Best spots in Rovaniemi to see the Northern Lights

Northern Lights from the Ounasvaara hill

In order to see the Northern Lights, a combinaison of parameters have to be gathered together: be in the North (ideally as North as possible from the Arctic cercle), have a clear night, no light pollution from cities, be patient and lucky. The Northern Lights are unpredictable but with luck, a magnificient show can enlight the sky. Previously, the article Northern Lights forecast help you to know how high your chances to see them was, based on the solar erruptions.

Life in Lapland has published a map to help Northern Lights hunters who do not have the opportunity to go to the wilderness to chase the lights in the city of Santa Claus. Despite the city lights, the Northern Lights are easily visible from the hills, islands and along the river shores. Do not forget to dress with warm clothes and take a warm drink and a snack if you plan to stay in the darkness and coldness for many hours. Depending of the distance you have to walk from/to your hotel, remember that city busses are not running late. In the worst case, call a taxi to drive you back to the hotel. As an example, you will need about an hour to walk from the train station to the top of Ounasvaara (hotel Sky on the map). Keep your phone in a warm pocket. With the coldness, the battery gets empty very fast. Many locals turn their phone off, and turn it on only in case of emergency. Update your Facebook account when you are safely back at the hotel.

Many companies offer Northern Lights safaris, but you will have to spend between 50 and 90€, depending on the services which are included. Now, it is up to you to decide if you want to pay or to walk.

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Link to the map