Best Things to do in Lapland

What is it? The sky above Lapland is a stage for wonders. In summer, the sun never sets. It simply circles the horizon, curious and unending. Winter, on the other hand, brings the kaamos (you’re right, sounds almost like chaos), the polar night, when the sun disappears for weeks and the world glows in a constant blue twilight. And when darkness falls, the northern lights ignite the sky.

Why we love it: Seeing the aurora borealis is one of the biggest reasons people travel to Lapland – and it’s easy to understand why. One moment the lights swirl into the shape of a phoenix, the next they shift into a glowing green river, flowing wildly across the heavens. In summer, the auroras are only a memory, replaced by the endless light of the midnight sun, which hovers above the horizon for weeks on end, bathing the landscape in a soft, golden glow even at midnight. Time itself seems to lose all meaning.

What is it? In southernmost Lapland, near Posio, lies the dramatic Korouoma Canyon, a hundred metres deep and almost ten kilometres long. This rugged natural formation is at its most spectacular in winter, when water freezes on its vertical cliffs, forming dramatic icefalls.

Why we love it: The canyon walls rise straight up like supernatural fortresses, and the largest waterfalls – reaching up to 50 metres – attract ice climbers from around the world. But you don’t need crampons or ropes to enjoy them. The five-kilometre Koronjää Trail lets you take it all in at your own pace, surrounded by snow, silence and the frozen magic of Lapland.

What is it? The capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi, is officially recognised as the hometown of Santa Claus – and its Santa Claus Village, located right on the Arctic Circle, draws visitors from all over the world. Yes, it’s a little kitschy, but that’s part of the fun.

Why we love it: Rovaniemi is far more than a Christmas backdrop. It’s a lively northern city with excellent restaurants and a surprisingly rich cultural scene. And once you’ve met Santa and snapped the obligatory photo, head to Arktikum, an impressive museum that reveals what life in the North is really like, without the red suit and fake beard.

What is it? Just an hour and a half from Rovaniemi, Pyhä–Luosto National Park offers a taste of the ‘real’ Lapland: wild fells, rocky gorges and sweeping, treeless landscapes. The park takes its name from Pyhätunturi, once a sacred site for the Sámi, and nearby Noitatunturi, or ‘Witch Fell’, which served as an ancient place of sacrifice.

Why we love it: The park’s star attraction is Isokuru, a dramatic 220-metre-deep gorge where a wooden boardwalk leads through a landscape of bare rock. Don’t miss the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, where visitors can dig for their own ‘lucky stones’ deep in the earth. Mining here is done entirely by hand and in harmony with nature – small-scale, sustainable and utterly unique.

What is it? Neighbouring Levi and Ylläs are Lapland’s best-known ski resorts. Levi is Finland’s largest and most international, with around a third of visitors coming from abroad. It’s compact and walkable – everything from hotels to après-ski bars is within easy reach, so you can happily get by without a car. Ylläs, by contrast, is more spread out but boasts Finland’s longest ski runs and a wilder, more natural feel.

Why we love it: Both resorts have it all – downhill and cross-country skiing, husky and reindeer safaris, northern lights tours and that unmistakable Lapland atmosphere. They offer the perfect balance of adventure and calm: excellent facilities and vibrant après-ski, but step just outside the resort and you’re surrounded by nothing but snow and silence. From either, it’s an easy trip to the Lapland Hotels SnowVillage, a vast snow castle rebuilt each winter with dazzling ice sculptures and a new theme every year. The results are always nothing short of magical.

What is it? Lapland’s most famous and beloved artist, Reidar Särestöniemi (1925–1981), was born near Kittilä, between Ylläs and Levi. His former home and studio now serve as a captivating museum, where both his vibrant paintings and the grand log buildings themselves leave a lasting impression. In the middle of the gallery there’s even a swimming pool – once used by the artist to cool off after his marathon painting sessions.

Why we love it: Särestöniemi captured the colours and moods of Lapland like no one else. Lynxes, ptarmigans and the blazing hues of autumn come alive on his canvases. His art was bold, and so was his personality. He painted in the serenity of the wilderness, yet mingled with Finland’s cultural elite and the international jet set. The tragedy of his life was that, though he could express great visions on canvas, he could never truly reveal his inner self to the world – homosexuality was still a taboo during his lifetime.

What is it? The Pallas–Yllästunturi National Park showcases Lapland at its most breathtaking: rolling fells, deep gorges and crystal-clear streams. In summer, it’s home to one of Finland’s most beloved hiking routes, the 55-kilometre Hetta–Pallas Trail, first marked out in 1934. In winter, Pallas transforms into Finland’s most charming and natural ski resort.

Why we love it: If the three-to-four-day Hetta–Pallas hike sounds a bit much, opt for the Taivaskero Trail instead – one of Finland’s most spectacular day hikes. The nine-kilometre route climbs to the highest peak of the Pallastunturi fell, where a stone cairn and a plaque mark the spot where the 1952 Olympic flame was lit. In winter, Pallas turns into a delightfully old-school ski area: no artificial snow, just the real thing. There are only two T-bar lifts, the slopes follow the land’s natural curves, and the season often stretches beyond May Day. There’s even just one hotel, Hotel Pallas, Finland’s very first mountain lodge.

What is it? Rising from the Sompio Nature Park, Pyhä-Nattanen is one of Lapland’s most extraordinary fells – and, as its name suggests, once a sacred site for the Sámi people. Its summit is crowned with massive rectangular rock pillars, known as tors, that look as if a giant had been playing with Lego bricks.

Why we love it: Mysterious in appearance yet surprisingly easy to reach, Pyhä-Nattanen is a perfect stop on the way to Saariselkä. A bumpy ten-kilometre gravel road leads from the main E75 to the parking area, from where it’s only a two-kilometre climb to the top. The full circular trail via the summit is seven kilometres long – short enough for a half-day adventure, but with views that stay with you for a lifetime.

What is it? Relaxed and quietly refined, Saariselkä serves as the gateway to the vast Urho Kekkonen National Park – a wilderness that seems to stretch on forever. The resort tends to attract slightly older visitors and nature lovers who prefer peace and comfort over nightlife. You can explore the park on multi-day treks deep into the wild or take gentler day hikes around Kiilopää, the park’s most accessible nature area.

Why we love it: The UKK National Park is a hiker’s paradise of open fells, aapa mires, boulder fields and crystal-clear rivers. You can walk here for days without meeting another soul. The 70–80-kilometre circular route from Kiilopää to the foot of Sokosti is a classic, testing the hiker’s endurance but rewarding with unforgettable views. But you don’t need to be an expert to enjoy it – from Saariselkä, it’s easy to venture out on shorter day hikes. In winter, Saariselkä becomes a snowy playground with excellent cross-country ski trails and Finland’s longest toboggan run: an exhilarating 1,800-metre ride down the hill.

What is it? The region of Inari is the heartland of the Sámi, Europe’s last Indigenous people. At its centre lies vast Lake Inari, a body of water so large it feels like an inland sea, sacred to many Sámi. Its shores are stark and beautiful, and in summer the surface shimmers like molten silver. Rising mysteriously from the lake, Ukonkivi was once one of the most important Sámi sacrificial sites. Think of it as the Lapland equivalent of Uluru Rock in Australia.

Why we love it: The highlight of the village is the Siida Museum and Nature Centre, which brings the nature, history and culture of Lapland vividly to life. Exhibits range from traditional crafts to modern Sámi identity, and you can even listen to rap music in different Sámi languages. Outside, a reconstructed village lets you step into turf huts, admire old boats and sleds, and see how life here has always been intertwined with nature. Don’t miss a hike to the atmospheric Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church, built in the 1700s beside what was once a Sámi winter settlement. And for something completely different, book a table at Restaurant Aanaar, one of Finland’s best, where local northern flavours are transformed into elegant, modern dishes.

What is it? On the map, Finland looks like a maiden with one arm stretched westward. In the palm of that hand lies Kilpisjärvi, the crown jewel of the far north. Here rises the majestic Saana, often described as Finland’s most beautiful fell.

Why we love it: The landscapes around Kilpisjärvi are among the most breathtaking in the country. Saana itself looks otherworldly, and from its 1,029-metre summit you can see all the way to Norway’s snow-capped peaks. The hike to the top is about four kilometres each way – steep in parts, but worth every step. At the western edge of Kilpisjärvi Lake waits another Lapland icon: the Three-Country Cairn, a yellow stone marker where the borders of Finland, Sweden and Norway meet. In summer, you can reach it the easy way, by taking a scenic lake cruise across Kilpisjärvi.