Locations / Finland / Lapland
Rovaniemi
On the Arctic Circle, with snow, huskies and glass igloos.
Next nine nights
Aurora in Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and straddles the Arctic Circle. It is lower in latitude than Tromsø or Alta, so the oval is overhead less often and a moderate Kp helps, but displays are still regular across the season.
The infrastructure is the draw: glass-roofed igloos, husky and reindeer experiences, and easy access from southern Finland. It is a good choice when you want comfort and a family-friendly trip as well as aurora.
The climate is more continental than coastal Norway, so winter is cold and relatively stable, with clearer spells than the Norwegian coast.
Season
September to early April. Aurora is somewhat less frequent than further north, so patience helps.
At a glance
- Latitude
- 66.50° N
- Geomagnetic latitude
- ≈ 64° N
- Known for
- Arctic Circle, Santa Claus Village
- Time zone
- EET / EEST
Getting there
Direct flights from Helsinki and several European airports; overnight trains from Helsinki.
Tips for Rovaniemi
- Treat Kp as more important here than in northern Norway; Kp 3 and up improves your chances a lot.
- Many lodges offer aurora wake-up calls. Use them.
- Santa Claus Village is a short drive from the airport and is busy in December.
Clear sky first, Kp second.
Our verdict weighs cloud at 65% and geomagnetic activity at 35%. What is Kp? · Where the cloud forecast comes from
Other places
Tromsø
—The aurora capital of the world, on an island you can reach by direct flight.
Alta
—Drier skies, deep winter, and the birthplace of aurora science.
Lofoten
—Jagged peaks and red fishing huts under a green sky.
Abisko
—A rain shadow beside a frozen lake, reputed to be one of the clearest places in Europe.
Reykjavík
—Aurora from a capital city, with lava fields and geothermal pools a short drive away.
Fairbanks
—Inland Alaska: cold, dry, and under the oval more nights than almost anywhere in North America.
Yellowknife
—Under the oval, with a reputation for clear, still nights.