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Best Time to See Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland
There are few natural wonders as magical and unforgettable as the nor...
Northern lights holidays invite you to travel at a slower pace and spend time under the northern sky. In Finnish Lapland, nature, silence and wide open landscapes create a setting where each evening feels full of possibility.
At Aavalevi, holidays are shaped around comfort, location and realistic expectations. The aim is to offer places where watching the sky feels like a natural part of the stay, unhurried and unforced.
What Makes Northern Lights Holidays in Lapland So Appealing?
Finnish Lapland has a way of making northern lights holidays feel unhurried and effortless. It is not just about looking at the sky, but about the surroundings that invite you to slow down and stay present.
What many travellers appreciate most about Lapland:
- Wide, open landscapes and dark skies, where the northern lights can be enjoyed without surrounding city lights
- Nature close at hand, from quiet forests to frozen lakes and gentle fell scenery
- Evenings that feel unforced, whether you step outside for a moment or spend longer watching the sky
- Days with room to breathe, filled with winter activities, short walks or simply time indoors to rest and warm up
In Lapland, northern lights holidays often feel balanced and natural. There is space for both small adventures and quiet moments, without the need to rush from one place to another.
When to Plan Your Northern Lights Holiday?
Northern lights holidays are not limited to the coldest winter months. In Lapland, the season typically begins in late August and continues until early April, when nights are dark enough and skies are clear.
Autumn offers a softer start, with milder temperatures, dark evenings and colourful landscapes in September and October. Winter, from December to February, brings snow-covered scenery, long nights and the classic Lapland atmosphere many travellers seek.
Early spring, especially March, is often quieter. Longer daylight hours make days more comfortable, while the nights still invite moments spent watching the northern sky.
If you would like to explore seasonal differences in more detail, you can also read our guide on the best time to see the northern lights in Finnish Lapland, which looks more closely at timing and practical planning.
Choosing the Right Location Matters
Northern lights can appear across Lapland, but where you stay shapes how the experience feels. Being close to nature and away from artificial light makes evenings calmer and the sky easier to enjoy.
Areas such as Levi and Ylläs offer a natural balance. Services, activities and restaurants are within easy reach, yet quiet landscapes and dark skies begin just beyond the village.
With Aavalevi, accommodation is chosen with this balance in mind. Homes are located so that stepping outside in the evening feels effortless, whether you prefer to stay near the centre or a little further into peaceful surroundings.y.
Northern Lights Tours in Levi
While many travellers enjoy watching the northern sky on their own, guided northern lights tours offer an easy way to explore further into Lapland’s dark landscapes. Tours take you away from village lights and add local knowledge to the experience.
In Levi, northern lights tours range from gentle evening drives to more active adventures, for example:
- Northern Lights by Minivan offers a relaxed, comfortable way to travel further from light pollution
- Northern Lights Tours by Snowmobile combine aurora watching with an adventurous ride through winter landscapes
Explore all our Lapland activities >>
What to Expect From a Northern Lights Holiday?
A well-planned northern lights holiday is shaped by time, comfort and a relaxed attitude. Rather than focusing on a single evening, the experience unfolds gradually over several days.
Many travellers value:
- Staying for several nights, which improves your chances, as the northern lights do not appear every night
- Flexibility, as weather and sky conditions change from night to night
- Small, unplanned moments, like stepping outside before bed or pausing after sauna to look at the sky
- A comfortable place to return to, where warmth, space and simple comforts make evenings enjoyable
Comfort plays an important role. After time spent outdoors, returning to a warm, well-equipped place turns waiting for the northern sky into a calm and pleasant part of the stay.
Explore Northern Lights Holidays With Aavalevi
Northern lights holidays with Aavalevi are designed to feel calm, natural and well considered. The focus is not only on the sky, but on the overall experience of staying in Lapland, from an easy arrival to quiet evenings and a comfortable place to return to.
Aavalevi’s accommodation in Levi and Ylläs offers:
- Carefully chosen locations, where dark skies and nature are close at hand
- Comfortable, high-quality interiors, suited for relaxed winter living
- Easy access to nature, activities and local services, without feeling busy
- A calm setting, where evenings can unfold without crowds or pressure
