lapland travel brochure

Are you ready to explore Finnish Lapland?

Welcome to the official travel website for Finnish Lapland, the home of Santa Claus , the last wilderness in Europe, and part of the Sámi homeland. Lapland is a destination above ordinary, full of contrasts and unique natural phenomena: Midnight Sun , Polar Nights, autumn colors, Northern Lights , and Arctic cites nestled among Ice Age fells.

Virtual Lapland is your gateway to an Arctic experience unlike any other. Explore Finnish Lapland anywhere, anytime, watch a dazzling Northern Lights show, explore how the seasons and wilderness intertwine and meet the wildlife of the North!

If you’re looking for the frosty bite of a reindeer sleigh ride or the soft heat of a traditional sauna, you might be ready. If you want to explore the wilderness during a white summer night and meet Santa any time of year, you might be ready.

If you’re done with the ordinary, you might just be ready for Finnish Lapland.

Find out more below, or follow the stories on our  Facebook and Instagram .

Simply magnificent

If you're ready to discover a broad spectrum of life above ordinary, you're ready for Finnish Lapland.

About Lapland

Mythical and magical – pristine nature and breath-taking phenomena make Lapland something else.

Things to do

How to make the most of your time in Lapland – meet locals and find out what northern life is all about.

Plan Your Stay

How to get to Lapland, where to go once here and more useful travel information.

Travel Responsibly

Find out below how we have become one of the most sustainable tourism destinations, and how you can have a positive impact on the environment, economy and culture of Lapland and the whole world.

Sound of Lapland

There are no blaring car alarms, buzzing metro lines or wheezing air vents here.

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Lapland Travel Guide

Be prepared for just about anything on your adventure in Swedish or Finnish Lapland, from the region's most popular attractions and activities, to its changing daylight hours and arctic climate.

Adventures Under the Midnight Sun

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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Finnish Lapland

From the northern lights to the legendary sauna culture, this arctic destination has it all. Here's what you won't want to miss.

Milamai / Getty Images

Lapland, the northernmost region of Finland, is the place to go to check more than a few once-in-a-lifetime experiences off your list — like seeing the northern lights and experiencing the midnight sun. The arctic destination has stunning nighttime skies, wide-open landscapes, and air so fresh it can make you happier. Here’s how to plan a trip to Finnish Lapland that you’ll never forget. 

When to Go to Finnish Lapland

Here’s the good news about Lapland: It’s always beautiful out — well, depending on how you define “beautiful.” The region's peak travel season falls between December and February thanks to a natural phenomenon we’ll get to in a moment. During this period, the region’s average temperature ranges from 3 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit, though it can get down to as low as minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit with added wind chill. 

By contrast, temperatures in the summer can be much milder, usually ranging from 50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a prime time to visit the area for hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor adventures.

How to See the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland

Many visitors travel to Finnish Lapland to take in a few breathtaking natural occurrences — including the aurora borealis, or northern lights. You can see this phenomenon any time between August and April, though it occurs more frequently around the equinoxes in late September and late March. Visit then and look to the sky on clear nights for a chance to witness this incredible celestial light show.

Those looking for a more curated experience can ask their hotel for recommendations, or they can book a guided trip like a  three-hour aurora borealis picnic  in Rovaniemi, which includes a short hike to an outpost with warm drinks and food. You can also take  a snowmobile tour or, the most adventurous of all, an aurora ice floating experience in Rovaniemi . It's just as it sounds — guests don dry suits and set out on a frozen lake to lie back and blissfully gaze up into the night sky.

How to See the Midnight Sun in Finnish Lapland 

Giles Clarke / Getty Images

If you’re not much of a night owl, that’s okay because Finnish Lapland offers another spectacular show: the midnight sun. From late May until early August, the tilt of the Earth means the sky never gets dark. Make the most of the near-constant daylight by taking a hike, going fishing, or even playing a round of golf when you'd normally be asleep. 

What Else to Do in Finnish Lapland

Andrey-Kobylko / Getty Images

Go for a hike.

Finnish Lapland is chock full of  stellar hiking trails  fit for all levels. The Arctic Circle and Inari hiking areas offer everything from one-hour hikes to all-day wilderness adventures, as well as restrooms and visitor centers. 

Hit the sauna.

Sauna culture has long been an integral part of Finnish life , and there’s no better spot to experience it than in  Tampere , the sauna capital of the world. Come for the public spas, but stay for the arts, culture, and attractions like the Tampere Market Hall, the largest indoor market in Scandinavia. 

Paddle your way through the region.

Explore Finnish Lapland from a different perspective by taking to its rivers for a canoeing adventure. During the warmer months, you can take in the amazing views as you meander along calming waterways. Try this six-hour canoe trip  down the River Kapsajoki, which includes a campfire lunch and opportunities for fishing. 

Visit Santa Claus.

Fun fact: Santa lives in Finland. And you can visit him any time of year at the  Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. Kris Kringle and his elves open their famous home and workshop all 365 days of the year. Meet the man himself, cross the Arctic Circle (which passes through the theme park), embark on a snowmobile safari adventure in the Lapland wilderness, and dine in a restaurant made of snow while you're there.

Where to Stay in Finnish Lapland 

Lingxiao Xie / Getty Images

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel

At the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi, guests can enjoy a host of creature comforts in a nature-centric setting. Every room comes with fur throws and floor-to-ceiling windows, while some even have soaking tubs, fireplaces, and decks from which to take in the surrounding forest. Book the chic two-bedroom Arctic GlassHouse  to enjoy all the bells and whistles.

Seaside Glass Villas

Need more of a view? Spend a few nights at  Seaside Glass Villas , a collection of box-shaped bungalows in the waterfront town of Kemi. Each one has a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the Bothnian Bay, as well as a glass roof through which you can enjoy incredible views of the northern lights while lying in bed.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

You might recognize Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort's gorgeous glass-domed igloos from your Instagram feed, but even the best photos can't capture the magic of actually staying in one. Book the kelo-glass igloo to combine the privacy of a log chalet with the wow factor of the northern lights dancing over your bed.

Those seeking to stay in the lap of luxury need look no further than  Octola , an exclusive five-star hideaway with just 12 rooms and two chalets. Guests can book a single room or buy out the entire space if they want to bring along family and friends. 

What to Pack 

Packing for a summer trip to Finnish Lapland is relatively easy. Just bring whatever you normally would for any other summer getaway — shorts, T-shirts, a bathing suit, pants, and a light jacket for cooler nights. 

If you plan to visit in winter, you'll need to bust out the big checked bag and pack it with cozy thermal underwear, insulated snow boots with a grip, an insulated jacket, waterproof or snowproof pants , a few wool sweaters, warm gloves and socks, a hat, a scarf, and some instant heat packs to throw in your gloves and boots. If your feet tend to get cold, then foot warmers are another option. Don’t forget your camera, and make sure to pack extra batteries — they will drain quickly in the cold weather. 

How to Get There 

Despite being located in Finland's far north, getting to Lapland isn’t nearly as difficult as you may think. First, fly into Helsinki, then, depending on your final destination, continue to either Kemi or Rovaniemi by regional flight. Finnair and Norwegian Air each offer a 90-minute nonstop to Rovaniemi, or you can board a one-stop Finnair flight to Kemi via Kokkola-Jakobstad Airport in Kronoby.

If you've got the time, a scenic seven-hour train ride will get you from Helsinki to Kemi (the ride to Rovaniemi takes 8.5 hours). You can also travel between Rovaniemi and Kemi by train for a 90-minute intra-Lapland adventure.

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Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus and the capital of Finnish Lapland.

Please notice the possibility to download our brochures here .

More information to Plan your Rovaniemi holiday

Getting here

Rovaniemi is situated in Finnish Lapland, right on the Arctic Circle. Despite the northern location, getting here is easy with great transport connections. See details here.

Getting around

Rovaniemi is a town with short distances. The centre is easily explored on foot, and many transport options are available for reaching the surroundings. Find out more here.

Tourist Information

The modern facilities of Tourist Information in familiar brand colours of Visit Rovaniemi, welcome travellers to The Official Hometown of Santa Claus®.

FAQ / Ask us

Have you got concerns ahead of your trip to Rovaniemi or are you not sure how things work once you’ve arrived? See our FAQ and find useful information!

Rovaniemi Webcams

Santa Claus Village webcam, Ounasvaara webcam and Koivusaari webcam all give you a chance to sneak peek the accurate, current view in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland.

On this site, you can take a look at our brochure in printable pdf-format for information about the products and services in Lapland North Destinations region.

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Swedish Lapland Travel Guide

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Swedish Lapland, the heartland of the indigenous Sámi people, is Europe’s last wilderness, characterized by seemingly endless forests of pine and spruce, thundering rivers that drain the snow-covered fells and peaceful lakeside villages high amongst the hills. The irresistible allure of this vast and sparsely populated region is the opportunity to experience raw nature at first hand. This unsullied corner of the country is a very long way away for many Swedes; in terms of distance, Gothenburg, for example, is closer to Venice than it is to Kiruna. The reputation of the local people for speaking their mind or, alternatively, not speaking at all, has confirmed the region’s image within Sweden: remote, austere yet still rather fascinating.

Galtispuoda mountain

Getting to the North Cape

The kungsleden, laestadius and the demon drink, lapland, lappland or sápmi, silvermuséet, sorsele and around, treriksröset.

The best way to discover more about Sámi culture is to drive the 360km-long Wilderness Way ( Vildmarksvägen ) from Strömsund , a notable canoeing centre, over the barren Stekenjokk plateau to isolated Fatmomakke , a church town of dozens of traditional wooden kåtor (huts) beside the steely waters of Kultsjön lake. The road terminates at Vilhelmina , another tiny church town which makes an interesting diversion on the way north. Storuman and neighbouring Sorsele have handy train and bus connections that are useful access points for a small handful of charming mountain villages close to the Norwegian border, where hiking is the main draw.Back on the main Inlandsbanan train route, Arvidsjaur offers a fascinating insight into indigenous culture at its lappstad, a diverting collection of religious dwellings and storehuts.

However, it’s Jokkmokk , just north of the Arctic Circle , that is the real centre of Sámi life – not least during its Winter Market when thousands of people brave the chill to buy and sell everything from reindeer hides to wellington boots. Moving further north, the iron-ore mining centres of Gällivare (where the Inlandsbanan ends) and Kiruna share a rugged charm, though it’s undoubtedly the world-famous Icehotel in nearby Jukkasjärvi that is the real winter draw. Beyond, the rugged national parks offer a chance to hike and commune with nature like nowhere else: the Kungsleden trail runs for 500km from the tiny village of Abisko – oddly, yet reassuringly for hikers, the driest place in all of Sweden – to Hemavan, northwest of Storuman, through some of the most gorgeous stretches anywhere in the Swedish mountains.

Stretching northwest of Arvidsjaur out towards the Norwegian border, the municipality of Arjeplog, roughly the size of Belgium, supports a population of under three thousand – two-thirds of whom live in the lakeside town, ARJEPLOG , 85km from Arvidsjaur. Set away from the main inland road and rail routes, it’s a tiny, unassuming sort of place, barely one main street leading to what passes as a main square. The surrounding area is one of the most beautiful parts of Sweden, with nearly nine thousand lakes and vast expanses of mountains and virgin forests. The air is clear and crisp, the rivers clean and deep and the winters mighty cold – in 1989 a temperature of -52°C was recorded here. January and February, in particular, are bitter, dark and silent months, but it’s during winter that Arjeplog is at its busiest: hundreds of test drivers from across the world descend on the town to put cars through their paces in the freezing conditions, with brakes and road-holding being given a thorough examination on the frozen lakes; the ABS braking system, for example, was developed here.

In summer, Arjeplog is a likeable, peaceful little place, where hiking, canoeing and fishing are all popular activities, each offering the chance of blissful isolation, be it by the side of a secluded mountain tarn or in a clearing deep in the pine forest. In late July you can go cloudberry picking in the surrounding marshland, and in the autumn you can hunt for lingonberries, blueberries and wild mushrooms.

Gällivare and around

Seven hundred and fifty kilometres north of Östersund, the Inlandsbanan finally reaches its last stop, GÄLLIVARE , two and a quarter hours up the line from Jokkmokk. Although the town is not immediately appealing, it is one of the few relatively sizeable ones in this part of northern Sweden, and it’s a good idea to spend a day or two here enjoying the relative civilization before striking out in the wilds beyond – Gällivare is a good starting point for walking in the national parks , which fill most of the northwestern corner of the country. The town is also one of the most important areas for iron ore in Europe – if you have any interest in seeing a working mine, don’t wait until Kiruna’s tame “tourist tour” ; instead, take a trip down the more evocative mines here.

Located just north of the 67th parallel, Gällivare has a pretty severe climate : as you stroll around the open centre, have a look at the double-glazed windows here, all heavily insulated to protect against the biting Arctic cold.

The site the town occupies was once that of a Sámi village, and one theory has it that the name Gällivare comes from the Sámi for “a crack or gorge ( djelli) in the mountain ( vare) ”. You may also come across the alternative spelling, Gellivare, although the pronunciation is the same – “yell-i-vaar-eh”.

Midnight sun tours

While in Gällivare do try to take a tour to the top of Dundret hill, one of the two peaks dominating the town, to see the midnight sun (early June–early Aug daily at 11pm; 200kr return; tickets available from the tourist office). Special taxis run from the train station to the end of the winding road which leads up to the top of the hill. Remember that the sky needs to be free of cloud for you to see the midnight sun properly. Whatever the weather, though, there are free waffles and ice cream available before the return down to Gällivare.

The mines at Malmberget

Tucked away at

, one of the two hills that overlook the town 5km to the north, the modern mines and works are distant, dark blots, towards which the tourist office ferries relays of tourists in summer. There are two separate tours, both running from mid-June to mid-August: one tour explores the underground

iron-ore mine

, the other the open-cast

copper mine

, the largest of its kind in Europe (and also Sweden’s biggest gold mine – the metal is recovered from the slag produced during the extraction of the copper). The ear-splitting noise produced from the mammoth-sized trucks (they’re five times the height of a human being) in the iron-ore mine can be quite disconcerting in the confined darkness.

If you’re in Arjeplog with your own transport, it’s worth making every effort to see the jaw-dropping panoramic vistas from the top of

(808m), which lies 15km north of the village. On a clear day from the peak, you can see over 130km in all directions across the surrounding marshland and forest with views extending even into Norway. From this amazing vantage point, you start to realize just how sparsely populated this remote part of Sweden is: if Stockholm, for example, had the same population density as Arjeplog it would have just fifty inhabitants.

From Karesuando it’s a drive of 510km to the North Cape in Norway, routing via Enontekiö in Finland and then Kautokeino and Alta in Norway; it will take at least six hours with your own car. By public transport, the easiest option is to walk across to Kaaresuvanto in Finland and pick up the bus for Tromsø which operates from June to mid-September, departing at 4.25pm. Change buses in Skibotn on Norway’s E6 highway and then head east towards Alta for connections to the North Cape. Finnish bus timetables are at w eskelisen. fi, Norwegian ones at w snelandia.no .

The Kungsleden (literally “King’s Trail”) is the most famous and popular hiking route in Sweden. A well-signposted, 500km-long path from Abisko in the north to Hemavan , near Tärnaby , it takes in Sweden’s highest mountain, Kebnekaise , en route. If you’re looking for splendid isolation, this isn’t the trail for you; it’s the busiest in the country, though it’s the section from Abisko to Kebnekaise that sees most hikers (one of the least busy sections is between Jäkkvik and Adolfström). Most people start the trail at Abisko, but it’s equally feasible to begin further south.

The ground is easy to walk, with bridges where it’s necessary to ford streams; marshy ground has had wooden planks laid down to ease the going, and there are either boat services or row-boats with which to get across several large lakes. The route, which passes through the national parks, is traditionally split into the five stages described below. For the distances between the places mentioned on each segment; the best map to have of the entire area is Lantmäteriet Kartförlaget’s Norra Norrland (scale 1:400,000).

Stage 1: Abisko to Kebnekaise (6 days; 105km)

From its starting point at STF Abisko fjällstation , the Kungsleden winds through the elongated Abisko national park, which contains some of the most lush and dense vegetation of the trail, including beech forest lining the valley bottom. From the Alesjaure cabins, perched on a mountain ridge 35km from the start, you’ll get a fantastic view over the open countryside below; there’s a sauna here, too. The highest point on this segment is the Tjäktja pass (1105m), 50km from the start, from where there are also wonderful views. This section of the trail finishes at Kebnekaise fjällstation , from where it’s possible to leave the main trail and head to Nikkaluokta, 19km away (served by buses to Kiruna).

Stage 2: Kebnekaise to Saltoluokta (3 days; 51km)

One of the quietest sections of the trail, this segment takes in beech forest, open fells and deep valleys. First of all you backtrack 14km from Kebnekaise fjällstation to Singi , before heading south again with an unobstructed view of the hills and glaciers of Sarek national park. You then paddle across the river at Teusajaure and climb over a plateau into Stora Sjöfallet national park , from where you drop steeply through beech forest to Vakkotavare . From Vakkotavore a bus runs to the quay at Kebnats, and then a short boat trip brings you to Saltoluokta and the start of the next section.

Stage 3: Saltoluokta to Kvikkjokk (4 days; 73km)

This segment involves skirting a tame corner of the inhospitable Sarek national park . It crosses two lakes and also passes through a bare landscape edged by pine and beech forests. A long uphill climb of around five to six hours leads first to Sitojaure , on a bare high fell. The shallow lake here, which you have to cross, is choppy in the strong wind; take the boat service operated by the cabin caretaker. You then cross the wetlands on the other side of the lake, making use of the wooden planks laid down here, to Aktse , where there’s a vast field of yellow buttercups in summer. Using the row-boats provided, row across Lake Laitaure for Kvikkjokk; as you approach you’ll see pine forest.

Stage 4: Kvikkjokk to Ammarnäs (8 days; 166km)

Not recommended for novices, this is one of the most difficult stretches of the trail (distances between cabins can be long, and there are four lakes to cross); it is, however, one of the quietest. From Kvikkjokk you take the boat over Saggat Lake and walk to the first cabin at Tsielejåkk . It’s 55km to the next cabin at Vuonatjviken . You then take the boat across Riebnesjaure and walk to Hornavan for another boat across to the village of Jäkkvik . It’s a short hike of 8km to the next cabin, then on to the village of Adolfström , passing through Pieljekaise national park en route. Then you get another boat over Iraft Lake and on to the cabins at Sjnjultje . From here there’s a choice of routes: 34km direct to Ammarnäs, or 24km to Rävfallet and then another 20km into Ammarnäs.

Stage 5: Ammarnäs to Hemavan (4 days; 78km)

This is the easiest part of the trail: you’ll pass over low fells and heather-covered moors and through beech forests and wetlands, the horizon lined with impressive fell peaks. The only steep climb is 8km long between Ammarnäs and Aigert , where there’s an imposing waterfall and a traditional steam sauna in the cabin. On the way to the Syter cabin, 48km from Aigert, you’ll pass a network of bridges, which cross the various lakes in what is called the Tärnasjö archipelago.

No other man has made a greater impression on northern Scandinavia than Lars Levi Laestadius (1800–61), the Swedish revivalist preacher who dedicated his life to saving people in three countries from the perils of alcoholism . Born in Jäkkvik in 1800 and educated in Kvikkjokk, the young Laestadius soon developed a close relationship with the indigenous Sámi , many of whom had turned to drink to escape the harsh reality of their daily lives. It was while the priest was working in Karesuando (1826–49) that he met Mary of Åsele , the Sámi woman who inspired him to steer people towards a life of total purity. Following Laestadius’s death in Pajala in 1861, the movement continued under the leadership of Juhani Raattamaa before splitting into two opposing branches: a conservative western group in Sweden and Norway, and a more liberal eastern one in Finland. Today tens of thousands of teetotal Swedes, Finns, Norwegians and Sámi across the Arctic area of Scandinavia still follow Laestadius’s teachings; as well as not drinking, they’re not allowed to have flowers or curtains in their homes, nor are they permitted to wear a tie, listen to the radio or watch TV.

Whilst Lapland’s strong cultural identity is evident in every town and village across the north, it’s a much trickier task to try to pin down the region geographically. The word Lapland means different things to different people. Mention it to a Swede (the Swedish spelling is Lappland ) and they’ll immediately think of the northern Swedish province of the same name which begins just south of Dorotea, runs up to the Norwegian and Finnish borders in the north, and stretches east towards (but doesn’t include) the Bothnian coast. For the original inhabitants of the north, the Sámi , the area they call Sápmi (the indigenous name for Lapland) extends from Norway through Sweden and Finland to the Russian Kola peninsula, an area where they’ve traditionally lived a semi-nomadic life, following their reindeer from valley bottom to fell top. Most foreigners have a hazy idea of where Lapland is; for the sake of this guide, we’ve assumed Swedish Lapland (the English spelling) to be located within the borders of the administrative province of Lappland but have included all of Route 342 – The Wilderness Way, or Vildmarksvägen – beginning in Strömsund, which crosses into Lappland, as well as the Torne Valley, which also lies partly within the province.

The only sight in town is the Silvermuséet , housed in a yellow wooden building in the main square. It’s home to fascinating collections of over 700 pieces of Sámi silver, including several ornate silver collars that were handed down from mother to daughter; if a mother had several daughters she would divide her chain amongst them. Whilst in the museum, make sure to visit the cinema in the basement, where you can see a slide show about the surrounding countryside and nature, and find how people in this remote part of Sweden learnt to adapt to the harsh climate.

The next major stop on the Inlandsbanan and bus route north of Storuman is SORSELE , 76km away – a pint-sized, quiet little town on the Vindelälven River . The town became a cause célèbre among conservationists in Sweden when activists forced the government to abandon its plans to build a hydroelectric power station, which would have regulated the river’s flow. Consequently, the Vindelälven remains in its natural state today – seething with rapids – and is one of only four rivers in the country that hasn’t been tampered with in some way or other.

The big event here is the Vindelälvsdraget , a 400km, four-day dog-sled race from Ammarnäs to Vännäsby held in the third week of March. Sorsele is an ideal base for fly-fishing : the Vindelälven and the other local river, Laisälven, are teeming with grayling and brown trout, and there are a number of local lakes stocked with char. Ask at the tourist offices for details.

If you’re looking to get well off the beaten track, Sorsele provides ready access to the Sámi mountain village of Ammarnäs , which is about as remote as you get by road in this part of Swedish Lapland.

Heading north for Treriksröset – the three-nation marker post where Sweden, Norway and Finland meet – walk over the bridge to Kaaresuvanto in Finland, from where a daily bus leaves at 2.35pm (Finland is an hour ahead of Sweden) for Kilpisjärvi (journey time 1hr 40min). From June to mid-September a second daily bus leaves at 4.25pm for Tromsø in Norway, travelling via Kilpisjärvi. From Kilpisjärvi, there are two ways to get to Treriksröset. One of these is a hike of 11km down a track which passes through an area of dwarf woodland before running around a small lake to reach Sweden’s northernmost point; don’t forget your camera and mosquito repellent. Alternatively, you can shorten the hike to just 3km by taking a boat ride from Kilpisjärvi across the lake on M/S Malla (late June–early Aug 10am, 2pm & 6pm Finnish time; 45min; €25 return); note that the boat requires at least four passengers to sail.

From Treriksröset, the path continues (14km) towards the northernmost peak in Sweden, Pältsan (1445m); the going here is rocky in parts. The STF cabins (no advance booking; March, April & late June–early Sept; dorm beds 390kr) at the foot of the mountain boast thirty beds and a sauna. There’s an easy hike (40km) from the cabins to Keinovuopio, where you cross the river to the village of Peera, on the main E8 road in Finland; from here you can catch the bus back to Karesuando (daily at approximately 1.45pm, also June to mid-Sept daily at 11.25am; check Finnish bus times at w matkahuolto.fi ).

The Inlandsvägen and the Wilderness Way meet up again in the pretty town of VILHELMINA , 54km north of Dorotea. Once an important forestry centre, now a quiet, unassuming little place with just one main street, it is named after the wife of King Gustav IV Adolf, Fredrika Dorotea Vilhelmina (as is its southerly neighbour, Dorotea).

On the main street the Sámi handicraft store , Risfjells Sameslöjd, Volgsjövägen 46 (Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 10am–2pm; W sameslojd.se ), is worth a look.

Church town

The principal attraction is the church town , nestling between Storgatan and Ljusminnesgatan, whose thirty-odd wooden cottages date back to 1792 when the first church was consecrated. It’s since been restored, and the cottages can be rented out via the tourist office.

Discover more places in Sweden

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• Kiruna and around
• Strömsund and routes north
• Swedish Lapland’s national parks
• The E12: Blå vägen
• The Torne Valley

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Northern lights, the midnight sun, Sámi culture, exquisite local cuisine and winter sports, all in Europe’s last wilderness, Swedish Lapland.

Vast, empty and Arctic, Lapland has a near-mythical quality. This enormous swathe of northern Sweden seems to embody the very spirit of winter — home to huge herds of reindeer and seemingly endless frosted pine forests, as well as the dancing northern lights and a snow-dazzled landscape where the Snow Queen might raise up a mighty ice palace.

But, don’t discount a visit during the summer, which has its own draw. You can roam among the pine-clad mountains and raging rivers by the light of the midnight sun, go foraging with the Sámi population and hike through nature reserves that boast some of the richest wildlife left in Europe.

For all its remoteness, the region is easy to reach thanks to a network of local airports, and we can help you explore this last, still-wild corner of the continent. Unsurprisingly, the population of this fragile, pristine area is deeply committed to ecologically sustainable practices. The region’s also home to some of Sweden’s most interesting and innovative ecolodges.

Things to see and do in Swedish Lapland

Discover the ancient sámi culture.

The Sámi have lived in Lapland since prehistoric times and their way of life is remarkably unaffected by the passage of millennia. Many still make a living herding reindeer. Their culture and language are deeply entwined with the land they call Sápmi, a region that stretches over Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. There are more than 300 words for snow in the Northern Sámi language, for example, and eight seasons in the year.

We can arrange for you to learn more about this resilient people by meeting guides and exploring the wilderness with them. You’ll hike through mountains and learn their Sámi names, meet the reindeer herds, go fishing in lakes and forage for wild cloudberries, as well as cook a traditional meal.

A wild, untamed Arctic landscape

Visiting Lapland is like catching a glimpse of primordial Northern Europe. Wide-antlered elk and reindeer roam through slender birches, grazing placidly on cloudberries and deep-green moss. Brown bears lumber alongside mirror-like lakes and russet foxes dart through stands of wildflowers. Sweden’s largest and oldest national parks are located here and offer some of the most pristine hiking on the continent.

If you’d like to explore this rich wilderness, we can arrange a wide variety of activities that will help you learn more about Lapland. Take guided hikes, go fly-fishing in rushing rivers, mountain bike down snow-gentled slopes or kayak across placid lakes.

The northern lights and the midnight sun

Thanks to its northerly latitudes, Lapland is one of the best places to enjoy the northern lights. Abisko National Park’s Aurora Sky Station offers a comfortable base for glimpsing the elusive cosmic light show. It’s located 250 km (155 miles) north of the Arctic Circle and has virtually no light pollution. There’s a warm café where you can wait for the phenomenon to occur, and a chairlift and watch tower for the best views. To truly indulge in the Arctic atmosphere, we can also arrange for a dinner on the ice under the strobing sky.

It’s also an excellent base for visiting in June. You can hike under a sky that’s glowing gold and red, lit by a sun that hovers on the horizon all night but never dips.

A winter sports playground

In this land of ice and snow, the options for winter sports are seemingly endless. For the souls who love winter sports, we can arrange for a wide array of outdoor activities that take advantage of the deep freeze. You might try your hand at dog-sledding , skimming through the countryside pulled by a team of trained huskies, or embrace modern convenience with a chance to explore by snowmobile. Ice fishing has long been an important source of food for the Sámi and you can have a go yourself at this meditative sport.

The deep freeze also means you can visit the ICEHOTEL Winter, a structure made entirely from ice and snow. Rebuilt every winter for the past three decades, it’s an ever-changing exhibition of art and hospitality in the far frozen north.

Local, traditional culinary culture

Sweden’s Lapland is known for its abundance of local foods, many wild-caught or foraged. The culinary culture is greatly influenced by Sámi foodways, with a focus on reindeer, moose, fish and roe, wild mushrooms and berries, and cheese. Despite its sparse population, the area boasts a number of exceptional restaurants that serve Lapland cuisine, especially in cities like Luleå, Kiruna and Umeå, and boutique hotels like Treehotel.

If you’d like to get really hands-on with your food, consider a foraging walk with a Sámi guide. You’ll gather ingredients as you walk, learning more about the traditional ways that the Sámi still eat, before helping to prepare a meal to share.

Best time to visit Swedish Lapland

With four wildly different seasons, Lapland is a year-round destination, depending on what you’d like to do. The northern lights are at their peak November to March. Snow falls as early as August, but the best time to experience winter sports is between December and March.

Hiking enthusiasts can count the long days and twilight nights of the midnight sun, which begin in late May and end in mid-July. The mountain hiking season typically lasts from June through to September, although this is slightly longer in Abisko National Park.

August, September and early October are often overlooked by visitors, but the changing foliage makes it a lovely time to visit.

Festivals, events and seasonal reasons to visit

• Last weekend in January: A family-friendly festival that celebrates the end of the long, dark winter, the Kiruna Snow Festival includes the snow blower world championships, dog-sledding and live music.
• First Thursday in February: Held since 1604, the Jokkmokk Sámi Market is the biggest meeting of the Sámi, who come to trade.
• June: The summer solstice is celebrated all across the region.
• August: The Cloudberry Festival celebrates the berry’s harvest from woodlands around Vuollerim.
• August: The Storstämningshelgen sees Sámi people gather in Arvidsjaur for reindeer cooking and reindeer lassoing events.
• September: The Römppäviikko Festival in Pajala includes saunas, dancing and markets.

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Map of swedish lapland, places & hotels on the map, accommodation choices for swedish lapland.

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Ideas for experiencing Swedish Lapland

Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Swedish Lapland, and which use the best local guides.

Husky safari

Experience the thrill of dog-sledding in Swedish Lapland. You’ll find out how this pastime is so important to Sámi culture, meet the team of huskies and have a chance to take the reins yourself as you ride through snow-covered forest.

Sami culture and reindeer experience

This guided tour gives you a chance to visit a remote Sámi village in Swedish Lapland for an insight into the local indigenous culture. You’ll meet and learn skills from reindeer herders and have the chance to dine on local foods inside a traditional tent.

Ice dining under the northern lights

You can explore a different side of the Lapland wilderness with a private meal on a frozen lake. Sit on reindeer hides under a traditional Sámi tent and enjoy a three-course meal as you watch the dark skies for the aurora borealis.

Kayaking on the Lule River

Soak up the natural beauty of Swedish Lapland from the water on this six-hour kayaking tour. Suitable for both beginners and experienced kayakers, the tour includes lunch cooked over an open fire on the riverbank.

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Home » Blog » The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Lapland, Finland in Winter

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Lapland, Finland in Winter

Lapland, Finland is the ultimate winter travel destination! This dreamy part of the world has it all… think reindeer sleigh rides, dog sledding, northern lights, amazing hotels, authentic saunas, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and much, much more!

In this blog post, I’m sharing all the insider tips on everything you need to know for planning your own trip to Lapland, Finland. Including how to get there, which regions to visit, the best things to do, and recommended places to stay.

This trip was in collaboration with Visit Finland. As always, all opinions and reviews are completely my own and truthful. We had such a great time in Finland and I’m excited to share what we got up to!

Lapland Travel Basics

Best time to go: Dec to March Visit time: 5 to 7 days Getting around: rental car Currency: euro

Getting to Lapland

It’s fairly easy to get to Lapland, Finland. The first step is to fly into Helsinki , which has daily flights to/from many major cities in North America, Europe, and Asia.

My husband and I flew with Finnair from Seattle to Helsinki, with a stopover in NYC. We opted to stay one night in Helsinki so we could explore a little of the city and get a feel of southern Finnish culture. In just one afternoon we managed to walk a few miles around the city, seeing places like Market Square, the Helsinki Cathedral, Uspenski Cathedral, and some of the picturesque residential streets.

We spent the night at Hotel St. George Helsinki , which was conveniently located alongside City Park and a short walk from the train station. Their rooms and customer service were impeccable – would highly recommend it! During your stay in Helsinki, I would also suggest eating at Pizzeria Via Tribunali . A reader recommended it to us and we had the most delicious and authentic pizza… which was not necessarily our expectation for a Nordic trip!

To get from Helsinki to Lapland you can either drive or catch a domestic flight from Helsinki Airport. The flights are fairly affordable with Finnair, so I would recommend that option over driving long hours on potentially icy winter roads.

During winter there are regular flights to destinations such as Kittila, Ivalo, Kuusamo, Kemi, and Rovaniemi. We opted to fly into Ivalo to begin our journey (more information below on how to choose the best Lapland destinations!)

Which region to visit

The Lapland region of Finland is made up of numerous municipalities and towns. Each destination offers different sights, activities, and hotels. Listed below are some of the main winter destinations and what they are best known for. Note that there are more locations than these, but I tried to keep things reasonably condensed!

• Levi: skiing, northern lights, beautiful hotels, reindeer excursions, husky safaris, snowshoeing
• Inari / Ivalo:  northern lights, reindeer excursions, husky safaris, snowmobiling, Sámi museums and cultural experiences
• Saariselkä: skiing, northern lights, snowshoeing, reindeer excursions, husky safaris
• Ruka / Kuusamo: skiing, snowshoeing, reindeer excursions, husky safaris
• Ylläs: skiing, snowshoeing, northern lights
• Kemi: sea icebreaker tours, arctic swimming in the Baltic Sea
• Kilpisjärvi: northern lights, snowshoeing, solitude
• Rovaniemi: Santa Claus and all things Christmas!

We opted to split our week-long trip into the following destinations and I think it was the perfect mix! I also felt like a week was a good amount of time to explore Lapland, though a couple more days would have been happily welcomed!

• 1 night in Helsinki
• 2 nights in Inari
• 1 night in Saariselkä
• 3 nights in Levi

This gave us some nice variation and a chance to explore multiple areas. You could also certainly stay one week in a single destination – either option would work and it depends on how you like to travel! The Visit Finland website has some great information about each destination if you want to delve further into the specifics. I will also be posting destination-specific blog posts within the coming weeks – so watch this space!

Where to stay

We’ve all seen those incredible photos featuring the aurora cabins and tree-houses of Lapland, right?! My husband and I were lucky enough to stay in a few bucket-list-worthy hotels during our trip BUT do keep in mind that they aren’t the only options available. There are a variety of lodging options to choose from in Lapland – ranging from more affordable to more pricey.

Traveling as a family or in a group ? You are probably best to rent a large cabin that has multiple rooms, a kitchen, communal areas, etc. This will help keep costs down and allow for more flexibility around meals and travel. In Levi, we stayed 2 nights in one of Polar Star Travel’s beautiful log cabins, which was even fitted with a private sauna!

You can still experience Lapland, Finland on a budget ! In saying that, I am not going to pretend it’s a super affordable place to travel during the winter months. Some more budget-friendly lodging options can be found on Airbnb , ranging from shared accommodation, private rooms, and even entire cabins/homes. You could also look into options such as couch-surfing and house-sitting/swaps.

Best things to do

Lapland, Finland is one of the world’s best destinations for unique winter adventures and activities. I mean, how many places can you take a sunrise husky sledding tour, a midday sauna experience, a sunset snowshoe, and finish the day with a northern lights snowmobiling tour?!

There are countless options of tours and self-guided adventures to take during the winter months in Lapland. I have listed some of the most common below and will go into more depth in my upcoming blog posts!

• Visit a reindeer farm and take a sleigh ride/safari
• Take a husky dog sledding adventure
• Try out skiing or snowboarding down a Finnish “fell” (mountain)
• Go on a snowshoe hiking adventure
• Enjoy an arctic hammock relaxation tour in the forest
• Have an authentic sauna and hot tub experience
• Watch the northern lights on a dedicated tour or from an aurora cabin
• Take a snowmobiling adventure on a frozen lake
• Walk through a man-made ice and snow gallery
• Toboggan down a fell under the northern lights
• Learn about and immerse yourself in the local Sámi culture
• Take a photography tour on capturing Lapland’s unique beauty
• Sample Lappish food and learn about local culinary culture
• Try out ice fishing on a frozen lake
• Take an arctic swim in the Baltic Sea
• Experience an icebreaker sea excursion
• Visit the home of Santa Claus

I would say my favorite activities of the trip were experiencing the northern lights, snowshoeing up a fell to watch the sunset, taking a reindeer sleigh ride, and being treated to an authentic Finnish sauna… but I LOVED everything we did!

One thing to keep in mind is that it can be quite cold when doing these activities.

For example, we had a cold snap during our visit and it was -35C the morning we took a reindeer sleigh ride and also in the evenings when we were viewing the northern lights. Having adequate winter clothing and gear is imperative – find out what to pack for a trip to the Arctic in this blog post !

I hope this blog post was a nice starting place for your Lapland, Finland trip planning. As previously mentioned, I will be publishing more blog posts on this topic (destination specific guides, how to best experience the northern lights and more) – watch this space! Let me know in the comments if there is something specific you would like me to share.

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16 comments

Great article about Finnish Lapland, thank you! If you are planning to revisit the Ruka area or if Finland is on your bucket list, welcome to our modern and spacious villa at Ruka 🙂

Wow 😲, really a great resources for visiting Lapland.

Hej renee, after reading your article,I have commented that Lapland is in my bucket list, finally I made Dog-sledding trip in Lapland. HUHU

Thank you! I am just beginning to look at planning a winter trip to Lapland for next year. Can you discuss how you traveled between the Lapland cities you visited? Is it possible to do this without a rental car or is it best to rent a car once you arrive in Lapland?

Hi Renee, thanks for an amazing post, actually I was thinking about to travel to Scandinavia, And this article is really helpful for me to find something special from there.

Amazing post Renee and comprehensive description. Lapland is in my bucket list too but I want to combine with Swedish and Finnish at once.

We’re planning. What a wonderful synopsis. We’re also going to be leaving out of Seattle.

Makes me wanna go there asap! 😍 I can’t wait for your more detailed lapland travel guide. 😍😍😍

This is my absolute dream!!!!

Greetings from Kuusamo! Nice blogpost! Next time visit Ruka, Kuusamo??

Thank you 🙂 We would love to next time!

I’m planning a trip to Finland for Winter next year and found this blog post very informative! Thanks Renee 🙂

Did you drive from Saariselka to Levi? How were the road conditions? Your photos from this trip are gorgeous!

I love Lapland!

This looks like an incredible trip! Finland is definitely on my bucket list, and the more I think about it the more I want to visit in winter.

Another wonderful blogpost Renee. I’m certainly putting Finland on my bucket list now I’ve seen all your stunning photos. Looking forward to your more detailed posts.

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Finnish Lapland

Finnish lapland - a magical winter wonderland.

Finnish Lapland is both magical and mystical, home to both folklore and Father Christmas. Amidst the forests and fells of the country’s northernmost province is a place you can experience the Arctic Circle at its unspoiled best. Here, on the edge of Europe's last wilderness, is a land of amazing natural phenomena.

Finnish Lapland is one of the best places to spot the Northern Lights and many travellers flock to this beautiful area to tick the experience of seeing this phenomenon off their bucket list. Snowshoeing, snowmobiling and husky sledding are traditional ways to go Aurora Borealis hunting. Due to the location of the accommodation we feature, you may not have to go far to witness this awe-inspiring phenomenon - the villages are small and remote with limited light pollution. Simply step out of your hotel and gaze up at the dark sky for a chance to view this mesmerising light display.

Witnessing the Northern Lights, nature's most fascinating spectacle, will be sure to make your holiday memorable. However, there is of course no guarantee which is one of the reasons why our tours also feature exhilarating activities to ensure you make the most of your time in Finnish Lapland. Enjoy activities such as reindeer sleigh rides or driving your own snowmobile across the Arctic tundra (don’t forget your driving licence). Go ice-fishing at a spot popular with locals, try your hand at cross country skiing or explore your surroundings further by 'mushing' your very own team of huskies.

There’s more here than outdoor adventures: discover the Finnish tradition of a sauna or dine on regional specialties from hearty stews to reindeer steaks. Meet reindeer hustlers and Sámi tribes-people, learning their unique way of life as you travel. Or opt to spend a night in a real igloo, made of snow and ice.

Of course, in the run-up to Christmas there’s a festive fever in Father Christmas’ hometown. Enjoy a private family meeting with Santa on one of our day trips or short breaks in Finnish Lapland.

Whatever you want from your wintry holiday, you’ll find it in Finnish Lapland. With magnificent lakes, frozen rivers and dense forests, the landscapes here are set to impress. Finnish Lapland is certainly a must for your holiday wish-list.

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, click here

Want more? You may also be interested in our holidays to Swedish Lapland .

Tours available in Finnish Lapland

Snow is falling.

Visit Santa in his secret log cabin in the forest on this pre-Christmas short holiday

2, 3 or 4 nights from £1099 per adult

Aurora Hunter

Finnish lapland - swedish lapland.

Search for the fabled Aurora Borealis on this week-long break deep inside the Arctic Circle

7 nights from £1439 per adult

Winter Wonderland

Experience all the magic of Lapland in a single day and return home in time for supper!

Daybreak from £599 per adult

Dashing Through the Snow

A Lapland holiday in Kilpisjarvi, including snowmobiling, husky sledding, and a meeting with Santa...

3 or 4 nights from £1299 per adult

Snowmobile Voyager

A short break in the very far north of Finnish Lapland for those who love snowmobiling. Journey...

3 or 4 nights from £1239 per adult

Santa's On His Way

Search for Santa in his magical homeland on our Lapland short break

3 or 4 nights from £1199 per adult

Sleigh Bells Ringing

Meet the REAL Father Christmas on this festive family stay in Jeris cabins – True Lapland at its...

3 or 4 nights from £1399 per adult

Northern Lights

Search for the spectacular Northern Lights in Lapland and enjoy a host of winter activities

3 or 4 nights from £949 per adult

Wonderful Christmas Time

Enjoy a white Christmas like you've never seen before!

3 or 4 nights from £1459 per adult

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• Finland and Lapland

Lapland itinerary: the ultimate travel itinerary through Finnish Lapland in winter!

A tour through Finnish Lapland : the ultimate winter experience! In this blog, you will find an itinerary for a five-day trip through the north of Finland: one of the most beautiful parts of Lapland. During this itinerary, you will have the chance to see the northern lights several times or to enjoy the other magical things that Lapland has to offer. We also give you tips on other highlights of Finland. This gives you a good idea of what there is to see in Finland and which destinations you want to include on your Finland itinerary.

Lapland itinerary

A trip to Lapland: the number one thing on Ries’s bucket list before he turned 30. Especially because of the northern lights that you can see well above Lapland in the winter months. But there are many more reasons to take a tour of Finnish Lapland. For instance to visit Santa Claus Village (together with your kids). You can also take a husky ride through the thick snow, or drive a snowmobile. All in all, a winter trip to Finnish Lapland is magical!

Round trip in Finnish Lapland

The northernmost part of finnish lapland.

In this blog, we focus on the northernmost part of Finnish Lapland, the region around Ivalo . A little further south are the cities of Rovaniemi, Levi & Kiitala. Here too you have the real Lapland feeling in winter. With snow-covered lakes and igloos to sleep in. However, here you are in a more southern part of the polar circle, which reduces the chance of seeing the northern lights. These areas are also more touristy.

Ivalo or Rovaniemi / Levi?

Not sure whether you should visit Ivalo (northernmost region of Finnish Lapland) or Rovanimie / Levi (southern region of Lapland)? Then consider what kind of a holiday you would like to have. If you go with small children , and you want to visit Santa’s village ( Santa Clause Village ), to sleep in an igloo or ice hotel, and you don’t mind if the region is touristy, visit Rovanimie or Levi . Also nice, in the surroundings of Levi you can ski and from here you can take a day trip to go out to sea with an icebreaker .

How expensive is a trip to Lapland Finland? Read all about prices and a realistic Lapland budget during your trip in this blog!

5-day itinerary for Lapland

The Lapland itinerary below is based on our own experience in the area around Ivalo (the northernmost tip of Finnish Lapland). And those experiences were great, so we would like to share this Finnish Lapland itinerary with you.

You start your journey (after a short stopover in Helsinki) in the city of Ivalo. Here you will pick up your rental car and then drive to the village of Inari . Inari is located on the beautiful Lake Inari which you can walk on in winter. After two days you drive on to Kaamanen , an even more northern area. Here you are close to the border with Norway. You will stay here for two days.

On the way back to Ivalo , it is nice to make a stopover in Saariselkä ! This is a large tourist village with a Christmas atmosphere, an ice bar and shops. Nice to have seen to complete your trip through Lapland.

The 5-day route through Finnish Lapland is as follows:

Ivalo (arrival & departure).

Your itinerary through the north of Lapland starts in Ivalo. This small village with an airport is located 300 kilometres above the Arctic Circle. If you have rented a car, this village is the place to do some shopping. We cooked in our lodges almost every day, and the supermarket in Finland is not much more expensive than the one in the Netherlands.

An activity that you should definitely not miss here is a snowmobile safari ! The lakes in Finnish Lapland are frozen over from mid-October to mid-April and therefore ideal to drive over with your snowmobile! So special how fast these snowmobiles go! Our snowmobile tour departed from Ivalo. For this, we drove up and down from Inari, the place where we slept. The distance Ivalo – Inari is only 35 km , you are already there in half an hour.

Inari (2 nights)

The snowy lake Inari: really a picture-perfect! We stayed in Inari for 2 nights, and highly recommend this to you too! This is the least populated municipality of Finnish Lapland and therefore perfect for star photography and for photographing the aurora (northern lights). We stayed in a lodge that was on the lake on which we created some snow angels! In the morning when we came out of the lodge, we saw fresh traces of reindeer everywhere. We also saw these beautiful animals in the wild several times around the lake.

From Inari you can do a cool activity: visiting a husky farm and then taking a husky sledge tour ! Seeing these beautiful dogs with their bright blue eyes was truly a highlight of our Lapland trip. Curious about what you can expect from this? Read our tips in the blog about a husky tour in Lapland !

Hotel tip: Wilderness Hotel Inari & Igloos

Travel time from Ivalo to Inari: 30 minutes by car

Kaamanen / Kielajoki (2 nights)

Kaamanen is a small village, even further north in Finnish Lapland. The village lies on a swamp and is surrounded by rivers and lakes. It’s a peaceful destination, really off the beaten path ! A stay near Kaamanen guarantees an authentic experience. No tour buses here full of tourists, but peace and a lot of space! We stayed near Kaamanen in the village of Kielajoki and the Giellajohka  hotel of the same name.

Activities you can do here include enjoying a Finnish sauna, ice fishing, hiking on the frozen lakes and cross-country skiing. In addition, you are so northern and with little light pollution that the chance of spotting the northern lights is even bigger here!

Kaamanen will always have a special place in our hearts. Here, in the snow on a frozen lake, Ries got on his knees to ask me to marry him ! It was amazing! And as icing on the cake, it was so bright that same evening that we saw the northern lights dance from our bedroom while we were warm in bed.

Hotel tip: Giellajohka Travel time Inari to Kaamanen: 30 minutes by car

Back to Ivalo via Saariselkä

If your journey is almost over but you still have some time to spare, consider heading back from Kaamanen to Ivalo, passing the village of Saariselkä . This nice and touristic village is about 30 minutes drive from Ivalo. Surrounded by mountains, Saariselkä is a good base for activities such as downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and hiking. We made a beautiful aurora night walk in Saariselkä where we saw the northern lights dance beautifully above the snow.

Hotel tip: Top Star Saariselkä

Travel time Kaamanen to Ivalo Airport: 1-hour drive.

Curious about what we packed and wore to stay warm in Lapland? Then read our Lapland packing list tips !

What are the most special & unique hotels to sleep in Finnish Lapland? Read this blog with the best hotels in Lapland !

Tips itinerary Finnish Lapland

Now that you’ve read the Lapland itinerary above, we have a few more tips to help you create your ultimate Lapland trip!

The Northern Lights in Lapland

It was a big dream of Ries to have seen the northern lights for its 30th year. Unfortunately, he did not succeed, he was 30 years and 3 months. But don’t feel sorry, because, during the 4 nights in Lapland, he was able to see the northern lights not once, but four times. Every night it was spot on! This is not normal, it can just as easily happen that there are clouds every day and unfortunately you do not see the northern lights once. You do have some influence on your chance of seeing the Northern Lights! How? You can read that in our blog about the northern lights in Lapland !

Flying on Ivalo:

Driving a car in lapland.

Although buses run between the villages in Finland, we recommend that you rent a car. We picked up this car immediately upon arrival at Ivalo airport. A rental car gives you all the freedom you want. In the evening, for example, we went for a drive by car to a place where there were no clouds. Because of this we also saw the northern lights that evening. We recommend renting a car through Sunny Cars . We are a big fan of Sunny Cars ourselves because it saves a lot of hassle, as you are always fully insured, and you can easily (and often free of charge) change or cancel your booking.

Driving a car in Lapland is not nearly as scary as it sounds. Cars have good winter tires and the roads are kept free of snow. In the evening there is good street lighting and everyone drives quietly and obeys the traffic rules.

Other destinations in Finland

Finland is not only a nice destination in the winter but also a great destination during summertime. An additional advantage: you are in the north, so you have very long summer days and you will find beautiful nature parks in Finland. A trip to Finland is a great adventure! You can do outdoor activities here such as canoe trips, multi-day treks and (wild) camping. See below a map of Finland with the best destinations.

Read more about Finnish Lapland here! 

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More blogs on Finland

Lapland tips: all you need to know for a winter holiday to lapland in finland, budget finnish lapland: costs and prices of a trip to (finnish) lapland, what to pack for lapland our packing list for lapland in finland.

Thanks for the great blogposts about visiting Lapland! We are currently planning our trip for March, and we probably only want to stay in the most Northern part (Inari/Saariselka) because we want the least touristy area and highest chances for seeing the Northern lights. In your experience, how different is the Inari area from the Saariselka area? We are debating whether it is worth the hassle to stay in two different places, or just book one hotel and do all activities from there.

Hi Kirsten, Oooo nice!! Well Saariselka is more touristic (with a whole village focused on tourisme) then Ivalo. So I would recommend Inari or even more north, Kaamanen. It isn't far from Saariselka so you can still do activities there. Northern light chances are highest in the most Northern and less light polluted area so that would also be Inari. Enjoy!

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Northern Lights Tours in Lapland

Northern Lights Experiences

Lapland is the perfect destination to witness one of nature's most spectacular phenomenos – the Northern Lights. On average the Aurora Borealis appear in the sky about 200 times a year, so there are plenty of opportunities to spot them.

Leaving the bright lights of the towns and resorts behind provides the best opportunity to see the Northern Lights in their full glory. There are a number of ways that you can reach the optimal places and search for the Aurora Borealis with us.

During winter season you can choose to embark on your northern lights excursion on snowmobiles, with reindeers or on snowshoes. During summer and autumn our organised searches for Aurora are made on foot, by boat or by floating. Good luck and happy Aurora hunting! The experience is bound to be unforgettable whether it takes place on a warm summer night, surrounded by snowy trees and fells or in the deep darkness of autumn that creates a black canvas for Aurora art.

Choose a pace that suits you best, or better still, increase your chances of a sighting and join us on a number of evenings.

Choose the season when you'd like to see northern lights

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Mon-Fri: 9am - 6pm Sat: 9am - 5:30pm Sun: Closed

The Ultimate Lapland Holiday

• Price Match Promise
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• All airports
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• All Santa’s Lapland experiences
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Choose your Santa’s Lapland experience

Both of our lapland holiday packages include a reindeer ride, sledging with huskies, tobogganing, lots of snowy activities like snow hockey and mini skidoos, and a private visit with santa., on our santa’s aurora package, your activity centre is exclusive to our santa’s aurora families and you’ll have an additional wilderness dinner, a visit to santa's elves workshop, a longer husky ride and a snowmobile safari..

• SANTA s MAGIC Your choice of four hotels with everything you've dreamed of for a magical Lapland adventure. Explore Santa’s Magic

• Believe your eyes, this is an experience your family will cherish forever. From £1169 per adult See what's included
• SANTA S AURORA Enjoy the ultimate Christmas in Lapland with a little extra Aurora magic sprinkled on top. Explore Santa's Aurora

• The ultimate Lapland experience for your family, even the elves get jealous. From £1549 per adult See what’s included

Get Inspired

Santa and his elves can't wait for your arrival, but before your trip begins, get inspired! Unlock the magic of Lapland with our Santa's Chronicles, learn how to wrap up warm in Lapland or call our Christmas helpers to book your magical getaway.

Don't Miss Out On This Limited-Time Magic

Tick-tock. The magic's on the clock. We're giving the gift of incredible savings with HALF PRICE child places on our  Santa’s Magic package for selected dates in November and December 2024 & 2025.

No one knows how to make Christmas more magical

Flights, transfers, half-board accommodation, a fun-filled activity trip and snowsuits are all included.

A remote spot in the far north of Finland, 200km above the Arctic Circle among the snowy trees of Saariselkä.

If you are yet to book, and you find your Santa’s Lapland holiday cheaper elsewhere, we’ll price match it.

Everything about the holiday was magical. Amazing staff, hotel, organisation of the search for Santa day, the support of the company in the lead up to the trip. Can't recommend this trip and company enough. SANTA'S HOTEL TUNTURI - CHRISTOPHER December 2022

Amazing holiday. Reps were amazing. Programme was well thought through. I loved it as much as the kids. STAR ARCTIC HOTEL - REBECCA January 2022

A once in lifetime trip, magical and full of fun for children and adults. Accomodation practical with everything you needed, staff attentive and organised and the food suited everyone's needs. The adventures were unforgettable and breathtaking! SANTA'S HOTEL TUNTURI - MARY December 2022

We had a truly magical experience enhanced by the enthusiasm of the staff. Our boys 6 and 7 were taken aback by the whole experience and Santa was the icing on the cake. A family trip and memories that we will treasure forever! SANTA'S HOLIDAY CLUB - ALISON December 2021

Fancy more snow fun?

Keep the magic going with an extra day for adventure - the choice is yours. sledding on the toboggan run, the thrill of husky sledding, cruising through the snow by snowmobile or hunting for the northern lights..

• An extra day for family time in the snow. Husky and reindeer rides, thrilling snowmobiles, a spot of skiing, or a hunt for the Northern Lights. The choice is yours. Optional Adventures

• Explore a little more, make magical memories in this other-worldly wilderness. You're spoilt for choice. See for yourself

WAYS TO BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY TO LAPLAND

It's time to book your trip to Lapland and we can't wait for your arrival. Whether you're booking online or giving our Christmas helpers a call on 01483 791 945 , we're just as excited as you are for your magical journey to begin!

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