Two great bases, two different holidays
Finnish Lapland has more than one gateway, and the two most popular for a Northern Lights holiday are Rovaniemi and Levi. Both sit well inside the aurora zone, both have snow from November to April, and both have airports. What differs is the feel of the trip. Here is how to choose.
Rovaniemi: the capital of Lapland
Rovaniemi sits right on the Arctic Circle and is a real city, with restaurants, museums, shops and the famous Santa Claus Village. It is easy to reach, with direct flights from many European cities and a night train from Helsinki. If you are travelling with children, want a mix of city comforts and wilderness, or have only three or four nights, Rovaniemi is a very safe choice. Our Guaranteed Northern Lights tour leaves from the city every evening in season.
Levi: a fell resort built around winter
Levi is a ski and snow resort village in Kittilä municipality, about 170 km north of Rovaniemi. Its small centre has restaurants, a gondola up the fell and a strong outdoor-activity culture. Because it is smaller and further from city lights, it feels more remote, and many travellers find the evenings quieter and the skies darker. Accommodation here often means a cabin, lodge or glass igloo set at the edge of the forest.
Side-by-side comparison
- Atmosphere: Rovaniemi is a city with a festive tourist side; Levi is a compact resort village focused on skiing and snow activities.
- Getting there: Both have airports (RVN and KTT). Rovaniemi has more routes, and a Helsinki night train. Levi is reached through Kittilä airport or by train to Kolari with a transfer.
- Light pollution: Rovaniemi has city glow in the middle, so aurora tours drive out to dark areas. Levi's edge-of-village lodges are darker from the start.
- Activities: Rovaniemi: Santa Claus Village, reindeer, huskies, snowmobiles, museums. Levi: downhill skiing, snowmobiles, huskies, reindeer, fat-biking and snowshoeing.
- Best for: Rovaniemi suits first-timers, families and short stays. Levi suits couples, ski lovers and anyone who wants to sleep somewhere special.
Which is better for seeing the aurora?
Neither place is "better" in terms of the lights themselves. The aurora depends on solar activity and clear skies, not on the town. Both lie under the auroral oval, so on a clear night with solar activity you have a good chance from either base. What you can control is how many nights you stay, how dark your surroundings are, and whether you join guided excursions that go looking for clear sky. A longer stay always gives better odds than a short one. Read our guide to the best time to see the Northern Lights to plan your dates.
The case for a glass igloo in Levi
The biggest reason to choose Levi for our package is the accommodation. A glass igloo lets you lie in bed and watch the sky, so you do not have to dress up and go outside every time the aurora flickers. Many guests say that falling asleep under the stars is the highlight of their trip. The Finland Arctic Adventure offers four nights in a glass igloo at Northern Lights Village Levi, plus reindeer, husky and snowmobile activities and two aurora excursions.
Can you do both?
Yes. The drive between Rovaniemi and Levi takes roughly two to two and a half hours depending on conditions, so a combined trip is practical. A popular pattern is two or three nights in Rovaniemi for Santa Claus Village and a guided aurora hunt, followed by four nights in Levi for the igloo and the safaris. If you need a transfer, see our private transfer options.
Budget and timing considerations
Prices in both places rise sharply around Christmas, New Year and the February school holidays, so booking early is wise. Rovaniemi offers more mid-range hotels and apartments, which can lower costs for families. Levi tends to have more cabin and lodge-style stays, and a glass igloo is a premium experience. Think about whether you want to spend most of your budget on the room itself or on activities, and plan the number of nights around that. The shoulder months of September, October and March can be quieter, with the aurora still active and fewer crowds, though snow-based activities depend on conditions.
What a day looks like in each place
A typical day in Rovaniemi might mean a morning at Santa Claus Village, a hearty lunch in town and an evening aurora tour. In Levi, you are more likely to spend the morning on a snowmobile or husky safari, return to the lodge for a sauna and dinner, and then step outside or look up from your igloo to check the sky. Neither pattern is better; choose the one that matches your energy and interests.
Our recommendation
Choose Rovaniemi if it is your first time in Lapland, if you are travelling with young children, or if you want easy logistics and a short trip. Choose Levi if you want a slower, more immersive stay, enjoy skiing or snow sports, and like the idea of an igloo bed. If you cannot decide, do both. Whichever you pick, give yourself at least four nights so the weather has time to cooperate.