The northern lights are a highlight of many trips to Lapland – but did you know that the most spectacular displays are often found far from the crowds and light pollution? If you want to experience the magic of the auroras in peace and quiet, it’s worth heading to lesser-known, remote locations.
In this article, we’ll introduce five stunning, hidden northern lights spots in Lapland that offer breathtaking landscapes and ideal conditions for aurora viewing. You’ll also find practical tips on timing your trip, what to expect during your adventure, and why Book Lapland is your best partner for making your aurora hunt truly unforgettable.
- Planning your Lapland northern lights tour: local tips for quiet spots
- What to expect from a Lapland northern lights tour?
- When to see the northern lights in Lapland?
- Why Lapland northern lights are best seen off the beaten path?
- Top 5 places to see Lapland (Finland) northern lights
- Why Book Lapland is your gateway to the northern lights
- Sources d'information
Top 5 Highlights from the Article
- If you want to enjoy the northern lights without the crowds, the wilderness areas of Inari, Näkkälä in Enontekiö, or Särkitunturi in Muonio offer ideal spots for aurora watching.
- On a northern lights tour, you can expect cold, crisp nights, peaceful wilderness scenery, and magical moments when the entire sky lights up—weather permitting.
- The auroras are best seen in remote locations where there is little to no light pollution, which allows the night sky to remain dark and the northern lights to appear more vividly.
- The best time to see the northern lights in Lapland is from September to early April, when the nights are dark enough.
- Auroras most commonly appear between 9 PM and 2 AM, but they can show up at any time during the hours of darkness.
Planning your Lapland northern lights tour: local tips for quiet spots
Lapland’s northern lights attract thousands of visitors each year to witness this magical natural phenomenon in the Arctic sky – and for good reason. But if you’re seeking a more peaceful experience, it’s worth planning your aurora trip a bit off the beaten path.
In Lapland’s quieter regions, you can enjoy the northern lights without the crowds. Remote areas like the wilderness of Inari, Näkkälä in Enontekiö, or Särkitunturi in Muonio offer ideal viewing spots with no light pollution and wide-open skies. The fells of Pyhä-Luosto National Park and the nearby forests around Kakslauttanen also provide tranquil settings for aurora hunting, far from the hustle and bustle.
What to expect from a Lapland northern lights tour?
A northern lights tour in Lapland is a magical experience where nature’s silence, a clear starry sky, and the dancing green, violet, and reddish lights above come together in perfect harmony. On a typical aurora excursion, you can expect crisp, cold nights, calming wilderness scenery, and those unforgettable moments when the entire sky lights up – weather permitting.In a article précédent, we described in more detail what a northern lights tour with Book Lapland includes:
"Together with our team, we will find the most optimal northern lights locations, where we will arrange guides and transportation. Our guides also act as photographers during the tours. In practice, the only preparation you need is to take care of yourself and make sure you have warm clothing.”
Tours often include cozy campfire breaks, hot drinks, and local guides sharing stories about nature and the Arctic phenomena. Even if the auroras don’t show up, the experience itself – the silence, anticipation, and peacefulness of nature – makes the journey unforgettable.
When to see the northern lights in Lapland?
The best conditions for seeing the northern lights are found in remote areas, far from city lights. It’s best to avoid full moonlight and cloudy weather, as both can obscure the phenomenon. According to the Visit Rovaniemi website:
“Northern lights are visible from late August to early April, when the nights are dark enough. Sometimes they can appear as early as 7 or 8 PM, but more often later in the evening or during the night.”
The best chances occur on clear nights during the autumn and spring seasons, especially from October to March, when aurora activity is at its peak. While they are most commonly seen between 9 PM and 2 AM, the northern lights can appear at any time during the dark hours.
Why Lapland northern lights are best seen off the beaten path?
The northern lights are best seen in remote locations because there is less light pollution – that is, artificial light that dims the darkness of the sky and makes auroras harder to spot. In towns and cities, even bright auroras can be washed out by streetlights and buildings, while in the wilderness or on a felltop, the sky is pitch black and wide open. According to the Institut météorologique finlandais:
“In Finland, auroras are statistically most likely to be observed in northern Lapland around midnight. The main obstacles to visibility are cloud cover, weather conditions, and lights from settlements and traffic.”
Remote areas also offer an unobstructed horizon, allowing you to see the full scale of the aurora display – not just a glimpse between streetlights. That’s why many locals head deep into the forest, up fells, or to frozen lakes to enjoy the show in complete darkness and silence.
Top 5 places to see Lapland (Finland) northern lights
Under the starry skies of Lapland, the northern lights appear at their most magical—waves of color dancing across a silent landscape. But where can you see them at their very best? Finland is home to countless excellent spots for aurora watching, yet some of the finest remain hidden from the crowds. We’ve put together a list of five stunning, wilderness-rich locations where you can experience the northern lights at their most spectacular—without noise, light pollution, or tourist crowds. In these places, nature takes center stage and the sky delivers an unforgettable show.
1. Kilpisjärvi – the northern lights sky of three nations
Kilpisjärvi is one of the northernmost villages in Finland, and its remote location combined with wide-open landscapes makes it a perfect spot for watching the northern lights. Here, you can admire the auroras with minimal light pollution – all while being right near the borders of Norway and Sweden.
2. Pallas-Yllästunturi wilderness – silence and scenery
Pallas–Yllästunturi National Park offers the perfect setting for admiring the northern lights: from the tops of the fells, you’ll get an unobstructed view of the northern sky, and the surrounding silence creates a uniquely peaceful atmosphere. There is virtually no light pollution, and on clear nights, the auroras blaze vividly in the heart of nature.
3. Shores of Lake Inari – northern lights above the water
The vast and ruggedly beautiful shores of Lake Inari provide a stunning stage for the northern lights, which reflect off the water’s surface in a doubly magical display. Its remote location and minimal light pollution ensure excellent viewing conditions, and the surrounding area offers countless peaceful spots where you can watch the auroras in complete solitude.
4. Enontekiö – statistically the best place to see auroras in Finland
Enontekiö’s vast, rugged wilderness and complete darkness make it one of the best places in Finland to admire the northern lights. The area has exceptionally little light pollution and plenty of clear nights, which is why auroras are statistically seen here more often than anywhere else in the country. Locals often favor routes toward Näkkälä and Kalmakaltio, where the deep silence of nature makes the sky’s light show even more breathtaking.
5. Remote fell cabins – your own sky, stars, and silence
If you dream of seeing the northern lights in complete peace, a remote cabin in the fells is the perfect choice. Far from village lights, you can watch the auroras right from your doorstep – perhaps from under a blanket or while soaking in a warm outdoor hot tub. These fell cabins offer silence, darkness, and an unobstructed view of the sky – the very elements that make a northern lights experience truly unforgettable.
Why Book Lapland is your gateway to the northern lights
Book Lapland doesn’t just offer a tour – it offers a real chance to experience the northern lights at their very best. As we write on our website, our team has years of experience in aurora hunting, and we’re ready to do whatever it takes to find the lights – even if it means crossing into Sweden or Norway.
We have no time or distance limits; instead, we tailor each night’s plan entirely based on weather conditions and aurora forecasts. Tours typically last 6–8 hours and take you to carefully selected, remote locations with the best possible visibility. Our goal isn’t just to see the northern lights – it’s to capture them for you as unforgettable memories, using professional cameras and expertise. With Book Lapland, you’ll be in the right place, at the right time – camera ready.
Sources d'information
Laponie finlandaise - Le meilleur endroit pour voir les aurores boréales
