About Lapland
Lapland is the largest and northernmost region of Finland. The 21 municipalities in the region cooperate in a Regional Council. Lapland borders the Finnish region of North Ostrobothnia in the south. It also borders the Gulf of Bothnia and the Norrbotten County in Sweden, Finnmark County and the Troms County in Norway, and Murmansk Oblast and the Republic of Karelia in Russia. The topography of Lapland varies from vast mires and forests in the south to fells in the north. The Arctic Circle crosses Lapland, so polar phenomena such as the midnight sun, the polar night and the northern lights can be viewed in this region.
Places to visit in Lapland
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Santa Claus Village
Entertainment · 32 mi from centreA year-round Christmas-themed village on the Arctic Circle just outside Rovaniemi, where visitors can meet Santa and send mail from his post office. Go early in the day to avoid long lines in the winter high season.
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Arktikum
Museum · 35 mi from centreA science center and museum in a striking glass tunnel by the river, covering Arctic nature, the northern lights, and the history of Lapland. It makes a good warm indoor stop on a very cold day.
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SantaPark
Entertainment · 32 mi from centreAn underground Christmas theme park built inside a cave in the hill near the airport, with elf workshops, a gingerbread bakery, and a small ice gallery. It suits families with younger children best, so plan accordingly.
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Ranua Wildlife Park
Zoo · 74 mi from centreA forest zoo south of Rovaniemi showing Arctic animals such as polar bears, lynx, wolverines, and reindeer in large natural enclosures. Dress warmly, since the walking route through the park is long and almost entirely outdoors.
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Pyhä-Luosto National Park
Nature · 27 mi from centreA chain of old, rounded fells covered in pine forest, with gorges, bogs, and an amethyst mine to visit. Marked trails start from the Pyhä and Luosto resorts, which also offer skiing in winter.
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Rovaniemi Church
ReligiousA Lutheran church rebuilt in 1950 after the town was burned in the Second World War, known for its large altar fresco of a Lapland landscape. Visit quietly, since services and concerts are held there regularly.
Top experiences in Lapland
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 36 available.
Arctic Circle - Northern Lights Hunting by Minibus
From $72 per adult
Arctic Circle Highlights by Snowmobile - Full-Day Tour
From $252 per adult
Lakeside Traditional Sauna With Aurora Borealis
From $108 per adult
Santa Claus Premium Experience: Photo with Santa, Reindeer and Husky Safari with Lunch
From $405 per adult
Arctic Highlights Family Day with Free Time at Santa Village and Lunch
From $188 per adult
Northern lights by snowmobile - Half-Day Tour
From $139 per adult
Husky and Reindeer Experience
From $163 per adult
Husky Park and Reindeer Farm Combo - Tour by Bus
From $163 per adult
Snowmobile Safari
From $100 per adult
Visit the Arctic Animals in the Ranua Wildlife Park - Full-Day Tour
From $131 per adult
Northern Lights Sledge Ride By Snowmobile
From $77 per adult
Snowmobile Safari Experience Driving into Lappish Forests 2-H
From $156 per adult
Where to stay in Lapland
Popular hotels in Lapland, out of 136 properties you can book.
Scandic Pohjanhovi
From $382 per night
Scandic Kemi
From $167 per night
Scandic Rukahovi
From $193 per night
Scandic Polar
From $314 per night
Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi
From $662 per night
Lapland Hotels Ounasvaara Chalets
From $755 per night
Arctic Light Hotel
From $592 per night
Santa Claus Holiday Village
From $1,076 per night
Holiday Club Kuusamon Tropiikki
From $225 per night
Apukka Resort
From $2,273 per night
Aito Igloo & Spa Resort
From $836 per night
Suomutunturi
From $544 per night
Best time to visit Lapland
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Lapland is May to August, when average daytime highs are around 51–71°F and rain falls on about 14 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Lapland weather forecast
- Wed 11 Nov 21° 14° 0%
- Thu 12 Nov 21° 14° 0%
- Fri 13 Nov 30° 21° 82%
- Sat 14 Nov 31° 25° 95%
- Sun 15 Nov 31° 17° 25%
- Mon 16 Nov 29° 10° 24%
- Tue 17 Nov 28° 3° 41%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
- Languages
- Finnish, Swedish
- Calling code
- +358
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/HelsinkiUTC+2
- Capital
- Helsinki
Upcoming public holidays in Finland
- Independence DayItsenäisyyspäivä
- Christmas EveJouluaatto
- Christmas DayJoulupäivä
- St. Stephen's DayTapaninpäivä
- New Year's DayUudenvuodenpäivä
- EpiphanyLoppiainen
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Lapland
These are the airports closest to central Lapland. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- RVN Rovaniemi Airport31 mi (49 km) from the city centre
Getting around Lapland
Distances in Finnish Lapland are great and train service extends only to Kemijärvi (80 km northeast Rovaniemi) and Kolari, so the independent traveler will thus have to rely on slightly cheaper but infrequent buses to get around. There is little competition in public transport in Lapland and indeed the voyage from Helsinki to Rovaniemi is easily cheaper than the voyage from Rovaniemi onwards!
By bus
Long distance coaches or minibuses cover most of even the smallest places, often with sparse schedules (typically one or a few services a day along the main roads). They are the cheapest and slowest means of transportation. Although there are bus stops of course, they can also be stopped by hand sign when you happen to meet one as a hiker on a lonely countryside road. Express coaches usually turn into regular ones somewhere north of Rovaniemi. Matkahuolto has timetables for most of these.
By train
The long-distance trains are usable on two routes: from Oulu to Kemi and farther north-east to Tervola, Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi, or northwards via Tornio, Ylitornio and Pello all the way up to Kolari.
By taxi
Taxis are not necessarily connected to any call centres. Ask locally for phone numbers of individual taxi businesses. You don't want to have a taxi drive 100 km to fetch you, if that can be avoided; the fetching distance may show in the price (or you might want to tip generously). Often there is just one or two family businesses serving an area, other taxis may have to drive a long way.
Lapland travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Lapland?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Lapland is May to August, when average daytime highs are around 51–71°F and rain falls on about 14 days a month.
What is the weather like in Lapland?
July is usually the warmest month in Lapland, with average highs of 71°F (21°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 4°F (-15°C). The wettest month is typically June, with about 91 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Lapland?
Rovaniemi Airport (RVN) is the closest airport, about 31 miles (49 km) from the centre of Lapland.
What currency is used in Lapland?
Lapland uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.
What time zone is Lapland in?
Lapland uses the Europe/Helsinki time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Lapland?
Distances in Finnish Lapland are great and train service extends only to Kemijärvi (80 km northeast Rovaniemi) and Kolari, so the independent traveler will thus have to rely on slightly cheaper but infrequent buses to get around.
What are the best places to visit in Lapland?
Top sights in Lapland include Santa Claus Village, Arktikum, SantaPark and Ranua Wildlife Park. A year-round Christmas-themed village on the Arctic Circle just outside Rovaniemi, where visitors can meet Santa and send mail from his post office. Go early in the day to avoid long lines in the winter high season.
What are the top things to do in Lapland?
Popular experiences you can book in Lapland include Arctic Circle - Northern Lights Hunting by Minibus, Arctic Circle Highlights by Snowmobile - Full-Day Tour and Lakeside Traditional Sauna With Aurora Borealis. Destina Holidays offers 36 tours and activities here.
Where should I stay in Lapland?
Popular areas for hotels in Lapland include Rovaniemi, Kemi and Rukatunturi. Well-reviewed options include Scandic Pohjanhovi and Scandic Kemi.
How many hotels can I book in Lapland?
Destina Holidays currently lists 136 properties in and around Lapland, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
