Known as the northern lights, ‘aurora borealis’, the collision of atoms in the night sky makes you feel like you're on a psychedelic drug. The magical swirling and dancing of unearthly colors in a dark sky are mesmerizing, spellbinding, and utterly brilliant. I like to believe that it’s the fairies cavorting between the sun and the earth in glowing auroras.
A spectacular natural phenomenon visible from Oulu during the winter months, the aurora borealis adds another dimension to the natural beauty, ecological diversity, and seasonal changes of this unique destination of raw, untouched beauty in northern Finland. For many, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, best during the winter months when the nights are longest and the skies are clearest.
Historically, the northern lights have fascinated and mystified cultures around the world. In Norse mythology, they were believed to be reflections of the Valkyries' armor, fierce female warriors who led fallen soldiers to Valhalla. Indigenous peoples in North America have various legends explaining the auroras, often viewing them as spiritual or supernatural phenomena. In Finnish mythology, there is the ‘tulikettu’ (fire fox), a mythical creature believed to have black fur by day and sparkling, fiery fur at night. This mischievous fox dances in the lights and will make you rich for life if you happen to catch him. You will find mention of the ‘Northern Gates’ In the Finnish epic poem Kalevala, referring to the arched lights as magical gates. And, indigenous Sámi culture believes that the lights are the wandering souls of their ancestors. These forefathers are to be respected, and you were tempting fate (the spirits would chop off the head of any offender) if you were caught singing, waving, or whistling at the lights.
Perched on the delta of the Oulujoki River and surrounded by untamed wilderness, Oulu’s a dynamic, forward-thinking coastal city just below the Arctic Circle in Finland. It has been newly dubbed the ‘European Capital of Culture 2026’, attracting tourists with a bold cultural program that fuses climate science with creative expression, seizing the opportunity to champion environmental awareness. Oulu offers visitors a diverse range of attractions that appeal to nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and adventure seekers alike. One of the main reasons tourists visit Oulu is its stunning natural environment. Surrounded by pristine lakes, dense forests, and the Baltic Sea coastline, the city offers ample opportunities for outdoor frolicking such as hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, especially during the winter months.
The best place to see the Aurora Borealis in Oulu, Finland, is undoubtedly the Oulu University Botanical Gardens, particularly during the winter months due to its high latitude, open space, natural surroundings, and relatively low light pollution outside the city center. The winter nights here, especially from late September to early April, are a symphony of vivid colors displaying green, pink, and purple hues. Additionally, the area’s natural landscape, with nearby forests and lakes, adds to the scenic backdrop. Local tour operators offer aurora-hunting excursions, taking visitors to remote spots away from artificial light sources to increase the chances of a spectacular sighting.
In addition to its natural attractions, Oulu boasts a vibrant cultural scene. The city is known for its innovative climate-adaptive architecture. There are neoclassical landmarks by Carl Ludvig Engel, juxtaposed with Alvar Aalto’s brutalist elements of bold contemporary Scandinavian design, while Oulu’s Old Town is an enclave of historical wooden buildings and charming streets. Lively festivals bring the town alive, such as ‘Laskiainen’ (Shrove Sunday), a winter festival held in February—it’s a day of riding sleds down slopes, slurping up pea soup and gobbling sweet buns filled with whipped cream and jam. You can take in art culture at the Oulu Museum of Art, which showcases contemporary and traditional Finnish art, while the Tietomaa Science Center offers interactive exhibits for families and curious visitors.
For foodies interested in Finnish cuisine, Oulu offers a variety of dining experiences that showcase local flavors and seasonal produce. Fresh seafood from the Baltic Sea and traditional Finnish dishes–think Karjalanpiirakka (Karelian Pasties), a crispy thin crust stuffed with potato porridge or creamy rice, spread with munavoi (egg butter) that’s the ultimate in comfort food. Or creamy salmon soup made with fresh chunks of salmon, leeks, potatoes, and dill will have you on your knees weeping with joy when it’s freezing outside. You can wrap your lips around Poronkäristys, yes, slowly sautéed thin slices of reindeer meat cooked with onions and butter, dished up with a side of mashed potatoes. In the bakery department, the Finnish dark rye bread, Ruisleipä, is unlike any you've ever bitten into. This is not the fluffy version, but a dark, dense and slightly sour mouthful of goodness. And the classic munchy to have with coffee is a cinnamon roll, Korvapuusti, with more than a hint of cardamom in the dough, giving it a definite bite of yumminess. Culinary wonders can be found in cozy cafés and high-end restaurants across Oulu’s vibrant food scene, where your taste buds will do their own happy dance.
The forests around Oulu are primarily boreal, consisting of coniferous trees such as pine, spruce, and fir, offering a quiet space and lush backdrop for outdoor activities like hiking, berry picking, and mushroom foraging. Teeming with wildlife including elk, reindeer, and plenty of fluttering birds, these forests are a wonder to meander through if you are into nature. Oulu River and nearby smaller lakes are popular spots for boating, fishing, and swimming during the summer months, while the coastline along the Baltic Sea features sandy beaches, rocky shores, and islands that are perfect for exploring with the Arctic sea breeze blowing through your hair. During winter, the sea often freezes, transforming the landscape into a winter wonderland ideal for ice skating, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. The seasonal changes are dramatic, with long, cold winters characterized by snow-covered landscapes and shorter, mild summers that bloom with wildflowers and lush greenery.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
