability: The area around Inari has one of the highest probability rates for spotting the Aurora Borealis in Finland.
  3. Contrasting skies: Since the sun sets relatively late in the summertime in this part of northern Finland, you get longer nights with bright stars and darker skies, creating an ideal contrast for your pictures. These contrasting skies are perfect for capturing some truly remarkable shots of the Northern Lights with your camera.
Overall, if you’re looking for an iconic setting to capture stunning photos of the Northern Lights, look no further than beautiful Inari!
northern lights in finland

3 Surprising Facts About the Northern Lights You Probably Didn’t Know

You may have heard a lot about the Northern Lights, but you might not know these three surprising facts about the phenomenon:

  1. The light show is not just an impressive show of light and color for us to admire - scientists believe that the Northern Lights also play an important role in protecting our planet from harsh solar winds.
  2. The Northern Lights can appear year-round, but they are only visible during certain times of year around northern Finland when the sun is below the horizon for most of the day.
  3. It isn't just yellow and green - while those two colors are often visible in the lights, other colors such as pink, violet and even red can make an appearance too!

These three facts make it clear just how special watching the Northern Lights is - if you're ever fortunate enough to experience it for yourself, you will be in for a real treat!

Northern Lights Online Tools: Chasing Aurora Like a Pro

The most useful Northern Lights online tools for a successful Aurora hunt. Are you about to hunt the Northern Lights on your own? Then you will find these resources helpful. If you are trying to see Aurora for the first time we recommend signing up for the Northern Lights Online Course where is explained step-by-step all you need to know to see the Northern Lights in an easy way.

  1. Northern Lights essential online tools designed for beginners to help you see Aurora like the handy Aurora Mobile App and Northern Lights Online Course will help you to understand how Aurora works and to monitor real-time activity.

  2. The Northern Lights Forecast for 3 days and long-term Aurora forecast for up to 27 days ahead can be found here: Geophysical Institute Forecast, NOAA Aurora Forecast, Spaceweatherlive Forecast or in the Northern Lights App.

  3. Find the best Aurora spots with the light pollution map and cloud cover prediction.

  4. Northern Lights activity in real-time: Real-time Aurora activity (worldwide magnetometers), Solar Wind activity, Sun's activity, Aurora live Boreal webcams list or Aurora App.

  5. Additional resources to know when it will be dark enough Darkness graph & Map and how much the moon will illuminate the sky Moon Phase + Moonrise & Moonset.

  6. If you decide to go with professional Aurora hunters here you can find the top-rated Aurora Tours.

finland northern lights

Conclusion

All in all, the Northern Lights in Finland are a unique natural phenomenon that will leave you in awe. While you may find it difficult to take your eyes off the colorful lights dancing up above you, be sure to take some time to soak in the beauty of your surroundings while in this majestic land. With huge picturesque landscapes, dark skies, and, of course, the aurora borealis itself, there is no shortage of gorgeous views in Finland. And lastly, don't forget to take advantage of all the extra activities that Finland has to offer - from husky sledding and ice-fishing to snowmobiling and reindeer rides, there's no shortage of opportunities to capture exceptional experiences.

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