Visit Finnish Lapland, Finland

Stretching deep into the Arctic, Finnish Lapland is a region that feels far removed from modern life. Here, dense taiga forests dominate the landscape, punctuated by gently sloping fells, spidery snowmelt-fed rivers, and vast peatlands. It’s a largely untouched environment, which has supported Indigenous Sámi communities for millennia, while elk, reindeer, and Arctic foxes are just some of the species that call the wilderness home.

One of the most northerly inhabited areas in Europe, this corner of the world thrives in winter, when the fells are laden with snow, the lakes freeze over with glittering, glassy ice, and — with little light pollution and short daylight hours — the inky skies are frequently seen blazing with the northern lights. Against this backdrop, you can enjoy the classic experiences that have made Lapland famous, from gliding across the snow by husky sled to meeting Santa at his workshop. Yet these are only part of the story. We can also introduce you to a different side of the region, whether that's cruising through icy waters, floating in a half-frozen lake, or spending the night beneath the aurora in a glass-roofed igloo.

For me, a trip to Finnish Lapland is like a portal into another world. With pitch-black skies frequently painted with the northern lights and snow-blanketed valleys best-explored by a reindeer-drawn sleigh, there’s an undeniable sense of magic about the region.

Finland specialist Jackie

Where to go in Finnish Lapland

Rovaniemi

Finnish Lapland’s capital is also its main gateway, with an international airport just outside the city. While it attracts the highest number of visitors in the region, it’s the place to be if you’re hoping to meet Santa. You can visit his workshop and send post from Santa's official post office at Santa Claus Village, as well as attend Elf School and decorate gingerbread at nearby Santa Park. You can also enjoy a number of classic Lapland activities in and around Rovaniemi, such as husky sledding, ice fishing, and ice floating, which involves relaxing in a frozen lake while wearing a state-of-the-art thermal suit.

Saariselkä

On the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park, Saariselkä is a tranquil resort surrounded by forests, fells, and wide-open landscapes. Thanks to its far-northerly location and low levels of light pollution, the area is one of the best places in Lapland to see the northern lights, with many stays offering glass-roofed igloos designed for viewing the aurora. You can explore this Arctic wilderness on foot, by snowmobile, with a team of huskies, or on the back of a reindeer-drawn sleigh. Despite the remote feel, the village is also just over 20 minutes’ drive from Ivalo Airport.

Levi

While it’s best known as Finland’s largest ski resort, Levi has plenty of wilderness to explore beyond the slopes. From husky sledding to northern lights tours, you can enjoy many of Lapland’s definitive winter experiences here, with fewer crowds than in Rovaniemi. Nearby, Lainio Snow Village is a popular attraction that changes each year, featuring intricately carved buildings hand-formed from snow and ice. You might also like to visit Levi Fell, a rounded low-rise mountain where you can speed past snow-thick spruces on a snowmobile. And where you stay here becomes part of the experience, too — choose from luxury lodges, remote log cabins, and glass-roofed igloos. You can access Levi by car in just 15 minutes from Kittilä Airport.

Best time to visit Finnish Lapland

December and January are when the region comes into its own, with powdery snow covering the landscape and regular opportunities to see the northern lights. This is also the height of the festive season, with Christmas markets and visits to Santa proving popular with families. You can also visit in November, February, or March, when crowds are thinner and snow-based activities like husky sledding are still available, though snow cover is typically lighter.

Festivals, events and seasonal reasons to visit

• The Poro Cup, an annual reindeer racing competition, is held between February and March.
• November to December is the main festive period, when Christmas markets, concerts, and craft workshops take place across the region, particularly in Rovaniemi and at Santa Claus Village.