The traditional honeymoon has become a touch predictable. Sunlounger, cocktail, repeat, and a tan line to prove it. The smarter newlyweds, fresh from the confetti and the slightly alarming bar tab, are chasing experiences that cannot be queued for, filtered or recreated at home. Think moments you will happily bore the grandchildren with for decades. A wild swim through an ice hole? Yes. A ritual sauna in the forest? Marvellous. And for couples flying out of the UK, one spectacle simply has to make the list: the Northern Lights, a few hours’ flight away and absolutely worth the jumper.
A celestial spectacle made for two
The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are one of nature’s most extraordinary displays. They occur when electrically charged particles from the sun interact with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, creating luminous ribbons that ripple across the night sky. Green is the most familiar colour, although stronger displays can reveal shades of pink, violet and red. Sometimes the lights appear as a faint, misty glow. During lucky times, they sweep and dance across the darkness in dramatic waves.
For honeymooners, the appeal goes beyond the spectacle. There is something wonderfully intimate about standing together in the Arctic wilderness, wrapped in layers against the cold, waiting for the sky to put on a show. Unlike an excursion with a guaranteed start time, aurora hunting asks couples to slow down, embrace uncertainty and share the anticipation. Add a secluded cabin, a crackling fireplace and a restorative sauna afterwards, and you have the makings of a honeymoon that feels worlds away from everyday life. Just remember that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, not a nightly performance, so a sighting can never be guaranteed.
Where to go aurora hunting
The Northern Lights are most commonly seen within a ring-shaped region around Earth’s geomagnetic poles known as the Aurora Oval. This makes high-latitude destinations particularly appealing, including Finnish and Swedish Lapland, northern Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Alaska and northern Canada. Each offers a different interpretation of the Arctic experience: Iceland combines volcanic landscapes and geothermal lagoons; Norway pairs aurora hunting with dramatic fjords; Alaska and Canada offer vast wilderness and exceptional opportunities to escape artificial light. Finland, however, makes an especially compelling case for a romantic escape. Its Lapland region combines dark skies and snow-covered forests with atmospheric cabins, glass-roofed accommodation, traditional saunas and outdoor adventures, allowing couples to balance their nights chasing the aurora with slower days spent exploring. For a honeymoon that prioritises privacy and luxury as much as the spectacle overhead, Finnish Lapland is a particularly attractive choice.
When should you plan your honeymoon
Timing is everything when it comes to the Northern Lights. Finland’s aurora season generally runs from late August to early April, when the nights are dark enough for sightings. September and October, along with February and March, are statistically active periods around the autumn and spring equinoxes. December and January remain popular for their long, dark nights and wintry landscapes, although the festive season can also bring higher prices and greater demand for accommodation.
For couples who want the snowy Arctic aesthetic without necessarily paying peak festive-season rates, the shoulder periods of September, October and March are worth considering. Prices vary by property, holidays and demand, so compare dates rather than assuming a particular month will always be cheaper. Early autumn can offer the added pleasure of unfrozen lakes, while late winter brings snow-covered scenery and opportunities for activities such as snowmobiling and reindeer safaris. Take the area around the River Paatsjoki in Finnish Lapland, for instance, where the aurora can reflect across the water, creating a spectacular double display when conditions align. Wherever you go, allow several nights for aurora hunting rather than building your entire trip around a single evening. Clear skies, low light pollution and solar activity all influence your chances, and flexibility is part of the adventure.
Where to stay
Accommodation can make or break an aurora honeymoon. Finland offers everything from glass igloos and wilderness lodges to private log cabins and design-led boutique hotels, with the best choice depending on whether you prefer uninterrupted views of the sky, easy access to guided excursions or a luxurious hideaway to return to after a night outdoors. Our pick is Skýra Retreat, an intimate lakeside hideaway on the shores of Lake Norvajärvi, around 20 minutes from Rovaniemi Airport. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the retreat brings together Finnish heritage, contemporary architecture and a strong sense of place. Its setting between the lake and ancient forests offers an appealing alternative to a busy resort, with the surrounding landscape providing a natural backdrop for a romantic Arctic escape.
At the heart of the property is a village schoolhouse dating back nearly a century, reimagined as a design-led retreat. Former classrooms have become Grand Suites, the staff quarters have been transformed into the characterful Teacher’s Chambers, and the old gymnasium now houses Pinehall, the restaurant. The result is a property that feels deeply connected to its surroundings, rather than another luxury lodge transplanted into the wilderness. As founder Mrs Susanne Hulbekkmo explains, the retreat’s appeal lies in its cultural roots as much as its aesthetics. “Skýra is rooted in Finnish culture, from our folklore and sauna traditions to the spaces our guests stay in. That history gives the retreat its character. When you stay here, you become part of a place that has held meaning for the local community for generations,” she says.
Hulbekkmo describes the philosophy as “Raw Luxury”, a concept that favours the simple pleasures of Finnish life over ostentatious indulgence. The contemporary Log Suites embody this idea, drawing inspiration from the Finnish summer-cabin tradition, where time in nature, a private sauna and the luxury of having one’s own space are prized. Designed to look out towards the forest rather than neighbouring cabins, they offer a sense of seclusion that feels particularly suited to honeymooners. Inside, warm timber, floor-to-ceiling windows, fireplace lounges and private saunas create inviting spaces in which to unwind after an evening spent watching the Arctic sky. “We call our philosophy ‘Raw Luxury’: the things we Finns ourselves consider precious, such as clean air, stillness and time without demands. Holistic wellbeing is woven into everything, from the design to our food and daily rituals. We want guests to leave feeling rested, but also connected to the history, culture and everyday pleasures of Finland,” Hulbekkmo says.
Wellness is central to the experience. Skýra’s Nordic Spa follows the traditional Finnish thermal cycle of heat, cold and rest, with saunas, heated outdoor Jacuzzis, cold plunges and access to the natural landscape. Treatments include aromatic oil massages using Finnish botanicals, hot-stone therapies and the Brain Relief treatment, a gentle, calming experience developed in Finland. Couples can also explore the Private Folklore Sauna, where a host introduces traditional sauna rituals, including the welcoming of löyly, or steam, and birch-whisking. For couples keen to make their honeymoon more personal, the retreat can arrange shared massages, meditation sessions, couples’ workshops or private use of the spa. “We always begin by asking what our guests feel like, and with couples, what makes them feel connected. For some, that means a sauna ritual centred on love and togetherness, a shared massage or a private meditation session. For others, it is having the entire spa reserved just for themselves,” Hulbekkmo explains. “The smaller gestures matter just as much. We can arrange personal gifts, surprises or even an elaborate proposal. Our role is to listen carefully, take care of the practicalities and create room for moments they will remember. Love often creates the best memories itself.”
The culinary experience is equally rooted in the region. Set within the former schoolhouse, Pinehall combines Nordic ingredients with classic French techniques, drawing on cold-water fish, forest herbs, wild berries and seasonal produce. Breakfast is served à la carte, afternoons bring pullakahvit, the Finnish tradition of coffee and pastries, and evenings centre on a curated three-course dinner. Winter menus make thoughtful use of preserved ingredients, while dishes such as reindeer rillette with brioche and pickles reflect the meeting of local food culture and French influence. The kitchen also follows a resourceful, low-waste philosophy, with ingredients used across dishes, preserves and house-made cocktail components. For honeymooners, these details turn dinner into an experience in its own right, rather than simply a meal between excursions.
Beyond the property, couples can explore Lapland through experiences such as ice fishing and unhurried forest outings, alongside locally arranged Arctic adventures. Hulbekkmo recommends making space for encounters that reveal the region’s traditions and everyday rhythms, rather than treating the Northern Lights as the sole reason to visit. “I believe discovering a new culture together can be incredibly enriching,” she says. “At Skýra, our folklore sauna sessions, offered with our official partner Väki Wellness™, are a particularly meaningful introduction to Finnish culture. They connect sauna bathing with traditional stories and practices, allowing guests to experience it as a shared ritual. Across our activities, we favour small groups and responsible local partnerships, with care for the surrounding nature. We take care of the arrangements so couples have the freedom to slow down and enjoy being together.”
How to photograph the Northern Lights
A little preparation will help you bring home photographs worthy of the experience. If you are using a camera, pack a sturdy tripod, switch to manual settings where possible and experiment with a long exposure, a wide aperture and a relatively high ISO. Exact settings depend on the brightness and movement of the aurora, so take a few test shots and adjust accordingly. A smartphone can also capture impressive results using Night Mode or a manual long-exposure setting, ideally supported by a tripod or another stable surface.
Choose a dark location away from artificial light and, if possible, scout your composition during daylight. A frozen lake, a line of snow-covered trees or the silhouette of a cabin can give your photograph depth and a sense of place. Check both the weather and aurora forecasts, keep spare batteries close to your body in the cold, and dress in warm layers with insulated footwear. Most importantly, resist the temptation to spend the entire evening looking at a screen. Take your photographs, put the camera away and enjoy the moment together. After all, the point of an extraordinary honeymoon is not simply to capture a memory, but to experience one.
