Pudas River Bank

If you just want to take a short evening walk, you could head to the nearby riverbed. There are usually prepared tracks along the road which you can use to descend to the ice of the river. 

At the beginning of the year, the ice is usually already thick enough that you can walk on it safely. You can make sure of this by asking your host, but if you see snowmobile tracks and ski tracks on the ice, you can safely go there yourself.

Rotarypark, Aurora shed

Rovaniemi's community aurora viewing spot is located near the city center on the banks of the Ounasjoki River. If you don't have a car, you can also get here by local bus. 

Take bus number 8 to Arktikum and walk the rest of the way (approx. 500 meters of unlit route). Along the way, you will pass through the beautiful botanical garden of Arktikum to the northern lights shed (sheltered campfire) of the Rotary park.

Syväsenvaara Observation tower

This place is one of my favourites! It´s relatively close, so you can reach it by foot if you don´t mind walking a few kilometres:)

However, please take into account that the paths that lead to the tower can be steep and slippery at times. We recommend equipping yourself with a headlamp and good footwear as well as adventurous mindset! The tower offers a wonderful view of Rovaniemi. No campfire place.

Ounasvaara Observation tower

This place located in the woods of Ounasvaara offers nice views as well as two campfire sites where you can enjoy the warmth of live fire and do some grilling! 

You can reach Ounasvaara with a bus or a car. Once there, find a winter trail which leads you through atmospheric Finnish forest to the tower. Wintertrail is only partially lit so you might want to equip yourself with a headlamp.

The Ounasvaara area offers several winter trails through the forest that lead to the higher and higher peak of Ounasvaara.

Olkkajärvi

If you have a car at your disposal, you could head to this quite popular viewing spot, which is located approx. 15 kilometers from the center of Rovaniemi. 

This place is well known vicinity point and when the chances of seeing the northern lights increase, a lot of people usually gather here to wait for the magical show in the sky. 

There is a campfire on site where the fire are usually made ready, so you could also consider taking snacks with you. This place is also convenient if you want to watch the Auroras inside of a car without going out in the cold.

Vaattunkiköngäs

How about combining Aurora hunt and National Park?

If you have a car at your disposal, you can also reach the Vaattunkiköngäs camping area which is one of the most beautiful nature spots in Rovaniemi (in my opinion) and an excellent opportunity to combine a northern lights excursion and a short hiking trip with nature. 

There are several beautiful rapids on the way that are crossed using a wooden bridge. Once there, there are sheds and fire places on the bank of Raudanjoki where you can enjoy the peace of the forest. 

It is easy to combine this trip with a stop at Lake Olkkajärvi.

Iso-Vietonen

If you want to travel a little further and don't mind a few hours' drive, you can head west to a completely private location. 

The coastline of Iso-Vietonen is a completely unique place where time seems to have stopped. Enjoy complete darkness and peace while watching the northern lights from a completely open visible sky.

This place is located approx. 70 kilometers from Rovaniemi. No covered weather shelters. 

With the guide, you have the opportunity to make an open fire on the ice of the lake. Several stops can be included in this excursion, for example at the shore of Lake Raanujärvi.