Northern Lights in Levi, Finland 2024-2025

With an average of 111 northern light sightings per year, Levi, a mountainous fell in the north of Finland, draws in thousands of aurora chasers. Situated in the village of Sirkka, this fell grew into a well-known tourist attraction and a ski resort. Woodland areas are quite common near Levi, providing a perfect setting to enjoy the northern lights.

Aurora Forecast

Northern lights are known to be caused by geomagnetic and solar activity, meaning that it to reach certain levels for phenomenon to begin. The activity is measured in Kp-Index on a scale from 0 to 9, indicating the severity of a solar storm and its distance from the pole. Thanks to Levi's location north of the Arctic Circle, northern lights can be seen with a Kp index of 2 or 3. To witness aurora, it's also recommended to stay away from urban, highly populated and illuminated areas, to avoid light pollution. Several websites, such as the Space Weather Prediction Center and the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, provide regularly updated aurora borealis forecasts. Finnish Meteorological Institute also offers aurora probability forecast.

Best Time to See Northern Lights

With the aurora borealis season lasting up to seven months, you have a chance to witness this vibrant phenomenon nearly every second day. Northern lights can be seen in the sky above snowy peaks of Levi from late August until late April. The peak of aurora borealis falls from September until March, when the temperatures drop and nights grow longer. The lights start swirling in the sky after dark, meaning that the best time to see them is after 8 pm and until 1 am. During the winter season, some auroras are visible as early as 5 pm, while in mid-spring, aurora chases need to patiently wait until the sun fully disappears behind the horizon.

Best Places to See Northern Lights

The phenomenon is clearly visible in any open spaces with low levels of light pollution, making Levi a perfect destination for aurora chasers. However, some spots offer breathtaking views and experiences, including Kätkä wilderness, the neighboring fell near Levi, just 4 miles (6 km) from the heart of Levi. There are several woodland paths throughout the village and several stunning lakes. The lake Immeljärvi is situated on one of the hiking trails near town, while lakes Immellompola and Ahvenjarvi are located further from the buildings and facilities.

Aurora Tours & Expeditions

Numerous hotels and resorts in Levi organize their own guided expedition programs and services, promising a carefully planned aurora sighting experience. Northern Lights Village resort, situated approximately 14 miles (22 km) from the fell's center, offers some of the most unique aurora tours. Their bus tours take you on a trip to Ounasjoki river or Jerisjärvi lake, depending on aurora visibility chances. For a more extreme experience, consider choosing a snowmobile or snowshoes tour through the nearby forest, with amazing outlooks on the starry sky. Heated sleigh expeditions are also available, immersing you into a true Arctic setting. All tours are available from November 24th until April 21st, with cost ranging from €99 to €149.

Other Locations to See Northern Lights in Finland

Besides Levi, Finland boasts numerous stunning places where you can experience aurora borealis to the fullest. Northern lights in Finland can be spotted in Lapland villages Kilpisjärvi and Ivalo, municipality of Utsjoki and the city of Tornio. Some auroras are visible even in the capital of Helsinki, at the Observatory Hill.

Visitor Reviews

Rove. me reached out to several travelers who visited Levi and had a chance to view the aurora borealis on its premises. Our main goal was to gather their thoughts on aurora visibility, weather conditions, and overall experience in Levi. We also asked them if they would recommend visiting Levi to other potential travelers.

Iñaki Juaristi, from Basque country, Spain, traveled to Finland in April 2024 with two of his friends after he visited Iceland, where he wasn't able to see northern lights. Before Levi, Iñaki and his friends visited Ivalo, another majestic village in Lapland, 135 miles (218 km) from Levi. Iñaki shared their aurora chasing experience, "We went to Ivalo, to the north, and from there, we drove two more hours north to see auroras. Day and night, we were looking at the solar storm predictions. We became aurora “experts in just a few days."

Iñaki told Rove.me about aurora borealis at the Levijärvis Lake, "Two days later, it was predicted that there would be a high probability of seeing auroras. We decided to go to Levijärvis Lake, which is located in Levi, since we saw Aurora live cams from there. In the end, we had an unforgettable night and were able to see that spectacle in the sky."

Iñaki also mentioned some drawbacks of traveling in Lapland, "A downside of this is the cold. We spent two hours at -4°F (-20°C). Obviously, you don’t care about it as much because of the euphoria of the moment." Overall, Iñaki really enjoyed his trip and witnessing northern lights and noted, "We spent about two hours appreciating that show, and it really is an image that I will never forget. I would recommend this trip to everyone."

We also had a chance to talk to Rune Björklund, originally from Vaasa, Finland, which is 435 miles (700 km) south of Levi. Rune has visited Levi 8-10 times in the last 12 years, either with his wife, family, or friends. He shared his experience with us, "Levi is a nice place to visit in any season. Winter is perhaps the most famous one with snow and darkness. But summer with no sunset and autumn with “ruska” (fall foliage in Finnish) when nature prepares for winter have both gained my delight over the years."

Rune is passionate about photography, especially about capturing night scenes and the aurora. Regarding northern lights in Levi, he noted, "In Levi, you have great opportunities to both see dancing auroras and the deep dark sky filled with stars. The aurora season starts in the second part of August and ends in April, so there is plenty of time. You don’t need to go anywhere to see aurora here. Just find a dark spot a little away from the main streets, and you will see an aurora if it is up there that night."

He said that light pollution doesn't provide any challenges in Levi, but you need to watch out for clouds, "The rule of thumb is that the colder the weather, the fewer clouds you'll see." Rune also mentioned that the peak season of aurora chasing is from December to March, even though aurora can be seen in Levi for more than half a year. Rune offered this advice to first-time aurora chasers, "When you come, the most important thing is warm clothes, as the best aurora nights normally have temperatures between 5°F and -31°F (-15 and -35 °C). An aurora app and weather forecast information are also good to have."