Finland

Enontekiö, known locally as Hetta, is a remote Sami municipality at 68.4°N in northwestern Finnish Lapland — the region's most culturally significant Sami destination and one of its best aurora locations. The municipality borders both Norway and Sweden, and the landscape of ancient fells and vast bogs is traditional Northern Sami reindeer-herding country. Aurora viewing is outstanding: at this latitude with minimal light pollution across hundreds of kilometres, clear nights from October through March produce displays of exceptional intensity. The polar night period runs from late November to mid-January. Kilpisjärvi, at the northwest corner of the municipality where Finland, Norway, and Sweden meet, offers some of Finland's most dramatic fell scenery. Authentic Sami cultural experiences — reindeer sledding with traditional Sami families, joik music, and traditional handicraft — are available at a level of authenticity difficult to find in more commercialised Lapland resorts. Temperatures regularly drop below -25°C in January, demanding proper preparation but rewarding visitors with crisp, clear aurora conditions.

Inari is Finland's Sami cultural heartland and one of the most rewarding arctic destinations for those seeking authentic cultural experiences alongside outstanding aurora viewing. The vast Lake Inari — Finland's third largest lake — freezes solid in winter, creating a stunning backdrop for aurora photography and ice-fishing adventures. At nearly 69°N, Inari sits deep within the auroral zone and experiences the polar night from late November to mid-January. The SIIDA museum is one of Europe's finest Sami cultural institutions. Reindeer herding remains a living practice here, and guests can join authentic herding and sledding experiences with Sami families. Inari is noticeably quieter than Rovaniemi and Saariselkä, making it ideal for travellers who prefer genuine encounters over tourist infrastructure.

Luosto is one of Finnish Lapland's best-kept secrets — a tiny fell resort at 67°N with just a handful of hotels and no city infrastructure, surrounded by ancient Pyhä-Luosto National Park. The aurora viewing is exceptional: at this latitude, clear dark nights from October through March regularly produce displays, and the minimal light pollution means the whole sky is available. The unique Lampivaara amethyst mine — the only commercial amethyst mine open to the public in Europe — allows visitors to search for gemstones in the snow-covered hillside, an oddly magical winter activity. For outdoor enthusiasts, Luosto offers cross-country ski trails through pristine fell terrain, snowmobile safaris, husky drives, and reindeer experiences with Sami herders. The fells themselves rise gently to 510m, creating beautiful snow-covered landscapes ideal for aurora photography with natural foregrounds. Luosto is notably quieter and more intimate than Levi or Saariselkä, making it ideal for couples and small groups who want genuine wilderness without large tour groups.

Muonio is a small municipality on the Finnish-Swedish border along the Muonionjoki River, renowned as the home of Harriniva, one of Finland's most celebrated husky safari operators. The region at 68°N offers outstanding aurora conditions with the cold, dry air typical of inland Lapland reducing cloud cover compared to coastal Norway. The Harriniva Wilderness Lodge has perfected multi-day wilderness husky expeditions — the most authentic way to experience Lapland. Muonio is quieter and more genuinely rural than Levi or Rovaniemi, with a strong emphasis on wildlife and wilderness. Olos fell nearby offers local skiing. The area around Äkäslompolo village is particularly beautiful with frozen lakes and sparse forest perfect for snowshoeing under the aurora.

Saariselkä is a Finnish fell resort village in the heart of Urho Kekkonen National Park, Finland's largest protected area. The elevated position on the fells (around 480m) gives exceptional dark skies with minimal light pollution — a significant advantage for aurora viewing. The resort is well-developed with a good selection of glass igloo accommodations and traditional log cabin stays, alongside a small village centre with restaurants and a spa. Snowmobile trails extend for hundreds of kilometres through the national park, passing frozen rivers and dense boreal forest. Cross-country ski trails are maintained to a very high standard. Unlike Rovaniemi, Saariselkä feels like a genuine wilderness resort rather than a tourist attraction, and the star-gazing quality rivals anywhere in Finland.

Sodankylä is the scientific heart of Finnish Lapland aurora research — home to the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, one of the world's oldest continuously operating auroral research stations, founded in 1914. The observatory monitors geomagnetic activity, aurora forecasts, and space weather, and its long data record makes Sodankylä arguably the best-documented aurora location in the world. At 67.4°N, the town sits well above the Arctic Circle with reliable aurora conditions from October through March and polar night from early December to early January. The surrounding landscape of pine forest and frozen lakes is quintessential Finnish Lapland. Unlike more commercial resorts, Sodankylä retains an authentically Finnish character — the Midnight Sun Film Festival held here every June draws international filmmakers to the dramatic northern light. For aurora tourists, the nearby Tankavaara Gold Village (a genuine gold panning site since the 1870s) adds a unique historical dimension. The area's darkness and cold dry air make for exceptional photography conditions.

Levi is Finland's premier ski resort and one of the most complete winter destinations in Lapland. While aurora scores are slightly lower than farther-north alternatives, Levi compensates with Finland's best ski infrastructure — 43 slopes, 27 lifts, and a vibrant aprés-ski scene. The combination of world-class skiing by day and aurora hunting by night makes Levi uniquely appealing. Dedicated aurora tours head into the dark wilderness surrounding the resort, and the elevated fell-top positions offer good viewing corridors. The resort has invested heavily in glass igloo and sky-view accommodation. Families are very well catered for with dedicated children's slopes, reindeer farm visits, and a complete activity programme. Regular charter flights from the UK, Germany, and France make Levi one of the most accessible Lapland destinations.

Rovaniemi sits exactly on the Arctic Circle and is Finland's most popular winter destination. Famous as the 'Official Hometown of Santa Claus', the city offers a uniquely family-friendly polar experience blending aurora watching with Finnish Lapland winter magic. The iconic glass igloos of Levin Igloo and Arctic TreeHouse Hotel allow guests to watch the northern lights from the comfort of a heated glass pod. Rovaniemi receives the northern lights on around 150 nights per year — slightly less than Norwegian counterparts due to its latitude, but the quality is high and conditions very cold (reaching -30°C in January). The husky and reindeer farms around Rovaniemi are outstanding, with professional operators offering half-day and full-day experiences. The Arktikum museum provides world-class context on arctic life and science.

Kemi is Finland's gateway to Arctic sea ice experiences on the northern shore of the Gulf of Bothnia. Its two headline attractions are unlike anything else in Finland: the Sampo icebreaker cruise and the SnowCastle. The Sampo, a real 1960s Finnish state icebreaker, takes guests out onto the frozen Gulf of Bothnia for a surreal experience of crashing through sea ice and then floating in dry suits in the Arctic water. The SnowCastle — rebuilt each winter to a different design — is a vast snow and ice construction including a hotel, restaurant, and chapel, operating from January to April. Aurora viewing at 65.7°N is solid if not exceptional — roughly 100–120 auroral nights per year on clear winter evenings. Kemi sits just south of the Arctic Circle making it more accessible temperature-wise than Rovaniemi, and significantly cheaper. The adjacent city of Tornio across the border in Sweden creates a unique twin-city border experience. Well connected by train to Helsinki and Rovaniemi.

Oulu is northern Finland's largest city and a natural starting point for those heading further into Finnish Lapland. At 65°N it sits just south of the Arctic Circle but still experiences meaningful winter darkness and regular aurora activity — on clear nights from October through March, the sky above the city and surrounding countryside frequently shows northern lights. Oulu is a university city with a thriving tech scene (Nokia was born here), giving it a lively, youthful energy unusual for northern Finland. The old market hall on the harbour, dating to 1880, is a highlight for food lovers, as is cycling culture that persists even in the depths of winter. For aurora tourists, Oulu is best used as a budget base before heading to Saariselkä or Inari: flights and hotels are notably cheaper than Rovaniemi, rental cars are available, and the surrounding countryside offers good dark-sky sites within 30 minutes. The Nallikari beach area on the coast is excellent for aurora viewing without light pollution.