Finnish Lapland

Finnish Lapland is one of those regions that will enchant you with its mix of tranquility and stunning nature. Whether in summer or winter, here you will experience moments you will never forget in your life.

Lapland is the land of endless dreams, where you can enjoy wonderful winter and summer moments. It is a paradise for all winter sports enthusiasts and also for those who want to be enchanted by the magic of the midnight sun in the summer. We will now tell you how to get to Lapland in Finland, where to find dream accommodations, and what you can see and experience while you are there.

Getting to the north of Finland is now much simpler than it was a few years ago, and the breathtaking landscape makes the approximately three-hour flight well worth it. However, there are many ways to get to Lapland: flying is always the fastest option. You can now fly directly to your dream destination, Finnish Lapland, without any layovers in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. Currently, Lufthansa offers direct flights from Frankfurt to Ivalo. Other airports in Finnish Lapland are Kemi-Tornio and Rovaniemi, which are currently only accessible with a layover. Most often, you'll be flying with Finnair, the official airline of Santa Claus.

For your hotel or apartment, we definitely recommend renting a low-cost rental car that allows you to travel flexibly around the country. If you prefer to drive your own car, you should allow for a bit more time. A trip through Denmark and Sweden to Lapland or a ferry ride from the German coast to Finland is certainly a great alternative that will give you a special impression of the countries.

If you're traveling to Lapland in winter, we have a special recommendation for you. With the Santa Claus Express, you can travel through the beautifully snow-covered landscapes of Lapland to the home of Santa Claus. Your adventure trip starts from Helsinki and can be booked from as little as 10€ per person. If you want to make it especially cozy, you can book your own sleeping cabin from 99€. It's best to reserve as early as possible, which is available up to 10 months in advance. You can find tickets and more information here.

Lapland also offers a wide range of activities in winter, showcasing the Finnish winter wonderland at its finest.

Let's start with the most important event that you must see in Lapland - the Northern Lights! Everyone knows the incredibly fascinating, colorful illuminations that snake across the night sky in the north.

The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, usually appear in a bright green hue. However, red and violet lights are also visible, due to the various wavelengths of light. Anyone standing in the snow-covered expanse, watching this spectacle, will certainly never forget this experience. Nature is simply fascinating and continuously impresses us with its infinite beauty.

Let's talk about another image that likely comes to mind when you think of Lapland: sledding through the deep white snow! Whether with huskies or reindeer, this fantastic experience can become a reality for you in Lapland. Book a sledding tour with energetic dogs or the seemingly calm reindeer and glide through the beautiful winter landscape of Lapland. If you prefer less animals but still want to go fast, you have the option of experiencing a snowmobile ride and watch the landscape fly by. Be careful not to lift off and soar through the air like Santa Claus with his sleigh!

Once you've arrived in the winter paradise, you should definitely strap on some skis and hit the slopes. Ski and snowboard fans will be particularly thrilled in the ski resort of Levi, but snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are also very popular in this region. In the deepest winter, when some lakes are completely frozen, this delights the Finns who grab their skates and twirl on the lake. Days can easily slip away quickly. If you want to feel like a true Finn, you should definitely try ice fishing and then retreat to a hot sauna. But beware: the obligatory jump into the icy lake is a must for Finns!

Our last Guru check-in Lapland wasn't too long ago: Our Job-of-a-Lifetime winner Eyleen was on-site in February 2023 and has brought her impressions from Lapland for you. Be sure to stop by and see how the winter wonderland of Finnish Lapland impressed Eyleen and which places are definitely worth a visit.

When you think of Lapland in Finland, do you also immediately picture the magical winter landscapes? Lapland is known for its winter wonderland. However, because winter in Finland is so cold and long, summer is celebrated with even more passion.

The bright summer days invite you to indulge in special activities in nature in Finnish Lapland. Lapland's nature is unique and beautiful. In summer, follow the sounds of the wilderness, listen to the birds chirping in the early morning hours, watch reindeer herds roaming through vast forests, and feel your body and mind relax.

In Lapland, for example, you can visit farms where reindeer, huskies, horses, and more are kept and get up close to the animals.

A great idea for exploring the land of a thousand lakes in summer is a canoe or kayak trip. Glide calmly over the blue lakes and paddle your worries away. How about some stand-up paddleboarding in the glow of the midnight sun? In summer, fishing in Lapland is also fantastic. If you need assistance, you can find a local guide in Posio, for instance.

You can discover Lapland's nature while hiking through the Fjell-Lapland. Lace up your hiking boots and set out to explore the mountain and hill landscapes that display the most splendid colors in summer. Hiking in Lapland can also turn into a wonderful camping experience. Dreaming under the midnight sun, enjoying a morning coffee by the blue lake, and watching a herd of reindeer pass by - that is what camping in Lapland means. There are plenty of campsites and tent sites in Lapland. Just make sure not to set up your tent on private property during your camping trip.

For mountain bikers, Finnish Lapland offers excellent routes and landscapes. You can find beautiful mountain bike trails in places like Salla, Utsjoki, Yllästunturi, and Syöte.

Finland is the land of the midnight sun. The summer season in Finland doesn't last long, but when it does arrive, it feels as if you're experiencing an eternal summer. The sun never truly sets during this time, so it is bright almost all the time, with the exception of a few hours of twilight.

How about a night swim in the glow of the midnight sun? Sounds dreamy, right? Take a swim in the lake at 4 AM when the midnight sun bathes the world around you in a warm, reddish-yellow light, and in that moment you will feel the magic of this country stronger than ever. After your night swim, you can continue exploring the nature of Finland or simply sit by the dock and be captivated by the magical atmosphere - can a summer in Finland be more beautiful?

Traveling in Finnish Lapland is relaxed, calm, and sustainable. Lapland is the perfect destination for sustainable and conscious travel. Away from mass tourism, there is plenty of space here so that you can maintain necessary distances while on vacation. Harmony between people and nature prevails. Without stress and large crowds, you can roam the vastness of Finland, let your soul unwind, and find peace for your body and mind. Thus, Lapland is an excellent choice as a travel destination in the current times. Experience firsthand the pure tranquility of the Finns and get inspired by the world's happiest country!

Are you looking for regional delicacies after a long, warm summer day or fun experiences in the snow? As always, we have also taken a close look at Finnish cuisine in Lapland. To help you find the best delights, here are a few recommendations from us:

Authentic dining at Santa's Salmon Place in Lapland is hard to match. Here, fresh salmon is grilled right before your eyes, and sitting around the campfire, you can enjoy this delicious piece with potato salad, bread, and drink in a cozy cabin, satisfying your hungry stomach. You will quickly notice that the guest is king here, and yet it is super cozy and family-friendly. You can find the Salmon Place in Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland.

Located in the northeastern part of Finnish Lapland is the Restaurant Pirkon Pirtti, which will treat you to a beautiful evening with a wood-burning stove, dim lighting, and a wide selection of Scandinavian meat and fish dishes, as well as vegetarian variations.

Want more culinary recommendations? We have compiled a list of some of the best restaurants in Finnish Lapland. There is something for every taste!

Generally speaking, Finns love good food and prefer regional slow food, traditional dishes like reindeer goulash, and desserts made with delicious berries from the forests. Be sure to ask your host or your hotel for recommendations for restaurants in your area, you will surely do nothing wrong.

If you want to top it all off, treat yourself to truly exceptional accommodations. Here is a top-notch selection of luxurious accommodations in Lapland that will surely make your Finland vacation unforgettable. You will need to dig a bit deeper into your pockets for these accommodations, but it will definitely be worth it!

Is that not enough extraordinary accommodation options in Lapland for you? Then you should take a closer look at the following accommodations. In addition to unforgettable nights in glass igloos, you can also spend nights in Santa Claus's home village. Finland truly offers you many great options to make your trip to the winter wonderland truly unforgettable.

In Lapland, you have the unique opportunity to visit Santa Claus in person - in his own village. You will stay in a cozy cabin in the Santa Claus Village, set in a Christmas landscape you have never seen before. Whether on a walk through the snowy village landscape where you can admire the wonderful Christmas decorations of the houses, a visit to the 400 m² large Christmas exhibition, or during your meet-and-greet with the one and only Santa Claus - in the enchanting Santa Claus Holiday Village, everyone will be in the Christmas spirit.

How wonderful it must be to be sent off to dreamland by the gentle, often greenish movements of the Northern Lights? You can find out for yourself by spending a night or several in a glass igloo in the heart of Finnish Lapland. At the Kakslauttanen Igloo Hotel, you will have a great view of the Northern Lights from your bed. While others have to freeze outside to witness this spectacle, you will be snuggled under your blanket, delighting in the dreamlike view. Even during the day, the area around Saariselkä has plenty to offer. For example, you can rent skis or snowshoes, hike through the snowy landscapes, or book a reindeer or husky safari. You can expect a unique winter experience that you won't soon forget.

Just a few kilometers from the most popular ski resort in Lapland, Levi, are the Golden Crown Levin Igloos, which offer you unique views of the Northern Lights. Their glass roofs allow you to comfortably observe the fascinating Northern Lights from your bed. Although a night in the igloo may be quite expensive compared to other hotels in Finland, we still recommend it, because such an experience is not an everyday affair, and you should fully enjoy the beauty of Finland.

Whether summer or winter, Finnish Lapland is worth visiting at any time of the year. In summer, you can look forward to a midnight swim in the glow of the midnight sun, while in winter, a winter wonderland awaits you. Either way, Lapland will enchant you with its unique nature and culture! We've already found the perfect deals for you - all you have to do is book, pack your bags, and your Finland vacation can begin. Below, you will find many more articles, and on the website of Visit Finland useful additional information.