Introducing Lapland
Extending hundreds of kilometres above the Arctic Circle, Lapland is Finland’s true wilderness. For many, this northern extreme is the classic Finland – a mysterious land of clear Arctic air where the midnight sun brings continuous daylight in the brief summer (June to August) and the long, polar nights offer the chance to view the stunning aurora borealis (October to March). From September, the period known locally as ruska (autumn) produces exceptional colours of gold, red and brown, and in the far north kaamos, the season of eerie bluish light, begins late in October.
Opportunities to get out and experience this sugar-coated wonderland are endless. In winter you can mush with husky-dogs, ski in downhill resorts, cheer for reindeer races on frozen lakes, drill a hole and go ice-fishing or snowmobile through forests. In summer, hike through pristine national parks in endless daylight and raft down whitewater rivers. The only limitation here is your budget.
Activities in Lapland
Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, and its major gateway and service centre.
Tornio
Right on the impressive Tornionjoki, the longest free-flowing river in Northern Europe, Tornio (Swedish: Torneå) is joined to its Swedish counterpart Haparanda (Finnish: Haaparanta) by a short bridge.
Lapland destination guides
Inari
If you blink behind the wheel or nod off in the bus you might miss the village of Inari (Sámi: Anár).
Hotels in Lapland
Budget Hotels & Hostels in Lapland
Guesthouses and B&Bs in Lapland
Levi (Sirkka)
Levi is a skiing centre that has experienced massive growth in recent years, and now attracts equivalent numbers of visitors to Ruka, placing it at the top of the tree as far as Finnish skiing is concerned.
Entertainment in Lapland
Lemmenjoki National Park
At 2855 sq km, Lemmenjoki (Sámi: Leammi) is the largest national park in Finland.
Shopping in Lapland