best place to stay in levi to see the northern lights (2026 local guide)
Every winter, thousands of travellers arrive in Levi with one dream, to witness the Northern Lights dancing across the Arctic sky. Yet one of the biggest decisions you'll make happens long before you step off the plane: where you choose to stay.
Many visitors assume that booking a glass igloo or staying in the centre of Levi automatically gives them the best chance of seeing the aurora. In reality, that's only part of the story.
Your accommodation won't make the Northern Lights appear, they remain one of nature's most unpredictable phenomena. But staying in the right location can make a significant difference to your viewing experience when they do.
After spending years exploring Finnish Lapland and creating Sixty Eight North, we've learned that the best Northern Lights holidays aren't just about chasing the aurora. They're about finding a place where you can slow down, disconnect from everyday life and immerse yourself in the Arctic landscape. The Northern Lights become part of that experience, not the only reason for it.
In this guide, we'll explain what really matters when choosing accommodation in Levi, why location is more important than many people realise, and why many experienced travellers choose to stay just outside the village.
why levi is one of the best places in finland to see the northern lights
Levi has earned its reputation as one of Finland's leading winter destinations for good reason.
Located approximately 170 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, Levi experiences long, dark winter nights that provide excellent conditions for viewing the Northern Lights. The aurora season typically runs from late August until early April, with the darkest months between September and March offering the greatest opportunities when skies are clear.
Unlike more remote destinations, Levi combines spectacular Arctic nature with excellent restaurants, winter activities and convenient transport links. Kittilä Airport is just fifteen minutes away, allowing visitors to arrive in the Arctic without long transfers.
This balance between accessibility and wilderness is one of Levi's greatest strengths.
Within minutes, you can leave the lights of the village behind and find yourself surrounded by snow-covered forests, frozen lakes and complete silence.
It is this unique combination that makes Levi one of the best places in Lapland to experience the Northern Lights.
the biggest mistake people make when booking accommodation
Most people begin by searching:
"Best hotel in Levi."
But that's actually the wrong question.
A better question is:
"Where in Levi should I stay?"
Many booking websites compare room sizes, breakfast buffets and guest reviews. Very few explain how the location itself affects your overall Lapland experience.
Choosing accommodation isn't simply about finding a comfortable bed.
It's about deciding what kind of holiday you want.
Do you imagine stepping outside into a lively village full of restaurants and people?
Or do you picture opening your cabin door to untouched snow, ancient pine trees and a sky filled with stars?
Neither is wrong.
They're simply two very different experiences.
does staying outside levi village improve your northern lights experience?
One of the questions we're asked most often at Sixty Eight North is:
"Will I have a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights if I stay outside Levi Village?"
The honest answer is:
You won't increase the likelihood of the aurora appearing, but you can improve the conditions for seeing it.
The Northern Lights depend on several factors that nobody can control:
- Solar activity
- Cloud cover
- Darkness
- Weather conditions
However, one factor you can control is the amount of artificial light around you.
Bright streetlights, illuminated buildings and busy village centres can reduce the visibility of weaker aurora displays. In darker surroundings, those same displays are often easier to notice with the naked eye.
That's one of the reasons many visitors choose accommodation surrounded by nature rather than in the heart of the village.
why we built sixty eight north in the forest
When we first began searching for the perfect location for Sixty Eight North, we could have built close to the centre of Levi.
Instead, we chose something completely different.
We found a 78-hectare private forest, just fifteen minutes from Levi Village.
Some people questioned the decision.
Why build away from the restaurants, shops and ski slopes?
For us, the answer was simple.
We wanted our guests to experience the Lapland we had fallen in love with.
A place where mornings begin with snow-covered trees outside your window instead of passing traffic.
Where evenings are spent sitting beside a fire, relaxing in a private sauna or stepping outside beneath a sky filled with stars.
Where silence isn't unusual, it's part of the experience.
That decision continues to shape everything we do today.
Our cabins aren't designed simply as accommodation.
They're designed as places where people reconnect with nature, with each other and with themselves.
When the Northern Lights appear above the forest, there's nothing to distract from the moment.
No crowds.
No queues.
No buses arriving every few minutes.
Just you, the forest and the Arctic sky.
written by michelle & dennis, founders of sixty eight north
We have spent over a decade in the Arctic and created Sixty Eight North after exploring countless locations around Levi to find the perfect forest setting.
Today, we continue to welcome guests personally, sharing local recommendations, favourite hidden places and the kind of first-hand knowledge that only comes from living and working in the Arctic. Every article on this website is written from real experience, with the aim of helping travellers plan a more meaningful Lapland holiday.
