Find the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights

Plan your northern lights trip with expert travel advice, real-time aurora forecasts and destination guides. Whether you’re chasing the aurora borealis across Scandinavia, Iceland or the Canadian wilderness, we’ll help you find the best time and place to witness one of nature’s most spectacular displays.

Canada

Banff •Churchill •Edmonton •Jasper •Whitehorse •Yellowknife

Faroe Islands

Tórshavn

Finland

Inari •Levi •Luosto •Rovaniemi

Greenland

Ilulissat •Kangerlussuaq •Nuuk •Qaqortoq

Iceland

Akureyri •Reykjavík •Vík

Norway

Alta •Bodø •Lofoten •Tromsø

Shetland

Lerwick

Svalbard

Longyearbyen

Sweden

Abisko •Björkliden •Kiruna

USA

Anchorage •Fairbanks •Healy

See also

Aurora Forecast•​Planning Your Northern Lights Adventure•​Northern Lights Photography•​Science Of The Aurora•​Northern Lights Playlist•​Northern Lights Myths And Legends•​About Seek The Aurora

Inari

Home / Finland / Inari

Inari, located deep in Finnish Lapland, is one of the best places to view the Northern Lights. Situated right in the heart of the Aurora Oval, this pristine wilderness offers clear, dark skies ideal for witnessing vibrant green, purple and blue lights dancing across the night. Visiting Inari gives you a front-row seat to one of nature’s most spectacular displays.

Beyond the Northern Lights, Inari is renowned for its rich Sami culture, breathtaking Arctic landscapes and a wide range of winter activities such as husky safaris, snowshoeing and ice fishing. Discover why Inari is a top destination for Northern Lights tours and unforgettable Lapland adventures.

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

Many factors contribute to your likelihood of viewing the aurora in Inari. Geomagnetic activity, cloud cover and the amount of ambient light all play a big part. Check the forecasts for how good the viewing conditions are today.

Aurora Probability and Atmospheric Conditions

19%

There is a 19% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Inari area (forecast for 11 April 2026 at 7:53pm UTC)

HPI 21 GW

The Hemispheric Power Index (HPI) is a vital measure used to assess the strength of auroral activity at the poles. It estimates the total auroral energy input, with values above 20 GW indicating an aurora-active state. When the HPI reaches levels of 100 GW or more, it signifies a very significant geomagnetic storm, which can lead to spectacular auroral displays.

Density 2.22 p/cm3

Solar wind density refers to the number of charged particles in a given volume of the solar wind, typically measured in particles per cubic centimetre (p/cm3).

A typical solar wind density is around 2.76 p/cm3.

The density of the solar wind affects how many particles reach the Earth’s magnetosphere. A higher density means more particles are available to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, energy is released in the form of light that we see as the aurora.

Speed 576.8 km/s

Solar wind speed refers to the velocity at which charged particles are ejected from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.

A typical solar wind speed is about 375 km/s. When both speed and density are high, the energy transferred to the Earth’s magnetosphere increases, enhancing the chances of seeing vibrant auroras.

Light Levels

Moon

Waning crescent 42%

Sunrise 5:34am

Sunset 8:51pm

Weather Forecast for Inari

Clouds

1°C Feels like -2°C

High
7°C
Low
-2°C

  • Chance of precipitation 0%

  • Cloud cover 22%

  • South-Westerly winds 5 km/h gusts of 15 km/h

Book an amazing adventure in Inari

Explore this selection of tours and activities to make the most of your visit to Inari.

  • Free cancellation Special offer

    Rovaniemi:%100 Money Back Guarantee Northern Lights Hunting

    4.9 (624)

    5 - 12 hours From £61.28

    AURORA HUNT – REAL NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPERIENCE IF YOU DONT SEE THE LIGHTS GET %100 MONEY BACK WITH NO QUESTION Join Lapin Taivas for an authentic Northern Lights adventure! We can travel up to 300+ KM in our comfortable Mercedes Pegabus Vans, chasing clear skies or heading deep into the wilderness — this tour is made for true Aurora Hunters. Our professional guides and photographers use the best weather data, cameras, and lenses to find the lights and capture unforgettable shots. All photos are delivered to your email within 8–72 hours after the tour. Unlike standard tours, we follow no fixed route. We drive wherever the sky is clear, often 100+ KM away from city lights, to give you the best possible viewing conditions. With an impressive 93% success rate during the 2024–25 season, this is one of the most reliable and exciting Aurora experiences in Lapland. ✨ Lapin Taivas – Your Way to the Lights ✨ ⚠️ Not recommended if you have another early morning activity the next day.

  • Free cancellation Likely to sell out

    Lapland Reindeer and Husky Safari from Rovaniemi

    4.5 (182)

    3 hours From £194.44

    This combined husky and reindeer package is specially designed for those who would like to get the most of Lapland in a short period of time. You will be taken to a reindeer farm and for a short visit and safari. After visiting the reindeer, you will meet huskies and enjoy of a husky ride before heading back to Rovaniemi.

  • Free cancellation

    Snowmobile Safari to Arctic Nature

    4.8 (28)

    3 hours From £87.90

    Experience the thrill of snowmobiling through scenic winter landscapes with your loved ones. Our snowmobile safari offers a unique opportunity to bond over a shared adventure while taking in the beauty of the winter wilderness. Our tour company provides top-notch training and equipment, ensuring a safe and an enjoyable experience for everyone. Book your snowmobile safari today and make lasting memories with your loved ones. Approximately 1 hour snowmobile driving.

  • Free cancellation

    Rovaniemi: 100% Money-Back Guarantee Aurora Tour + Free Photos

    4.9 (901)

    4 - 6 hours From £105.66

    This is for you who wants to maximise the chances to see the Northern Lights – and minimise the need for luck! The main goal is simple: to see and photograph the Northern Lights with you in the picture, using our professional cameras and years of photography know-how. We drive as far as needed, even across the border to Sweden if that’s where the lights are. Total tour duration is between 4 to 6 hours, depending on the conditions of the night. We’ve explored countless locations around Lapland. Our team monitors live aurora data 24/7, satellite cloud maps, and weather models throughout the day. Once we confirm the conditions are good enough, we move. And when we move, we commit fully: we drive as far as needed - sometimes 50 km, sometimes 200+ km - to find clear skies an seeing the lights. We go where the Northern Lights are – and we take you with us!

  • Free cancellation

    Santa Claus Village with Reindeer & Husky Ride

    5.0 (16)

    4 - 5 hours From £150.05

    Start your magical Lapland adventure at the famous Santa Claus Village, one of Finnish Lapland’s top attractions. Meet Santa Claus in his official office, cross the Arctic Circle, and receive your official Arctic Circle Crossing Certificate. Make your visit even more memorable with optional Lapland experiences, including a 400-meter reindeer sleigh ride and an exciting husky sled ride. During the snowy season, husky rides typically range from 800 meters to 2 km, depending on weather and trail conditions. When snow is limited, rides are operated on wheeled carts (approximately 500 meters). From 6 December to 15 March, enjoy extra family fun at Snowman World, featuring ice slides, skating, and winter playgrounds perfect for children and adults alike. This all-in-one Arctic adventure is ideal for families, friends, and couples seeking unforgettable Lapland memories.

  • Free cancellation

    10 km Authentic Husky Safari in the Taiga Forest – Family Kennel

    4.8 (46)

    4 hours 30 minutes From £203.32

    Escape mass tourism and experience a truly authentic husky safari in the untouched taiga forest of Lapland. Drive your own husky sled on a 10 km wilderness trail, guided by professionals and hosted by a small family-run kennel where dogs are raised with care, respect, and love. ✔️ Small groups only ✔️ Hotel pickup included ✔️ No crowded routes or commercial loops Travelers choose this experience because it offers something increasingly rare in Lapland: ✔️ A genuine connection with the dogs ✔️ A peaceful ride through pristine wilderness ✔️ A personal, non-commercial atmosphere ✔️ Clear communication and well-organized transfers

Places to check out around Inari

Explore more nearby Inari

  • Sunset at Kaunispää, Saariselkä, Finland

    Credit: Jaakko Kemppainen

    Saariselkä

    68°25'10"N, 27°24'36"E

    Aurora probability in Saariselkä: 18%

    Saariselkä, a charming village in Finnish Lapland, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, offering visitors a perfect blend of outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking and aurora hunting amidst pristine wilderness and picturesque landscapes.

  • Northern lights during night time, Utsjoki, Finland

    Credit: Mark Davis

    Utsjoki

    69°54'32"N, 27°1'42"E

    Aurora probability in Utsjoki: 19%

    Utsjoki, the northernmost municipality in Finland, is renowned for its rich Sami culture and stunning Arctic landscapes, making it a unique destination for experiencing traditional Sami lifestyles and witnessing the mesmerizing Northern Lights.

  • Arial shot showing snow covered houses in Ivalo, Inari, Finland

    Credit: Mark Blackwell

    Ivalo

    68°39'27"N, 27°32'22"E

    Aurora probability in Ivalo: 19%

    Ivalo is a village in Finnish Lapland situated on the banks of the Ivalo River, just 20 kilometres south of Lake Inari. Ivalo is known for its stunning natural beauty and in wintertime when the skies are dark and clear, opportunities to witness the Northern Lights.

Other places in Finland

Levi•​Luosto•​Rovaniemi

See also

Home•​Aurora Forecast•​Planning Your Northern Lights Adventure•​Northern Lights Photography•​Science Of The Aurora•​Northern Lights Playlist•​Northern Lights Myths And Legends•​About Seek The Aurora