Lappland

Lappland is Europe’s last true wilderness. With a grand mountain range, endless forest and countless pristine lakes as your playground, it’s your chance to be a true explorer. Its great swathes of virgin land are dotted with reindeer – this is Sami country still, and your chance to delve into the reindeer herders’ centuries-old way of life.

Travelling in the far north of Sweden can draw you into an unusual rhythm. The long, lonely stretches between towns are often completely deserted apart from the ever-present reindeer, often found wandering down the roads. Extreme natural phenomena are at their strongest here – in summer you’ll be travelling under the perpetual light of the midnight sun; in winter, under the haunting wraiths that are the northern lights. During the colder months, Lappland is a different country: a white wilderness traversed by huskies and snowmobiles, and punctuated with colourful Sami winter markets.

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Top attractions

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

  • Museum

    Ájtte Museum

    This illuminating museum is Sweden’s most thorough introduction to Sami culture. Follow the ‘spokes’ radiating from the central chamber, each dealing with…

  • Museum

    Silvermuseet

    Housed in what used to be a nomad school, the tour de force at Arjeplog's Silvermuseet is the vast collection of Sami silver objects – the most extensive…

  • Cultural Centre

    Båtsuoj Sami Camp

    To experience the life of the forest Sami, visit Båtsuoj, where Tom and Lotta Svensson practise their traditional livelihood full time. You can watch the…

  • Cultural Site

    Laponia World Heritage Area

    The World Heritage Area includes four national parks and two nature reserves within the districts of Jokkmokk and Gällivare. The magnificent Naturum…

  • Church

    Stensele Kyrka

    Built in 1885, with seating for 2000 over two floors, Stensele Church is Sweden's biggest wooden church. A seat was provided for every man, woman and…

  • Viewpoint

    Aurora Sky Station

    Across the highway from the STF Turiststation, a chairlift takes you up Mt Nuolja (1164m), where you can enjoy epic views from the deck of the Panorama…

  • Mountain

    Atoklimpen

    Atoklimpen (1006m), a monolithic, bare mountain 35km west of Tärnaby, has been regarded as holy by the Sami for centuries. Evidence of sacrificial sites…

  • Historic Building

    Lappstaden

    The first church was built in Arvidsjaur in 1607, and church-attendance laws (urged by zealous priests and enforced by the monarchy) imposed a certain…

  • Gallery

    Sameslöjdstiftelsen Sami Duodji

    This centrally located Sami gallery and crafts centre is your one-stop shop for diverse, authentic Sami handicrafts of the highest quality: from…

  • National Park

    Padjelanta National Park

    The largest national park in Sweden, 1984-sq-km Padjelanta gets its name from the Sami name Badjelánnda, meaning ‘higher land’, and appropriately consists…

  • Nature Reserve

    Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve

    The largest natural reserve in Sweden and one of the largest protected areas in Europe, covering 5628 sq km, the Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve is named…

  • Historic Building

    Kyrkstaden

    The main attraction of Vilhelmina is its colourful restored church town. Its 30-plus cottages were built when the church was consecrated in 1792 and…

  • Museum

    Nutti Sámi Siida

    Next to Jukkasjärvi Kyrka, Nutti Sámi Siida is a reindeer yard that you can tour with a Sami guide to learn about reindeer farming and traditional Sami…

  • Scenic Route

    Blåvägen

    The scenic, 2000km-long Blåvägen (aka E12) runs from Norway’s Atlantic coast all the way to the shores of Russia’s Lake Onega. In Sweden, you can follow…

  • National Park

    Stora Sjöfallet National Park

    Mountainous and thickly forested Stora Sjöfallet National Park is the northernmost part of the World Heritage Area. It is dominated by Áhkká (2105m),…

  • Church

    Jukkasjärvi Kyrka

    Jukkasjärvi Kyrka is one of the oldest churches in Lappland (1607). The brightly painted altarpiece – created by Uppsala artist Bror Hjorth and cut out in…

  • Village

    Kvikkjokk

    Tiny Kvikkjokk (Huhttán in Sami), 118km west of Jokkmokk, is on the Kungsleden and at the southern end of the Padjelantala Trail. Several fantastic day…

  • Park

    Sarek National Park

    Sarek National Park, central in the World Heritage Area, is for experienced and well-kitted-out trekkers only. Named after Sarektjåhkkå (2098m), and full…

  • National Park

    Muddus National Park

    Covered in wetlands and primeval forest, Muddus National Park covers 500km and is the easternmost part of the World Heritage Area, east of the E45 that…

  • Nature Reserve

    Sjaunja Nature Reserve

    Along with four national parks, two nature reserves are included in the Laponia World Heritage Area, and Sjaunja is the biggest of those. At 150km long,…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Lappland.

  • Activities