Photos: Courtesy VisitFinland.com
The Northernmost part of Finland is known as Finnish Lapland, an area located almost entirely within the Arctic Circle and characterized by pristine wilds, the aurora borealis, and, yes, the official home of Santa Claus. It’s a region of extreme contrasts, a place that seems to unanimously capture the hearts of all who visit. If you are looking for a unique destination to explore, Lapland won’t let you down, with its eight national parks, three UNESCO world heritage sites, and spectacular winter, summer, and fall outdoor activities.
Getting There
Getting to Finnish Lapland is relatively straightforward thanks to a variety of transportation options within the country of Finland. Most people will initially fly into Helsinki to start their trip, but it is also possible to fly to Ivalo (the northern-most airport in Finland). Once in Finland, a north/south rail network, roads, and even watercraft can take you north.
Car – If you rent or borrow a car, the most direct route from Helsinki to Rovaniemi (the capital of Lapland) is 812 kilometers and will take roughly 10 hours. For travelers that want to break up the drive, routing through the resort destination of Voukatti will provide a mid-way point with a variety of activities in the northernmost part of Finland’s Lakeland province.
Rail – Most Finns recommend that visitors take the train from Helsinki to Lapland instead of driving and there are a few different trains that make this journey regularly. Trips starting in Helsinki and ending in Rovaniemi take anywhere from 8.5 to 12 hours depending on the schedule.
Air – For travelers with a limited amount of time, flying direct from Helsinki to Rovaniemi will only take 1.5 hours.
What to Do in Lapland
There are lots of unique things to do in Finish Lapland but with the extreme contrast of the seasons, you’ll want to put some thought into the timing of your visit. For instance, winter is very cold and dark, with the polar night (period of time when the sun does not rise above the horizon) lasting for 2 days in Rovaniemi and as long as 52 days in Utzjoki (465 kilometers north of Rovaniemi). However, once summer arrives, the tables turn, and Utzjoki sees over a month with the sun above the horizon. Of course, the shoulder seasons of spring and fall are also unique, and both provide additional opportunities.
Winter Activities – The Finnish winter may be dark and cold, but it is also a magnificent time of year to visit the far north.
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- Winter is one of the best times of year to see the aurora borealis (aka, northern lights).
- The polar night is another magical visual experience when the sun’s proximity to the horizon produces pastel hues of pink and blue.
- Dog sledding with a team of huskies is a unique winter activity that is right at home in the Arctic Circle.
- Finland has lots of snow—go ski.
Summer Activities – Lapland benefits from extended summer days thanks to its far northern location. This leaves visitors with plenty of time to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.
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- Hiking is one of the best summer activities in Lapland as temperatures are rarely hot. Choose from eight different national parks or find a smaller, local trail to explore.
- The Luleå archipelago is a collection of over 1,000 islands located just south of the Arctic Circle. Many of the islands are uninhabited, and some of the larger ones have hiking trails as well as small villages and other local attractions to explore.
- Rent a waterside cottage, relax, and enjoy doing nothing.
Fall Activities – As a shoulder season, fall is a great time to enjoy milder weather before winter sets in and snow blankets the whole of Lapland (you’ll likely see snow in fall too). And like many other regions in the northern hemisphere, this season is characterized by change, none of which is more famous than the “Ruska” or fall foliage.
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- Grab your camera and find some fall foliage to shoot (it will be quite easy, over 70 percent of Finland is forested).
- Visit the Ranua Wildlife Park where you can see over 50 native species of Finnish wildlife.
- Enjoy a relaxing sauna—it’s an important part of Finnish culture that dates back thousands of years, and you can find them everywhere.
Visiting Finland? Here are some resources to help you start planning.
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