Lapland: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
The Finnish region of Lapland fascinates with its dense taiga forests and the expanses of the taiga. Here you can spend a vacation, for example, in a log cabin and admire the enchanting Northern Lights at the Arctic Circle. The city of Rovaniemi is considered the home of Santa Claus, while further north you can get to know Sami culture.
Table of contents
Lapland - The most beautiful cities
Levi
In Finnish Lapland, there is a relaxed atmosphere with regular live music in the venues. After a wonderful day of skiing with the family, you can relax in one of the spas and wellness clubs. Not only skiers and sauna fans get their money's worth in Finland. Snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and much more are offered in Levi. Those who fancy a snowmobile or reindeer safari can enjoy the beautiful fell landscape. Ride in a sled through the snowy winter landscape with a hot cup of tea in hand. Discover the Samiland exhibition on the Levi fell and get to know the Lapland culture.
Pelkosenniemi
The most impressive aspect of Pelkosenniemi is the mix of dense forests, emerging taiga landscapes, and numerous waterways. In villages like Saunavaara and Kiemunkivaara, you can also learn more about the culture of the Sámi, whose lives are significantly marked by reindeer herding. Many organizations offer tours to the Pyhä Luosto National Park, which invites skiing in winter with Mount Pyhä. In the warm season, one can explore the hiking trails on the more than 500-meter-high Fjell Pyhätunturi. When it gets dark from September onwards, the region is ideal for spotting the Northern Lights.
Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is located in the Finnish north and, with its location on the Arctic Circle, is the perfect starting point for hiking tours. In summer, you can explore lakes and stay overnight in accommodation with a sauna. The winter days are ideal for tours with a snowmobile or a husky sled. In the darkness, you can see the Northern Lights.
Äkäslompolo
In addition to skiing and cross-country skiing pleasures, you can also go on a safari in Lapland. A snowmobile takes you to the SnowVillage, and with a bit of luck, you might encounter a reindeer or two. The Northern Lights also frequently appear in the region during the winter months. However, the village of Äkäslompolo is also recommended in the summer. For 50 days, the sun does not set. Experience the midnight sun on a hike through the fells and take a boat tour on the mirror-like lake. Breathe in the clear air while admiring the typically red wooden houses on the shore. A traditional smoke sauna awaits you by the lakeside.
Ylläs
Yllästunturi, north of the Arctic Circle near Ylläs, is one of Finland's most popular ski resorts. Visitors look forward to 53 kilometers of slopes and about 60 runs. There are 29 lifts to take you up the mountains. Cabins and sports centers provide the perfect setting. In the warm season, you can go hiking at Yllästunturi. One of the absolute highlights at Yllästunturi is the sauna gondola. It was opened in 2008 and is the longest cable car in Finland. The wooden cladding of this attraction is distinctive. Additionally, the sauna stove heats the gondola at dizzying heights. At the mountain stations, traditional restaurants with Finnish and Sami cuisine await you.
Saariselkä
The ski and leisure area Saariselkä is most easily reached via the towns of Inari and Ivalo in the northeast of Lapland. Numerous hotels and inns await travelers here. From November, it gets busy here. In addition to winter sports, the prospect of the shimmering Northern Lights attracts visitors until April. In summer, many of the almost 230 km of trails become hiking paths. These lead into the dense taiga forests and through tundra-like landscapes. Besides sports and leisure, you can learn more about the culture of the Sámi in Saariselkä. A special tip is a visit to the nearby Sámi Museum in Inari.
Sirkka
The diverse Lapland knows how to amaze its guests. Visitors who come to the far north during the warm season can expect a lake paradise for swimming, stand-up paddling, and canoeing. Fishing tours are also offered. The lakes Akanjärvi, Immelänjärvi, and Yräjärvi are just a few located near Sirkka. Those who travel to Lapland between September and March are likely to be fascinated by the Northern Lights. In the area around Sirkka, these mysterious light displays appear in the cold night sky on average every other night. Besides the Northern Lights, Sirkka is known for its extensive ski slopes and atmospheric cross-country ski trails.
Kilpisjärvi
The Finnish brandy Jaloviina will warm you as you hike through endless forests and the typical fell landscape in Lapland. Experience the vastness in the northern Finnish wilderness area Käsivarsi and marvel at the impressive spectacle of the Northern Lights. The magic in the sky begins at the end of August and lasts until April. On average, the Aurora Borealis with its magically glowing veils appears every other night in this area. Nature lovers can fish for salmon and brook trout in the lakes and rivers or ride horses through the tranquil landscape. The canoe tour Könkämäälven takes adventurers through a mountain forest and passages with whitewater.
Lapland - 4 most beautiful natural sights
Urho Kekkonen National Park
Urho Kekkonen National Park is a breathtaking natural paradise in the heart of Lapland. With an impressive area of over 2,500 square kilometers, it is the second largest national park in Finland. Here you can experience the untouched wilderness characterized by dense forests, crystal-clear rivers, and majestic fells. The park offers a variety of activities, including hiking, skiing, and observing the fascinating Northern Lights. The unique wildlife, including reindeer and arctic foxes, as well as the stunning beauty of nature, make Urho Kekkonen National Park an unforgettable experience. Discover this Finnish jewel and be enchanted by its natural beauty.
Riisitunturi National Park
The Riisitunturi National Park in Lapland is a true paradise for nature lovers. With its breathtaking hanging bogs, which are transformed into a fairytale snow wonderland in winter, it attracts visitors from all over the world. The unique landscape offers a variety of hiking opportunities where you can experience the pristine nature and impressive wildlife up close. The picturesque views of the surrounding forests and lakes are simply unforgettable. The Riisitunturi National Park is not only a place of peace and relaxation but also a place that invites you to discover and appreciate the beauty of nature. Come and experience this untouched natural wonder for yourself.
Korouoma Gorge
The Korouoma Canyon in Lapland is a breathtaking natural wonder that will captivate you. This 30-kilometer-long and up to 130-meter-deep canyon is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. In winter, the waterfalls of the canyon transform into spectacular ice formations, offering an unforgettable experience. In summer, the canyon offers lush vegetation and abundant wildlife. The majestic beauty of the Korouoma Canyon will fascinate you and awaken your desire for adventure. Don't miss this natural wonder and experience the untouched beauty of Lapland up close.
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
Experience the untouched beauty of the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park in Lapland. This breathtaking natural paradise spans majestic fells, deep forests, and crystal-clear lakes. The clean air measured here is among the purest in the world. In winter, the park transforms into a snow-white wonderland, ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In summer, you can admire the midnight sun and hike on the well-marked trails. The Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is not only a place of exceptional natural beauty but also a place that offers peace and relaxation. Let yourself be enchanted by the magic of this place and experience nature in its purest form.
Lapland - Climate
Those who want to discover a lot in the nature of Lapland should rent a holiday apartment in the summer. In June, July, and August, there is a lot of daylight in northern Finland, and temperatures are around 20°C. From September, it gets darker, and the Northern Lights gradually appear. As soon as the first snow falls in October and November, the ski resorts in Finland open. When visiting the Sami villages, you can switch to a husky sled or a snowmobile. In winter, it can get very cold with temperatures between -9 and -20°C.
The following graph shows the average weather conditions for the country. Historical weather conditions may vary by region.