A Guide to a Responsible Northern Lights Experience in Rovaniemi

Enjoying the Northern Lights responsibly starts with choosing the right tour operator. Companies awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label are committed to sustainable tourism and protecting the unique nature and culture of Lapland. You can find STF-certified tourism businesses in Rovaniemi here.

A knowledgeable guide will not only take you to the best places to view the Northern Lights but also share fascinating insights into the science behind the Aurora Borealis, local traditions and the Arctic environment. Choosing a trusted tour operator helps support responsible tourism and ensures a high-quality experience.

To get most out of the experience, visit the Arktikum Science Centre and Museum for comprehensive scientific information about the Northern Lights. Arktikum welcomes visitors all year round.

Social media is filled with spectacular photographs of the Northern Lights. While these images are real, it’s worth remembering that cameras capture the aurora differently from the human eye. The most common Northern Lights appear in shades of green, while vivid purple, pink and red displays are much rarer.

Sometimes the Aurora is so faint that it is easier to see through a camera lens than with the naked eye, as cameras can capture more light than our eyes. On other nights, the Northern Lights dance brightly across the sky for hours. Every Aurora display is unique, which is part of what makes seeing the Northern Lights such a special experience.

If you’d like to capture the Northern Lights yourself, here are a few tips:

• The Northern Lights can be captured using long-exposure photography. Start with an exposure time of around 5–15 seconds, use the widest aperture available (the smallest f-number), and experiment with ISO settings between 800 and 3200, depending on the brightness of the aurora and your camera’s capabilities.
• If you’re using a smartphone, enable Night Mode or a dedicated long-exposure mode if your camera offers one.
• Use a tripod to keep your camera steady and capture sharper photos.
• Use a timer or remote shutter to avoid camera shake when taking the photo.
• Because Northern Lights photos are taken in low light, people can easily appear as dark silhouettes. To make them visible, briefly shine a flashlight or phone torch on them while the camera is taking the photo, and ask them to stay as still as possible throughout the exposure. The light should only be used briefly—too much light can overexpose the image and make the Northern Lights harder to see.
• Bring a fully charged power bank or extra camera batteries, as cold temperatures can drain batteries quickly.
• Most importantly, remember to enjoy the moment with your own eyes as well! The Northern Lights are an unforgettable experience, and some memories are best made beyond the camera lens.

When searching for the Northern Lights independently, always respect private property and local communities. Do not enter private land, private roads, or the yards of homes and holiday cabins in search of the Aurora.

Choosing locations that are open to the public helps protect residents’ privacy and supports responsible, sustainable travel. Visit Rovaniemi encourages visitors to enjoy the Northern Lights from designated public areas, where Aurora hunting can be enjoyed without disturbing local communities or the surrounding environment.

The following public locations are recommended for independent Northern Lights viewing in Rovaniemi:

• The Arctic Garden (outside Arktikum) – Located close to Rovaniemi city centre, this riverside park is easily accessible on foot and offers open views of the northern sky.
• Ounasvaara – Within walking distance of the city centre, Ounasvaara provides elevated viewpoints and relatively dark surroundings for observing the Aurora.
• Olkkajärvi Lean-to Shelter – Approximately a 15-minute drive from the city centre, this public recreation area is a popular Northern Lights viewing location with open views across the lake.
• Arctic Circle Hiking Area – About a 20-minute drive from the city centre, this nature area offers darker skies away from urban light pollution and several suitable locations for Aurora viewing.

These locations are easily accessible, open to the public and offer good opportunities to observe the night sky. Please note that Aurora visibility always depends on weather conditions and solar activity.

Locations that should not be used for Northern Lights viewing:

Not all locations that appear on maps or social media are suitable for Northern Lights viewing. Some areas are located on or near private property, while others are subject to access restrictions.

Please do not enter private property or military areas, where public access is prohibited. Always respect road signs, barriers and local regulations.

For example, the Norvajärvi area—including Norvajärvi beach, the German Soldiers’ Cemetery and the Norvasalmi parking area—is not recommended for independent Northern Lights viewing. Visitors are encouraged to choose one of the recommended public viewing locations listed above instead.

For your own safety and the safety of others, never stop or park along the side of a road to watch or photograph the Northern Lights. Stopping on roadsides can create dangerous situations for other road users, particularly during darkness, snowy conditions and periods of reduced visibility. If you wish to stop, always use a designated parking area or another location where parking is permitted.

Do not venture onto frozen lakes or rivers when searching for the Northern Lights unless the area has been confirmed safe for public use. Ice conditions can change throughout the winter and may vary even within the same body of water due to currents, weather and other environmental factors. In Rovaniemi, strong currents beneath the ice can make some areas particularly dangerous, including sections of the river near the city centre. Falling through the ice can be life-threatening. Always follow local safety guidance and enjoy the Northern Lights from safe, accessible viewing areas.

By choosing appropriate viewing locations and following local guidance, you help protect residents’ privacy, preserve the surrounding environment and ensure that Northern Lights tourism in Rovaniemi remains safe and sustainable for everyone.

Finland’s Everyone’s Rights (Jokaisenoikeudet) allow everyone to spend time in nature responsibly, regardless of who owns the area. When searching for the Northern Lights, you may generally walk, ski and enjoy natural areas, provided that you do not disturb people, damage the environment or interfere with landowners’ use of their property.

However, Everyone’s Rights are accompanied by responsibilities. They do not permit access to private yards or other restricted areas, and they do not override access restrictions or safety regulations. Organised commercial activities require the landowner’s permission and are subject to different rules than independent recreational use, meaning Everyone’s Rights do not apply to organised Northern Lights tours.

By following Everyone’s Rights and respecting local guidance, visitors can enjoy the Northern Lights while helping to protect Lapland’s nature, local communities and cultural heritage. For more information about Everyone’s Rights, see the guidance below.

• Respect Nature and Locals: Respect the privacy of local residents and avoid causing disturbance. Do not damage property, cut down or damage trees or plants, collect wood for fires, light campfires without permission, or drive motor vehicles off-road without the landowner’s permission. Always follow local signs and access restrictions.
• Leave No Trace: When in nature, ensure that you leave no litter behind. Carry a small bag for waste and take everything back with you, including food packaging, tissues and other waste such as cigarette remains.
• Respect Wildlife: The Arctic region is home to a variety of wildlife. While chasing the Northern Lights, keep noise to a minimum, observe animals from a distance and never feed wildlife or leave food or toilet waste behind.
• Stay Safe: Weather conditions in the Arctic can change quickly. Dress appropriately for cold weather, carry a fully charged phone, a map or GPS, and inform someone of your plans before heading out. Download the ‘112 Suomi’ mobile app – in an emergency, the app can help emergency services locate you using your coordinates, which is particularly valuable in Lapland, where it can be difficult to describe your exact location, even when travelling by road. The phone application can also give you regional public safety alerts and notices and allows the user to find the appropriate services to contact in problem situations.