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Stories from small-group tours and photoshoots in Rovaniemi, Levi and Pyhä-Luosto — Northern Lights, wildlife and life in Finnish Lapland.
Looking for the best things to do in Rovaniemi? The capital of Finnish Lapland packs more into one trip than most countries manage in a region: the Arctic Circle, Santa Claus himself, two rivers, three national parks within driving distance, and — on a clear, dark night — the northern lights above the rooftops. The hard part isn't finding something to do. It's knowing where a local would actually go, and how to see the city at its most authentic instead of from the window of a 50-seat bus.
The best time to see the northern lights in Lapland is from late August to early April, on dark, clear nights, with the highest odds around the equinoxes and through the deep-winter months of December to March. There is no single perfect date — the aurora is a natural phenomenon — but get the season, the hours and the sky right, and Finnish Lapland is one of the most reliable places on Earth to watch the lights dance.
The best places to see the northern lights share three things in common: they sit under or near the auroral oval, they have long, dark winter nights, and they get you away from city light pollution. Finland, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Canada and Alaska all qualify — but where you actually point your camera matters just as much as which country you fly to.
Learning how to photograph the northern lights comes down to three settings — a high ISO, a long shutter speed and a wide aperture — plus manual focus set to infinity and a steady tripod. Get those right and even a modest camera will capture colour and structure your eyes can barely see. Get them wrong and the brightest aurora of the season turns into a blurry, noisy smudge.
Lapland’s many stunning natural destinations offer plenty of choices when planning activities for your visit to Finnish Lapland. And if you ask the locals, many will have their own favourite destination. There is no debating which is best—just as it is in matters of taste in general. However, there are many people in Lapland that would name Riisitunturi National Park as their favourite outdoor destination. Are you ready to find out why?
Already thinking about your winter trip to Lapland? Now is the perfect time to start planning the details. Until the end of July 2026 you can book with “SUMMER26” and get 15% off all Beyond Arctic adventures for the summer, autumn and winter seasons!
One of the more memorable sights visible in the winter sky in Rovaniemi doesn’t always mean the Northern Lights. During the darkest parts of the winter in December and January you will have the chance to see something uniquely beautiful, which social media users have taken to affectionately calling “cotton candy sky”.
When planning a trip to Finnish Lapland, you'll find no shortage of excursions to choose from. You will also quickly notice that some of the most popular experiences are available in two different formats – especially when it comes to Northern Lights tours.
Early summer has arrived in Finnish Lapland, and with it comes one of the region’s most distinctive natural phenomena: the Midnight Sun. In Rovaniemi, the official Midnight Sun period begins in early June and continues until early July, when the sun remains above the horizon around the clock. When you visit Rovaniemi and Lapland at this time of year, you get a chance to experience the landscape in a completely different light – pun intended!
For many travellers, a winter trip to Finnish Lapland is something to look forward to well in advance. The combination of Arctic landscapes, seasonal activities, and limited daylight creates a distinct travel window that benefits from early planning. With winter 2026–2027 tours in Rovaniemi and Levi are now open for booking. This is the right time to start shaping your trip to Rovaniemi or Levi with the support of experienced local guide here at Beyond Arctic!
For travellers staying in Levi, it’s easy to enjoy well-marked trails and nearby scenery. But if you’re looking to step beyond the resort and experience Lapland’s natural landscape in a deeper way, you may want to consider Beyond Arctic’s full-day trip to Pallas-Ylläs National Park. This guided adventure combines Arctic exploration, practical outdoor skills, and time to simply observe the environment at a slower pace – not to mention the views from the top of the fell!
A visit to a local reindeer farm is one of the most memorable ways to learn about northern life in Finnish Lapland. During a Beyond Arctic guided visit to a local reindeer farm, you will not only meet the animals, but learn about the traditions of reindeer herding, and enjoy a relaxed moment in a rural setting outside the city.
In the forests of Finnish Lapland, about an hour’s drive south of Rovaniemi, Ranua Wildlife Park offers visitors a chance to see northern wildlife in a setting that reflects the animals’ natural environment. A guided visit with a Beyond Arctic photography guide adds another dimension to the experience, combining wildlife knowledge, photography, and a relaxed pace that allows time to observe the animals.
If you are considering a winter getaway to Finnish Lapland, don’t overlook March. While many travellers focus on the festive season or the heart of midwinter, Rovaniemi in March offers some of the best conditions of the entire snow season. With longer days, frequent sunshine, reliable snow cover and excellent activity options, March is a practical and rewarding time to visit.
Rovaniemi Northern Lights tours are always on the “must-do” list for visitors to Finnish Lapland’s capital city, but in the second half of winter, we are really entering one of the best stretches of the winter season.
The shortest winter days are now in the rear-view mirror. From January onwards, winter in Rovaniemi takes on a new rhythm. Daylight stretches a little further each day, and the snowy landscapes of Finnish Lapland become easier to explore.
If you’re planning a trip to Finnish Lapland and wondering where to spend your time, the small arctic village of Levi is a destination worth putting at the top of your list. Levi is best known for its winter scenery, relaxed atmosphere and easy access to nature.
The full snow cover of the winter season has settled over Levi, bringing with it ideal conditions for traditional winter travel. This means our reindeer sled rides, available from 31.12.2025 all the way until late March are available for booking now!
Simply contact us to plan your trip and claim your discount — we'll help you craft the perfect holiday experience.
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