Northern Lights Holidays in Lapland

Yes, Lapland is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights.*

Located in Northern Europe, Lapland lies within the Arctic Circle in a region known as the “northern lights belt”. This area, also known as the “aurora zone”, encircles the earth at latitudes of 65-72°N.

All of the key ingredients that need to come together for you to see the aurora borealis are present in both Swedish and Finnish Lapland. These include high latitudes, long winter nights and low light pollution.

*Please note that, even in Lapland, the northern lights can’t be guaranteed as they are a natural phenomenon.

The northern lights are a natural phenomenon, so unfortunately sightings can’t be guaranteed on any trip. However, our Lapland northern lights tours are designed to increase your chances of seeing the aurora.

Before you travel your dedicated travel consultant will answer any questions you have about spotting the northern lights. They will also provide you with a detailed itinerary and personal recommendations for your trip.

While you are in Lapland, you will also benefit from the knowledge of experienced guides who will take you to the best places for sightings.

To maximise your chances of seeing the aurora, you could add extra northern lights excursions to your trip or extend your stay from 3 days to 4 days, 5 days or 6 days. Of course, the more time you are able to spend in Lapland the greater your chances of seeing the aurora will be.

Although the northern lights occur all year round, they can only be seen when it’s dark.

Thanks to its extreme northern latitudes, Lapland’s winter nights are long and dark. So if you are hoping to tick seeing the northern lights off your bucket list, then December to March are the best months to visit.

Find out the answers to FAQs about seeing the northern lights during these months, along with plenty of other helpful information:

• Visiting Lapland in December
• Visiting Lapland in January
• Visiting Lapland in February
• Visiting Lapland in March

There are also a variety of thrilling things to do in Lapland from December to March. So even if the northern lights don't make an appearance, you will still have an incredible winter break in Lapland.

You can visit anytime from December to March and you could:

• Go mushing through the snow on a dog sled
• Marvel at the otherworldly northern lights
• Explore the countryside by snowmobile
• Have a private meeting with Santa Claus
• Sleep in an ice room or a glass igloo
• Try skiing, ice fishing or snowshoeing
• Experience local Sámi customs and cuisine
• See Arctic animals in their native habitat
• Warm up in a traditional Finnish sauna

Read more about the best Lapland holidays for a winter getaway on our expert's blog.

You can see the northern lights anywhere in Lapland as long as the skies are dark enough and there are low levels of light pollution

Head to Lapland’s remote landscapes for the best chance of spotting the aurora. These wide-open spaces are not only great for chasing the aurora, but are also perfect for enjoying a range of winter excursions. You could go on a reindeer safari, or ride a snowmobile across snow-blanketed plains.

Stay in one of the best places to see the northern lights in Lapland on one of our tours. These locations have been chosen for their fun winter excursions, expert guides and best chances of seeing the northern lights.

Finnish Lapland
Here are the best places to go in Finnish Lapland:

• Rovaniemi
• Santa Claus Village

Thankfully you don’t have to go as far north as Lake Inari to see the northern lights in Finland. Slightly further south, you’ll find Rovaniemi, one of the top aurora hunting locations in Finnish Lapland.

Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, is renowned as the “official hometown” of Santa Claus. As a large town, Rovaniemi does experience some light pollution. However, this is just the perfect excuse to venture into the surrounding countryside on a northern lights excursion.

Find out what else you can do on a Lapland Santa Holiday.

Read this detailed guide to the best times and places to see the northern lights in Finland and explore these Finnish winter tours.

Swedish Lapland
These are the top places to visit in Swedish Lapland:

• Kiruna
• Abisko National Park
• Aurora Sky Station

Kiruna and Abisko National Park are the best places to go in search of the northern lights in Swedish Lapland.

Kiruna is the hub of Swedish Lapland, and is also Sweden’s northernmost town. Its high latitude makes it a great spot for aurora hunting. Like Finnish Lapland, you’ll find that there are plenty of winter activities to choose from here. You can also enjoy a unique stay at the ICEHOTEL, the first of its kind in the world.

Alternatively, head to Abisko National Park and stay in a wilderness hotel. From here you can visit the Aurora Sky Station, which serves delicious gourmet meals and offers northern lights tours. You can also rent snowshoes to explore the countryside at your own pace.

Top tip: Abisko National Park is so remote that there is hardly any light pollution at all, increasing your chances of seeing the northern lights.

Check out this helpful guide to the best times and places to see the northern lights in Sweden and get inspired by these Swedish winter tours.

In Lapland you can choose from an array of out-of-the-ordinary accommodation options.

Some special experiences include overnighting in aurora cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the snow-laden landscape. You could even view the northern lights from your bed if you stay in one of the region’s domed glass igloos.

Alternatively, enjoy a stay in one of these “cool” hotels on a Lapland ice or snow hotel tour:

• ICEHOTEL near Kiruna
• Arctic SnowHotel near Rovaniemi

To make sure you don’t miss out on seeing the aurora, even after you have gone to bed, many hotels in Lapland offer an aurora alarm service. This means that you can choose to get a call to your room should the northern lights make an appearance.

Find out more in these guides to:

• Accommodation in Lapland
• Best ice hotels in Finland
• Sweden’s original ICEHOTEL

The northern lights are a natural phenomenon, so unfortunately they won’t always appear when you’d like them to. However, there are things that you can do to increase your chances of spotting them.

These are our top tips for seeing the northern lights in Lapland:

• Visit from December to March, the darkest winter months.
• Head to the Arctic Circle – the “northern lights belt” between latitudes of 65-72°N is best.
• Seek low levels of light pollution by getting out of town.
• Book onto northern lights excursions in the snow with a knowledgeable guide.
• Check the daily weather and aurora forecasts so you know when the northern lights are most likely to appear.
• Stay up late, as peak times for spotting the aurora are from late evening to 2 AM.
• Practise patience while waiting for the lights to make an appearance.
• Learn what your camera’s best settings for capturing the action are before you travel.

Read this handy guide for more detailed information on how to see the northern lights.

Happily, the northern latitudes of Iceland and Lapland make them both great places for seeing the northern lights. However, each has its own distinct character, which may mean you’d prefer to visit one over the other. The choice is down to your personal preference.

Located in the Arctic Circle, in the northern reaches of mainland Europe, Lapland can be a tranquil place to chase the aurora. In this winter wonderland, you can visit Father Christmas and ride through snow-blanketed forests in a husky or reindeer-drawn sled.

Found just south of the Arctic Circle, Iceland’s remote landscapes mean that it enjoys low levels of light pollution. This, combined with dark winter skies, make it another top spot for glimpsing the northern lights.

In Iceland you can enjoy jaw-dropping scenery, including volcanoes, black sand beaches and glacier lagoons. You can also bathe in geothermal pools, venture into ice caves and experience the vibrant capital city of Reykjavík.

Still having trouble deciding between Iceland and Lapland for your northern lights adventure? Learn more about each in these helpful blogs:

• 7 reasons to visit Lapland in winter
• Best times and places to see the northern lights in Europe
• Best times and places to see the northern lights in Iceland

Check out these Iceland northern lights tours for trip inspiration.

We may be biased, but we really think a northern lights tour is worth it. And, more importantly we think you will too!

If you book a northern lights tour with Nordic Visitor, you maximise your chances of seeing the aurora by benefiting from our insider knowledge.

When you book a trip, or contact us, you will be assigned your own regional expert. They will be able to help you and answer any questions you may have about Lapland.

Not only that, as standard your tour includes northern lights excursions led by a knowledgeable local guide. By drawing on their experience, you will be able to make the most of the conditions when you are chasing the aurora.

As well as this, we take the hassle out of planning your trip by arranging your accommodation, airport transfers and excursions on your behalf. You will also receive a detailed itinerary with personal recommendations.

Yes, Lapland winter tours are available from December or January to March.

Once you have selected the right trip for you, simply select the arrival date that suits you on the online availability calendar. Here you’ll be able to see the price for that departure date, which includes accommodation, airport transfers and any included excursions.

Yes, you can make some customisations to your tour throughout the booking process.

After selecting the start date you would like, you can choose to upgrade your accommodation. For example, you might like to add a night in a snow or ice hotel. You can also add extra nights or optional excursions to your short break.

Before booking your trip with Nordic Visitor, we recommend checking that flights are available on the dates that you would like to travel. However, please wait until your tour package is confirmed before you go ahead and book flights.

This is to avoid disappointment as some trips have limited availability. Please note that your tour arrangements aren’t finalised until you receive a confirmation email from us.

You will typically hear from your travel consultant within 2 working days of booking online. They will be delighted to let you know when your trip is confirmed. Waiting to hear from your travel consultant will also give you the chance to ask about your airport transfers.

Once everything is confirmed, you can book your flights and look forward to a memorable winter getaway.

Find out about flights to Finnish Lapland and flights to Swedish Lapland.

Lapland’s location in the Arctic Circle means that cold temperatures and snowy conditions await. But the stunning frozen landscapes are part of the reason you are visiting, right? So embrace the chill and wrap up warm to explore this winter wonderland.

There’s a saying in the Nordics: “There is no bad weather, only the wrong clothes.” With this in mind, we have provided a basic packing list for your northern lights tour in Lapland:

If you have any questions, you can always contact your travel consultant for advice.

• Insulated boots with good grip
• Insulated jacket (preferably waterproof too)
• Waterproof or snowproof trousers
• Thermal underwear and base layers
• Warm woollen or fleece sweater
• Warm gloves, scarf and hat
• Thin thermal gloves (ideal as a base layer under snowmobile gloves)
• Warm woollen socks
• Small backpack or rucksack
• Sunglasses
• Camera with extra battery pack
• Heat pads for hands and feet
• Flashlight if you are staying in a wilderness cabin

Check out this more detailed packing list for Lapland in winter for additional advice on what to bring. You can also read this blog on tips and tricks for dressing to see the northern lights.