Lapland holidays
Holidays to Lapland aren’t just for Christmas, though there are plenty of sleigh rides with Santa and his reindeer if you want them. But beyond the busy, tinseled months of November and December, you’ll find a wildly beautiful region of storybook forests, pristine lakes and deep-rooted traditions. With the Northern Lights in winter and the Midnight Sun in summer, a visit to Finland’s Arctic region is always a bright idea.
Top destinations in Lapland
Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is your portal to Finland’s Arctic Circle. Enjoy sleigh rides and chase the Northern Lights in winter, or explore the hiking and horseback riding trails in summer’s endless daylight.
Kittilä
It’s worth getting chilly to visit Kittilä. Buried deep in the Arctic Circle, this Finnish town is a winter wonderland of ice hotels, ski resorts and snowmobile rides.
Ivalo
You can’t get more remote than Ivalo, a small town in the heart of Lapland. Enjoy everything from ice fishing and stargazing to classic Finnish sauna culture in this Arctic outpost.
Lapland: fast facts
Language
Finnish, Swedish
Currency
Euro (€)
Time zone
Rovaniemi - UTC+2 (EET) and UTC+3 (EEST)
High season
December – March; June – August
Low season
April – May; September – November
Lapland holiday highlights
Feel the Christmas spirit
For many, a Lapland holiday is a chance to live out childhood dreams of meeting the big man in red. But the region’s festive spirit isn’t limited to Rovaniemi’s Santa Claus Village. With husky safaris across snow-blanketed forests, visits to Sámi reindeer farms and snowshoe excursions under clear skies, there’s plenty of cold-weather fun to be had.
See the Northern Lights
One of the best things to do in Lapland is to see the Aurora Borealis. And with the Northern Lights visible roughly 200 nights a year in Finnish Lapland, there’s a good chance you’ll get lucky in spotting them. January to April is the optimum time for sightings, and the further north you go, the better.
Experience Sámi culture
A great way to learn about Lapland’s Arctic culture is by engaging with its native Sámi people. Visit the Sámi Museum Siida in Inari for exhibitions on Sámi history. And in Sajos, take a guided tour of the Sámi Parliament. Looking for local souvenirs? Buy traditional Sámi handicrafts like textiles, beadwork and woven birch root baskets.
Things to do in Lapland
Top attractions
Christmas comes 365 days a year at Santa Claus Village. If seeing the Northern Lights is high on your wish list, take a photography workshop to capture them at their best. Husky sledding is a winter highlight, but these energetic hounds need exercise year-round — try a husky hiking experience for a unique wilderness adventure.
Beaches
Lapland might not seem an obvious beach destination, but the region boasts some nice sandy stretches around its scenic lakes. Summer is best for swimming and sunbathing — although you might still need a jumper. Share the Ivalo River’s white-sand beach with reindeer, or try stand-up paddle-boarding around Pöyliöjärvi Beach. Feeling brave? Go ice swimming in Kiilopää fell brook, followed by a traditional smoke sauna.
Nature
Breathe in some of the world’s cleanest air in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, or admire one of Finland’s most spectacular waterfalls along the Auttiköngäs Nature Trail. If you want to combine nature with action, hit the slopes in Iso-Syöte or Kuusamo ski resorts. And visit Ranua Wildlife Park for polar bear, moose and wolverine sightings.
Cuisine
Simple but packed with flavour, the food in Lapland focuses on fresh, local ingredients like berries, mushrooms, fish and reindeer. One of the most traditional dishes you’ll find in restaurants in Lapland is ‘poronkäristys’, sauteed reindeer served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry sauce. For dessert, try ‘leipäjuusto’ (bread cheese), a local cheese that squeaks when you eat it.
Culture and museums
One of the best museums in Lapland is Arktikum in Rovaniemi, where you can learn about the Arctic’s nature, culture and history. In Inari, the Indigenous Sámi people and their history are highlighted at the fascinating Sámi Museum Siida. If you’re travelling in winter, don’t miss the SnowCastle of Kemi, the world’s biggest snow fort.
Nightlife
Sip hot berry juice by the fire in cosy Rovaniemi pubs, where you might just hear traditional Sámi ‘joik’ singing. Or wrap up warm for drinks at an ice bar. For the liveliest nightlife in Lapland, hit the slopes of Levi, where the apres-ski scene is the best in the region.
Find the best time to visit Lapland
Weather in Lapland through the year
March – May: Spring welcomes longer days with snow lingering into April, making this the time to save money on a ski break.
June – August: Summer temperatures climb to a mild 16°C. The sun doesn’t set for weeks in the Arctic, so enjoy the endless golden hour with hiking, biking and canoeing.
September – November: Autumn in Lapland turns the landscape gold and auburn. But the season is brief, with October bringing the first dusting of snow.
December – February: A thick blanket of snow transforms Lapland into a winter wonderland. With temperatures plunging as low as −30°C, spot the Northern Lights in comfort from a cosy glass igloo.
Events in Lapland
Arctic Art Festival (January): In Rovaniemi, artists transform hunks of ice into breathtaking sculptures using everything from chainsaws to blowtorches. Visit in darkness when things are beautifully illuminated.
Summer solstice (June): Midsummer celebrations are a highlight of the Nordic calendar. In Rovaniemi, dance and barbecue around a communal bonfire until the sun comes up. Don’t forget your flower crown!
SaunaFest (September): There’s no better way to welcome the colder months than sweating it out like a local. Held in the ski village of Levi, this event lets you hop between steam rooms, from riverside cabins to saunas tucked into reindeer farms.
Know before you go
Getting around Lapland
Public transport
Buses: Lapland is well connected by regional and long-distance buses, though service can be limited in rural areas — always check schedules in advance. In Rovaniemi, the number 8 bus links the city centre with Santa Claus Village, making it an easy ride for day-trippers.
Trains: Finnish rail operator VR runs comfortable, scenic routes from Helsinki to Lapland. The popular Santa Claus Express travels overnight to Rovaniemi, offering a front-row seat to Arctic landscapes. The Aurora Borealis Express goes even farther north, ending at Kolari, a key access point for major ski resorts.
Domestic flights
Rovaniemi, Kittilä and Ivalo airports offer regular domestic connections to Helsinki, operated year-round by Finnair. In winter, seasonal flights from several European cities bring visitors directly to Rovaniemi.
Driving and car hire
Hiring a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and chase the Northern Lights. Roads are generally well maintained, but snow and ice demand caution. Between November and March, headlights are required at all times, and winter tyres are mandatory. Keep emergency supplies in the car and watch for wildlife — reindeer have the right of way, but they don’t always follow the rules.
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