Aurora Guide · Levi, Finnish Lapland
Chasing the Northern Lights in Levi
When to come, where to look and how to photograph the aurora — a local guide from the fells of Sirkka.
Levi sits well inside the Arctic auroral zone, which makes Finnish Lapland one of the most reliable places on earth to see the Northern Lights. On a clear, dark night the sky above the Sirkka fells can erupt in ribbons of green and violet — and at LUX LAPLAND you can watch them from your own panoramic windows. This guide covers everything you need to plan an aurora trip to Levi.
When to come
The best time to see the aurora in Levi
September – October
Crisp, snow-free nights with aurora reflected on the lakes around Sirkka.
GoodNovember – December
Polar twilight and long darkness — pair aurora hunting with the first snow.
Very goodJanuary – February
Deep Arctic winter, the darkest skies and the highest chances on clear nights.
ExcellentMarch – early April
Statistically strong aurora activity with milder, brighter evenings.
ExcellentWhere to look
Best Northern Lights viewing spots near Levi
Utsuvaara summit
The fell directly above the Gielas apartment offers an open northern horizon away from village lights — one of the best private vantage points in Sirkka.
Immeljärvi lake
A short walk from Levi centre, this frozen lake gives a wide, dark sky and mirror-like reflections early in the season.
Kätkätunturi fell
Hike or drive toward Kätkä for a 360° panorama high above the tree line, well clear of light pollution.
From your balcony
Both LUX LAPLAND apartments face the fells with panoramic windows — on active nights you can watch the lights from the warmth of the sofa or sauna terrace.
Plan your hunt
How to read the aurora forecast
Watch the KP index
A KP of 2–3 is usually enough this far north. Check it before heading out.
Clear skies first
Aurora hides behind clouds — follow the FMI cloud forecast for Kittilä/Levi.
Best window 21:00–01:00
Activity peaks around local midnight. Be patient — displays come in waves.
Dress for −20 °C
Layers, wool, and hand warmers keep you out long enough to catch the show.
Capture it
Photographing the Northern Lights
- —Use a tripod and a 5–15 second exposure.
- —Set aperture wide (f/2.8 or lower) and ISO 800–3200.
- —Focus manually on a bright star, then lock it.
- —Shoot in RAW to recover the green and violet tones.
Northern Lights in Levi — FAQ
What is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Levi?
The aurora season in Levi runs from late August to early April. The darkest, clearest nights from December to March give the highest chances, though September and October offer beautiful lake reflections.
Can you see the Northern Lights from the apartments?
Yes. Both LUX LAPLAND apartments sit on the fells of Sirkka with large panoramic windows facing north, so on active, clear nights you can watch the lights without leaving the apartment.
How many nights should I stay to see the aurora?
Aurora viewing depends on solar activity and clear skies, so we recommend at least 3–4 nights in Levi to maximise your chances of a strong display.
Do I need to drive far from Levi to see the lights?
Not necessarily. Sirkka and the surrounding fells already have dark skies, but driving a few minutes away from village lights toward Utsuvaara, Immeljärvi or Kätkätunturi gives the clearest view.
Watch the aurora from your own window
Book a private LUX LAPLAND apartment on the fells of Levi and let the Northern Lights come to you.