Rovaniemi, perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle, offers front-row seats to one of Earth’s most spellbinding shows, the Northern Lights. Between September and March, the skies above Lapland shimmer in greens, purples, and pinks as the Aurora Borealis dances across the horizon. From husky safaris to cozy campfire hunts in the wilderness, Rovaniemi Northern Lights tours turn this celestial spectacle into an unforgettable adventure.
The Aurora season in Rovaniemi stretches from late August to early April, with as many as 200 potential viewing nights each year. The long, polar nights and crisp Arctic air provide the perfect backdrop for bright, colorful aurora displays, whether you’re standing on a frozen lake or wrapped in a blanket by a campfire.
Rovaniemi lies directly on the Arctic Circle, right beneath the auroral oval where the Northern Lights are most frequently visible. Its unique latitude offers a front-row seat to one of nature’s rarest spectacles, without needing to venture deep into the wilderness or remote northern outposts.
Rovaniemi’s Aurora experts combine satellite data, geomagnetic readings, and decades of local experience to find the best skies each night. They know where cloud cover breaks first and which remote lakes offer the clearest reflections, giving you the best chance to witness the lights even when conditions shift quickly.
It’s one of the few places on Earth where you can experience raw Arctic beauty without sacrificing comfort. Within minutes, guided husky safaris, reindeer sleigh rides, and minivan tours take you deep into snowy forests or across frozen lakes far from light pollution, and yet, you can return to cozy Nordic hotels and heated saunas the same night.
| Aspect | Guided Northern Lights tours | DIY Aurora hunting |
|---|---|---|
Chances of seeing the Lights | Professional guides use live weather data, satellite maps, and years of experience to predict clear-sky zones, sometimes even crossing into Sweden or Norway to improve your chances of a sighting. | Limited by what you can research yourself. Cloud cover, local weather, and terrain can easily reduce visibility, and it’s hard to know where to go for optimal skies. |
Comfort & safety | All logistics are handled, with transfers, thermal overalls, and warm drinks included; guides keep you safe and comfortable even in –20°C conditions. | You’ll need to rent your own vehicle, check road and ice conditions, and prepare for freezing temperatures on your own. Getting lost or stuck in the snow is a real risk in rural Lapland. |
Unique experiences | Guided tours turn Aurora chasing into full Arctic adventures, combining reindeer sleighs, husky safaris, and snowmobile rides, with some including visits to Santa’s Pets or day-to-night packages. | You can choose your own spots, but you’ll miss out on curated experiences; no huskies, reindeer, or storytelling around the fire. DIY options are mostly about waiting and watching. |
Local culture & insights | Guides share stories about Lapland life, reindeer herding, and Sámi legends like how the Aurora was once believed to be sparks from a fox’s tail. | You can read about the myths online, but the magic of hearing them under the Aurora, told by locals, is something no self-drive can replicate. |
Convenience & value | Pickups from hotels or Santa Claus Village, warm gear, snacks, and even hot blueberry juice are part of the package, allowing you to enjoy the experience worry-free. | You’ll need to plan routes, rent gear, check Aurora forecasts, and buy or borrow winter clothing; costs and effort quickly add up. |
Flexibility & guarantees | Premium tours promise to go wherever the skies are clearest, even offering money-back guarantees if the Aurora doesn’t appear. | No guarantees; if clouds roll in or visibility drops, the night’s lost. You’ll have to wait for the next clear window. |
Photography support | Many tours include professional photography or teach you how to capture the lights yourself. Expert guides adjust your settings, provide tripods, and share edited photos afterward. | Without guidance, capturing the Aurora is challenging; improper camera settings or frozen fingers can mean missing the moment entirely. |
Join a guided Aurora tour early in your stay to see more, stress less, and experience Lapland like a local. You’ll get expert insights, small-group comfort, and the best tips on where the lights appear.
Why juggle transfers, tickets, and timing when you can experience it all in a single, seamless tour? The all-in-one Rovaniemi day tours combine husky and reindeer rides, Santa Claus Village visits, and Northern Lights chasing into one unforgettable Lapland adventure.
Just a 10-minute drive north of the city, the edges of Santa Claus Village offer darker skies while keeping you close to restaurants and warm indoor spaces. Several guided tours start here, taking you into nearby forests or frozen lakes for clearer skies.
A local favorite just minutes from the city center, Ounasvaara Hill offers wide-open horizons and minimal light pollution. You can walk, snowshoe, or take a short taxi ride to the top for panoramic views over Rovaniemi’s snow-blanketed forests.
Located behind the Arktikum Museum, this frozen riverside spot is perfect for those staying downtown and easy to reach on foot. The Aurora Borealis reflects beautifully off the ice-covered Ounasjoki River, creating mirror-like photos.
Rovaniemi sits directly beneath the auroral oval, where geomagnetic activity is strongest, giving visitors frequent chances to witness the Northern Lights on clear winter nights.
Yes, you can see the lights on your own from spots like Ounasvaara Hill or the Arktikum shoreline, but guided day tours greatly improve your chances thanks to expert tracking, weather insights, and transfers to clear-sky locations.
Yes, nearly all Northern Lights tours include round-trip transfers from central Rovaniemi hotels or Santa Claus Village, so you don’t need to arrange transport yourself.
Yes, many full-day packages include husky or reindeer safaris, snowmobiling, or visits to Santa’s Pets during the day, followed by an Aurora hunt at night.
The best time to see the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi is between September and March, when nights are longest and skies are darkest. Clear, cold nights around midnight offer the highest visibility.
Yes, most tours operate nightly from late August to early April, with departures adjusted based on weather and solar activity forecasts.
The Northern Lights tours usually last between 6 to 10 hours, depending on the activity. Longer tours often include husky rides, reindeer safaris, or campfire dinners before the aurora chase.
Standard tours may travel 20 to 50 km, while premium or unlimited mileage tours can cross into Sweden or Norway if needed for better aurora visibility.
Several tours offer flexible rescheduling or even guaranteed-sighting options. Some tours in Levi include an ‘unlimited mileage’ chase, meaning guides drive as far as needed to find clear skies.
Yes, but visibility can be limited by light pollution. For the best experience, head a few kilometers north or join a guided chase into the surrounding forests or frozen lakes.
Temperatures can drop to –20°C or lower in midwinter, but tours provide thermal suits and hot drinks to keep you comfortable during the experience.
Wear thermal layers, waterproof outerwear, and insulated boots. Most guided tours also provide extra winter gear such as thermal suits, gloves, and boots.
Yes, newer smartphones with night mode can capture auroras, but a tripod and manual settings (ISO 800–1600, exposure 3–10 seconds) give the best results.
Most outdoor aurora sites are on snowy terrain and not fully accessible, but some resort-based experiences allow guests to view the lights from glass igloos or heated cabins.
Yes, most tours welcome families, though outdoor evening temperatures can drop below –15°C, so thermal clothing and shorter tours are recommended for young children.
Unlike a standard aurora tour, this adds a husky sleigh ride before chasing the Northern Lights with your guide.
Inclusions
Guided Northern Lights search by car
English-speaking guide (other languages on request: German, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese)
Husky sleigh ride 5km (not self-drive)
Pick-up & drop-off from Santa Claus Holiday Village or Nordic Unique Travels Office
Winter clothes (overalls, boots, gloves)
Hot blueberry juice
Chase the Northern Lights on a magical reindeer sleigh ride through the snowy forests of Rovaniemi.
Inclusions
Northern Lights chase tour
English-speaking guide (other languages available on request: German, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese)
Pick-up & drop-off from selected hotels in Rovaniemi city center
Reindeer sleigh ride through Lappish forest
Visit to a traditional reindeer farm
Winter clothes (overall and boots)
Finnish snacks & hot blueberry juice
Day-to-night Arctic magic—meet huskies, reindeer, and chase the Northern Lights in one tour
Inclusions
7-hour full-day Arctic adventure with husky rides, reindeer encounters, Santa’s pets, and Aurora hunt
Small-group tour with a maximum of 8 participants
Hotel transfers in Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, or similar vehicles
Fazer chocolate for all guests upon arrival
Professional English-speaking driver and guide
500m husky safari and husky farm visit
400m reindeer sleigh ride and reindeer feeding at Santa’s Pets
Hot fruit or berry tea at two scenic locations
All taxes and service fees
Exclusions
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 72 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
