All You Need to Know for an Exciting Lapland, Finland Adventure
Finnish Lapland is a Scandinavian retreat for the outdoor enthusiast, located in the northern most part of Finland. It is truly a place that lends itself to cliches. It's almost impossible to resist describing the destination as a "winter wonderland" or, quite simply, "breathtaking." Yes, we know you've heard similar descriptors when it comes to describing a beautiful area of the world, but Lapland, Finland is the real deal!
The snowy scenery truly seems to be taken from a painting or movie set. Lapland's cold and wintry climate, coupled with its abundance of conifer trees such as pines and spruces, means that it has become associated with Christmas. The Arctic Circle crosses Lapland, so amazing polar phenomena such as the midnight sun and polar night can be seen. Not to mention, it’s one of the best places in the world to see the stunning Northern Lights, where they can be seen on more than 200 nights a year!
In short, Lapland is definitely a place worth visiting. This article will provide an overview of everything you need to know to help you get the most out of your trip.
Lapland Destinations
Finnish Lapland comprises innumerable small towns. The native Sámi have a rich and distinct culture. They have an iconic native style dress and are known for semi-nomadic reindeer herding. Exploring the Sámi way of life and gallivanting through each village would take a lifetime! Therefore, we've selected some destinations that contain some of the best of what Lapland has to offer:
Rovaniemi (the capital of Lapland)
If you had to choose a town to shoot a Christmas card, Rovaniemi would certainly be among the best choices in the world!
This urban city is surrounded by arctic nature and is most famous for Santa Claus Village, the original home of Santa Claus. The city’s most famous resident can be visited here every day of the year, right on the Arctic Circle, an attraction that draws more than 500,000 annual visitors from around the world.
Not really into Christmas? No problem! There is a lot more to see and do in and around the city that has nothing to do with Christmas. There are plenty of winter sports to take part in, various reindeer and husky farms for the animal lover to explore, Lapland’s Provincial Museum Arktikum, the forest themed Pilke Science Centre and the Korundi House of Culture. There is also no shortage of unique cafes and restaurants to discover.
Yes, this town is the most "touristy" on the list, but dealing with the crowds is well worth it. You simply won't find a better place to enjoy the winter season anywhere else in the world!
Saariselkä
The area of Saariselkä is famous for its open fell scenery, fresh air and pure nature.
The village of Saariselkä is the perfect place to visit if you want to have a great view of the Northern Lights, hit the ski slopes, or hike through an idyllic mountain forest. In Saariselkä, there are over 200 km of cross-country ski trails. Part of the trails run in the authentic fell nature of Urho Kekkonen National Park.
Want to be less active? This place has got your back. Saariselkä is also known for providing peaceful activities such as spas and massage parlors.
Saariselkä was built to be a tourism centre and it is very compact. All the services, hotels and restaurants are located close to each other, which makes everything a convenient walking distance.
Autti
Autti, which means “deep gorge” in the Sámi language, is a small village that is perfect for those who wish to get in touch with nature. It is famous for a gigantic gorge, scenic river canyons, and snowcapped forests.
Other attractions include the Wanha Autti Fantasy Medieval Restaurant, which hosts a medieval fair every year and the Wolftrail husky farm, which offers husky safaris with their huskies, malamutes, and wolf dogs.
Ivalo
If peace and isolation are what you’re after, then Ivalo is the getaway for you! With hundreds of kilometres of unspoiled wilderness, it makes a perfect location for winter sports, skiing, snowboarding, and reindeer sledding.
Hiking, canoeing, and even gold panning are popular activities during the summer.
Tips on Visiting Lapland:
How to Get There
Notably, there are no direct flights to Lapland, so you must first fly to the Finnish capital, Helinski, before proceeding to the area. Lapland is a common destination, so it's easy to find packages that include airfare. In other words, you can simplify things, so that you only need to make one purchase, and you'll be shuttled off to Lapland's scenic landscape.
Language
The two main official languages are Finnish and Swedish. Once you arrive, you'll be happy to discover that English is widely spoken as well. German is also quite common.
When to Go
Lapland is a year-round destination. Winters are great for outdoor activities like downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, skating, and ice-swimming. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to witness the Northern Lights. During the summer, the sun never sets, so you can experience the natural phenomenon of the midnight sun. Late summer and autumn are ideal for foraging and experiencing the gorgeous autumn foliage. The spring months (until early May) offer the best skiing in Lapland. As you can see, there is plenty to do, no matter when you choose to go!
Clothing
Luckily, the weather in Lapland isn't as intense as in many Scandinavian areas. However, during the winter months, layering is key. You will want to make sure that you have a good thermal base layer, like merino wool. On top of that, go with a wool sweater or fleece pullover. For the outermost layer, make sure you have a good outdoor winter coat and a pair of weather-appropriate pants. It’s also important to keep your feet warm, so wool or thermal socks are a must.
During the summer months, light pants, shorts, t-shirts, and other casual warm-weather items are appropriate in most areas since the temperatures are similar to everywhere else in northern and central Europe.
Things to Do
Here is a list of some of the best activities in Lapland, Finland:
● the Northern Lights
● see Santa Claus
● dog and reindeer sledding
● hiking
● downhill or cross-country skiing
● ice fishing
● driving a snowmobile
Final Thoughts on Lapland
As you can see, there are an abundance of reasons to add Finnish Lapland to your bucket list. If you have always wanted to experience the magic of the Northern lights, cross-country ski your heart out while staying in remote cabins or at a snow hotel and see where Santa Claus hangs out all year then this is the place for you! Do you want to plan a snowy adventure in Lapland with a group of women who are interested in the same winter fun activities? Consider joining Wander and Soul’s Travel Club. Find out about what our club can offer you here.