A holiday in Lapland is right up there with the best. Enjoy superb winter wildlife safaris, woodland hikes through pristine forests, dazzling displays of the Northern Lights in winter, and of course plenty of family-oriented Christmas-themed experiences on a to this region which straddles both Finland and Sweden.
When is the best time to visit Lapland?
Ah Lapland, just the name alone conjures images of snow-dusted forests and cosy log cabins hidden in the wilderness. And, the good news is that a holiday to this region promises to make good on all of those childhood fantasies, and more, from riding reindeer sleighs to meeting Santa and his elves in their very own home. But, there’s far more to a Lapland holiday than mere festive frivolity.
Throughout the year it’s a playground for the young and young at heart, where you’ll have the chance to indulge your adventurous side with the likes of husky safaris and summer hikes, enjoy delicious seasonal food and unmatched Nordic hospitality or simply bask in the wonder of nature, under the Midnight Sun or Northern Lights.
Find out more about visiting Lapland in winter
How long is the flight from the UK to Lapland?
Fortunately, especially for those travelling with young children, the flight to Lapland is only three-and-a-half hours. For Finnish Lapland, fly direct into Rovaniemi or Kittilä, or for Swedish Lapland head for Kiruna via Stockholm or Lulea, which will be serviced by a new direct flight from December 2020.
Is Lapland for all ages?
Yes, it certainly is. For families with young children there’s the joy of meeting old St Nick, of course, but at any time of year, kids are well catered to with a host of adventures tailor-made for younger travellers. In winter, look out for sledging, reindeer sleigh rides, wilderness skills courses, wildlife safaris and dogsledding excursions where the guide does the driving. And, at Christmas, things take a decidedly festive turn with everything from gingerbread making to trips into the forest to meet Santa’s elves and even visit his post office.
Santa's Post Office (image c/o Visit Rovaniemi)
Then, for the grown-ups, there’s all the above and more, with the likes of snowmobiling and ice fishing vying for your attention. And, let’s not forget summer and autumn, when such activities as river rafting, foraging and rambling hikes under the Midnight Sun take centre stage. There are even a few adults-only hotels, for those that really want to escape the kids.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Lapland?
You can indeed. In fact, the Northern Lights can be spotted right across the region from as early as September, with the last displays of the season usually right into April. With low light pollution and the long nights of an Arctic winter, Lapland is one of the best places on Earth for spotting the Northern Lights.
Northern Lights over Harriniva
What is there to do in Lapland?
While we’ve mentioned a few of the most popular pursuits above, there’s a seemingly endless stream of activities covering all of Lapland’s four seasons. And, while some might be as expected – snowmobiling, husky safaris and the like – there’s plenty of off-the-wall entertainment to keep you coming back for more.
It’s hard to pick the most popular, but some of our favourites have to be aurora floating – donning a dry suit to watch the Northern Lights while bobbing about on an icy lake – and the sauna on skis, which is, well, a sauna on skis. As you browse through our Lapland holidays, you’ll find endless examples of the activities on offer. Some are included in the price, but we always try to leave some free time to you can add in a few of your own. Ans remember, all our trips are tailor-made, so if you want to build your trip from scratch, that’s fine, too.
Aurora floating in Finnish Lapland
Where can you stay in Lapland?
Another wonder of Lapland is the sheer variety and quality of its accommodation, from ice hotels to evocative log cabins. And, there’s plenty of innovation as well, not least in the ever-popular glass igloos, which have sprung up right across Finnish Lapland in recent years, and such icons as Sweden's Treehotel, ICEHOTEL and the new Arctic Bath.
Arctic Bath, Swedish Lapland
Whichever you choose for your holiday, remember that all the accommodation featured has been handpicked by our specialists, who’ve personally stayed in the hotels we recommend. As such, you’ll always be sure of the most up-to-date recommendations based on first-hand experience.
Discover our top Lapland hotels
If this all sounds tempting, browse our sample itineraries and places to stay to get a fuller picture of the experiences a Lapland holiday can offer. And remember, all of our holidays can be tailor-made just for you, whether you'd like to alter the duration, accommodations, routing, or excursions.
