Tours & Experiences
Accommodation
About Book Lapland
- © Copyright 2025 Book Lapland
Lapland
Rovaniemi is Santa Claus’s official hometown. It’s also one of the best places in the world to see the breathtaking Northern Lights. Moreover, its location right on the Arctic Circle makes Rovaniemi one of the very best places on the planet to witness this enchanting display of light and color dancing across the night sky.
The Northern Lights appear when particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere. As a result, they create vibrant displays of green, pink, and sometimes even purple. In addition, the lights are most visible from late August to early April. During these darker months, nights in Lapland are long and the skies are often especially clear. For this reason, travelers who visit in this period have the best chance to experience the magic of the Aurora.
Rovaniemi is not only easily accessible but also offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and raw Arctic wilderness. Moreover, the city is surrounded by pristine nature, with little to no light pollution just outside its borders, which provides prime conditions for spotting the Aurora. In addition, whether you’re seeking an adventurous night in the wild or a luxurious glass-roofed igloo stay, Rovaniemi truly has something for everyone.
Aurora Safaris
Join a guided tour into the heart of the Arctic wilderness. You can travel by snowmobile, husky sled, or even reindeer sleigh to reach remote locations. As a result, your chances of spotting the lights are significantly higher.
Glass Igloos and Aurora Cabins
Spend the night under the stars in a heated glass-roofed cabin, offering panoramic views of the night sky. Furthermore, this is the perfect way to experience the Aurora in both warmth and comfort.
Photography Tours
Capture the magic with the help of expert guides who take you to the best spots. In addition, they provide practical tips on photographing the Aurora Borealis, so you can bring home unforgettable memories.
Tips for trip
Rovaniemi offers a unique chance to experience the Aurora Borealis like nowhere else on Earth. Whether you’re looking for adventure, comfort, or simply the wonder of nature, this Arctic wonderland has it all.
Plan your unforgettable Northern Lights experience today at BookLapland.
The earliest known record of the Northern Lights dates back to 567 BCE, documented by Babylonian astronomers during King Nebuchadnezzar II’s reign. They described a “red glow” in the night sky, marking one of the first human attempts to chronicle this celestial event.
Throughout history, various cultures have developed myths to explain the auroras. In Finnish folklore, the phenomenon is called “revontulet,” meaning “fox fires,” stemming from a legend where an arctic fox’s tail swept sparks into the sky.
Similarly, the Sámi people believed the lights were the energies of souls. While Norse mythology associated them with the Valkyries guiding fallen warriors to Valhalla.
Galileo Galilei coined the term “Aurora Borealis” in 1619. He combined “Aurora,” the Roman goddess of dawn, with “Boreas,” the Greek god of the north wind. Later, in the late 19th century, Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland explained the science. He proposed that solar particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field to create the lights.
Today, we know that the Northern Lights occur when solar wind particles collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. Oxygen and nitrogen then emit light. The colors depend on the type of gas and the altitude of the interaction. Green is the most common hue.
The Northern Lights have also played an important role in the history of exploration. Early Arctic explorers documented their encounters with the auroras, and consequently their journals became valuable records. They often described the lights as otherworldly phenomena that guided their journeys while adding an element of mystery. As a consequence, these accounts strengthened the broader understanding and allure of the polar regions.
In modern times, the Northern Lights continue to fascinate travelers. They draw people to polar regions for a glimpse of their ethereal beauty. Advancements in technology now allow for more accurate predictions of auroral activity. As a result, opportunities for observation and study have grown.
The Aurora Borealis endures because it blends natural beauty, cultural meaning, and scientific intrigue. It remains a timeless spectacle that connects myth with science.
Tours
Increase your chances of admiring (and photographing) the elusive Northern Lights with this high-energy tour. We go to all lengths to make sure you enjoy the show of a lifetime.