Aurora guide
How to See the Northern Lights in Lapland: 4 Things You Can Do
Seeing the Northern Lights in Lapland is never something you can fully control, but there are clear things you can do to improve your chances.
The aurora is a natural phenomenon. It depends on solar activity, clear skies, darkness and your location. You cannot make the Northern Lights appear, but you can choose your travel plans in a way that gives you much better conditions for seeing them.
Here are four things you can do if seeing the Northern Lights is one of your main reasons for travelling to Lapland.
Written by Saija
Born and raised in Enontekiö, her family’s roots here go back as far as anyone can trace. She now runs Vilu Arctic Experience.
Four things, in short
01
Go far north
02
Choose dark surroundings
03
Stay awake, go outside
04
Stay several nights
01
Choose Your Location Far North in Lapland
Your location is one of the most important factors when it comes to seeing the Northern Lights in Lapland.
In Finland, the Northern Lights are most frequently seen in northern Lapland. The farther north you travel, the less aurora activity is needed for the lights to become visible. This is because far northern Lapland lies closer to the Aurora Oval, the active zone around the magnetic poles where auroras occur most often.
Here in Hetta, Enontekiö, in far northern Finnish Lapland, the Northern Lights can statistically be seen on about three out of four clear nights. In other words, when the sky is dark and clear, the chance of seeing the aurora here is about 75 percent.
If you travel much farther south in Lapland, stronger aurora activity is often needed before the lights become visible. This is why location matters so much. The difference is not only about luck. It is geography.
Cloud cover also affects your chances. Coastal areas in Northern Norway are even farther north, but maritime weather often brings more clouds. Inland areas like Hetta, Enontekiö can sometimes have clearer skies, while the mountains to the west help hold some of the coastal weather on the other side of the fells.
These natural conditions are the foundation of our Guaranteed Northern Lights Expedition, which is planned around real weather and aurora conditions.
02
Choose Accommodation Away from Light Pollution
Light pollution has a big effect on how well you can see the Northern Lights. Strong auroras may be visible near some lights, but weak auroras are much easier to see when there is no artificial light around you.
The darker your surroundings are, the better your chances are of noticing the aurora. In deep natural darkness, your eyes can adjust to the sky, and even faint auroras may become visible. The experience is also very different when you see the Northern Lights in the wilderness, surrounded by natural darkness and silence.
This is why your accommodation matters. If you choose a place with dark surroundings and an open view of the sky, you may only need to step outside when the Northern Lights appear. Sometimes you may even notice the aurora from indoors first, and then go outside for a better view.
At Arctic Nature Glamping, the tent is located in the forest, away from village lights. You can watch the sky through the large window and the skylight above the bed, while resting under a warm blanket inside the tent. When you notice the Northern Lights, we still recommend going outside, because the aurora is always better experienced under the open sky.
Lumikko Aurora Loft is located in a small village with very little light pollution after the streetlights are turned off for the night. Upstairs, the windows go around the whole loft, giving 360 degree views of the Arctic sky. It is a good choice especially if you want a longer indoor stay with easy access to dark Arctic nights.
Enontekiö also has other good accommodation options. If you need tips, we are happy to help you find suitable local options through our trusted partners.
03
Stay Awake and Be Outside
This may sound simple, but it is one of the most important things you can do.
To see the Northern Lights, you need to be awake, ready to go outside and in a place where the sky is dark enough. Many auroras are missed simply because people stay indoors and fall asleep early.
You can use aurora apps and forecasts as helpful tools, but do not rely on them too much, especially in far northern Lapland. Here, the Northern Lights can appear even when an app says the chance is low. We do not need very strong solar activity to see the Northern Lights here. Local conditions, cloud cover and your actual view of the sky often matter more than a number on your aurora app.
Waiting does not have to feel empty. It can be part of the experience.
On our Northern Lights experiences, we take guests away from artificial lights and into quiet Arctic surroundings. In winter, you can wait by the fire, taste traditional local flavours and enjoy a short horse sleigh ride through snowy forest on our Sleigh Ride & Local Flavors experience. In autumn, Canoeing Under the Northern Lights offers a peaceful way to experience the dark season on open water.
These experiences are designed to be meaningful even if the sky stays quiet. The Northern Lights are never fully in human hands, but the evening itself can still become a beautiful memory.
If you would like more help with seeing the Northern Lights, our Guaranteed Northern Lights Expedition is designed for that. You only need to let us know your travel dates in Hetta, Enontekiö. This does not commit you to the tour yet. You only decide whether to join if the expedition is arranged during your stay.
On that expedition, we carry the uncertainty for you. We follow the real conditions and only arrange the expedition when we believe there is a good reason to go. It includes a money back guarantee if the Northern Lights are not visible to the naked eye.
04
Stay Longer in the North
The longer you stay in far northern Lapland, the better your chances are of seeing the Northern Lights.
One night can be enough if you are lucky. But if the sky is cloudy, or the aurora appears on a different night, a very short stay gives you little flexibility. When seeing the Northern Lights is important to you, it is wise to spend several nights in the north.
If your main goal is to see the aurora, we recommend staying in the region for several nights, and ideally close to a week if your travel plans allow it. This gives you more chances for clear skies, more chances for aurora activity and more time to enjoy the Arctic landscape between the nights.
For Arctic Nature Glamping, two or three nights is often a good length in winter. It gives you time to settle into the experience without making the stay too demanding.
If you are looking for a longer stay, Lumikko Aurora Loft can be a good choice. The windows go around the whole upstairs, giving 360 degree views of the Arctic sky while you stay indoors.
For longer holidays, larger groups or different needs, Enontekiö also has other accommodation options. We are happy to give tips about good local places to stay if you want to build a longer Northern Lights holiday in the area.
How to see the Northern Lights
Ready to plan your Aurora nights?
Whether you want help seeing them, something fun to do while you wait, or simply want to step outside where you’re staying — here’s where to go next.
Guided experiences
Northern Lights Tours
Includes the Guaranteed Northern Lights Expedition with a money-back guarantee, and Sleigh Ride Through Snowy Forest.
Accommodation
Sleep under the Northern Lights
Arctic Nature Glamping and Lumikko Aurora Loft — both positioned for dark skies and unobstructed views.
Good to know
FAQ: How to See the Northern Lights in Lapland
Timing
When can you see the Northern Lights in Lapland?
You can see the Northern Lights when the sky is dark enough. In Lapland, the aurora season begins in late summer or autumn, continues through winter and ends in early spring.
Conditions vary considerably between southern and northern Lapland. Here in Enontekiö, the Northern Lights can be seen from late August until early April. Our Northern Lights tours operate from early September until the end of March.
What time of day can you see the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights can be seen whenever the sky is dark enough. Because Lapland extends a long way from south to north, darkness begins at different times in different parts of the region.
”Here in Hetta, Enontekiö, I have seen the Northern Lights as early as 4 p.m. during the darkest part of winter and again in the early morning between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.”
— Saija
After the polar night, the days quickly become longer, so the hours when the sky is dark enough change throughout the season.
What time of night are the Northern Lights most likely to appear?
”In my personal experience, the Northern Lights appear most often between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m.”
— Saija
However, they can appear whenever the sky is dark enough. I usually recommend that our guests go to sleep by around 2 a.m. because you also need enough rest to enjoy the following day and save your energy for another night.
What is the best month to see the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights are slightly more active around autumn and spring, but the difference is not so significant that you should plan your whole trip around it.
When choosing the best month for your vacation, the most important question is usually what else you want from your holiday and, of course, when you have the opportunity to travel.
Conditions
Can you see the Northern Lights every night in Lapland?
In northern Lapland, less aurora activity is needed because the region lies close to the active zone of the Aurora Oval. Here in Enontekiö, the Northern Lights statistically appear on three out of four clear nights. This means that on a clear night, the chance of seeing the Northern Lights is about 75 percent.
Can you see the Northern Lights with the naked eye?
Yes. Even faint Northern Lights can be seen with the naked eye when there is no light pollution and the surroundings are in complete natural darkness. However, people’s eyesight differs, so one person may notice faint auroras more easily than another.
Can you see the Northern Lights when it is cloudy?
Yes and no. You may be able to see the Northern Lights through clouds if the aurora is strong enough and the cloud cover is not thick.
Seeing the Northern Lights through a thick layer of clouds is often impossible. If you do not know how thick the clouds are, it is not worth waiting.
Can you see the Northern Lights when there is a full moon?
Yes. A full moon provides a lot of natural light, especially in winter when snow reflects the moonlight. This can make faint Northern Lights harder to see, but it does not prevent you from seeing the aurora.
If seeing the Northern Lights is especially important to you and you can choose your travel dates, you may prefer a time when the moon is smaller. In autumn, a full moon has less effect because there is no snow reflecting its light.
”Personally, I love full moon nights, especially when there is snow on the trees. The landscape is incredibly beautiful. Moonlight is not light pollution. It is natural light.”
— Saija
How long do the Northern Lights last?
The Northern Lights may dance across the sky throughout the night, or they may disappear within a minute. When the aurora is strong and moving quickly, seeing the most beautiful moment can be a matter of seconds. If someone tells you that the Northern Lights are visible now and asks you to go outside, put on your shoes, take your coat with you and go. You can finish dressing outside, but make sure you stay warm.
What affects your chances of seeing the Northern Lights?
The most important factors are clear skies, aurora activity, low light pollution and your patience.
Aurora experience
Can you see the Northern Lights without a tour?
You do not necessarily need a tour to see the Northern Lights in Lapland.
If you would like help with seeing the Northern Lights, our Guaranteed Northern Lights Expedition is designed for that. It includes a money back guarantee if the Northern Lights are not visible to the naked eye. You only need to let us know your travel dates in Hetta, Enontekiö. This does not commit you to the tour yet. You only decide whether to join if the expedition is arranged during your stay.
Another good option is to choose an evening experience that is enjoyable even if the Northern Lights do not appear. In winter, Sleigh Ride & Local Flavors combines a short horse sleigh ride with traditional local tastes around the fire. In autumn, Canoeing Under the Northern Lights offers a peaceful way to experience the dark season on open water.
Can you see the Northern Lights from your accommodation?
Yes, it is possible to see the Northern Lights from many accommodations in Lapland, depending on how open and dark the view from the windows is.
At Arctic Nature Glamping, you can watch the sky through the main window and the skylight above the bed. At Lumikko Aurora Loft, the windows go around the whole upstairs, giving 360 degree views of the Arctic sky.
Find more accommodation options in Enontekiö.
Still, we strongly recommend going outside when you notice the Northern Lights, as the aurora is always better experienced outdoors.
What should you wear when watching the Northern Lights?
In winter, dress as warmly as you possibly can. The longer you stand still waiting for the Northern Lights, the colder you will become.
On our Northern Lights tours, you can wear a large warm jacket over your own winter clothing. We also recommend using hand and foot warmers. In autumn, waiting for and watching the Northern Lights is easier because the temperatures are milder.
What should I know before looking for the Northern Lights on my own?
Never walk onto a frozen lake or river unless you are certain that the ice is safe. Rivers are especially unpredictable, and there may be no ice even when the surface looks frozen. Lakes can also have areas of open water or dangerously thin ice.
Always take care of nature and never leave any trash behind.
Finding a good place to stop can be more difficult than you might expect, especially in winter. In remote areas, snow is not cleared unless there is a reason to keep the area accessible. An open area may look like a suitable place to park, but it may be part of a private driveway or an area intended for local use only.
Please always respect local residents. Never block roads, driveways or access routes, and never enter private yards.
In Lapland, homes and cottages are usually not surrounded by fences, so it can be difficult to recognise where a yard begins. If you are unsure whether you are too close to someone’s home, it is better to choose another location.
Public parking areas are available along many roads, but they are not always ideal for Northern Lights viewing because passing traffic and headlights disturb the darkness.
What is the best way to see the Northern Lights in Lapland?
”In my personal opinion, the best way to see the Northern Lights is in nature, surrounded by deep natural darkness and without distractions such as streetlights, cars, snowmobiles, artificial light or noise.”
— Saija
All our Northern Lights tours take place in these kinds of surroundings.
Seeing the aurora in complete darkness and deep silence, without a single artificial light around you, is something that stays with you. It moves you in a way no parking lot ever will. When the Northern Lights appear, you do not just see them. You feel them.
How to see the Northern Lights
Ready to plan your Aurora nights?
Explore guided Northern Lights experiences, or find a place to stay chosen for dark, unobstructed skies.