Lapland

Lapland casts a powerful spell: there's something lonely and intangible here that fills it with Arctic magic. The midnight sun, the Sámi peoples, the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) and roaming reindeer are all components of this – as is Santa Claus himself, who ‘officially’ resides here – along with the awesome latitudes: at Nuorgam, the northernmost point, you have passed Iceland and nearly all of Canada and Alaska.

Spanning 30% of Finland’s land area, Lapland is home to just 3% of its population. Its vast wilderness is ripe for exploring on foot, skis or sled. The sense of space, pure air and big skies are what's most memorable here, more so than the towns.

Lapland’s far north is known as Sápmi, home of the Sámi, whose main communities are around Inari, Utsjoki and Hetta. Rovaniemi, on the Arctic Circle, is the most popular gateway to the north.

Explore Lapland

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Siida
One of Finland's most absorbing museums, state-of-the-art Siida offers a comprehensive overview of the Sámi and their environment. The main exhibition…
A
Arktikum
With its beautifully designed glass tunnel stretching out to the Ounasjoki, this is one of Finland’s finest museums. One half deals with Lapland, with…
P
Pilke Tiedekeskus
Downstairs in the Metsähallitus (Finnish Forest and Park Service) building next to the Arktikum, this is a highly entertaining exhibition on Finnish…
S
Sajos
The spectacular wood-and-glass Sámi cultural centre stands proud in the middle of town. It holds the Sámi parliament as well as a library and music…
Auttiköngäs
The highlight of this protected old-growth forest, 80km southeast of Rovaniemi off Rd 81, is the 16m-high Auttiköngäs waterfall. It's reached by a 3.5km…
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Kevo Strict Nature Reserve
Some of Finland's most breathtaking scenery is within the 712-sq-km Kevo Strict Nature Reserve along the splendid 40km gorge of the Kevojoki (off-limits…
B
Bears' Nest
At the edge of Myössäjärvi, 16km south of Inari, look out for the Karhunpesäkivi rest stop. From here, a 300m timber boardwalk (mainly comprising steps)…
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Samiland
Attached to the Levi Panorama hotel at the top of the main ski lift, this museum is a Unesco project. The illuminating exhibition gives plenty of good…
K
Kultamuseo
In 1868 the remote area of Tankavaara on the Ivalojoki, 32km south of Saariselkä, experienced a gold rush, with a community of up to 500 panners seeking…

S
Siida
One of Finland's most absorbing museums, state-of-the-art Siida offers a comprehensive overview of the Sámi and their environment. The main exhibition…
A
Arktikum
With its beautifully designed glass tunnel stretching out to the Ounasjoki, this is one of Finland’s finest museums. One half deals with Lapland, with…
P
Pilke Tiedekeskus
Downstairs in the Metsähallitus (Finnish Forest and Park Service) building next to the Arktikum, this is a highly entertaining exhibition on Finnish…
S
Sajos
The spectacular wood-and-glass Sámi cultural centre stands proud in the middle of town. It holds the Sámi parliament as well as a library and music…
Auttiköngäs
The highlight of this protected old-growth forest, 80km southeast of Rovaniemi off Rd 81, is the 16m-high Auttiköngäs waterfall. It's reached by a 3.5km…
K
Kevo Strict Nature Reserve
Some of Finland's most breathtaking scenery is within the 712-sq-km Kevo Strict Nature Reserve along the splendid 40km gorge of the Kevojoki (off-limits…
B
Bears' Nest
At the edge of Myössäjärvi, 16km south of Inari, look out for the Karhunpesäkivi rest stop. From here, a 300m timber boardwalk (mainly comprising steps)…
S
Samiland
Attached to the Levi Panorama hotel at the top of the main ski lift, this museum is a Unesco project. The illuminating exhibition gives plenty of good…
K
Kultamuseo
In 1868 the remote area of Tankavaara on the Ivalojoki, 32km south of Saariselkä, experienced a gold rush, with a community of up to 500 panners seeking…

Latest Stories from Lapland

Digital Nomad Would you like to become one of Santa's elves this Christmas season?
Nov 16, 2019 • 1 min read
For a unique Christmas season experience, you can step into Santa's workshop and become one of his elves in Finland.
Luxury Trip the white fantastic in Lapland: Saariselkä's best winter activities
Sep 12, 2019 • 6 min read
If you long for an active winter break but want an alternative to crowded pistes and predictable après, head to Saariselkä in the heart of Finnish Lapland.
Wildlife & Nature Finland in a week
Oct 24, 2016 • 6 min read
Think Finland and what pops to mind? Moomins, saunas or Santa, perhaps? Prepare to push those boundaries on a week-long trip that clicks into the groove…
Food Lapland’s gold: foraging for cloudberries in Finland
Sep 26, 2016 • 7 min read
In tune with the midnight sun, cloudberries light up the swamps of Finnish Lapland for an all-too-brief few weeks each July.
Wildlife & Nature Lapland beyond Santa: culture and wilderness in northern Finland
Dec 12, 2014 • 6 min read
There's more to Finnish Lapland than Santa encounters, as Lonely Planet author Kerry Christiani found when she headed 500km north of the Arctic Circle,…
Food Summer in Lapland: 5 ways to enjoy northern Finland
Jul 19, 2012 • 3 min read
When summer finally arrives in Finnish Lapland, the endless forests and mirror-like lakes take on a new lease of life. Experience the heart of the Arctic…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Lapland.

See
Siida
One of Finland's most absorbing museums, state-of-the-art Siida offers a comprehensive overview of the Sámi and their environment. The main exhibition…
See
Arktikum
With its beautifully designed glass tunnel stretching out to the Ounasjoki, this is one of Finland’s finest museums. One half deals with Lapland, with…
See
Pilke Tiedekeskus
Downstairs in the Metsähallitus (Finnish Forest and Park Service) building next to the Arktikum, this is a highly entertaining exhibition on Finnish…
See
Sajos
The spectacular wood-and-glass Sámi cultural centre stands proud in the middle of town. It holds the Sámi parliament as well as a library and music…
See
Auttiköngäs
The highlight of this protected old-growth forest, 80km southeast of Rovaniemi off Rd 81, is the 16m-high Auttiköngäs waterfall. It's reached by a 3.5km…
See
Kevo Strict Nature Reserve
Some of Finland's most breathtaking scenery is within the 712-sq-km Kevo Strict Nature Reserve along the splendid 40km gorge of the Kevojoki (off-limits…
See
Bears' Nest
At the edge of Myössäjärvi, 16km south of Inari, look out for the Karhunpesäkivi rest stop. From here, a 300m timber boardwalk (mainly comprising steps)…
See
Samiland
Attached to the Levi Panorama hotel at the top of the main ski lift, this museum is a Unesco project. The illuminating exhibition gives plenty of good…
See
Kultamuseo
In 1868 the remote area of Tankavaara on the Ivalojoki, 32km south of Saariselkä, experienced a gold rush, with a community of up to 500 panners seeking…

Guidebooks

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