See the Northern Lights in Levi, Finland
Aurora tours from a relaxed 2-hour sky check to an unlimited-distance hunt with no fixed return time. We follow the weather, not a fixed route.
About the Northern Lights in Levi
What you actually need to know before booking an Aurora tour
The Northern Lights are not a scheduled event. They appear when 3things align: sufficient solar activity, a clear sky, and darkness. In Levi, Finnish Lapland, all 3 conditions are possible from late August through mid-April, but the peak window is December through March, when nights are long and skies are reliably dark.
What separates a successful Aurora hunt from a disappointing one is rarely solar activity - the KP index is what it is. What matters is the flexibility to go where the sky is clear, and the local knowledge to read conditions in real time. That is what our guides do on every departure.
Levi sits at 68°N, well inside the auroral oval. On a clear night with a KP index of 2 or higher, the lights are visible with the naked eye. On stronger nights (KP 4-6), the display can fill the entire sky.
Season: late August - mid April
Organised tours begin in October when nights are long enough. Contact us directly for earlier departures.
Location advantage: 68°N latitude
Levi sits inside the auroral oval, one of the most active zones on the planet for Aurora activity.
Best viewing: 7 PM - 2 AM
Aurora peaks around magnetic midnight. Our tours depart accordingly and stay out as long as conditions warrant.
Real-time route decisions
Guides monitor cloud cover, satellite imagery and KP forecasts before every departure and adjust the route mid-tour if needed.
Choose your level of commitment
Three Aurora tours. One difference: how far you're willing to go
All three tours are searching for the same phenomenon. The Aurora doesn't change. Your time, distance and flexibility do.
MOST POPULAR
A smart sky check beyond the village lights.
- Up to 50 km from Levi centre
- Experienced local driver reads sky & weather in real time
- Comfortable - no long drive, no all-night commitment
- Ideal for children and guests wanting a short evening activity
This tour is for you if
"I'd love to see the Northern Lights, and I'm happy with a relaxed evening even if the sky doesn't fully cooperate."
From €95
The guide goes wherever the sky is clear.
- Up to 200 km in any direction - route decided on departure
- Real-time cloud cover & solar activity monitoring
- 70% refund if no Aurora is seen at all
- No fixed itinerary, the focus is on finding clear skies
This tour is for you if
"I really want to see the Northern Lights and I'm willing to spend several hours searching for the right conditions."
From €195
No cap. No fixed return time. No compromises.
- No distance limit, if clear skies are 300 km away, the tour continues
- Tour ends when all realistic opportunities are exhausted
- 70% refund if no Aurora is seen at all
- Ideal for guests on a short Lapland trip with only one chance
This tour is for you if
"I came to Lapland to see the Northern Lights. This is the most important thing on my trip."
From €295
Why Scandinavian travel group
What makes the difference on a real Aurora hunt
No fixed route
Our guides do not follow a predetermined program. They track cloud cover and solar data in real time and drive in whichever direction offers the clearest sky, even mid-tour.
Small groups
All Aurora tours run in small vehicles. No 40-person bus that moves at the pace of the slowest passenger. Decisions are made faster and the experience is quieter.
An exclusive viewing site outside Levi with near-360° unobstructed sky, zero light pollution, and a warm Aurora dome shelter. Not available through any other operator.
Guarantee term
The 70% refund applies if no Aurora is seen at all. The conditions are clear in the booking. We do not make this offer unless we are confident we can honour it.
Camera guidance included
All guides provide basic night photography tips on request. Bring a DSLR or mirrorless with manual settings for the best results; newer smartphone night modes also work well.
Many Northern Lights tours can be booked the same day, subject to availability. If the forecast looks good and you are in Levi, get in touch - we will do our best to get you out that night.
Exclusive private location
Most Aurora tours in Lapland stop at a roadside lay-by or a lake shore. Polarman's Camp is different. It is a private location just outside Levi, away from road traffic and tourist activity, with an almost completely unobstructed 360° sky view and no light pollution.
The camp includes a warm Aurora dome shelter so you can step inside to warm up without losing sight of the sky. The Polarman himself will be there to read the conditions with you.
Northern Lights in Lapland
Levi or Rovaniemi for the Northern Lights?
An honest comparison for travellers deciding where to base their Aurora trip.
Levi, Finnish Lapland
- 100 km further north than Rovaniemi, deeper inside the auroral oval
- Smaller resort town with significantly less light pollution
- Guides can drive 200+ km in any direction, no urban obstacles
- No Christmas theme park traffic; Aurora is the main activity, not a side trip
- Private viewing sites (Polarman's Camp) not accessible from Rovaniemi.
ROVANIEMI
- Larger city, more light pollution, more tour groups competing for the same spots
- Slightly less optimal latitude for Aurora viewing
- Santa Claus Village and Christmas experiences are the main draws
- More transport connections, easier to reach from Helsinki or abroad
- Better for combining Aurora with city amenities and the Christmas atmosphere
Rovaniemi is the right choice if you want a Christmas atmosphere alongside the Aurora.
Levi is the right choice if seeing the Northern Lights is the primary reason you are going to Lapland.
The two goals are compatible, but they are not the same goal.
Book your Aurora tour
Available tours & dates
Season runs October through April. Most tours allow same-day booking, subject to availability.
common Questions
Your questions about the Northern Lights in Levi
When is the Northern Lights season in Levi?
The Aurora season begins at the end of August and runs through mid-April. Organised tours start in October when nights are long enough for a reliable viewing window. The strongest months are December through March. If you want to search for Aurora in September, contact us - departures are possible outside the main schedule.
What is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Levi?
While Aurora can be visible from late August, our carefully selected tours begin in October, when the nights are longer and the chances of seeing are higher. Prime viewing months are from September to March, with the darkest skies providing the best contrast to the vibrant lights.
Where are the Top Spots for Northern Lights Viewing in Levi?
Levi offers several prime locations for Northern Lights viewing, away from city lights and surrounded by serene wilderness.
Can the Northern Lights be predicted?
While not exact, forecasts based on solar activity can give a good indication of when the Aurora might be visible. Based on our experience, even on days with low forecast activity, we sometimes see Aurora flashes. Do not give up! Keep watching if the sky is clear.
How likely am I to see the Northern Lights during my trip?
It depends on weather, solar activity, and light pollution. We monitor forecasts and choose the best spots nightly.
Can I join a tour on the same day I arrive?
Yes, if slots are available. Some our Northern Lights tours allow last-minute bookings depending on capacity.
What types of Northern Lights tours are available in Levi?
Options include minibus tours, snowmobile safaris, snowshoeing hikes, and fat-bike evening tours.
How long do the tours last?
Most tours last between 2–4 hours, but durations may vary depending on the tour type and conditions.
Can I take good photos of the Northern Lights with a phone?
Some newer phones can capture the aurora in night mode, but a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings works best.
Do you provide help with photographing the Northern Lights?
Yes, many tours include basic photo tips or assistance from a guide experienced in night photography.
What is the difference between the Guarantee Tour and the Unlimited Distance Hunt?
The Guarantee Tour can travel up to 200 km from Levi and runs for approximately 3-5 hours.
The Unlimited Distance Hunt has no distance cap and no fixed return time, if clear skies are found 300 km away, the tour continues there.
Both include the 70% refund guarantee.
The Unlimited Hunt is designed for guests for whom seeing the Aurora is the single most important goal of the trip.
Is Levi a good place to see the Northern Lights compared to Rovaniemi?
Levi sits approximately 100 km further north than Rovaniemi, placing it deeper inside the auroral oval. The town is smaller, with less light pollution, and our guides can drive 200+ km in any direction with fewer urban obstacles. If the Aurora is your primary goal, Levi offers a structural advantage. Rovaniemi is the better base if you want the full Christmas theme park experience alongside Aurora viewing.
Which Aurora tour is best for families with children?
The Northern Lights Hunt by Car (from €95) is designed for families. It lasts approximately two hours, travels no further than 50 km from Levi, and is a comfortable, relaxed activity. The Guarantee Tour is also suitable for older children, but the drive can be long. The Unlimited Hunt is best for adults and teenagers who are genuinely committed to staying out all night.
What KP index do I need to see the Northern Lights in Levi?
At 68°N latitude, the Aurora is visible with the naked eye at KP2 or above on a clear night. At KP4-5 the display can fill the entire sky. Our guides monitor forecasts from the Finnish Meteorological Institute and Space Weather services. Even on nights with a KP of 1-2, short Aurora flashes are common; we recommend going out rather than waiting for a "perfect" forecast night that may not come.
How does the 70% refund guarantee work?
If no Aurora is observed during the Guarantee Tour or the Unlimited Distance Hunt, 70% of the tour price is refunded. The terms are straightforward: if you don't see the lights, you get the majority of your money back. This applies to both the standard Guarantee Tour (€195) and the Unlimited Hunt (€295). The remaining 30% covers the guide's time, fuel and the real effort made to find clear skies.
Can I see the Northern Lights in September or April in Levi?
Yes. Aurora activity in September can be strong - the autumn equinox period (mid-September) is statistically one of the best times of year for geomagnetic activity. The drawback is that nights are shorter. April is similar: activity can be good but nights are already quite short by mid-month. Our scheduled tours begin in October, but we run early-season departures on request.
Can I photograph the Northern Lights on my phone?
Newer smartphones (iPhone 13 and above, recent Android flagships) can capture Aurora in Night Mode with reasonable results. For the best photographs, bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a manual exposure mode, a wide-angle lens (f/2.8 or faster), and a tripod. Our guides can provide basic settings guidance on the tour. ISO 800–3200, 5-20 seconds exposure, and a wide aperture are a good starting point.
Ready to go hunting?
Season runs October through April. Same-day bookings available when conditions allow.