Catching the Northern Lights at Northern Lights Village, Levi: My Experience [2024]
/You’re in the Finnish wilderness, it’s -17 degrees Celsius and you’re on your phone editing a photo. Suddenly, you look up and you see something a little different in the sky – something pale green, as it gets brighter and brighter... you quickly put your phone down, grab a coat and head outside, as you realise you’re witnessing one of nature’s greatest gifts. It’s the northern lights.
Gazing at the northern lights in the comfort of my Aurora Cabin at the Northern Lights Village, Levi
That was me.
Seeing the alluring northern lights up close has always been a dream of mine ever since I was young, and I was able to finally see them in January 2022, when I stayed at the Northern Lights Village in Levi, Finland. Here’s my review of my stay there.
Unedited iPhone photo of the northern lights taken at the Northern Lights Village, Levi... that’s how clear the auroras were!
I couldn’t believe that I saw the most spectacular aurora borealis light show from the comfort of my igloo cabin. I was blown away. In fact, my whole experience at the Northern Lights Village, Levi was magical, and I want to share with you guys more about it.
Northern Lights Village, Levi from up a bird’s eye view.
From the igloo cabins, to the buffet meals, to the auroras – I’m discussing all aspects of the Northern Lights Village, Levi, today!
But first, what is the Northern Lights Village?
The Northern Lights Village, Levi, is located in the heart of Lapland, Finland.
You know those eye-catching glass-roofed igloo cabins that you see on Instagram? Those photos are usually accompanied by the green, northern lights glimmering above the cabins, or a pink/purple-hued sky. If you’re like me, chances are, they’ve probably caught your eye at some point and generated wanderlust within you to hopefully visit one day.
Staying in an Aurora Cabin at the Northern Lights Village... did it exceed my expectations?
Although there are a few properties across the Finnish Lapland that offer this kind of accommodation, my dream has always been to visit the Northern Lights Village.
Having properties in both Levi and Saariselkä, after browsing social media, I consistently noticed that the best photos and experiences came from the Northern Lights Village.
So why would you stay in one of these igloo cabins – you ask? Well, apart from being a tranquil getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, staying in one means you’ll be faced with some of the best chances of catching the northern lights.
These famous igloo cabins make the rounds on social media – so let’s find out if they’re worth going to!
Let’s get into each aspect of the resort.
Aurora Cabins/Rooms at the Northern Lights Village, Levi
The Aurora Cabins at the Northern Lights Village are just as beautiful as they look in photos. Featuring a simple, yet stylish design, comfort is where these cabins really excel.
This is what the northern lights looked like from one of the rooms at the Northern Lights Village, Levi!
Nothing really beats going to bed under a practically unobstructed night sky. It’s rare that you can go star gazing every night in such comfort – but this is one of those unique opportunities.
Aurora Cabins at Northern Lights Village, Levi during sunrise
The extremely comfortable double bed is strategically located below the glass roof, and the rooms also feature a long table, sofa and mini bar, among other amenities.
Inside an Aurora Cabin at the Northern Lights Village, Levi
Conveniently, the room also includes a tablet that contains all the information you need for your stay. The best part about the tablet is that you’ll get alerts from staff about the auroras. This means that even if you doze off, you’ll still be informed of when the auroras are visible.
Chilling out at one of the very comfortable Aurora Cabins.
You may be concerned about the cabin becoming too cold during the winter – but don’t worry. The cabin traps heat very well, and I always felt warm inside.
The bathroom was spacious and very well appointed. Featuring an open-style shower and wooden roofs, I actually got ‘sauna vibes’ every time I finished a shower. Very fitting, considering the popularity of saunas in Finland.
RELATED: Things to do in Helsinki in 1 Day, Is a Northern Lights Tour Worth It?, The Best Activities and Experiences To Do While in Levi, Finland
Food at the Northern Lights Village, Levi
Your stay at the Northern Lights Village will include a buffet breakfast and buffet dinner, with the option to include lunch as well.
I would recommend this, as considering its location, you’ll be pretty isolated at the resort. So unless you’re prepared to bring your own food, having lunch at the resort would be the best way to go. For lunch, you can either dine at the lunch buffet, or there’s also an à la carte menu. You don’t have to be a guest to enjoy the resort’s restaurant, either.
The restaurant area at the Northern Lights Village, Levi, was well-decorated and very cozy.
So how was the food at the Northern Lights Village, Levi? I had all three meals at the resort for my 3-day stay, and enjoyed every meal. I found that there was always a wide variety of food up for selection - fish, meat, vegetables, dessert – you name it.
There’s also a nice little lounge area in between the reception desk and restaurant.
Having a buffet meal three times a day also meant that I was well-fed throughout, never went hungry, and always stayed warm in the freezing temperatures!
Just one thing to note – the resort provides basic coffee and tea, water and juice – but if you want something a little fancier (like a latte, hot chocolate or alcoholic drink), you can order these from one of the friendly staff members for an extra charge.
Staff at the Northern Lights Village, Levi
Every staff member at the Northern Lights Village in Levi was super friendly and helpful. Even when I bombarded them with questions about excursions, the chances of seeing the northern lights during my stay, and meal times – the Village’s staff members were always very accommodating and happy to assist in any way.
Apart from being visually stunning, the Northern Lights Village, Levi staff made me feel extremely welcome and taken care of.
In fact, on my departure day, I was supposed to leave early in the morning, which meant that I would have to miss breakfast. I then told the staff member at reception about this, and she told me that I could get a breakfast box prepared to eat in my cabin the next morning. I found this very thoughtful of the resort!
So all in all, the service here was top notch.
Excursions and Activities at the Northern Lights Village, Levi
The Northern Lights Village offers a plethora of excursions and experiences, which you can check out here.
From Aurora Hunting, Husky Safari, Reindeer riding, ski lessons... you’ll have so much choice on what to do during the days.
This photo was taken on my phone at an Aurora Hunting by Heated Sleigh tour. Epic, right!?
Photo taken at an Aurora Hunting by Heated Sleigh tour, Northern Lights Village, Levi.
I’ve posted a separate blog post about my excursion experiences, so I won’t discuss too much here, but I will say that I went on three excursions – the Aurora Hunting by Heated Sleigh, Husky Safari and Reindeer Express – and thoroughly enjoyed all of them.
Husky Safari at Northern Lights Village, Levi. So fun!
Reindeer Express at Northern Lights Village. Can’t believe I got to meet a reindeer!
There’s one more experience I have to recommend! The resort’s Sauna and Jacuzzi offers an authentic Finnish experience with a snowy, scenic twist. Heat up and stay warm in the resort’s outdoor jacuzzi (especially stunning when surrounded by snow), or sauna. You can find out more about how to book a sauna and jacuzzi experience here.
Location of the Northern Lights Village, Levi
The Northern Lights Village, Levi is actually located some 16km+ away from the centre of Levi. This is about a 25-minute drive.
If you’re looking for accommodation that’s a bit closer to town amenities (such as a supermarket, restaurants, shops), then perhaps another resort, such as the Saariselkä location would suit better. The Levi resort does offer a daily shuttle for 10EUR per adult and 5EUR per child, so this makes things a little easier if you need to get into town.
A drone shot of the Northern Lights Village, Levi, shows you how secluded and peaceful its location is.
What’s great about this location is that there’s close to no light pollution at all, being so isolated. I really got to experience nature, as the resort is practically just surrounded by snow and trees – making for some really beautiful photographs.
I had so much fun just taking photographs around the resort. You literally can’t take a bad shot because everything is beautiful.
Personally, I loved the feeling of being isolated as it gave me the opportunity to go on a real retreat.
Overall Review of the Northern Lights Village, Levi
So what’s my overall review of the Northern Lights Village? Is it worth staying at?
Northern Lights Village in Levi – is it worth staying at?
100%, most definitely, yes. Seeing the Northern Lights was the absolute highlight of my 5-week trip across Europe, and I have the Northern Lights Village to thank for that.
The answer is a resounding YES! Staying at the Northern Lights Village, Levi was an absolute dream.
I had an unforgettable stay gazing at the stars, marvelling at the magnificent aurora borealis, and relaxing in my cozy Aurora Cabin, so do not hesitate to book at the Northern Lights Village.
Truly – you won’t regret it.
Now, onto some questions you may have about the Northern Lights Village.
Keep in mind that the resort has their own FAQs page that is more comprehensive – so if your question is not answered by these, please head there.
How do I get to the Northern Lights Village in Levi?
Ralph at the Northern Lights Village, Levi
You’ll most likely have to get there by car, as public transport is very sparse in the area.
If you’re arriving in Kittilä Airport, the easiest way to reach the resort is to book an airport transfer. Put in your flight details, and the resort will send someone to pick you up, holding up a sign with your name written on it when you land. Transportation back to the airport is also available.
If you’re arriving from elsewhere, it’s best to contact the hotel and ask them for more information.
What are the chances of seeing the Northern Lights?
Because the Northern Lights Village’s properties are largely located within the Arctic Circle, this means that you have a really good chance of seeing the lights if you get a clear night. In Levi, the Aurora Borealis shows up about 200 times a year.
Admiring the green northern lights at Northern Lights Village, Levi.
At the Saariselkä resort, the Village has seen 17 consecutive nights of aurora activity before, and on average, you’ll be able to see the lights every second night during an aurora season.
However, it’s important to note that weather is unpredictable, and it’s impossible to guarantee that you’ll see the lights during your stay, despite having good chances to do so by staying at the Village.
How long should I stay at the Northern Lights Village?
Given these stats, if you’re serious about seeing the famed northern lights, I would recommend staying for at least 3-4 nights to increase your chances.
Beautiful purple tones at Northern Lights Village, Levi.
Going on one of the Village’s many Aurora Hunting excursions will also maximise the possibilities of catching the lights.
When should I stay at the Northern Lights Village?
The Northern Lights Village is open nearly all year round, apart from between April 22 and May 31, when the resort shuts down for annual maintenance.
Levi is always worth a visit, but chances are, if you’re reading this blog post, you’re going to want to come to see the northern lights.
Front entrance of the Northern Lights Village, Levi.
Therefore, the best time to stay at the Northern Lights Village is between the last week of August until the end of April. While it is possible to see the lights outside of this window, the weather conditions are the most optimal during these months. I visited in the third week of January, and it was perfect.
Between June and August, instead of the northern lights, you’ll be getting the midnight sun – which is another perk in itself. Autumn is also quite a popular time because of the breathtaking foliage that ensues during this season.
How do I photograph the Northern Lights?
What equipment should I use to shoot the Northern Lights?
There are many blog posts and videos out there on how to photograph the northern lights, but I just wanted to highlight the equipment that I used and how you can purchase these.
Before I embarked on my trip to Finland, I did some extensive research online to find out how I can shoot the northern lights and what I needed to buy beforehand. Now, I’m sharing this knowledge with you to save your time!
Of course, you’ll need a camera and lens, but what some might not know is that a remote control and tripod are pretty much essential to capturing the northern lights, unless you have very very still hands. Using these tools will cut out the movement and blur when you take a photo - this is especially crucial because it’ll be really, really cold out there. Please also dress suitably before you attempt to take photos of the northern lights.
Other things you need:
beanie/head covering
gloves - super important
thermals
thick/thermal socks
winter jackets
snow boots
Should I stay at the Northern Lights Village Saariselkä or Levi resort?
It’s difficult for me to answer this question, because I haven’t stayed at the Northern Lights Village in Saariselkä yet – although it is firmly on my to-do list! Having said that, both properties look stunning, and I would imagine the differences to be minimal.
Staying in on a snowy day at the Northern Lights Village in Levi.
One thing that separates the two, is that the Saariselkä location is more closely located to the center of Saariselkä, so you’ll still be able to walk to supermarkets and other amenities. In Levi, you’ll get more of the ‘private retreat’ vibe.
Neither location is better than the other, it just totally depends if you want to be closer to convenience, or if you want to ‘get away from it all’. You can’t really go wrong.
Both properties are very new. The Saariselkä resort was launched in 2016, while the Levi resort launched in 2019.
Ready to stay at one of the properties? Click here.
Read my other blog post about the excursions I went on while staying at the Northern Lights Village, Levi!
What do you think of the northern lights? Is it one of your dreams to see them too?
Thinking about staying at the Northern Lights Village? Let me know in the comments below!
My stay at the Northern Lights Village was part of a collaboration between myself and the resort, but I can promise you that all opinions are mine and made in complete honesty. The Northern Lights Village treated me extremely well, and it really is an amazing establishment that I wouldn’t hesitate to come back to.
Follow me on Instagram, @asherxtravel, to keep up with all my travels and for more content on the northern lights.
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