Rovaniemi

Located right on the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi is a captivating destination that perfectly merges the enchantment of the northern lights with the charm of winter wonderland experiences. Known as the official hometown of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi offers travelers a unique blend of festive spirit, stunning natural beauty, and thrilling activities, making it a must-visit for anyone looking to witness the aurora borealis.

From September to March, Rovaniemi serves as a prime location for experiencing the northern lights. With clear skies and minimal light pollution, your chances of witnessing this celestial display are outstanding.

Book an amazing adventure in Rovaniemi

  • Free cancellation Special offer

    Northern Lights Rovaniemi: Guaranteed Viewing & Unlimited Mileage

    4.9 (1346)

    8 hours From £145.24

    Unparalleled Northern Lights Tour: Unlike conventional tours that limit their guests to a single location, we take you on an exhilarating chase to follow the northern lights wherever they may appear. Our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences is deeply rooted in our history, as one of the owners proudly represents the 20th generation of their family in Lapland, Finland, with roots stretching back to the 1600s. Our expert guides employ their extensive experience and up-to-the-minute technology to track and locate the celestial show, maximizing your chances of witnessing this awe-inspiring phenomenon. At our tour, we prioritize the true purpose of your visit - to behold the northern lights in all their splendor. We don't distract you with barbecued sausages or unnecessary detours; our sole mission is to provide you with an unforgettable experience of the aurora, ensuring every moment counts.

  • Free cancellation

    Unlimited Range Northern Lights Hunt with VIP Van

    4.9 (238)

    6 - 8 hours From £135.76

    Please check our Instagram for high-quality Aurora photography @lapintaivas.tours Lapin Taivas can travel up to 300+ KM (If Necessary) in a double seated Mercedes Pegabus Van. Either chasing a clear sky or driving into back country’s best spots, this tour is for real Aurora Hunters! Our Aurora guides and photographers use the best weather reports, cameras, and lenses to capture stunning shots. These professional photos will be delivered to your email in 24 to 72 hours after your experience. Unlike others, there is no designated route for this safari and we only drive wherever the clear sky will be. By driving at least 100km to back country even at perfect clear skies, we never end up in light polluted areas for best viewing experience. Our catch rate was 86% during 2023-24 Winter and 92% so far in this season. Lapin Taivas, Your Way To Lights ❤️ [Lapin Taivas does not recommend this safari If a guest has another activity early in the next morning.]

  • Free cancellation Likely to sell out

    Lapland Reindeer and Husky Safari from Rovaniemi

    4.5 (145)

    3 hours From £187.00

    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 Special offer

    Unlimited Time & Mileage - Aurora Hunting Pro Tour

    4.8 (484)

    4 - 12 hours From £137.17

    This is for you who wants to MAXIMISE the chances to see the northern lights and minimise the need of the luck! Our Aurora team have years of experince and we are ready to do ANYTHING to find the lights every night possible! Main goal is to capture this Northern lights and people in PICTURES with our professional cameras. We have no time or mile limit to ensure you have the best chances of witnessing the Aurora Borealis. We might even venture as far as Sweden or Norway for an unforgettable adventure. Total duration of tour is usually 6-8 hours depends on conditions of the day. We have experience in countless places around Lapland and we choose the destinations carefully according to the day's forecast and weather. Small Groups max 8 per group. For those reasons we have over 95% succeess rate on this Pro Tour.

  • Free cancellation

    8-10km Husky Ride in the Taiga Forest and visiting the Kennel

    4.7 (18)

    4 hours 30 minutes From £187.00

    Surrounded by the raw and natural beauty of Lapland, Finland. If you long for a thrilling experience, you have to join us for an adventure with the husky team. Have you ever ridden an open husky sled? The kinship is only vague. And you will hold the reins, too. Yes, you will be the musher (the driver) of the husky slеd. The only requirement is to be more than 18 years old. Of course, the youngsters may be passengers in the back seat. Your fairy tale..”dashing through the snow in a husky open sleigh” begins. Instead of bells the dogs’ barking will jingle, while they enthusiastically follow the trail through the crude, white-clad Lapland forests. It’s really fantastic, a dream come true.

  • Free cancellation

    Husky and Reindeer Farm Visit With Snowmobiling

    4.0 (48)

    4 hours From £169.07

    Experience an action-packed arctic journey where you get to ride snowmobiles through stunning wilderness, meet enchanting reindeer, and energetic Alaskan Huskies and explore the Santa Claus Village. Our guides will provide winter clothing and snowmobile training before taking off on a 1 hour long snowmobile adventure through Arctic Circle forests. After the snowmobile journey, visit the husky and reindeer farm, where you can enjoy a 500m ride on your own reindeer sledge and receive a reindeer sledge driver’s license. Next, make your way to the Alaskan Huskies and experience them in action on a 800m long sleigh ride. Listen to the local reindeer herders as they tell you more about the herding lifestyle and how it is to be a reindeer herder in the 21st century. After the farm visit, you will be taken to the Santa Claus Village where you have the opportunity to experience the Christmas atmosphere, step across the Arctic Circle and meet Santa Claus himself!

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

Forecasts last updated on 14 March 2025 at 12:33pm

21%

Currently there is a 21% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Rovaniemi area.

Kp 3.00

The Kp-index is a scale used to measure geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher values indicating greater geomagnetic activity.

  • 0-2 (Very low) Far north, quite dim, and not very active.
  • 3-5 (Moderate) Can be seen further south, with increased brightness and activity. Chance of good viewing conditions nearer the pole.
  • 6-7 (High) Visible in many northern regions, with vibrant displays.
  • 8-9 (Extreme) Widespread visibility, often seen in areas much further south than usual, with intense and colorful displays.
Bz -5 nT

Bz refers to the north-south orientation of the magnetic field embedded in the solar wind. It is measured in nanoteslas (nT).

When Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind particles to penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. A strong negative Bz is often associated with increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Conversely, when Bz is positive (northward), the Earth’s magnetic field tends to block the solar wind, resulting in reduced auroral activity.

Density 0.16 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 centimeter (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, they produce the stunning light displays known as auroras.

Speed 556.8 km/s

The speed of the solar wind also plays a significant role. 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.

Snow

-6°C Feels like -11°C

High
-6°C
Low
-20°C
  • Precipitation: 100%
  • Cloud cover: 82%
  • Wind: 4 km/h
  • Snow: 1mm

Moon

Full moon

  • Sun rises at: 6:40am
  • Sun sets at: 6:11pm
  • Moon rises at: 6:40pm
  • Moon sets at: 6:52am

Places to check out around Rovaniemi

Discover Restaurants, Hiking Trails, Museums and more…

Other places in Finland

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See also

Planning Your Northern Lights AdventureNorthern Lights PhotographyScience Of The AuroraNorthern Lights Playlist

Arktikum

Arktikum is a Museum at Pohjoisranta 4, 96200 Rovaniemi

Arktikum in Rovaniemi is a museum, science centre, attraction, popular culture destination as well as a memorable venue for meetings and conferences.

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What do people think of Arktikum?

4.5

  • Yani bizim müze diye adlandırdığımız yerler ile çok farklı tabi. Benim için gereksizdi. Zevk meselesi tabi

    24 January 2019

  • Knowledge and great exibitiond

    18 October 2018

  • Loads of exhibitions from the history of Lapland to the climate change and arctic in general.

    19 August 2018

  • Museum is nice itself. The expositions juts so-so. You have to read a lot if you want to understand smth. But check it is must.

    8 February 2017

  • We went to Arktikum 3 times and all those times we all fell in love! Worth visiting! :)

    1 January 2017